I can attest to getting a beat down, if you are not prepared well. Tackle and casting wise, I was fine, but not in terms of strength and fighting technique when hooked up to a big GT. I was a bit sick before the trip and couldn't put in enough gym time due to this and work, but would still consider myself half way fit...which wasn't enough. Also in terms of fighting technique I learned my lesson there...straight arms, straight back, bend knees, etc.. Not a problem when you're on some 10kg fish, but when you hook a big GT instinct kicks in and suddenly it's all forgotten hehe.
If you are new to GT fishing my advice would be to prepare yourself physically as much as possible and also practise technique as much as you can, because casting a PE10 outfit and then fighting a big GT will push your limits. Knots and tackle have to be 100% as you would kick yourself messing up the part that you can control...
I put a fair bit of research into it, before going and asked a few of the experienced guys on this and other forums, so I can give you a run down on tackle. It's not a complete list, only a few examples of the stuff that is up to task.
As for terminal tackle:
- Trebles Gamakatsu GT Recorders in 7/0 and 6/0
- Singles Shout Kudako in 9/0 and 8/0, Decoy JS2 Cutlass in 10/0. Any hooks have to be DEBARBED
- Owner Hyper Wire 11H and Carpenter 350lb good pair of split ring pliers
- Swivel NT Power swivel in 2/0
Leaders: about 200lb in good brands, like Fisherman Stealth, YGK gallis absorber, Varivas, KNOT TENSIONERS are a must if you are going to use friction knots like FG's or PR's
Line: quality PE10, like Tasline 100lb, YGK WX8 ultra cast man, Varivas Aviani GT Max
Lures: Good mix of poppers, floating and and sinking stickbaits and a pencil or two. Main concern is the lures wiring being up to scratch and swimming well with the big hooks. I would just buy a few well proven ones that handle the big terminals and that's it, no experiments. This includes Orion Big Foot 180 sinking stick, strategic angler walker, MB Lures 217 stickbaits and the larger Moses Poppers, FCL Labo large CSP stickbaits, Orion Flapper skipping lure, Full Scale Long Kong and Kong 200, Adhek Big Buffalo, Craftbait GT3 170, Heru Cubera 180 and 150g, if you are good with stickbaits Carpenter Gamma 160
Reels: Stella 18k, Saltiga 6500-8000 in high gear
Rods: Whatever can fish PE10 and cast lures 140-200g that carry big terminals. I brought Anallrounder for the smaller poppers and stickbaits + a dedicated popper rod for the big stuff + a backup stickbait rod that I had anyway for big local kings. Rods and lures are a very personal thing and I don't have the experience, so best do more research and make up your own mind. But a popping rod and a stickbait rod are a good plan. Maybe also bring a cheapish/second hand allrounder as your backup. And generally you can pick up top end rods for ok money second hand.
I would also not make the mistake of buying one of those mean PE10-12 fast action broomsticks when you are just starting this game...I have made this mistake too
Rod made it pretty comfortable to pop big poppers, but was also a killer once hooked up. Also I would not buy too many of those 200g poppers, as they are very hard work, pretty much impossible to use all day unless your technique is top notch and you are very very fit. Better go with 150-180g lures mostly with maybe a couple monsters mixed in.
You also want to bring PE2-3 stuff around 20-50g lures for light tackle fishing and a PE4 (+\- a line class) jigging outfit with 100-250g jigs.
