Berkley Venom Viper GT , junk or give it a go ?

[jason starling]

Hi guys I bought a first time GT outfit before reading this site for a trip planned to Rarotonga in january and have searched for any info but cant find any as its a relatively new rod . Anyway I am having doubts on my purchase and I am considering returning and getting shimano GT special ? I am 6'2" and 100kg and reasonably fit , the berkley is 7"6" nice and light ,rated at 26kg drag and pe 8-12 which maybe unrealistic , has a fairly fast taper finishing about 4mm at tip . Have loaded a Daiwa seagate 6000 with tufline xp 80lb and want to use it predominently for popping with lower price poppers ie r2s dumbells and halco haymakers      . me and a mate got 2 rods discounted to $325 each ( retailed for $500 ) and I still like the look of it ,just looking for some yay's or nay's as an entry level rod ? My tackle store has told me the seagate has the same drag as a saltiga spool and much better gears than the saltist just not a waterproof body , got it for $400 . Any views would be appreciated thanks !!!

[Scott Maybury]

I saw one in use late last year and had a few casts with it, it cast reasonably well. Looked and felt like a PE8 - PE10 with some sensible use. It didn't have as nice an action on it as some of the premium rods, but you have to expect that for the price. I didn't hook up on it but saw it knock off some fish to 25kg without any major dramas (except from the whingeing angler. In fairness he didn't have a gimbal on at the time  ).

Saw it fighting some large sharks and stuff off the back of the mothership too, definately plenty of grunt.

You already have the rod and I don't necessarily think that the GT special would be much of an upgrade so I would stick with it for the trip and see how you like it.

Can't say anything about the reel, never seen one in the flesh.

Good luck with your trip.

[Peter Childs]

Another vote for the rod, whilst I haven't used one myself I've eyed one off in the tackle store.  It should be safe with 80lb Braid (within reason) I'd be a little sceptical to load it up to full tilt on PE10 (then again, I don't think I could fully load PE10 on anything).

If you are tossing up between this and the GT special, I'd stay with what you have, the rod is a little lighter in the hand, and the slightly shorter length should be a little easier on a first timer.  I think they put a bit of time into the development of this range, with the help of Adam Royter - I know the GT rods were quite widely tested.  Of course they are not a premium rod, but should serve you well to get into a little action.  The next rod down in the range, I think its the "Taipan" looks like a wicked light to mid weight stick.

Good luck - I'd be interested to hear a post when you get back. 
PS - I can't comment on the reel, never seen one.

[jason starling]

Thanks to Scott and Peter for the info ,will stick with it and update with results after the trip . My tackle shop imported the seagates direct from Japan and the owners son has been using the smaller 4500 himself for jigging kings and up to 45kg tuna and really likes it !! Not sure how i will go if needing warranty but the stores been pretty good with upgrading drags end service work etc for my Zillion and other gear . I am tempted to pull the seagate apart to see if the main gears are really the same as a saltiga ie bronze / stainless  but have no doubt about the drag it feels awesome and it has a couple more bearings than the saltist and a cool 44mm round eva knob on the handle  . On another subject can someone tell me what the wax is that you put on the rod at the joint to stop slippage ?. Oh yeah and I agree with you Peter the taipan looks cool and if the viper works out ok I might buy one for a Whyalla snapper trip or rat kings in jervis bay .

[jason starling]

 Even happier that i chose the Berkley Venom Viper GT as I just reading an old thread by Jon Li and discovered it runs Fuji K type SiC guides with the size 40 stripper guide and the next guide being reversed so the line doesnt slap on them ,so a big plus for the rod over GT special !!! . Also I noticed on one of the labels all Venoms have titanium guides except the viper GT which runs conventional material so I think they have obviously done this for strength . So happy with rod will update after breaking it in .

[Kurt Carlson]

I had a client here in Tonga fish with one and he got some reasonable fish on it. We were fishing pretty shallow grounds and he had to put it on hard to get the fish out.   He reckons it could have taken more.