Light Outfit For GT Popping Trips

[Amr Kehila]

Anglers like to take a lighter rod/reel with them on GT popping and jigging expeditions; whilst this generally depends a fair bit on the location it might make it easier for members to make the right selection if we have a bit of a chat about it.

Depending on the area, I personally use:

Zenaq S73 Circular
FCL Labo UC79Pro
Carpenter BC80MRF

For most destinations I think you need something that can handle a Stella 5000 or equivalent so PE3-4 is a good range. That way you can wrestle with reef species, small Tuna and other pelagic fish without getting sharked or reefed. A Stella 4000 or equivalent would probably be under-gunned in most GT-inhabited reef areas because the by-catch is usually equally as hungry!

My personal choice from the above 3 are the Zenaq/4000FE OR the Carpenter/5000SWB, PE1-2 and PE3-4 respectively; just depends on what you are likely to encounter... The Carpenter is particularly nice if you want to really put some hurt onto fish and it's got a longer, stronger fore-grip. I'm going to purchase a new, lighter, rod with an extended butt section and longer fore-grip so that I can fish in the PE2-3 range but maintain the power, so I'm looking at the:

Zenaq Twitch FC70-3 - Long Handle

I've noticed the:

Saltywater Tackle El Maestro EM 710MH
Yamaga Blanks Blue Sniper 77/3

But I know nothing of them apart from their stats! Anyone?

[Mark Harris]

My first choice rod in this category and one which goes on every single bluewater/reef trip I do, is Carpenter Black Current 80MRF - an absolutely brilliant rod.

As Amr says this is a PE3-4 rod suitable for Shimano size 6000 or 5000 reel.  It is very fast-actioned and for me, this makes it ideal for getting fish out of difficult terrain. It also casts superbly.

If (only if) casting distance is not a big issue, Carpenter Black Current 69 MHR-SHP is possibly even better for reef type conditions. The shorter rod gives you more of an advantage when dealing with hard pulling reef fish like smaller trevallies, emperors etc.

In the lighter PE2-3 class, I use both Yamaga Blanks Blue Sniper 77/3 (a light PE3 rod) and Carpenter Black Current 73MLR (later re-released as 75MLR).  The Blue Sniper is a lovely, subtle rod and as it sits in the less than $500 category, great value for money.

Lighter still and I have recently become very impressed with Carpenter Black Current 80ULR (PE1-2.5). You would not want to use this rod over a reef as it is so soft but for working bait balls etc in deeper water, it is a beauty.  I fish mine with PE2 or PE 1.5.

It is sad that the whole Carpenter Black Current range has been discontinued but eager buyers can still find them second hand and there is also a tiny amount of remnant stock around of the newer models.

I have not used any of the MC Works options in these classes but Trevor might have some feedback on those.

[Amr Kehila]

Some good points in there about rods I had missed and some I didn't know about at all in the same category, thanks Mark. It's a shame that the Carpenter rods are so unavailable at the moment as it does have some good contenders, perhaps Trevor does have something to add regarding MC Works and anyone else with any brands we may have missed. I hope this helps a few people to make a good decision.

[Trevor Skinner]

Hi guys,

I think this class of rod is the most difficult in the quiver to get the balance right.

Lots of what's currently available just doesn't have the mid blank strength to stop a spangled emperor, red bass or golden trevally from putting you in the reef...sometimes without having to take any line from the reel. The fact that this same rod needs to cover that 40/60g lure range makes that a difficult ask.

As the boys have said, I'm a fan of the MC Works rods but they too suffer from the slow taper designs that seem prevalent in modern rod design. It seems to me that those of us that want this style of rod have to look into choices that are no longer readily available.

My favourite PE 3 rod for tropical reefs is the MC Works Seven Miles 794CR, again sadly no longer in the catalogue. It's fast tapered, like the BC80MRF, and has the flexibility in the tip to do a good job with 40g lures. Nice big stripping guide and double footed guides along its length it does a great job. Like all MC Works rods it's finished beautifully (or it was, mines covered in hook rash).

If you want a PE2-3 rod for pelagics like queenfish, mahi mahi or longtails I would recommend the Dazzler 802LF or the shorter 742LF but they both come out of the 'softer' mould. A model that would give you a little more oomph would be the the EX7113AR.

