Best Source for GT Popping rods in UK / Europe?

[Dave Huck]

Hi,

I'm looking for (I think) a beginners GT Popping rod for a trip to West Africa. We won't be fishing for GTs, we'll be after Jack Crevalle, Leerfish, Snappers etc. but I plan on using the trip to learn popper fishing in advance of a GT trip next year (not sure where, possibly the Andamans or Oman).

I plan on buying a Catalina 4500H and spooling with 60lb hollow braid. I may also spool up with some 80lb for the big stuff round the wrecks. Will a Carbontex drag set for a 4500 Saltiga fit the Catalina?

I really like the sound of the Shimano GT Special, except for the weight (and I can't find the max length of the rod when it's broken?). It doesn't seem to be available in my neck of the woods though....

The Caranx Kaibatsus are available but I've heard they're not so good for 5' 6" shortarses like me   . They've also bought out Travel Concept Kaibatsus (4 and 5 piece I think), but I'm very wary of such a compromise.

Daiwa don't seem to sell their foreign rods in UK so I'd probably have to import.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

Dave

[Chuen Fan]

Most online tackle retailers will post worldwide, though saying that postage costs are sometimes an issue. Your best bet for sourcing GT popping rods would probably be Seawood tackle, thats about the only online shop I can think of that operate out of Spain (I think). Maybe some of our European based members can shed some light.

If you were specifically fishing for GTs, I'd look at upgrading to a 6500 size reel over the 4500. You might find 60lb line a bit light and 80lb as a minimum for popping GTs.

To answer your question, the carbontex washers for the saltigas will fit the catalina/saltiga blast series of reels.

I'm sure our forum sponsors will be able to ship across a GT special to you if you're keen, give them an email and see what they can do!

[Dave Huck]

Thanks Chuen,

I'll check out Seawood and Fish Heads (I guess that's who you mean? When I last looked Fish Heads don't seem to stock Shimano rods).

Cheers

Dave

[Michael Adolfsen]

Hi Dave
As Chuen said take a look at Seawoodtackle they sell top quality rods and tackle.
I just baugth the  carpenter sp80m from seawood,coming by ups tuesday.Top service from those guys.
I actually have the gt special, broken down its 168 cm. where in Africa are you going.
Michael from Denmark.

[Dave Huck]

Thanks Michael,

I just took a look at the Seawood site and the Tokara 60 (at least the Sticker version) and WRC 80P/35 are much more reasonably priced than I expected  .

I'm fishing off of Guinea-Bissau on the islands just offshore. It sounds like very varied fishing but with lots of opportunities for popping. And of course there are the tarpon......  .

I'm just trying to decide whether to play safe and go for the 80P (sounds ideal for beginners like me) or the big gun.

Where do you fish for GTs?

Cheers

Dave

[Michael Adolfsen]

Hi Dave
I have fished Guinea- Bissau 2 years ago at Quire island (not sure its spelled that way).
The 80p will be fine the tokara is overkill, but if money is no problem buy the Tokara to.
You should also consider a light tackle set for small poppers and stickbaits from .
I can highly recommend smiths kgs 68 or 70. They can easily handle those jacks even the big ones 15+.
Poppers and stickbaits from 10-18cm.
I'm sorry to say but the Tarpons are only on bait, they are BIG but rare.
I was in Oman last year but no Gts , due to red tide , and a desert storm held us on land for 4 days  .
I'm going to Andaman in jan/feb next year hopefully with a lot of Gts to brag about.
Cheers
Michael

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Dave,

You will have a blast out in Bissau.  Fished there about 3 years back - lots of Jacks and a great way to put your toe in the water before trying GT's.

Michael's rod advice is spot on.  Other rods you should be able to pick up in Europe which would fit the bill from Shimano are the Caranx Kaibutsu Light Pleasure or the Shimano Aspire Shore Game in 8ft or 8ft 6 ins.  Good lures for us were Orion CX, Orion Hot Dog, 5-6" Yozuri Surface Cruisers and Yozuri Surface Bulls - also worth taking some 5" sinking stickbaits (Orion Bigfoot, Smith Runboh, TailWalk Gunz).  Make sure to fit good split rings - Owner hyperwire size 10 should do the job and to fit owner st66 trebles.....we hooked two jacks on the same lure a few times and if components are weak (sometimes even if they aren't !!) they make a monkey of you.

Good luck on the trip - you'll have great fun!

Cheers   Dave

[Dave Huck]

Thanks Guys,

I'm pretty much set on the WRC 80P and plan on matching it up with a Catalina 4500H. Is the Catalina a good match for the rod? My main reason for going for the catalina is that it has a fast retrieve, spare spools are available for only US$ 90 and the reel itself is the cheapest of the ones I've been considering. This leaves funds for a heavier GT outfit for next year. My only open question is what is the minimum lure weight for the 80P?

Edit: I've just reread Michael's post and will also buy a KGS70MH.

If I go down this route can you recommend a good braid to spool up with? We don't seem to use the PE rating system over here but I think Daiwa Aus claim 300m of 40lb braid for the 4500. Should I go for a shorter length of heavier braid (50 - 60lb) or stick with 40lb?

Sorry to bombard you with questions but I'm keen to get this as right as I can without too many expensive mistakes....

Cheers!

Dave
 

[Jon Li]

If you are serious with the sport , get the best .... Carpenter and SEAWOOD stocks them .

Jon . 

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Dave,

The 80P is a fine rod.  Good starter rod for GT's....its too much rod for Bissau though both in terms of the lures you will be casting and the size of the Jacks you'll be catching.  The KGS will be a better rod for the trip.

I don't know much about the Catalina.  I reckon that in the long run you will end up with a Saltiga or a Stella anyway....so if you can manage it go for one of those in a 4500 or 8000 size respectively to pair with your KGS.  Its worth picking up a spare spool too so if the worst happens and you lose a lot of line you can quickly be back in the game.

For braid I would go for Jerry Brown solid or Tuf Line XP in 50lb.  There are quite a few rocky spots in Bissau and you need to get those Jacks stopped - they fight dirty down there .  With 60-90gm lures you will cast a mile with 50lb braid.  Remember to practice an FG knot for attaching the leader.

Hope this helps.

Tight lines   Dave
 

 

[Michael Adolfsen]

Ups just delivered my brand new carp. sp80m. from seawoodtackle.
NICE.
To bad Gt land is so far away.
Think i will throw some poppers and scare the s...! out of some seatrouts. 

[Alex Jordan]

Depends on your budget - looks like more UK poppers coming out of the woodwork!
I have a contact in Jersey who can do the entire range of tropical rods that Tenryu do for the French market - not cheap though' but can get them very quickly!

Personally I tend to import from the US or Japan - have used Seawood Tackle and Caranx.net as well ... at the moment nowhere in the UK does specialised popping and jigging tackle - niche in the market?

[Andre van Wyk]

Personally I tend to import from the US or Japan

Ahhhhemmmm.......... 

 

[Alex Jordan]

LOL ok ok and South Africa!

we really have got nowt in the UK :/

Franchise anyone?

[Dave Huck]

Thanks for all the advice folks. Just a quick update; I had a bit of luck and I've picked up a Catalina 4500H and a Dogfight for very reasonable money  .

I'm about to order the rods from Seawood and I'll probably pick up a bunch of lures from Bluewater in Oz.

What is the latest on the Dogfight, do I need to switch the drag to Carbontex? If so, does anybody know a source, Bluewater and Smooth drags don't seem to do a Daiwa 6500 size?

Just got to sort out a 10wt fly reel and I'm done!

Cheers!

Dave