JM GT Special Ocean Devil or BH Nano?

[DW Huysamer]

Hi guys,

I am looking for a rod to pair with my Stella 10000SW, but being in South Africa this task is limited to say the least.  Availability of decent rods are few and far in between and importing one is crazy expensive due to our currency being what it is compared to the dollar at the moment.  Long story short, I don't feel like paying almost double for a rod just to get it here.

I will be using this rod for light to medium stickbaits and poppers in the 130gr range.

I can however get my hands on a Jigging Master GT Special Ocean Devil 81 or a Black Hole 86 Nano.  Has anyone used these JM rods as I cannot seem to find much info on these?  I know it is more of a budget rod, but with max 16kg of power at 60 degrees and 8kg at 90 degrees the blank cannot be bad?

Will this rod be okay for game fishing and the occasional bigger GT/Tuna hunt with a 16000 spool and 80lb JB hollow?

Any input with regards to experience with these rods would be much appreciate.  As well as other suggestions.

[David Lumanauw]

Better JM monster GT 78. A friend of mine has broken butt with ocean devil pe 10 on first trip with this rod.

[Anton Haakman]

Hello DW

I hope you well. I have a BH Nano and live in Cape Town. If you in this area, give me a shout and we can meet up for you to put a reel on it.

Where will you be fishing? I see that you are targeting tuna and geets. I got the nano for yfin off of Cape Town. Have not adequately tested it yet.

I brought in the blank and then had it built here. You do save a little doing it this was and you can customize it a bit.

Give me a call if you would like. 082 459 0118

Kind regards
Anton

[DW Huysamer]

Thanks for the input guys...

Yip. A rod breaking on its first trip is no good at all.  I would be very upset about that...

Anton, thanks bud, I will definitely give you a call sometime.  I will be back in Cpt in March...  Which one do you have?  The 8 or 86? 

I would like to use the the rod in Cpt for tuna and then for GT's and other gamefish on trips.  I wanted to bring in a rod, but with postage etc it would've worked out to just under the price as some of the Carpenters.

Will just sit tight for now.

[Hubert Viljoen]

Hi DW,

Ive had a custom rod built by Craig Neil in Centurion last year.

Used the rod in Madagascar with no probs at all. Was very forgiving and caught some nice GT's on it.

Rod was based in a 8"6 blank so it was a bit tiring to pop with it but overall it did its job well.

Let me know if you would like his contact info.

Cheers

Hubert

[DW Huysamer]

Hi Hubert,

Thanks bud, that would be great.

Can you please tell me a bit more about the rod?  What blank etc?  Casting weights as well please?  I am looking for the rod to be light to medium stickbaits and popping to a max of 140/150gr with backbone.

My email is [email protected] as the sound or picture to send a pm does not seem to work on my iPad.

Cheers
DW

[Hubert Viljoen]

DW,

Sent you a mail bud!

phone me up and we can discuss tackle:)

Hubert

[Anton Haakman]

DW,

I have the 8'6. It is a really solid blank and casts well even with lighter lures around the 90g mark.

I got the slightly longer one as I do quite a bit of land based work and as a result I opted for the extra length.

Give me a shout when you in CT.

Keep an eye on the local fishing forums. From time to time a really good rod will come up for sale. The other option is to try and order a batch of say 5 blanks. The shipping is the same as for 1. Craig may be able to assist with getting a few guys together to pool an order.

The Saltywater blanks are also worth looking at, as are the Temple Reef ones. Most are in the $200 - 300 price range. Exchange rate is killing us at present. Cost to build with Fuji Alconite guides would be less than    R 1 500. I built 2 last year and brought the guides in with the blanks. The rest of the build cost me R 600 per rod. Each of the rods stood me in under R 3k as I had a friend who went to the US and was kind enough to bring the blanks back with him.

Good luck
Anton

[DW Huysamer]

Hi Anton,

I am moving there from Pta at the end of the month so I will definitely give you a shout.

I think this is the route I will be following...  I actually wanted to bring in a Saltywater RP150, but this way I could get a RP200 as well.   

Thanks for the help and input guys.

[Gerhard Delport]

I have the 8ft and 10,6 ft BH rods.

Chat with the guys at Jigstar Africa in Pta East.

These are amazing rods...