A word of warning though. Light, high content carbon rods like these and a bundle of PE10 GT rods strapped together and loaded on and off trucks and boats don't match. I've lost 2 light MC Works rods by the blanks being damaged. The heavier SM794CR seems to be heavy enough to withstand the abuse though.

Hope that helps.

Regards,


Trev     

 

[Trevor Skinner]

Of the choices that Amr has I must admit to having an affinity with FCL rods.

I'm not familiar with that particular model but I have the UCB 74 which is probably the best PE4-5 rod I've used.

The El Maestro is a great choice as well but definitely on the upper side of light (in terms of line ratings). It's also bulletproof like all Saltywater rods


Regards,



Trev   

[Mayur Panday]

Love me El Maestro 710 with Stella 8000... Brilliant setup! Landed some really nice fish on it..but don't know if you can call it really light!

[Amr Kehila]

Of the choices that Amr has I must admit to having an affinity with FCL rods.

I'm not familiar with that particular model but I have the UCB 74 which is probably the best PE4-5 rod I've used.

The El Maestro is a great choice as well but definitely on the upper side of light (in terms of line ratings). It's also bulletproof like all Saltywater rods

Regards,

Trev   

Yes Trevor! My favorite light rods for this purpose used to be the FCL UC79; until I discovered the Zenaq S73 and the UC79Pro; until I realized that it can be a bit under-gunned at the shallow remote reef!

Love me El Maestro 710 with Stella 8000... Brilliant setup! Landed some really nice fish on it..but don't know if you can call it really light!

I investigated the El Maestro 710MH and it appears that it might be a bit of a power-stick! It's PE rating might be a little deceiving. Sami/Paul/Ray might be able to elaborate later though. Perhaps Duncan might have some other ideas too!

[Mark Harris]

If you are going up a class to Shimano 8000 sized reels and maybe PE4 or PE5 line, then Carpenter Black Current 75 MHS is a truly legendary rod.  And there is still some stock actually available I think (or there was not long ago).

I also love using TBL 84/22 with a Shimano 8000 size and PE5.  Lovely rod which casts miles. Perfectly suited for stickbaits in the 80-110 gram range.

However, with these type of rods you are getting away from the "light" category I think.

[Duncan O'Connell]

Some interesting comments here! Like Trevor I have found that many of the lighter rods available in this class are left wanting for down low power. I think a lot of it stems from being designed for mahi mahi or smaller tunas which are super clean fighters in open water. Fishing over coral reels though, means absolutely redlining PE2-4 tackle if you want to stand any chance of getting your gear back. The slow tapers of some of these rods certainly don't help either, often giving the fish enough line in rod flex to get their heads down, making it nearly impossible to stop them heading back from where they came.
Anyway, my current choice:
Zenaq Twitch 70-3 or 70-3 long handle. Has the faster taper needed to hit the fish hard and fast. 7' and 7'3 (long handle) length makes it easy to work a variety of lures and they fish PE3 comfortably. Standard length handle balances Certate 3500 or Shimano 4000-5000 size while long handle works with Saltiga 4000 or Stella 6000.
FCL 70 Pro H this is a proper 2 piece, so it travels easily. The taper is typical of other FCL light rods: stiff and super crisp. It is more a straight PE2 rod, so it can lack power compared to some other heavier rods. Casting performance is excellent and very easy to work lures. I've used this rod everywhere from impoundment barra to reefies to longtail tunas, so nice and versatile. Suits 3000 Daiwa or 4000 Shimano.
In the past I've loved the Smith KGS68m: bit short but landed so many good fish on it, and Synit Banshee Heavy: extraordinary rod, so much power! but only 1pc and sadly the materials for the blank are no longer available.

In the not too distant future we hope to see new Zenaqs and FCLs in this class.
New Zenaq Twitch is like the 70-3 long handle but more powerful. We landed a 35kg GT in socotra on this rod as 'bycatch' when hunting big bass and jobfish on it. The FCLs we have been testing are like a stepped down version of the UCB74, trying to keep plenty of power for redlining PE3, but lighter tip for casting smaller lures up to 60-70g.
Cheers

Duncan