GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource
Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Travis Heaps on December 21, 2008, 08:45:00 PM
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We've only been into popping for a short while now - maybe 10 months at the max. In that time we've caught a few fish and have come to understand a bit better the pressure that gets put on your gear by a big fish. Slowly but surely we've progressed from thinking you're a bit of wanker for having a rod just for stickbaits, a rod just for light poppers and a rod just for heavy poppers to thinking that maybe, well actually yeah I do need a seperate rod for stickbaits and another for poppers :D
My mate and I both use tcurve GT specials with stella 10k's and its a tool that gets the job done, and i'll never be getting rid of it. That said though we've never had the chance to try out these other rods that everybody talks about. My question therefore is where does the GT special sit in the pack? GT Popping seems to suffer a little from gear snobbery, i've heard the GT special be called "an entry level" rod - why is this? Because I know no better the first reason I think of is simply the price. I know that is not entirely the case though, so my question is - if you were given a blind test on one where would you say it performed well and where is its weaknesses? And by purchasing a new, high end rod (I quite like the sound of the Ripplefishers... ;D) what benefits would I be gaining over my current setup?
All help appreciated.
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the rods that "everybody talk about" are actually by no means the absolute top end - the top end belongs to the full custom jobs, particularly from Fisherman and to a lesser extent, Carpenter and then Ripple. A rod like this from Fisherman could easily cost you close to $,3000 if you opted for all the premium options at current exchange rates. The chameleon paintwork finish from Ripple is something like a $500 option.
By entry level, we're referring to price. As you have no doubt already found out, most gear simply won't hack it against big GTs on heavy braid. The GT Special is the cheapest rod on the market that will actually do the job. That said, the rod is considerably heavier than the more premium offerings. The more expensive rods have lighter blanks and premium components. As an example, if you look at a rod like a Fisherman R10, you can those beautifully shaped grips.
I really don't see the rod as having any weaknesses per se - it will do the job and do it competently but it will not feel as nice to use as one of the premium rods.
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Little bit of a secret - there is an upgraded Shimano GT rod that is either about to come out or has just been launched that is considerably lighter than its predessesor. I have had a play with one and weight wise it felt approx the same as the Tokara 60 I am currently using.
Considering what you pay for them I thank they are now great value for money.
Cheers
Les.
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Thanks Brandon. By heavier are you referring to weight or action? And also by nicer to use - what are you refering to? I know that can be hard to quantify sometimes - like cars or mountain bikes (as is my other expensive past time) there are definitely brands or models that have intangible properties that just work. That said though i'm trying to get an understanding of what makes a good rod a good rod. $1000+ is more than I like to spend based purely on heresay.
PS - thanks for the goss Les, interesting :)
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if you're into mountain biking, then you'll see some bikes cost $1000, other $5000 and a select few will cost the earth. It's the same thing. You pay for a precision and hand-made tool. I don't doubt that some of what we regard as "feel" in the case of an expensive rod is probably a bit of a placebo effect.
Only you can establish whether you think the rod is worth paying $1000 (or a air bit more now!) for.
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Little bit of a secret - there is an upgraded Shimano GT rod that is either about to come out or has just been launched that is considerably lighter than its predessesor. I have had a play with one and weight wise it felt approx the same as the Tokara 60 I am currently using.
Considering what you pay for them I thank they are now great value for money.
Cheers
Les.
Interesting. I was all set to buy a GT special for my trip to Exmouth next April. Might hold off now.
Cheers for the heads up, fingers crossed it's released before I go!
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if you're into mountain biking, then you'll see some bikes cost $1000, other $5000 and a select few will cost the earth. It's the same thing. You pay for a precision and hand-made tool. I don't doubt that some of what we regard as "feel" in the case of an expensive rod is probably a bit of a placebo effect.
Only you can establish whether you think the rod is worth paying $1000 (or a air bit more now!) for.
Yes, mountain bikes...$5500 - second hand, as was my case :'( :P But I think it was absolutely worth it. I guess its the same with rods, looking forward to trying a couple out at some stage. Ken has kindly sent me a message offering to have a look over his range of rods as he lives in the same area, look forward to it.
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Hey Les, any idea where i might be able to view the specs on the new gt special?
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It's a running change and should already be available.
Summary:
Around 85-100 grams lighter than previous model (need to double check this)
Thinner, harder EVA grips
No aluminum gimbal - just rubber butt-cap
Slightly faster action
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Thanks Luke - thought you would have more details available than me. Luke, is there some visual way of telling the difference between the old and new other than feeling the weight of them side by side?
Jordan, have you got all the info you need now?
Cheers
Les
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Thanks Luke - thought you would have more details available than me. Luke, is there some visual way of telling the difference between the old and new other than feeling the weight of them side by side?
Jordan, have you got all the info you need now?
Cheers
Les
The old model had a rubber type material over the grip - similar to a smooth cricket bat grip. The new grips are EVA only.
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I ordered a GT special last month and it doesn't have a gimbal and the grips are EVA. So I would say they are out now (unless you get old stock). Was a bargin at $349 inc postage.
Slads
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I ordered a GT special last month and it doesn't have a gimbal and the grips are EVA. So I would say they are out now (unless you get old stock). Was a bargin at $349 inc postage.
Slads
Can you send me a PM regarding where you got it at that price? Sounds a whole lot better than $450 - $500 I have seen - cheers.
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sorry to hijack but im sure you'd like to know too :D
what about the shimano carnx? im thinking of getting the longcast as a step up from the tcurve and monster mesh but is the carnx really worth the extra pennies or will the t curve do the same thing? is it worth the extra pennies or should i just buy the new t curve?
Cheers
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I picked my GT special up at a great price as well. Shop around and online and you will find it well below $500. And for that money its well worth it.
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Gavin
Are you thinking of the Shimano Caranx Kaibutsu? - I am not sure these can be purchased in Aus anymore?? - they used to be available from MO Tackle. They are available from places like Fishing Buddy out of Singapore (approx SGD600). I am sure Shimano Aus (i.e. Dunphy Sports) do not import them directly - Luke ??
Brendon may be able to comment on their performance as I was thinking of geeting The Surface Monster as a backup in case of disaster with the Tokara or KD.
Cheers
Les
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Hey Les, they aren't avaliable in australia. Motackle bring them in now and then but it isnt hard to source them from overseas. I'm thinking of getting the longcast 8ft2 pe6-8 as a better alternative to the monstermesh or t curve but not sure if it's actually worth spending the extra 150-200 dollars so I was hoping the guys in the know on here could give a little comparison before I commit to a buy.
Cheers