andy I would have much prefered heavier tackle. But the owner of the boat provided all the gear and since I don't personally own either a boat or any heavy salt water tackle I was stuck using that.

That is no excuse not to buy a whole garage load of big game offshore tackle... Actually, I prefer when people do not bring extra rods when they fish my boat. I can assure all that I will bring sufficient tackle to handle most instances. People get so hung up on catching a fish on their fishing rod, they end up not putting the best suited equipment out.