Carpenter's DJ 83MH for Gamma 160H and Gamma 200

[Ben Yeo]

Hello everyone!

I am new and many thanks to all who have helped steepen my learning curve.

Question:
I was thinking of getting another GT rod and was wondering if the DJ 83 MH would be suitable for Gammas up to 200grams.
Basically: is it a good stickbait rod or is it more suited to work chuggers.
(I know the specs say lures up to 230)
Pairing it with a Stella 10000 on a SOM spooled with PE8.

Cheers
Ben

[Ben Furness]

For me it seems to work for stickbaits to about 180g max but is perfect for stick baits 150g and less. The tip is a bit soft and casting anything bigger starts to get pretty hard. It works poppers up to about 150g pretty good but works them best at around 120g.

[Mark Harris]

Ben Y,  first I think a Stella 10000/16000 spool/PE8 is a really nice combination with DJ83MH.

I would slightly disagree with Ben F about the chugger capabilities of the rod. I think it is absolutely sweet with chuggers around 150 grams - for me something like a Cubera 150 is the perfect chugger for this rod. 

It will definitely cast an work big sticks to 200 grams OK. It would not be the perfect rod for that but it is certainly OK.

If you are looking for just one rod Ben, then compromises are required.  For the type of lures you mention, this rod is a  good compromise solution. 

[Ben Yeo]

Ben Y,  first I think a Stella 10000/16000 spool/PE8 is a really nice combination with DJ83MH.

I would slightly disagree with Ben F about the chugger capabilities of the rod. I think it is absolutely sweet with chuggers around 150 grams - for me something like a Cubera 150 is the perfect chugger for this rod. 

It will definitely cast an work big sticks to 200 grams OK. It would not be the perfect rod for that but it is certainly OK.

If you are looking for just one rod Ben, then compromises are required.  For the type of lures you mention, this rod is a  good compromise solution.

Thanks, Ben/Mark

Perhaps i should have asked the question better - my bad

This is what I have:
1)Ocean Revolution GT explorer/Stella 10000 : I absolutely love this combo for El Toro/Cubera 150s
2)RF 79R/Twinpower 12000: Throwing sticks up to 140grams but mostly in the 120gram range, very comfortable.
3)Carpenter LR86/Stella10000: Sticks up to 150. Finding it a little unwieldy at 8"6" but nevertheless like it for it ease of getting baits out there.

I have a couple of Gamma 160H and 200s for which what I have cannot handle (the GT explorer - ok but almost maxing out with the 160H).

Rephrasing:
What would be a good rod to use for Gamma 160H/200, Pandora 155+30?
Does not need to be a carpenter and a flexibility to work chuggers would be an advantage thou not a necessity.

Thanks again
Ben

[Mark Harris]

Ben Y,  first I think a Stella 10000/16000 spool/PE8 is a really nice combination with DJ83MH.

I would slightly disagree with Ben F about the chugger capabilities of the rod. I think it is absolutely sweet with chuggers around 150 grams - for me something like a Cubera 150 is the perfect chugger for this rod. 

It will definitely cast an work big sticks to 200 grams OK. It would not be the perfect rod for that but it is certainly OK.

If you are looking for just one rod Ben, then compromises are required.  For the type of lures you mention, this rod is a  good compromise solution.

Thanks, Ben/Mark

Perhaps i should have asked the question better - my bad

This is what I have:
1)Ocean Revolution GT explorer/Stella 10000 : I absolutely love this combo for El Toro/Cubera 150s
2)RF 79R/Twinpower 12000: Throwing sticks up to 140grams but mostly in the 120gram range, very comfortable.
3)Carpenter LR86/Stella10000: Sticks up to 150. Finding it a little unwieldy at 8"6" but nevertheless like it for it ease of getting baits out there.

I have a couple of Gamma 160H and 200s for which what I have cannot handle (the GT explorer - ok but almost maxing out with the 160H).

