Guide to buying a GT rod - updated as at February 2017

[Vlad Rusu]

Hello guys,

first of all, I'm a rookie when about GT fishing but everybody started one day;). I plan a trip to Madagaskar ( Mitsio ) for the end of 2013 and I need a rod. I'd like to build the rod on a Black Hole blank and I have this options:

Black Hole Cape Cod Special 80G (Graphite) ( Length 8'/PE 10/Lure Weight 200g )
Black Hole Cape Cod Special 80N (Nano) ( Length 8'/PE 8/Lure Weight 180g )
Black Hole Cape Cod Special 86N (Nano) ( Length 8'6''/PE 8/Lure Weight 180g )

Target fish should be GT till 60lb. Maybe you can recommend me something else in the same price class (200$) I'd be very thankful for any advice.
Cheers from Europe
Vlad

[Ross Dalzell]

Can anyone comment on the Berkley Venom GT Pop rods as far as an entry level rod goes?

[Wayne Brown]

Took one to Vanuatu recently as my spare rod to my FCL Labo (mainly used by my son in law). It landed a 30+ doggie and handled some brutal drag without ever looking like failing. In terms of casting it worked 120 gram plus poppers well as you would expect from a rod rated at pe10-12. It is light, well balanced and has good running gear (sic guides etc). I would rate it higher than the typical budget gear we see (t Curve, monster mesh etc which I have used before and find a little heavy and tiring to work over a long session). Not as sensitive as the FCL Labo or indeed the Carpenter 80m (which I had the chance to have a few casts with) and would say they felt another step up in overall quality. Once comment from one of the anglers that landed the doggie was that it felt good and the only slight criticism was that he would have liked a slightly longer fore grip.  All up a great value mid level rod imo.

I am thinking of selling mine or swapping for a PE 6 type rod for stick baiting Sydney kings using 60-100 gram stick baits as the Berkely is a little heavy for that. As I have only taken it on this one trip and am not the most experienced "popper", suggest you get some other opinions first and PM me if you are interested in mine.     

[Ross Dalzell]

Thanks Wayne,
I have been wondering about these rods for a while now and it is impossible to find a decent review on the net so good to finaly here some feedback, keen to here from anyone else as well.  After reading through this post and what Brandon has said about the Carpenter DJ-83MH, I am seriously considering saving my pennies for a bit longer and treating myself to one of these bad boys.  I am new to this style of fishing but have been keen to get into it for years but living on the gold coast, won't be doing it all that much (only on holidays once, maybe twice a year, although plans are in place for a bigger boat to access a certain area I know GT have been taken on poppers to 40kg). With this and cost in mind, I'll probably only be buying one setup, already sold on the stella and if I can afford it, sounds like it may be worth while spending the extra money on the carpenter.

Brandon, earlier on you mentioned the stella 18000 was arguably the best GT reel on the market, I'm just curious as to why the 18000 over the 20000?

[Ben Rivers]

Brandon, earlier on you mentioned the stella 18000 was arguably the best GT reel on the market, I'm just curious as to why the 18000 over the 20000?

Gear Ratio. 18000 high speed for popping. 20000 low speed for jigging.

[Brandon Khoo]

That sums it up, Ross
You might have enormous difficulty finding a DJ83MH. I don't think any are scheduled for production.

[Simon Bomholt]

they are possible to find
http://www.seawoodtackle.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=129_128_135

[Mark Harris]

Yep, there are a few DJ83MH still around but not many.

I was just thinking the other day that if I could keep only one 1 of my Carpenter rods, it would be this one. A truly great all round GT rod.

[Ross Dalzell]

Thanks lads, I take it the DJ83MH is worth grabbing ASAP?

[Brandon Khoo]

Ross, my only caveat is something which I have emphasised in my guide to GT rods and that is to be just that little bit careful is rushing out to buy a rod which suits someone else. There is a GT rod out there to suit everyone but what suits you may not necessarily suit me and vice versa. Mark clearly loves the DJ83MH but I have to tell you that I don't have the same view of the rod. I have a DJ83MH somewhere but it has been so long since the rod has seen the water that I can't remember its last trip. He obviously likes it for its versatility whereas it is that versatility I don't like about it in that there are rods which are purpose specific that do specific tasks better. It's simple - the rod suits how he likes to fish but it doesn't fit in with how I like to fish.

[Mark Harris]

Very perceptive point from Brandon and excellent advice.

Specifically on DJ83MH, I would reiterate the versatility point.  If you are going to buy multiple GT rods, maybe this would not be one of them, and you should look for a specialist light chugger rod, a specialist big chugger rod, a specialist stickbait rod etc. However, if one rod is the objective, then I personally believe this would be a fine choice.

As ever, and as Brandon eloquently states, personal preferences (and a horses-for-courses element), will always be present.

[Ross Dalzell]

I suppose what makes it hard is, given my situation (living on the gold coast), I don't have access to all sorts of gear for this style of fishing to have a play with.  Thats where input from posts like this and guys like you Brandon and Mark is very informative and a big help in realising what's out there (if anyone does know of a good stockists on the GC please let me know).

At this point in time I could only justify one rod for popping and stickbaiting GT's and Kings, unless I was to move North or come into a fair bit of extra coin and it sounds like the DJ 83MH fits the bill pretty well.  I'm not saying i'm going to rush out and buy one but it's definitely got me thinking.  Before I joined GTPopping I was looking into the Berkley Venom hence my earlier question, but I have now been exposed to a whole new area of the tackle world which I never new existed.  I don't want to buy something i'm simply satisfied with, I want something that excites me as much to use, as the thought of the fish i'm chasing!

[Ben Rivers]

I suppose what makes it hard is, given my situation (living on the gold coast), I don't have access to all sorts of gear for this style of fishing to have a play with.  Thats where input from posts like this and guys like you Brandon and Mark is very informative and a big help in realising what's out there (if anyone does know of a good stockists on the GC please let me know).

At this point in time I could only justify one rod for popping and stickbaiting GT's and Kings, unless I was to move North or come into a fair bit of extra coin and it sounds like the DJ 83MH fits the bill pretty well.  I'm not saying i'm going to rush out and buy one but it's definitely got me thinking.  Before I joined GTPopping I was looking into the Berkley Venom hence my earlier question, but I have now been exposed to a whole new area of the tackle world which I never new existed.  I don't want to buy something i'm simply satisfied with, I want something that excites me as much to use, as the thought of the fish i'm chasing!

FISHHEAD is moving there in Jan 2013 - They are GT Specialists.

[Ross Dalzell]

sweet thanks ben

[michael langner]

Hi,
i'm looking for the ultimative long cast stickbait rod. the rod should be between 8`2`` and 8`5``. my problem is i like rods with a long rear grip for a better lever to cast.
i want to cast lures between 120 and 200gr. a little bit like a caranx kaibutsu long cast but a price class higher.
any ideas?