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

Travel Rod and Reel combo

<< < (2/7) > >>

Sam Phillips:
Thanks guys, I'll go check those rods out today..

 Reel wise I've heard some guys use a Saragosa 8000 then put a custom 16000 spool on it for more drag, anyone done this??
The Catalina does look nice though Ian, not much different to the 2010 saltiga.

 I imagine being landbased I'd be fishing around 10kg drag on any reel otherwise I'd get pulled in the drink with the fish.

Alex Gomez:
I use the demon blood mentioned and it will work fine if you're not too fussy!  You just need to fish lures it can handle, I use the smaller Williamson jet poppers and they work well.  It can also troll lures and throw medium stickbaits too.  I have caught GT's to around 15kg's, Mahi Mahi and Wahoo to 20kg with no trouble.

Another option for a budget reel is the fin nor offshore, quite heavy reel but they have a serious drag system.  I doubt you would break it on one trip, the commercial kingfish charters use them in Sydney harbour for a whole season with little or no maintenance.

Good luck, I hear the fishing there is very special!

AG

Sam Phillips:
Thanks Alex
Which fin nor offshore size were you referring too? The 9500.looks huge castability wise

Marco Slotboom:
Hi,

Im completely new here, im prepping for my first GT-trip and i also looked for a travel rod. I heard some goods things about the Shimano Caranx Kaibutsu STC, comes in 3 sizes, 7, 8 and 9 foot. It is however not sold anymore in Europe.
I also consider having a travel rod custom built, based on a CTS seamaster popper blank. I still have to meet the builder, but he seems to think that a 4 piece rod is possible.
The reel i intend to use, is the mentioned Daiwa Catalina 6500h. As it is no longer sold in Europe, i ordered it in Japan, 580 usd, including shipping and tax.

Good luck and greetings from the Netherlands,
Marco

Trevor Skinner:
Travel rods have come a long way and I think you'll see a greater selection as airlines tighten up on baggage restrictions and the 2 metre long rod tube becomes a thing of the past.

Some of the top end makers have been experimenting with them, even on heavy gear. I have a Carpenter BLC 83/35 3 piece that handles 100g lures and PE5/6 nicely, I still don't have enough confidence to put my all into that rod and I'm very conscious of line angles, although other people have caught some great fish on it (if it's any consolation I'm pretty much the same with all the BLCs I've tried). I also have a Fisherman Monster CC 80GT.T PE8-10 150/200g GT stick that I will lean into with confidence and have personally caught good fish on without an issue. Be careful of the tip section though, good casters can loosen the join after a few casts, not a problem it just requires the odd check.

The obvious problem with heavy gear and 3 piece rods is the join in the blank, I think that's improving all the time. The less obvious problem is that the length of the butt section limits any true portability, the Carpenter breaks down to 95cm and the Fisherman to 89cm..still too large for most luggage but better than the 1.8 metres than most 2 piece rods typically break down to.   

I know it doesn't specifically address your issue as these are expensive but viable travel rods is something that interests me.

Regards,



Trev         

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page