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

Rods for Oman

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Dave Huck:
Hi,

I'm in the process of planning my kit list for a trip to South Oman (not booked yet and will probably be in 2015). I'm not an experienced GT fisherman but I have spent a lot of time fishing in the tropics (mostly West Africa).

I'm starting from a clean slate as far as heavy rods go. My heaviest rods are a Smith Wrc 80 and a TR STK 76H, so not up to the job!

I've read a lot of posts on here but my big issue is that I live in UK, so not much opportunity to try different rods. I'm middle aged, short and heavily built (definitely need to get to the gym!). I think my profile dictates rods that are relatively gentle on the angler!

My plan is to run a stickbait rod and a popping rod. My thinking on this is that I can switch quickly if conditions dictate (or if tired from popping or busted up...).

Reels will be a 6500 Dogfight and either a Twinpower 12K with a JM 1600 spool, or a 14/18K Stella. I also have a Stella 20K but I'll probably have that on a jigging rod.

I've picked up on Ed Nicholas' comments on distance being important, so the stickbait rod will probably be an RF82LC or a Racepoint 200. I hope to be able to have an RP200 built for reasonable money so I'll probably go for that one.

As far as the popping rod goes I'm less certain of my options. Again, the Racepoint 250 looks like good value for a proven rod. The BH CCS 80 graphite could be a cheap option but I think that's more of a Tuna rod?

I can probably get to look at Temple Reef rods in advance, which is a big plus for me. Wondering about the GT Stick 80-10 or the reefer 711-10. I'm interested to see what the Big Bertie looks like too.

At the expensive end of the scale there's the Carpenter MH80H but it seems like a real mission to track one down, even more so if you don't want to pay a premium for living in Europe.....

So, would be really grateful for impartial advice for a short, fat old pom who doesn't want to remortgage the house for a heavy popping rod!

Cheers

Dave

Mark Harris:
Great first post Dave :)

On your stickbait rod, the RF 82LC would be a good choice and it matches the reels you mention, the likely line class you will use, and the size of stickbaits you are likely to be using in Southern Oman. I have not used the RP 200 but hear nice things about it.  Both ought to be up to the task of the size of GTs you might encounter in Oman.

Getting to hold a rod before you buy it is a HUGE plus and if you can find the Temple Reef rods in the UK (I know they have a UK distributor now who is also a member of this forum), then this is a huge plus. I do not use the Temple Reef Reefer rods myself, but have seen a lot of them in action . For example this March in Oman, 3 mates who I was fishing with were using them to great effect on some truly monstrous GTs.  This was the Reefer 711/10 and the 76/12.  Impressed with both and the Reefer range is clearly an advancement from the older TR popping rods.

You have a very interesting road ahead of you Dave in building a tackle range for GT fishing. Good luck with it.

Luke Wyrsta:
Dave,

There are a number of UK members registered on this forum. You might be able to meet up with them to view their collections and receive some opinions first hand.

Just a thought.

Regards,
Luke

Saltywater Tackle:
Dave,
You're Smith WRC 80P/35 will be up to the task, it is a beast of a rod so don't underestimated and you can use it as a stickbait rod.
yes it is an old school rod but will do the job!
our line of Race Point rods was accounted for big fish from GT's to Tuna to most brutal big species with 0 breakage,  there is so many factors to be taking into consideration when choosing a rod and most important to see it and feel it in person if you have a chance,
good luck on your choice.

  Tight lines
    Sami

Simon Bomholt:
On reel, look at the new saltiga expedition. Sounds super, and i am looking at it my self for a pe10 reel for places like Oman. I have the mh80 and are after a rod for bigger poppers and are waiting with Big interest for the Big bertie.
For carpenter in eu, have a look at vagabond fisherman in italy. Great guy and last i checked he had monster hunter 79 there

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