GT POPPING IN FIJI.

[mark gaal]

I am new here so firstly I would like to say hello. This will be my first experience at popping , (hopefully) not my last. I thought  to buy a saltiga extreme gt 7.6. and match it with a stella 18000 sw which I have or a daiwa maverick 6500. I looked at a t curve gt special as well, which rod would suit me better being new to popping I don't have much to go on. I could afford to buy something special but not sure if it's wise first time out so wasteing money is something I would like to avoid. Next is types of poppers, damn those things are expensive, I obviously don;t want top end stuff that I may lose due to lack of experience, rather some in the low to mid range price wise. Any info on this would be appreciated. I will be fishing out of Savu Savu and have access to boats and all that other stuff so that's no problem. Advice on leaders, what braids to use, and other things to take would also be appreciated. What size fish am I likely to encounter there? my brother in law says some of them are monsters but he could be winding me up. I am fairly fit but don't want to end up in the water. Thanks.

[Anthony Robinson]

Hey Mark

I am also new to the GT popping game and I'm yet test out my gear. I have found this forum and some others very useful at finding top quality gear at good prices.

I have set myself up with a Saltiga 6000GT and a custom built Calstar popping rod, both second hand but in great condition and both at a great price.

as for line i have gone with 80 and 100lb Tufline XP which is a solid performer, and won't break the budget. Ebay was really good for this, i saved a lot of money almost half price compared to some of the local tackle stores. just put it into the search on ebay.

Low to mid range poppers i have found are the halco Roosta's, River to Sea Dumbells, and the Nomad Cubera's. Also the Timberwolf gars are good quality for the price.

Motackle.com.au is good for all these at very good prices, and always keep an eye out for guys wanting to sell stuff second hand, you can almost always get a great price.

i have found several good sellers on ebay for terminal tackle, trebles and single hooks, split rings and swivels. most of the guys on here suggest no less than 300lb rating for terminal tackle.

As for leaders, I have got 170lb Fisherman Super Stealth for single leaders and blackmagic and Penn 10x for twisted leaders. 130lb and 150lb are pretty much what you'll need

these are very cheap of motackle or similar, also some of the gear on fishhead.com is very well priced. Jai poppers looks the goods

hope this helps

Cheers Anthony

[Brandon Khoo]

please refer to threads that have been stickied on guide to buying a GT rod and the thread on poppers. You should find a fair bit of relevant information on those threads.

[mark gaal]

Thanks for the reply, the threads seem to cover most of what I need to get started.

[Rohit Saqa Lal]

Hey Gaaly, save mee some kava for my trip there

[Sam Conacher]

with-out being rude,


the kava is not worth it if you ask me Mark but try it if you want as some like it and some don't.  I tried it when i was there a few year's back and i have been to Fiji twice, it's yuck.


there is and are better thing's to have and to drink and enjoy then kava though as i have said some people really like and enjoy it and some don't.


one thing which actually took me a few day's to work out was that the coconut's that are allready on the ground taste ok but the one's on the tree's if you can get them make it far more worth while and taste heap's better and from what i found out my-self when i was there that there is much more to drink and the taste is not to strong but not to weak=just right.

[mark gaal]

Thanks for that Sam, actually I was born there and know all too well how it tastes. You are right about the coconuts . It's been some years since I have seen some of my family. I intend to spend a bit more time there from now on and if I can get the hang of this GT fishing all the better. Cheers. Will be spending some time this coming week getting hold of some poppers lines etc. I thought I would go with suffix or Tuf line to start with as many hereabouts seem to think they're pretty good value. Set a limit of around $45 a popper, probably lose them all but what the heck, gotta start somewhere.

[Sam Conacher]

i could and may be wrong and not that i am talking from experience,    i am sure you will not lose any poppers.



i think that once you catch your first GT on a popper,  you will have the GT Popping bug right away.

[Rohit Saqa Lal]

Hey Sam, I was born in Fiji too you know

[Sachin Chaudhry]

Big GTs have begun to make an appearance over the past month. My mates and I have landed 5 over 40kg in the past 4 weeks and hooked up and lost a few. Took a huge hit yesterday too but the fish did not hook up. Oh you will lose some poppers here.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Big GTs have begun to make an appearance over the past month. My mates and I have landed 5 over 40kg in the past 4 weeks and hooked up and lost a few. Took a huge hit yesterday too but the fish did not hook up. Oh you will lose some poppers here.

Well done Sachin. Will we get to see a report soon?

[Paul Vogl]

 
That sounds awesome Sachin. It must be great to have that fishing on your doorstep. I have a trip booked to head over in Feb...your update doesn't help the wait!

[Sam Conacher]

Big GTs have begun to make an appearance over the past month. My mates and I have landed 5 over 40kg in the past 4 weeks and hooked up and lost a few. Took a huge hit yesterday too but the fish did not hook up. Oh you will lose some poppers here.

Well done Sachin. Will we get to see a report soon?








and some photo's if you have any

[Peter Morris]

I have seen two recent pics from Sachin,

Let me say...very very impressive fish....One a genuine 40kg and one not far behind.

I am all booked for March...cant wait.

Pete

[Rohit Saqa Lal]

Good to hear. I'll be spending a month there in the new year. Really looking forward to it, will have access to a boat too!