Rephrasing:
What would be a good rod to use for Gamma 160H/200, Pandora 155+30?
Does not need to be a carpenter and a flexibility to work chuggers would be an advantage thou not a necessity.

Thanks again
Ben

Ah..... now I understand

First for Pandora 155+30, I would say don't worry to much about it. The lure is designed to sink deep and be worked with a simple tip-beating retrieve. Any rod that can cast the lure weight will be fine. Your Ocean Revolution will probably deal with that (what is the stated max lure size?). DJ83MH would certainly handle it (I was using that rod with a Bigfoot 180 for example just yesterday).

At this stage, finding a specialist rod to handle both Gamma 160 and Gamma 200 might require a move to the Ripple Fisher Ultimo range.  I will leave others to comment on which Ultimo, as I am not so familiar with them.  DJ83MH will cast both Gamma sizes OK but it is not a specialist stick bait rod. Same goes for it cousin Monster Hunter 80H.  Gamma 160s work beautifully with EP 82/38 and CV 79/40, but Gamma 200s are a bit heavy for them.

[Ricky Lim]

Ultimo79H beautiful rod to fish all day, plenty of power down low. Very good to work chugger up to 150gm. I think 160 gamma is perfect with it.
If you will be using 200gamma, try the monster80H. Awesome rod!!!!
In my opinion, 160,200 stick bait, 150g chugger with moster80H. That way you got all your bases cover.
I think a member on the forum is selling one at good price...

Ricky

[Mark Harris]

Ricky, do you mean Monster Hunter 80H? If so, I think it casts Gamma 200s very well and works them adequately.  I really would not want to use that rod for 160 gram stickbaits though - it is far too stiff in the tip.

It sounds to me like Ben is after a specialist heavy stick bait rod and Monster Hunter 80H is not that (although it is one of my favourite rods)

Or maybe you mean another rod?

[Ricky Lim]

That right, i meant Carpenter Monster80H.
With the gear Ben have in hand, I think is more ideal to get the Monster80H.
It certainly not "the perfect" rod for 160h gamma, It can work it fine.
If you match it with 200gamma, It works it beautifully and man isn't it a great rod to fight fish with.
With the compromise it also works perfect for heavier stickbait like the pandora, big foot, nambus and mid size chugger.
It sound to me like Ben need a rod on the heavier end to cast bigger things for bigger fish

[Ben Yeo]

That right, i meant Carpenter Monster80H.
With the gear Ben have in hand, I think is more ideal to get the Monster80H.
It certainly not "the perfect" rod for 160h gamma, It can work it fine.
If you match it with 200gamma, It works it beautifully and man isn't it a great rod to fight fish with.
With the compromise it also works perfect for heavier stickbait like the pandora, big foot, nambus and mid size chugger.
It sound to me like Ben need a rod on the heavier end to cast bigger things for bigger fish

Thanks again, Ricky and Mark.

Insightful perspectives from both that has helped my decision process.
In a nutshell, a rod that can handle bigger stickbaits and (hopefully  ) bigger fish.
Will the MH80H pair well with a Stella 10000?

Cheers
Ben

[Mark Harris]

I have used MH80H with a Stella 10000/16000 with PE8 and it is an OK pairing. Not as good as with an 18000 I think, but it's OK.

I still think there is probably an ideal rod for your Gamma 160/200 brief in the RF Ultimo range, but am hesitant to comment on  that as I have little experience with them.

[Ben Yeo]

I have used MH80H with a Stella 10000/16000 with PE8 and it is an OK pairing. Not as good as with an 18000 I think, but it's OK.

I still think there is probably an ideal rod for your Gamma 160/200 brief in the RF Ultimo range, but am hesitant to comment on  that as I have little experience with them.

Thanks Mark,

I am not rushing into this one. My trip's not due till November. I'll check out the Ultimo range from RF.

Cheers
Ben