Popper rod advice for a light guy.

[Michael Sammut]

hey guys, I'm looking at getting a new poppering rod.  I only weigh about 65kgs so there is only so much i can handle.  For a stickbait rod i use the ultimo 79h and i find that really nice to load up being so parabolic and i can put alot more effort in that than a heavy stiff rod.  i tried out the race point 250 and that was a brute of a rod for me and very hard to handle.

So im after a poppering rod that can handle big poppers up to 200g but something that is parabolic enough for me to handle.

I was looking at the Carpenter Monster Hunter 80H but i'm not sure if that will be too heavy or not.

I'd appreciate any advice. 

[Simon Bomholt]

Dont throw poppers of 200 g if you are that size :-) mh80 is a great rod! Alternativ could be a coral viper 79/40. Nice light rod but not usable for 200 g chuggers

[Luke Wyrsta]

That's a tough one and big ask in my opinion. Inherently, rod weights and materials increase to cope with higher cast weights.

The Rippe 79H you currently use is great, and I also believe there is a LTD edition which can handle 10-15% more casting weight and drag setting.

You could also look at FCL 81 M and MH. The MH can handle a higher casting weight. I like the M for 120-150g lures.

Focus on what you can handle. Focus on 150g and at least a bit of enjoyment! Fish with the guys who can pop the 200s and simply snipe their fish with a cheeky accurate sniper cast!

[Trevor Skinner]

Michael,

I'm a tad heavier than you, but what I lack in terms of petiteness I make up for in age.

All good advice. The Monster Hunter 80H is a great all round GT rod and is very forgiving on the angler but at the same time has enough authority to fight big fish. It's not a popping rod per se although I have been known to overload mine with the odd I cup, carefully mind you.

I've also been know to throw the odd small stickbait just behind somebody else's judiciously worked I cup but purely by accident.

Regards,


Trevor

[Michael Sammut]

thanks for the advice guys.  I have no problem casting the big poppers, its just once loaded up.

I'll see if i can find someone with a 80H to load up unless there are other rods that can be recommended....but i would like to get something good like a carpenter.  Price isnt really an issue.

[Ewan Macleod]

Hey Michael, Im light, weighing in at a massive 60kg! I found the CV was awesome for bigger stickbaits but maxed at around 160 - 170grams for poppers. Perfect for 100 to 150gram. This may be different to a lot of opinions but I actually found the Smith Tokara to be an awesome comfortable rod to use for heavier poppers. Good thing for you is the technology is on our side. Rods are getting lighter and able to throw and pop larger weights.

[Tom McCafferty]

My personal experience is shorter rods.  I'm 60kg and not exactly tall either and my main pop rod is a Smith Rocket, I find it very comfortable to fight with when the drag is locked up.  I don't feel I loose casting distance with a 7'7" I might go shorter for my next pop rod

[Sydney Neal]

Fisherman Monster CC72GT comfy rod and for a short stick cast well, loads close to the body doesn't make you feel like its going to pop you over the side, one of my favorites

[Mark Harris]

That's an impossible brief I think Michael.  Parabolic, easy to handle rods and 200 gram poppers just do not go together.

I think the nearest you will find is the Monster Hunter 79 Extreme.  Otherwise it is complete broomsticks.

As Luke says, stick to what you can handle.  It is not often that a 200 Gram+ popper will give you any great advantage in any case.

[Eric Tai]

Hi Michael, I'm in Perth and have a MH80 you can check out if you want.

Eric

[Michael Sammut]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  I'll check out a few rods that were recommended and see what suits

[Sam Colvin]

Sammut, check with Sean Costello, he's got a MH80H