Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) > Tackle & Techniques

Rod Selection Help Needed

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Mark Whitaker:
I have been reading everything on this site for a while and nearly every online shop that sells quality rods from around the world.

As the old saying goes "a little knowledge is dangerous"!  Reading too much has given that dangerous level of knowlrdge!

Background: 53yo, 6'3" 103kg with lower back problems that I am managed all my life, with but not as powerfull as I once was.

I live in Cairns but will be moving back to Darwin in 12 months.

I am after 3 new rods to cover GT's but they will also manage the other northern species, Mackeral. Dogtooth, Tuna, Sailfish, Cobia and Sharks of various sizes etc, but the mungrals are GT's so the gear needs to stand up to these (and the 200kg Gropers that swallow 10kg Fingermark as they come up to the boat in Darwin Harbour, I would like to get my terminal tackle back from these brutes).

Current trolling and bottom/jigging gear is covered.

I have a Daiwa Muramura 76 with Saltiga 6000GT with 100lb Hi-Seas Grand Slam and 130lb leader so my short GT rod for casting pe8 and 140gr poppers is covered.  I know this may not be as good as a Carpenter CV79/40, but I think they would be very similar?

I need help with 3 other rods.

First choice is Carpenter Monster Hunter 80H, poppers to 170gr and large stick baits to 200gr  (correct me if I am wrong with any of these estimations?)

Now is where I neeed the help.

Would you suggest:

Carpenter EP85/36 for lighter Stick Baits and longer casting or BLC82/40?

and

Patriot Design Zanzibar 82 or Ripple Fisher 79R,  I know these are totally different rods, the PD is heavier class but will cast the same weights further than the 79R.

I want 4 rods total, the 3 new one will be spooled with Daiwa Dogfights and Tasline by Paulus 100lb, (137lb tested braid).

Would you suggest this combination of rods to cover tropical casting?  I am fixed on the MH80H, its just the other 2 rods.

Mark

Mark Harris:
That's a very detailed brief Mark! Whilst I am  unfamiliar with Darwin waters, I think I get it. 

Your first choice is a cracker and nobody should talk you out of a Carpenter MH80H, simply the best rod of its type on the market.

For your 2nd choice, I guess this is for stick-baiting for species other than GTs as well as some GT work?  Of the rods you mention I would be concerned that you are not going to have balanced set up with either by pairing them with a Dogfight and 100 lb braid. I think both of these rods lend themselves better to a Shimano 10000 size (with a 12000 or 16000 spool if you want to fish as heavy as PE8).  I don't like the idea of casting any EP with the equivalent of PE10 braid.  Carpenter do say you can use up to PE10 on a BLC 83/40 but ideal would have to be lighter than that. The Endless Passions are very much PE6-8 rods.  So  I would humbly suggest rethinking the reel and line. Either would be an excellent rod choice.

For the 3rd choice, I am not sure either of your suggested rods are needed when you already have an MH80H as your first choice? Personally, I would go for a long cast rod which is still capable of working decent sized poppers and big stickbaits, but gives extra casting distance and is comfortable enough to fish all day with.  The two rods that come to mind are Carpenter DJ83MH and Ripple Fisher GT82. Both superb instruments which cast miles but have the backbone to handle very grunty fish.

This is all very much IMHO of course and others may have different views.

Mark Whitaker:
Thanks Mark,

I am more thinking of rods for different size baits and poppers, not so much line class.  Some days the small fish take the big baits and the Large fish take the small baits.

Am I right in thinking the Muramura 76 is similar to the CV79/40?

The GT fishery is untouched in Darwin, most locals go after the ususal eating suspects, but the GT's are actually closer to Darwin than thet are to Cairns.  All of the Reefs between Darwin and Melville Island have GT's and the big ones are in the Cape Don Area and the northern parts of Melville Island.

Mark

Mark Harris:
No idea on the Daiwa Muramura I am afraid - not a rod I am at all familiar with.

My point on the line class was that you said all 3 rods would be paired with a Dogfight and PE10 equivalent line. That is why I made the point about the EP and BLC.

Jon Li:
Hi Mark ,

As you have nominated MH80H , CV79/40 should be the next one down but EP85/36 worth considering for longer cast which is essential for certain situation and condition .

Jon .

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