basically, I just got into fishing and only have a Shakespeare Durango rod with the matching reel that came with 10lb line. Can I can use that setup with some 30lb line? And catch big fish like a 18-24 inch Spanish mackerel or fish of that size? All I've caught is Pacific mackerel with 10lb line cause I thought that's all I could do with that little rod. With a 1oz wait it already bends it down a bit. Please help. If I try 30lb line maybe a 1 or 2 oz sinker and try to pull in a Spanish mackerel of that size, will I break or damage the rod or reel or both?

30Lb braid you could use. But mono or fluoro will be too large. 

You could put on 30 LB mono or fluro, but the reel is rated for probably line way lesser than that, so it won't probably fit much of 30 LB.

the reels spool size may be your biggest issue going to 30lb line, not sure how big your spool is. you may find yourself casting to the bottom of your spool. or the potential of a big fish spooling your line off completely. also, you will still have the problem of your rod bending down with the weight of your sinker no matter your line size.

 

you can catch bigger fish with your 10lb line, but you need to have your drag properly set and know how to play the fish...

Ok, so use only braid, got it. Thank you all for your help. Yeah, I don't know much about the drag and all that, I usually have it full tightened down cause all I catch is small Pacific mackerel. So for bigger fish just loosen the drag?

11 minutes ago, ElCompaBroccoli said:

Ok, so use only braid, got it. Thank you all for your help. Yeah, I don't know much about the drag and all that, I usually have it full tightened down cause all I catch is small Pacific mackerel. So for bigger fish just loosen the drag?

No, it should be tightened.

55 minutes ago, TylerT123 said:

No, it should be tightened.

So, tightened all the day down? Or just tightened

9 hours ago, ElCompaBroccoli said:

So, tightened all the day down? Or just tightened

I don’t know anything about mackerel but the drag should probably be tightened all the way.

No, not all the way! First off, any sinker 1/2 oz or more is really pushing that rod. Second of all, 20 lb braid is the most id use on that rod. The reel is probably a 2000 size and you will get wind knots with 30lb braid. And third, DO NOT tighten all the way. Any big fish is gonna break your line or your rod. When fighting a big fish with a weak rod something has to give. Its either the drag, the line or the rod. Which do you think should give?