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

Carpenter: TBL vs EP

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Trevor Skinner:
Hi Guys (and girls)

One for the Carpenter aficionados.

I am considering adding a medium weight outfit to my arsenal handling 80-90 lb (PE6) line and capable of working lures that would typically be 120-140g, mainly stickbaits but also the odd popper at the bottom of the range. Target fish would be predominately mid-range GTs with the possibility of the odd large fish (if my luck holds out!).

I've been focusing on both the Blue Lagoon and Endless Passion ranges. Although on average the EPs tend to be longer rods they share similar strength ratings with the TBL range and some portions of each almost overlap, even in terms of length (TBL 83/32 and EP 82/38 for instance). Is there a distinct difference with the way each range performs or is it fundamentally an issue of personal preference? For context, I use a Monster Hunter 80H for heavier work which fits me like a glove.

Regards,


Trevor     

Mark Harris:
I suspect Brandon will be the man to explain the differences between the respective EP and TBL blank actions.

I have 3 different Endless Passions and one new TBL on order.  In my personal opinion all 3 of my EPs are more PE8 rods than they are PE6. That's certainly the case with EP 82/38 and, although I do often use EP 88/35 with PE6, it still feels better to me with PE8.

I have used TBL 83/32 once and it is softer than any EP I have used, and felt more suited  to PE6 work.

Just my own opinions and there is no way I would claim to be a Carpenter aficionado.

Brandon Khoo:
 :o. I reckon you might have more of them than I have!

Looking at what you're wanting from the rod, my inclination would be to point you in the direction of the EP85. The casting weights and the fact that you want some popper use from the rod in my view makes the EP preferable to the TBL. The TBL83/32 makes for a beautiful PE6 rod and is at its best in my view throwing 120g Gammas but it is not really ideal for poppers. To me, the EP82 is one weight class above and is a PE8 rod.

To me, TBLs are stickbait rods. All of that said, there are no absolutes here. So much of this comes back to personal taste.

Trevor Skinner:
Thanks for the input guys.

I guess there's no substitute for actually using the rod, very difficult if you're sold on a Carpenter.

It would make sense to stay with the heavier option due to where I fish and the fish that could hit the lure. My priority really is to be able to fish significantly smaller lures than the 'sweet spot' of the Monster Hunter rather than the weight of the outfit per se and it would be difficult to preclude smaller poppers from my tackle bag altogether although I seem to be going that way.

Now to get Nick to try and find me an EP..........   

Regards,


Trevor

Mark Harris:
Trevor, on that basis, and especially if it is smaller lures rather than lighter line that is your main consideration, I reckon EP82/38 (as a PE8 rod) and EP85/36 (as PE6-8, still leaning more to PE8 in my view) might suit you.

I tend to use the EPs mostly as stickbait rods but EP82/38 especially is very capable of working chuggers well, up to about 140 grams.

You could also look at Coral Viper 79/40 in the same light I think.

Brandon, nobody has as many as you  ;D ;D ;D .

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