Hey Mitchell,
Keep it simple,
A mid range 6500 daiwa or shimano, a GT special, some 80lb braid a metre or so of 150 lb trace and a few halco roosters or dumbell 200's will catch you GT's from Hayman to Bustard Heads, maybe a few Nomad stickbaits for some Spanish Mackerel and big queenies. If you can master an fg knot then thats great otherwise a double to a Cairns quickie works well and is quick, just make sure you really tighten it up.
I caught my first 10 GT's on a $200 reel, some sort of ugly stick boat rod, 50lb braid and 100lb trace....then I realised you can't catch GT's on such crap gear and have been slowly upgrading ever since. I still can't mention what reel I use on this forum as it causes much laughter, but its gone past 30 GT's now so is obviously hopeless. I could buy 3 more back up reels and still be less than a saltiga
Only upgrades I'd do is put some decent hooks on your lures and maybe get a tackle shop to drop in some better drag washers. If you were spending 6 or 10K on a GT holiday then go for the real gear. If your doing a sailing/cruise down the coast and trying to catch a GT as you go...your preferred gear will be fine.
