Popping gears

[Saikat Barik]

Hello everybody,

I'm planning for a exclusive GT popping trip down to Andamans,
Need some help regarding a proper setup for that.
I need a PE 8 minimum...PE 10 would be better...

Actually shortlisted these following items,
I need two setup, one for jigging and another for popping,

Jigging: Saragosa 18000 (with carbontex drag) and GTO viper PE8.
Another cheaper option is Shimano jigwrex...

Popping: Stella 2011 jap model/Saltiga 2011 jap model/Saltiga 2008 model,
Among all three 2008 saltiga is cheapest...big dilemma.

Now comes the rod...
I have 3-4 rods in my mind...
Monster hunter MH79XH, 8-10PE, 300gms, 14 kg drag=923USD
Smith Komodo Dragon....=1100USD
Smith HIIB rocket...=Cheaper than KD?
Ripplefisher final spirit 79H...=above 1000USD
Discovery Journey DJ83MH, 6-10PE, 12 kg drag...=877USD
Wild violence WV80XH, 8-12 PE,270gms, 15 kg drag...=1011USD
Kaibutsu Long cast...=300USD

Now I understand costliest ones would have been better,
But I am bit on a tight budget at this moment...
So please guide me through all these...

If i buy a stella new model(jap made)...i'll go with the kaibutsu
If I opt for saltiga old model then i can think about buying a carpenter or a ripplefisher or smith...

I am decided upon saragosa 18000...
GTO viper rod looked okay for me...is any other jigging rod in that price bracket to look for?

Please tell me what to buy or what not to buy...
Also tell me if there's any other better option...

Guess i'm gonna loose a fortune for all these...
Life was pretty nice when there was only sargus/tsunami and slammer/uglystik for me...

Regards
Saiki

[Simon Bomholt]

Hi
From what i know the monsterhunter 79 is a really heavy rod. The monsterhunter 80 would probarly be a better option.
The kaibutsu, i have only heard very bad things about :-(
And finally keep us updated if you go, as i would like to go to the andamans next year

[Mark Harris]

First, from what I know of GT fishing in the Andamans you would be fine with a PE8 set up, no need to go heavier.

From that slightly eclectic list of rods, let me say right away that if you can find a DJ83MH for the price you give, bite the seller's hand off and go for it. A superb all round popping rod.

You have a lot of XH type rods on that list which would not necessarily make sense to me for fishing this location, or if it is to be your only popping rod.

[Peter Olesen]

Saikat,

To help you, I think some more information is required. Which lures do you intend to use? Please specify weight of poppers and stickbaits. How much of the time is jigging and how much is popping? I think a full days popping with a monster hunter 79xh or a wild violence will be hard work. Which shape are you in?

Kind regards,
Peter

[Antonino Augugliaro]

Hi all,
I fished in Andamans in 2011 and I found poppers in 150-170 gr range are main lures to use, follow by stick baits floating and sinking (GTY, Ulua, Big foot...). I fished whit a PE 8 rod (fisherman GT Game TRS), good for poppers up to 150 gr but whit limit in use whit stick bait (floating). I think MH80H should be a very good rod for Andaman (I start thinking to sell my Fisherman for a MH80H, as all round popping rod). Last thing: we fished 85% for popping and 15% for jigging (due for GT activity), but it depend from spot (Andamans are not so small), weather condition and more...
Hope someone should help you more...

Note: never used MH80H, mine is not a suggestion for this specific model, but for a all round popping rod, if you intend to use only one rod. I hope someone that use this rod can said more about it.

[Saikat Barik]

Thanks everyone,

@Mark...yes this should be my only popping rod.
@Peter...I am 5.8"...and should be using lures or jigs between 150-220 gms mostly.
@Simon...Thanks.

If I buy a stella then should I opt for DJ83MH?

What about GTO viper and saragosa setup for the jigging part?

I have some friends in andamans...
I won't be going with the charters...but with an ace diver,
Who must be knowing about the reefs...and thats where the big mammas are.

Regards,
Saikat

[Mark Harris]

DJ83MH would be fine with Stella SW 18000 or SW 10000 or any of the big Saltigas. It is a good choice as a single all round popping rod and the price you quoted is very attractive.

[Michael Adolfsen]

Hi Saikat

I have fished the Andamans 2 years in a row, and my favorite setup is a carpenter sp 80 and a stella 8000 with 16000 JM spooled with PE8. I also bring a heavier setup a Smith Rocket and Stella 18000 spooled with PE10. My favorite poppers was the Orion T-Rex and Cono Cono in the range 150 - 190g. We didnt jig much and I only used a ligth setup to PE4.
 Michael

[Steve Li]

Hi Saikat

I have fished the Andamans 2 years in a row, and my favorite setup is a carpenter sp 80 and a stella 8000 with 16000 JM spooled with PE8. I also bring a heavier setup a Smith Rocket and Stella 18000 spooled with PE10. My favorite poppers was the Orion T-Rex and Cono Cono in the range 150 - 190g. We didnt jig much and I only used a ligth setup to PE4.
 Michael

Hi Michael, as you own the Smith Rocket HIIB, can you give some feedback on the rod? It is a rod that I am considering to add to my arsenal. I have pulled on one in a shop but prefer to hear a first hand's user's views. In your personal experience, being only 7.7ft, how does it cast? Does it chug well? Is it a forgiving rod? Thanks in advance!

  Steve

[Saikat Barik]

Thanks everyone,

I have decided to go with the following:

Saragosa 18000F
Stella 2011 Jap model
MH79XH
GTO viper PE8
YGK PE10 for popping, PE8 for jigging

GTO viper is good enough for jigging?

Please guys give your valuable inputs upon them,

Regards
Saikat

[Mark Harris]

If as you said previously this will be your only popping rod, I think MH79XH is a slightly odd choice. MH80H or DJ83MH would be better all round popping rods.