Getting my 1st popping rod

[Brandon Khoo]

Patrick, it is by no means the perfect rod as that doesn't exist for GT fishing. The 79R is suitable for poppers probably up to around the 160g mark as a general guide and it ok for stickbaits probably up to the same or a bit more. You're not going to get the same action on a surface stickbait as you will with specialised soft tipped rod and it isn't going to work or cast really big poppers.

It's a compromise rod - but is one that is relatively easy on the angler.

[Patrick Naslund]

Patrick, it is by no means the perfect rod as that doesn't exist for GT fishing. The 79R is suitable for poppers probably up to around the 160g mark as a general guide and it ok for stickbaits probably up to the same or a bit more. You're not going to get the same action on a surface stickbait as you will with specialised soft tipped rod and it isn't going to work or cast really big poppers.

It's a compromise rod - but is one that is relatively easy on the angler.

[Jon Li]

Patrick, it is by no means the perfect rod as that doesn't exist for GT fishing. The 79R is suitable for poppers probably up to around the 160g mark as a general guide and it ok for stickbaits probably up to the same or a bit more. You're not going to get the same action on a surface stickbait as you will with specialised soft tipped rod and it isn't going to work or cast really big poppers.

It's a compromise rod - but is one that is relatively easy on the angler.

Rod characteristics differ from person to person , try Jonas' rods and other peoples' rods before you decide which rod you eventually buy , you first rod should be an all rounder rod which allow you to cast the required distance ACCURATELY to entice a strike and then it should have enough back bone to withstand the task required to subdue the drag set of minimum 10 kg ( PE8 ) . A longer rod , IMHO is better to start with and later on , a shorter rod for specific lure application and most GT anglers have multiple rods in the end anyway , myself have 3 rods specifically for GT and that is after selling 2 rods to make room for a couple new rods in the near future .

Jon .

[Patrick Naslund]

Jon.

Yes I will try to get my hands on as many rods I can before I make my final decision .

Sadly I live in a country where  Tackle shops selling Popper rods  ( and actually know something about them ) are as rare as actually see a pig fly 
However after posting here I have come in contact with some nice ppl that will make my decision easier .

The effort you all put in helping me getting the right rod is really appreciated 

Patrick.

[Jonas Holmsgard]

Hi Patrick,

Of course you are most welcome to have a look and feel of the rods I own that is relevant  - I only have a couple in that category but my Yamaga Atlas 76/8 and the Illex 240H might be of some interest for you, at least as references. Since we live in the same city, this should be easy to arrange. PM me for a rod bending date

/jonas

[Laurent Thiriet]

i have the illex 240, good rod but perhaps a little light for a guy of 95 kg

tokara 60 is a good choice, easier than komodo dragon
here is a little video (if your are on facebook) of a friend beginner on GT fishing with this rod
http://www.facebook.com/laurent.thiriet?v=app_2392950137#!/video/video.php?v=400458224867
(i could not have the firt minutes of the fight)

there is also the xzoga taka pi 7710, pe10 rod. good looking rod, pe10 but a little parabolic like the tokara

Hi Patrick,

Of course you are most welcome to have a look and feel of the rods I own that is relevant  - I only have a couple in that category but my Yamaga Atlas 76/8 and the Illex 240H might be of some interest for you, at least as references. Since we live in the same city, this should be easy to arrange. PM me for a rod bending date

/jonas

[Patrick Naslund]

Jonas I  have sent you a PM. 

Laurent. thx for your input as well  .   

Patrick

[Patrick Naslund]

Drove down  to Denmark and met up with Lars and his friend Mads to try out some rods that they kindly had offered me to do.
And.... WOW.. there where rods everywhere.

Carpenters,Smiths, Ocean Revolutions...all kinds of Stella's ( I only have the SW10000 myself so far )
Poppers, stick baits and jigs all over the place.

It truly felt like I had a personal field day with a tackle shop

Besides from bending the rods and get a feel of on how they would be when fighting fish, I got to cast / work poppers and stick baits.
And there is fore sure a difference between a Komodo dragon and a BD200 

I truly feel privileged to have gotten this opportunity to meet up with Lars and Mads.
Not only did I get to try out some really nice rods reels ,poppers and stick baits.
I met 2 really nice guys

Fishing people truly differ from non fishing ppl when it comes to offer their help to a stranger 

To sit down and talk fishing ( destinations, tackle and techniques ) with all the new questions that pop up while discussing,
is great.

