0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Brandon Khoo

  • Foundation Moderator
  • Giant Trevally
  • ********
  • 4135
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 18, 2007, 08:16:45 PM
Paul, if you're 6'6" and reasonably fit, I'd simply take it you'd be bloody strong to go with it! If that is the case and you're looking for a rod to just cast big chugging poppers, I'd suggest something like a SP78-UHL. A WV80XH would give you a bit more variability in that this can be used for big stickbaits and pencils as well. The difference between the two is that the SP78-UHL has a considerably faster action and is a fair bit stiffer in the tip. The WV has a slower action. They're both rated about the same in terms of the drag they can handle.

If you have very long arms to go with your height and you're looking for a heavy popping rod, you may find a WV83XH-STR more to your liking. This has a butt that is a bit longer than the WV80XH so may be more suitable for you if you have long levers.

For all the rods I have mentioned above, I probably would not go below a 100g popper as the lure will be too light to load the rods effectively.

If it swims; I want to catch it!

Jon Li

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1114
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 18, 2007, 10:50:35 PM
Doesn't matter how big or tall a guy is , the key is casting ability . I wud agree a small built guy or an older guy like me won't be able to utilise the power of SP78EX-H / UHL or WV80XH to it's potential but I know many big guys still enjoy using " less powerfull rods than SP78UHL and WV80XH .

If one only wants one rod for all tasks , get LR86 or LR88 which can be GT or Tuna rod and still work stickbait efficiently but if one is willing to have a few rods for each task , one should buy specialty rod for each type of lure .

SP series is optimum for use with big chugger , LR series for small chugger n long pencil poppers and TBL series for stickbait n small pencil poppers , there are DJ series too for a complete beginners and TN series for dedicated YFT fishing .

Size of fish targetted dictates the rod / reel requirements and the choise of lures too . If you are going on NOMAD trip , get the SP/WV + STL10000/20000 filled with minimum PE8 line as advised by Brandon but if you are going to Maldives , get a long casting rods such as LR/TBL + STL8000 filled with PE6 line .

Jon .

Jon .
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

Brandon Khoo

  • Foundation Moderator
  • Giant Trevally
  • ********
  • 4135
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 08:12:39 AM
Jon - acknowledge all of that and you're the Carpenter expert. I'm just a customer who uses the rods.

That said, Paul is a Queenslander and the area he is likely to fish is territory like Shoalwater. Much of this is really nasty shallow country with the potential for huge fish. You simply will not be able to extract a reasonable fish from that kind of area with a Long Reef. He also did emphasise the need for a rod that could handle large poppers. To be able to work a big chugger (say 150g +) your options start to thin out quite quickly and a Long Reef is not one of these.

A person with long levers has a huge advantage from a casting perspective. It is a simply matter of applied physics. Once they learn the correct technique, they're away!

We don't have any areas like the Maldives around here that I am aware of where you are fishing for GTs in really forgiving territory.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Jon Li

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1114
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 01:03:29 PM
Jon - acknowledge all of that and you're the Carpenter expert. I'm just a customer who uses the rods.

That said, Paul is a Queenslander and the area he is likely to fish is territory like Shoalwater. Much of this is really nasty shallow country with the potential for huge fish. You simply will not be able to extract a reasonable fish from that kind of area with a Long Reef. He also did emphasise the need for a rod that could handle large poppers. To be able to work a big chugger (say 150g +) your options start to thin out quite quickly and a Long Reef is not one of these.

A person with long levers has a huge advantage from a casting perspective. It is a simply matter of applied physics. Once they learn the correct technique, they're away!

We don't have any areas like the Maldives around here that I am aware of where you are fishing for GTs in really forgiving territory.


Hi Brandon ,

I am the agent of Carpenter , those rods of mine are used for casting practices to judge if my customer is worthy of WV/SP series or must start with DJ/LR first . A few started with SPs but later on look for LR and TBL , you know these blokes and they are regulars  onboard NOMAD , hence my posting in the hope that new anglers should start with something they can manage , it's just the same in everything .

