Tim wrote:
OK, I ove watching "The Water Channel" (217 on DishNetwork) and
tonight they had some big "Bluewater Battle wagon" Out trolling for
Blue Marlin.

I was watching these people who pay a kings ransom to go do some heavy
duty catching, and they had these very large, black (carbon graphite?)
rods, whith large gold colored reels. About as big as a medium-sized
coffe can.

The only thig I've really ever used to fish with, was the Zebco 202 kit
that my Grandpa bought for me for my 8th birthday.

Obvious comparisons are similar to a Yugo to a Rolls Royce.

I know different items draw different pricing, but on about an average,
what does one of those fishing rigs cost? I know it's more than a
buck-49.

Tim,

Figure on a 130 pound class rod costing about $1,200 for the reel,
another $600 to $800 for a custom bent butt rod and about $200 for
line. So your in the neighborhood of $2,000 a rod, give or take a few
hundred. For an 80 pound class figure on about $800 for the reel, $300
to $500 for a bent butt rod and about $125 for line, about $1,300, give
or take a little. A 70 pound setup should go about $1,000, give or take
some and a 50 pound set up around $700. You can go cheaper by getting
factory made rods, and less expensive reels, but these are probably
good numbers for Penn set ups.

I remenber the first time I fished for "big game", and saw those rods
and reels. The boat owner looked at me and said, "son, if you're going
bear hunting, bring the big guns, leave the little one's home", and he
was right.

John