Tuna popping rod

[Scott Maybury]

Hey guys,

I know this is a GT popping forum, but I also know that a lot of the guys here are very broadly experienced

I am going to Fiji in Jan and probably Vanuatu next year sometime too. One of the species we will be targeting is Yellowfin Tuna, and we are hoping to get them on surface lures.

I have a Ripple Fisher GT 79R and a Komodo Dragon. I was originally thinking I could probably get away with using the Ripple Fisher as a tuna popping rod, however, I would be interested in people's thoughts on this.

Also, I know that people use some GT lures for tuna, but I have also seen other smaller lures (which were very heavy for their size) which are presumably used ot try and 'match the hatch'. Not sure how the RF will cast these.

I figured I won't need as heavy a rod for tuna as for GT's (less structure problems etc), and might want something a bit whippier for casting further. Having investigated it, it seems the average size of fish we are likely to come across is from 15lb - 50lb.

 If I were to buy a new rod for tuna poppering can anyone make suggestions? I am assuming I would want something around the PE5-6 range...? (any lighter and I am thinking I may have trouble casting a good range of lures)

[Andy Rowe]

Hi Scott,

You are on the right track with your thinking.

refer to Jon Li's recent post on tuna popping.

The 79R I'm sure would work great but as you anticipate the tuna can be very fussy and if they are then that rod is going to have trouble with a 20gm metal if all they want to eat is for instance is 6cm sardines.

So you are right, you want a 4-6 pe rating and something that will handle a lure range between 40 to 120gm.

Personally I'd want a separate set up between GT and Tuna so you are rigged and ready to cast should the need arise. That is also considering your budget and or weight restrictions.

Options to look at would be;
Carpenter; HLTN87, OMA92 or shorter rods like the TBL 80/20 series or BC series
Ripple fisher; Tuna 86
Zenaq ; FC80-3 or FC76-4

I've also been using a Tenryu spike 7'6" but found the butt construction a bit shoddy, nothing wrong with the blank though.

I'm still learning this game too but have been lucky to fish with some very experienced fisherman recently so I hope this helps.

[Jon Li]

In general , tuna popping rod are longer than 8' in length , I have 3 rods which I use for tuna popping and they are 8'6" , 8'7" n 9'2" in lengths , rated between PE 4 to PE 8 . No one dispute one can use GT popping rod for tuna , as long as one can reach the casting distance .

Tuna popping rod should be able to cast light lures , in my fishing area sometimes to entice a strike we must use light metal jig down to 30 gr. , luckily when the tunas are so choosy the casting distance is not far so we can still reach the target .

For tuna under 25 kg , my favourite rod is HL TN87 with PE4 line in the spool but for bigger tunas , I will use other rods such as LR86 with PE6 line in the spool , these rods mentioned will handle GT fishing too .

Several other rods worth looking are DJ83ML n TBL80/20RF for smaller tunas and DJ83MH n TBL80/30RF SHP for bigger tunas , the choise of rod always come down to personal's way on how to cast , I prefer the stiffer blanks while others prefer the more parabolic actioned blanks .

Regards : Jon .

[Antoni Seid]

In general , tuna popping rod are longer than 8' in length , I have 3 rods which I use for tuna popping and they are 8'6" , 8'7" n 9'2" in lengths , rated between PE 4 to PE 8 . No one dispute one can use GT popping rod for tuna , as long as one can reach the casting distance .

Tuna popping rod should be able to cast light lures , in my fishing area sometimes to entice a strike we must use light metal jig down to 30 gr. , luckily when the tunas are so choosy the casting distance is not far so we can still reach the target .

For tuna under 25 kg , my favourite rod is HL TN87 with PE4 line in the spool but for bigger tunas , I will use other rods such as LR86 with PE6 line in the spool , these rods mentioned will handle GT fishing too .

Several other rods worth looking are DJ83ML n TBL80/20RF for smaller tunas and DJ83MH n TBL80/30RF SHP for bigger tunas , the choise of rod always come down to personal's way on how to cast , I prefer the stiffer blanks while others prefer the more parabolic actioned blanks .

Regards : Jon .

Jon Li

Can I work easily with popper of 150gr using a DJ83MH rod?

Does the DJ83MH has an action faster than Keyolhu?

[Duncan O'Connell]

Hi Scott,

Big 'fin on poppers have been a fish on my wish list for aaaages!
I guess it stems from all the mack tuna & longtails I have spun up on skipping poppers here in Moreton Bay.

Some of the sticks I can muck around with are the :
Zenaq Fokeeto 76-4 (tuna)
Zenaq 86-4 Parabolica (tuna)
Zenaq Fokeeto 83-5 (GT/tuna)
Hots Gipang Tide Les 78MH (GT/tuna)
Patriot Design Grand Armor Tuna Platinum 78 (tuna)
Smith WRC 80p/35 (GT/tuna)

Some cross the boundaries between a GT and tuna stick, whereas others are dedicated tuna sticks.
Most are longer than GT rods and cast much lighter weights than the GT sticks.
Does the destination you are going to have any favourite size lures?
As Jon said, the rod needs to be able to ping some light lures at times.

Any chance of finding out or are you winging it?

Aaron.

[David Noble]

How about using a Black Devil & Twinpower combo???   

[John Campbell]

Yeah i remember seeing one of those combos for sale not long ago   

did you see that post Scott 

[Brandon Khoo]

you're all bloody stirrers!! 
I have to ask though, why are you looking for an outfit so soon after selling one?   

[Scott Maybury]

you're all bloody stirrers!! 
I have to ask though, why are you looking for an outfit so soon after selling one?   

Brandon, Dave and John are taking the piss, this is an old post of mine..I subsequently bought, and sold, that outfit....

[Brandon Khoo]

oh, all right. So you're not really looking for another outfit!   

bloody stirrers - don't feel too bad. I think I get it more than anyone else on this forum.

[Jon Li]

Hi Antoni ,

Sorry for late response , just returned from Thailand n Malaysia . 
DJ83MH is lower modulus than Smith Keyolhu , if you want stiffer rod , check LR88 .

Jon .

[Antoni Seid]

Hi Antoni ,

Sorry for late response , just returned from Thailand n Malaysia . 
DJ83MH is lower modulus than Smith Keyolhu , if you want stiffer rod , check LR88 .

Jon .

Hi Jon,

No problem, I'll buy the LR88.

Thank you for your attention

[Nathan Cefai]

Scott little roomer that your office has untouched gear lying about,maybe search threw the piles and see what you have there,you may find the rod your after....Mmmm i wonder why your hiding your gear there

[Scott Maybury]

Scott little roomer that your office has untouched gear lying about,maybe search threw the piles and see what you have there,you may find the rod your after....Mmmm i wonder why your hiding your gear there

Haha, only 1 rod, 2 reels, a few spools of line and some poppers at the moment in my office Nathan, nothing unreasonable about that surely?!?

I am not 'hiding' them, I swear, it is just convenient to get them delivered here...and then leave them here until my wife is not home 

[Andreas Lesch]