In popping , if one can't cast the required distance accurately , he won't stand a chance of catching any fish and his mate who is on the same boat will catch fish after fish after fish . Fighting with WV/SP is not very forgiving , have seen too many guys pinned down on the gunwhale of the boat unable to lift the rod due to wrong fighting technique .

I am aware of Shoalwater , etc. and always compare notes with those who have been to Komodo , they are similar in certain areas of Komodo where you just have to lock your drag or the fight wud last only in matter of seconds , most of the time the GT wins . As for Maldives , when casting from motherboat , you can't approach the edges of the reef too close like you can do with a dory and long casting rod with good back bone is the only option .

For guys who are targetting YFT and Kingfish , the big rods are useless due to the requirements of the small lures , even a big YFT weighing 40 kg at times refused to strike 60 gr. lures , now how can one cast such lure with WV/SP series to a distance required ?

Carpenter answers all the field requirements of the anglers by producing various rod for various usage , afterall everyone's aim is to catch fish when fishing and Carpenter keeps up the developments of field condition by revamping their existing rod , such is the case with SP80M and LR88 or comes up with a completely new product such as OMA92 .

Jon .   
Last Edit: October 19, 2007, 09:37:40 PM by Jon Li
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

Brandon Khoo

  • Foundation Moderator
  • Giant Trevally
  • ********
  • 4135
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 01:23:45 PM
Jon - I think I am starting to see the different perspectives of where we are coming from. Popping/stickbaiting for YFT here simply isn't even a known technique yet. We just don't seem to get yellowfin in numbers where they are a viable popping target. I've seen a couple of good fish captured over time (Che Carson caught a ripper a while back) but they are nearly always a chance capture. The small number I have caught have taken a popper/stickbait meant for a GT.

Paul can clarify his question but when we refer to popping here, it's GTs, not tuna. That is a given over here. I did note a few posts back not to bother about poppers below 100g in weight with the SP/WV.

While I agree with you that casting ability is paramount, it isn't alway the case that the best casters catch the best fish. On my last trip with Malcolm, the two of us could probably cast 20-50m further than the rest of the charter but they caught all the big fish! One of the guys who landed a fish that must have been pushing around the 45kg mark could barely cast 50m! It was so exasperating!
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Jon Li

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1114
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 02:00:22 PM
Hi Brandon ,

Can't dispute what we call " beginner's luck " , it happens all the time but I bet you on that trip both you and Malcolm probably outfish everybody , number of fish wise and with more fish caught , one tends to have more practice and become efficient in casting / working the lure / fighting the fish so can be proficient in difficult situations / big stubborn fish hooked up .

Jon .
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

Greg Burt

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1134
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 03:26:02 PM
Greg 'FFF' Burt

lonhro

  • Guest
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 04:37:18 PM
Hi guys,

Just a question for our resident Carpenter people. I am on a mission to work out WHat is the RIGHT rod for ME. I am about 5'6 tall and about 90 kgs.
I having TOUCHED a couple of Carpenter rods and a Smith KD but never used. All of a suddend i have a question in my head what is more important or * Easier* to accommodate ??? getting a too Powerful rod or learning to cast ??? the rod i liked Loved the feel of was the Carpenter WV83XH-STR.

Although i was told its not the best rod for an only GT rod, i have to wonder is it better to have the cannon and then fill in the rest of the collection with the little items when the funds allow or does one go the other way ??? the way i am feeling is its better to be over powered than under powered. Am i completely wrong or what. So much stress so little i know in order to deal with it. it seems reels are alot easier to choose ;D

thanking you Randalz

Brandon Khoo

  • Foundation Moderator
  • Giant Trevally
  • ********
  • 4135
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 19, 2007, 05:26:08 PM
Greg - Jon is absolutely right but fishing is like that sometimes. I was just being a bit facetious. He's been doing this sort of fishing for about as long as it has been done so while we will have our debates from time to time, there is no doubting he really knows his stuff!

