Guy, Bugatti is like many other locations in that there are areas you could get away with PE6 but also areas where you would be outgunned on PE12. That said, much of the areas the is relatively forgiving by GT standards and what I used to recommend to our guys coming out for our annual trip was to compromise around PE8.
If you go and read my guide to GT rods, it should help you at least work out some direction on what you want to get. It will also remove some of the fallacies around so-called "stickbait" rods. You don't need a stickbait rod for the very large majority of stickbaits on the market. It is helpful though, if you do use surface stickbaits like the Carpenter Gammas or Hammerhead Cherry Boys although someone who really knows how to slide those lures could do it with a Patriot Design Fire Vortex. Those lures are sliders per se but the reality is most manufacturers don't really know how to create a lure with that surface sliding action.
I would ask though, is there a reason why the rod must be above 8 feet? The longer the rod, the more difficult it is to handle when you are hooked to a fish, especially when it is close to the boat. Sure, you get some casting advantage but you really need to balance that off against the disadvantages.
A lot of it comes down to how you like to fish as well. A Ripple Fisher Ultimo 79MH is a good PE8 rod but is built for sliding surface stickbaits. It will also manage smaller poppers in the 120g range if it need to. Conversely, a Carpenter Monster Hunter 80H can be used for PE8 but will be sifnificantly stronger and is a heavier rod. It will work signifintly bigger poppers and can cast a 200g stickbait comfortably. They're both suitable for PE8 but are like at opposite ends of the spectrum.
What I am trying to emphasise to you is that there is a big, big range of rods out there but how do you like to fish? If you are relatively new, it is going to take some time to work out what you like and there is going to be some changes in your rod selection. It is highly unlikely that you are going to get it perfectly right at the start. Also, your style and taste may evolve.
Personally, I think you'd be best off looking for something with more all round characteristics to start with. You could look at something like a Coral Viper or a Ripple 79R. If you prefer a bit more length, you could look for an EP82 or a Ripple 82LC. I personally would prefer the Ultimo 82H over the LC. They would both work similar lures. There are heaps of other brands you could consider too like Yamaga, Zenaq, FCL etc etc. best to work out your budget first and go from there.
The Odyssey doesn't carry rods for sale on board any more.
My bad. Yep, one thing I have figured out is the numbering system. I actually wrote the wrong number down next to the endless passion in my notes.
What i am struggling to keep up with is the seemingly infinite combinations of hard vs soft vs "powerful" butts, tips etc and how it all packages together to get what I'm chasing.
Apart from my original request (ie I know this will probably be a separate rod) if I said I was planning to start making some trips to Bugatti Reef in my boat (it's only 15-20nm past where I usually go for table fish) what sort of artillery should I be thinking about taking out there to deal with the "average" fish I'll find there?
Again... thanks a lot for the help guys, it's awesome.
It's a bit daunting trying to decide what to drop the coin on without being able to touch or use one or all of them first.