Lars has helped me a lot. He truly is something special.
He even manage to sneak away buying lunch while I was trying some rods.
Dam you Lars.. the lunch was supposed to be on me   

conclusion so far:
Komodo dragon is far to much o a rod as a 1st rod ( teamed up with a Stella 10000 with SOM no limits 16000 spool)
I don't doubt this is a lethal weapon in a experienced fishermans hands... but way to much rod for a 1st timer.

Carpenter Long Reef 88 and Smith Keyolhu are 2 rods I think I cold both handle and like o own.

For anything besides GT ( and Cubera) the BD100, 200 and stealth would probably be a joy to own.
( I will probably get 2 of these later on  )

Going to meet up with Jonas soon and try his rods.
After that I will for sure have allot more knowledge o what rod I will get as my 1st popping rod.

Patrick.

[Mark Harris]

That's great to hear Patrick. And well done Lars and Mads for being so helpful.

Am not too surprised at any of your conclusions so far. I have had a Komodo Dragon for years and these days it does not see too much daylight . Just try to get to see some Ripple Fishers if you can... I still think the GT79R recommendation could be the best one so far.

[Ben Earl]

Patrick, I think that there has been a lot of good advice given to you about getting your first rod. A good thing to remember is that as your fishing style/technique develops you will want different things from your equipment. No one can really predict what it is that you will specifically want to help you make the most of your fishing style. My first popping rod was a Tica Swells Island 8.2 and using it taught me a lot about what I look for/ require out of my equipment. I still use the rod occasionally despite what I see as its shortcomings because it does some things quite well.
One other thing which has been touched on is the balance of your outfit (line/lures/rod/reel), a poorly balanced outfit will make you work much harder than necessary to catch fish.
The last thing is being physically able to handle the gear. I am about the same size as you and still get "rag dolled" when using the Tica rod with heavy drag on a big fish. I train an hour every day on average just for fishing and still come home covered in bruises with aching muscles.
Anyway, best of luck with your search but beware of "paralysis by analysis". 

[Patrick Naslund]

Ben.

There for sure has been given some real good advice to me in this thread.

After making this post ( with the followup questions that followed ) and meeting up with Lars and Mads.. ( soon Jonas )
When going back and and reread Brandon's guide to buy a GT rod , I understand much more and I think I know what kind of a rod I want as my 1st popping rod.

Off course I will buy more rods and reels in the future ( probably sooner than I want to admit    )
I just wanted to make sure I bought the right rod for me , and not what everyone else bought because they read somewhere its THE rod to own 

I felt a bit unsure on what kind of rod to get, hence I posted here  after a couple months lurking around in these forums .
I haven't found any other forum with as much knowledge in GT fishing.. and still with knowledge in Tuna etc.
Finding Tuna forums are quite easy.. but not many of them have ever fished GT.

Patrick

[Jon Li]

Patrick ,

I still of the opinion for a beginner who wants a rod that can be used for GT n Tuna , it's best to buy a longer rod . My first GT rod is still with me , a Carpenter LR86 which is the predecessor of LR88 , since then I have bought n sold other rods but this first rod of mine I will not sell as I find it to be very versatile . Once you have become versatile and more focused into GT fishing , you may want to buy shorter rods for specific lures or if you are more focused to Tuna fishing , you may choose to buy different rods .

I am biased in talking about Carpenter rods as I am the agent of Carpenter but for you , it's best to buy from Seawood as shipping a rod from Japan or any other location means very high freight cost n then the VAT which is inevitable for European buyers . I believe Lars n Jonas have Carpenter rods , if my memory does not fail me .

Jon .

[Patrick Naslund]

Jon.

I tried the Carpenter LR88 when I went down to Lars.
This is as I said in my post a bit up...one of the rods I think I would like to own 

Patrick.

[Mads Soendergaard]

Hi Patrick

I'm happy to read that you enjoyed your trip to DK. We surely enjoyed the day. Its always great to meet other popper / jigging enthusiasts.

It definitely makes a difference to try out the rods yourself, it can be a pain in the a.. to make up your mind, when buying a new rod, especially if you have never tried it out for yourself.

Did you try Jonas´s rod yet?? or did you allready settle on the 79R?? 

If anyone else from Denmark or Sweden wants to try out some rods, feel free to send a PM.

/Mads

[Patrick Naslund]

hey again Mads 

Haven't had the time to meet up with Jonas yet.
Felt pretty sure what I wanted after meeting up with you guys so,

I decided to go with the RF79R....and SW20000+Smith AJM52EX
Now just some some Orion's. Heru's ...and some more jigs.. .. phew