I think between Malcolm and I, we caught something like 25% of the fish landed overall for the whole charter so we certainly did catch more than our fair share but apart from one beautiful fish Malcolm landed, we just didn't do any good on the big fish. He got smashed on a number of occasions and I can't blame anyone else - I hooked two very nice fish (both 40kgs plus) but it was my bad luck to hook both of them in really nasty shallow areas. Notwithstanding my heaviest outfit, I simply could not physically turn the fish. I hooked both of my big fish on 130lb braid on a Komodo Dragon.

Casting is the key. The further you cast, the more chance you give the lure of being eaten - plain and simple. There is a reason why Damon attracts more fish than just about any other fisherman I know and that is because he is a supreme caster, about the best I've seen. With the WV83, PE8 Varivas and a nice heavy popper, I can almost get it out to him but don't forget he is using a WV80, PE10 Varivas and a 20000 spool to boot whereas I have a Yumeya. If we were using the same equipment, I reckon he'd be 30m past me - easy. My elder brother is an absolutely awesome caster but I think Damon would have him covered.

Randy - you are asking questions noone can answer. Noone can tell you what is the right rod for you. Only you can determine what you like the feel of or how you should go about building your collection



Brandon, any specific reason why the others caught the big fish?, you and Malcolm were using the lighter [than your normal] rods so were you  using smaller lures?? :-\
Last Edit: October 19, 2007, 05:30:32 PM by Brandon Khoo
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Paul Taylor

  • Guest
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 20, 2007, 07:39:07 AM
Brandon and Jon,

Appreciate your experience and the advice you have provided.

It certainly stimulated healthy discussions.

Jon, in visiting Japan where would be the best place to purchase a Carpenter rod.

Regards Paul

Jon Li

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1114
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 20, 2007, 01:18:23 PM
Brandon and Jon,

Appreciate your experience and the advice you have provided.

It certainly stimulated healthy discussions.

Jon, in visiting Japan where would be the best place to purchase a Carpenter rod.

Regards Paul

Hi Paul ,

Carpenter has a few retailers in Tokyo but if you have time , go to Mogi Proshop in Yokohama and meet the man himself .

Here are the list of Carpenter dealers around Japan : http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20toriatsukaiten.htm , you need tyo use translation software to decipher it but phone numbers should indicate where these shops are located .

Jon .
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

Trevor Williams

  • Fusilier
  • *
  • 35
  • aka The Rod Baron
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 22, 2007, 07:26:29 PM
Can any body help me out and maybe suggest a list of types and numbers for a popper starter pack.


I think the best thing to do, it seems to work, is just buy everything until your money runs out. Then keep looking at things that are better than the things you've bought and get angry that you no longer have money to buy them!



I seem to have adopted your advice !!!!! Soon I'll have ALL the gear- and won't be able to afford charter.

maybe I should investigate JIGGING!!!
 ::)
 ::)

Greg Burt

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1134
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 22, 2007, 08:55:49 PM
Same Rods! Same Line! Different Rods! Different Fish ;) ;D
Greg 'FFF' Burt

Brandon Khoo

  • Foundation Moderator
  • Giant Trevally
  • ********
  • 4135
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 22, 2007, 09:03:19 PM
jigging works out a lot cheaper because of the accessibility of different types of fish. For heavy popping, it's GTs and not much else. I suppose jigging would be of equivalent expense if all you wanted to do was jig doggies.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Trevor Williams

  • Fusilier
  • *
  • 35
  • aka The Rod Baron
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: Starter Pack- what type and how many?
October 23, 2007, 06:18:32 AM
Only cheaper if you haven't bought Blue Heaven  and accurate reels  and specialist jigging rods and lose jigs to sharks and barracuda. I usually target YT Kings  (doing a trip with Chris Wong down to the Ranfurly Banks next month).The biggest Kings are still caught on livebait but often when you've hooked a fish another couple will follow it and you've got a good chance of another hook-up on a popper or jig if you're prepared to risk a little chaos chasing two fish around the boat (7m tinny) ;D