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

saltiga GT86 v Daiwa monster mesh 8'3''

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Sam Beeby:
Pretty close to deciding on  a heavier popper rod (I have an Saltiga 80TN at the moment). I've narrowed it down to the GT86 or the monster mesh 8'3'' with the Shimano GT special sounding  too brutal for what I need     ie the best sydney kings rarely top 20kg. 
   They just (spec wise) seem very similar. eg both ideal for 10kg'ish drags, both ideal for lures up to 180g'ish, both up to PE8 rods.
Just want to know from anyone who uses them, if in their opinion very much seperates these rods and therefore if the dollar difference between them is justified.   I don't know the weight of the monster mesh - maybe the difference will be there, or in the action.
 Thanks for any help

Andrew Poulos:
Sam,

Sounds like you have the same thoughts as me chasing kings around here. I bought the monster mesh (MM). Both cast similar weights, though the MM is meant to handle an extra 20 grams  ::) . The MM rates in at about 11kg of drag, cant remember the GT86. The reason I went the MM is that it cost half the saltiga rod and given the rocks arent always kind to gear, thought it might be more cost efficient given the similar performance. Havent loaded mine up to a decent fish yet (salmon dont count), but goes well with the dog fight.

But also check out the for sale as there is/was a GT86 going for the same price as the MM....

Sam Beeby:
andrew, if you line up the reel seats of the 80TN and the Monster mesh, is the MM any longer at the tip or is the extra length just in the handle? Does it balance up well with the Dog fight?

Andrew Poulos:
Sam, the extra length is in the rod butts, with it being below the reel seat for the MM. Butt weight is ~ 218g for the 80TN and ~280g for the MM. Tip weight is ~150g for the 80TN , and ~ 185g for the MM (These are approx weights on the digital scale give or take my hands wobbling ).

For me, the 80TN works better with the catalina 4500 sized reels .The extra weight of the MM seems to help the balance out better when the dogfight is put on it . Haven't given the MM as big a workout this summer as planned with the crap timing of weather on weekends but the few times its been out its been good. Came down to cost for me as the specs are close to the GT86 . With either rod I doubt you would be disappointed for what we use them for.

cheers

Gavin Ng:
sorry to dig this post out but i have a gt86 and I am from sydney as well and wish to use it for some big kings off the stones, are you guys using lures or live baits? if so how heavy are the lures, metals, poppers you're throwing at them? are you getting any decent casting distance? mind sharing line and leader sizes as well?

cheers

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