Ultimate Heavy Popping Rod & Why

[Hon-Su Chin]

Sorry guys didnt mean to offend ppl, just that my idea of a GT rod is abit differnt to some people. I then to prefer a slower action rod than the Calstars and something lighter in weight as well. The last Calstars Ive used was a GF700H and it had alot of balls to turn fish but my back didnt have the balls to match, where as my Smith Kerama is alot more forgiving. Understand is a different rod altogether but I just prefer something abit more forgiving than the Calstars lock up techniques. No doubt they make very good blanks but the technology invested in the Jap rods are alot more than the Calstar which still uses Glass scrim in the tip section of the blanks to give them the lively fast actions, similar to Kiwell/Live Fibre. Again sorry guys JMO.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Sorry guys didnt mean to offend ppl, just that my idea of a GT rod is abit differnt to some people. I then to prefer a slower action rod than the Calstars and something lighter in weight as well. The last Calstars Ive used was a GF700H and it had alot of balls to turn fish but my back didnt have the balls to match, where as my Smith Kerama is alot more forgiving. Understand is a different rod altogether but I just prefer something abit more forgiving than the Calstars lock up techniques. No doubt they make very good blanks but the technology invested in the Jap rods are alot more than the Calstar which still uses Glass scrim in the tip section of the blanks to give them the lively fast actions, similar to Kiwell/Live Fibre. Again sorry guys JMO.

No offense taken - your response here now adds some substance to your opinion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Thanks Guys. I have a WV80XH and a Caranx Deep Monster.
Also have a Calstar GF700XH and a Tenryu Draggo Machine GT86 (This rod is rated to PE8 but I really think it won't do much good on bigger poppers so it is confined to PE6 and pencils only. Most of the time it is a non travelling reserve on the fishing trips. Beautiful workmanship on the rod though.
Am looking at a Stella 18000 around April or May and trying to narrow down the rod choice on this. Have also got a Sevenseas Armorclad 77 on offer from a dealer. I am not seeing too many on this thread backing up the Smith WRC 60 or the Komodo Dragon. Anyone want to give a low down on either of these? What about the Zenaq FC 7- 10?
I agree with Luke on the GF700XH having mega grunt but just wish they could get the length around 8ft so the casting distance could be a bit better. Luke do you know if they have a Grafighter blank around 8ft that could handle 100lb braid and chuck poppers up to 250 gram max?

Sachin,

I really enjoyed using an Amorclad and would probably snap one up myself just to add to the armoury. More of a popper/chugger specialist rod than anything else.

Can't say that I know of another Calstar blank that could do what you want mate - you could go to a GT Monster 77R10 which I think you would love, or a little longer would be the SP78UHL. Shimano GT special is an excellent rod that would fit the requirements but it's action is slower.

[Luke Wyrsta]

The extra casting distance is also handy when you cannot get to close to the reef edge due to safety reasons and unfortunately most of the time the wash zone is where most of the fish and especially bigger fish tend to be. Do not underestimate the safety element as a swim to to the reef if your boat capsizes is not the best or cheapest experience one can have. I have been there twice.

Care to tell us a bit more about these experiences mate - would love to hear!

[Luke Wyrsta]

Luke, so in a perfect world, the H would be better suited for casting, while the XH for jigging?

Thanks for all the help Luke! As of now, Calstar is the best bang for the buck. I've seen Calstars muscle big fish too.

Still, I'm open to other ideas. Hon-su, how much would the Smith blanks cost? Your link doesn't work.

Both suited to casting - wouldn't touch them for jigging. For jigging, something like a 760L would be a good start.

If you are still on a bugdet, maybe check out the Shimano GT Special or even a Hot's. I have been really impressed by Hots and don't classify them as a 'budget' rod so to speak, they simply have good prices and quality/performance beyond their price bracket!

[Santosh Shanmuga]

Thanks Stephen for the link!

Luke, I'll be sure to check out those rods. I think the 700H would cast plenty far with a popper, right?

[Santosh Shanmuga]

Luke, do you have a link to the Shimano GT Special and Hots rod? I can't find them...

[Hon-Su Chin]

Hots
http://www.hots.co.jp/products/rod_ryujin.html

Shimano T-Curve GT Special
http://shimanofish.com.au/catalog/fish/products/group_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302053894&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181791&bmUID=1205880708661

[Sachin Chaudhry]

The extra casting distance is also handy when you cannot get to close to the reef edge due to safety reasons and unfortunately most of the time the wash zone is where most of the fish and especially bigger fish tend to be. Do not underestimate the safety element as a swim to to the reef if your boat capsizes is not the best or cheapest experience one can have. I have been there twice.

Care to tell us a bit more about these experiences mate - would love to hear!

Okay but only since you asked. The first time we did not capsize but in the process of taking the wave head on at a silly angle (the boat almost going vertical) I fell towards the motor and in the run of things broke my ankle and spent 4 months on crutches. The second time we capsized outside the reef when again we were caught by a freak wave (had a good look at the place the next time we were there and it's one of those brekas that seem to come up a fair bit away from the reef). Anyway we swam to the reef and the boat followed us (it was like a panga similar to that used in Mexico) We righted it, bailed and managed to get the motor going and got home. Lost some gear. The last time we capsized while I was hooked up to a nice GT. Capt. asked to turn down and ride the wave but reckoned it was okay. Lost the fish, lost my SW20000 & GT86 Saltiga, $1500 worth of poppers and jigs and 8,0000 dollars of damage to the boat (my boat). Since then the skipper has been relegated to deckie and not too many people want to go fishing with me.

[Santosh Shanmuga]

On the Shimano site, the GT Special is only for PE3-PE8. Can it handle PE10?

[Brandon Khoo]

I believe the rod will handle PE10. I never looked at the low end - I wouldn't fish PE3 with it! Are you sure it isn't PE6 - 8?

[Kasey Leong]

"I am not seeing too many on this thread backing up the Smith wrc 60 or the Komodo Dragon. Anyone want to give a low down on either of these?"

Hmm, good question, I wonder why 

I have limited experience, but those two really are fantabulistic rods. I will say that after a few hours casting a WV when I pick up a KD (more so) or Tokara it feels alot easier to load.
Almost tempted to sell my WV and try and source a KD.... Almost. WV is such an untameable beast. 

But when you wanna stop a fish, phwoar with a WV it feels a lot more 'come to pappa' (Not quite sure how to describe that technically.)
of course they still don't always come 

[Brandon Khoo]

Komodo Dragon is an excellent all purpose heavy GT rod. Very well made and it can handle big fish. That said, I feel the WV is a stronger stick overall.

Kasey, strong young fellow like you shouldn't be looking at a KD when you already have a WV!

[Kai Caiyang]

Komodo Dragon is an excellent all purpose heavy GT rod. Very well made and it can handle big fish. That said, I feel the WV is a stronger stick overall.

Kasey, strong young fellow like you shouldn't be looking at a KD when you already have a WV!

Hi Brandon,
100% agreed... young & violent(in fishing) guy like Kasey should stick to his WV... haha. At least he can almost fully utilise it. I put down his WV after 2 cast

[Santosh Shanmuga]

What is the WV?