Getting my 1st popping rod

[Patrick Naslund]

Hi all.

Been reading this forums for a while now and figured it was time to register

I have read Brandon's guide to buy a GT rod+ all other posts I could find.
I'm still clueless 

I bought a Stella SW10000 and a SOM 16000 spool ( planning on ordering a SW 20000 and Smith AJM 52EX combo for my jigging setup )
But I can't decide on what popping rod to get.

I've understood as much that you generally need a "stiffer" rod for GT compared to Tuna ( This is a fish I want to fish also )

I'm probably going to Kenya this Feb/mars and as I understand .. there are some big GT's swimming around there .

Popping will be mostly at reef patches 5-7meter depth with drop offs to 30-50 meter surrounding .

Since I have no experience in popping ..I'm trying to figure out what rod to get.

I've been looking ( not in RL ) at Temple Reef BD 200.. easy on the angler ( good for tuna up to 100 kg ) but maby to" soft" for a 30 kg+ GT running for the reef ?

Another rod is Smith WRC Tokora 60... Have no clue how I would handle this rod...( casting and fighting fish)

Which one of these rods would you recomend ?

I'm 185 cm
weight 95kg ( mostly muscles    )
No experience in popping or GT fishing.

I live in Sweden so only way to actually feel any of these rods would be to fly out of Sweden.

[Andy Rowe]

Hi Patrick,

Always a difficult compromise trying to find a rod that will suit potentially large GT and tuna. Apart from the fighting differences between fish, lure sizes are also an issue.

Several rods you may want to also consider to give you versatility may include Ripple fisher Ultimo79MH or H or the Carprnter CV79/40RF-SHP, rods that won't work big chuggers but will do a range of lures.

[Mark Harris]

Good advice from Andy.

You also might want to consider getting two rods - a top quality multi-purpose rod of the nature Andy suggested, and an entry level specialist GT popping rod which will handle big chuggers. In the conditions you describe, a Carynx Kaibutsu Surface Monster would do the job and handle even the very biggest of chuggers.  This is a low price but capable rod.

[Patrick Naslund]

[Mark Gwynne]

The Shimano T Curve GT special is worth a look. It's in your price range.

[Andy Rowe]

The Tokara is a serious PE10 rod, I am sure it will be fine with the SW10K/16k combo but I reckon (personal preference only) the balance between reel and rod will be better with the Yamaga as this will be a lighter blank than the Smith.

Consider also what rated braid you are going to put on the 16k spool, PE8 probably ideal. With the 10k reel you will be really pushing it to it's limit if you fish PE10 on maximum.

So your reel and line choice may influence your rod decision a little.

I don't think the Tokara will have too much issue with your lure weights it is a little softer in the tip than most rods of its vintage, and I see some people favor it for giant bluefin also.

[Jon Li]

For first timer , DJ83MH from Carpenter can handle big GT n Tuna using chugger , stickbait n pencil poppers . After one becomes proficient , this rod can be for spare of the more specialized rod .

Jon .

[Mark Harris]

Bloody hell! If you can get a Tokara or Yamaga Atlas CHEAPER than a Carynx Kaibutsu then do not even think about the latter.  The Kaibutsus should be purchased on price only.

I used to have a Tokara and it is a serious PE10 rod. Not one that I particularly loved (and I am a Smith fan). 

I think Jon's recommendation is a very interesting one.

To expand on Andy's point about your No Limits 1600 spool, I am not sure you could get enough PE10 onto it.  I know others say 250 metres of PE8, but I struggle to get more than 230 m on mine without overloading it. I think it is therefore unlikely you will get more than about 180-190 m of PE10 onto it. That coupled with PE10 stretching a 10000 reel to the limit, says to me to stop at PE8.

[Brandon Khoo]

I don't know what more I can say if my guide to GT rods has sent you clueless!! lol - I found this really funny.

I think the reality is that having purchased a 10000 Stella with a 16000 spool, you've limited yourself to a PE8 outfit. I do not recommend that you use PE10 on the 10000 as you are going to be asking a lot from the poor little reel, not to mention that I think you are pushing it on line capacity as well. For a sngle reel, I personally would have recommended an 18000 or a Dogfight.

Andy and Mark have summed things up pretty well. I wouldn't look at the Kaibatsu if that is the price. I would describe the Tokara as a reasonably strong popping rod. You'll get away with PE8 on it if that is what you want to get. The only thing is this rod is 7'6" long so you'll have to work hard on your casting.

The Ripple Fisher 79R would be a decent compromise for you. It's really a PE8-10 rod though I hesitate to refer to it as a full-blown PE10 rod. Jon's suggestion of a DJ83MH is interesting but is actually not a bad one at all, especially if Patrick is looking for soemthing that can be used for tuna at some point. I describe it similarly to the 79R in terms of being a PE8-10 rod. Another Carpenter worth looking at would be the Coral Viper CV79 RF40.

Depending on when you need to buy, I expect Yamaga will have a new range of rods going up to PE10 before too long. I think these will be worth looking at in the price range you have.

[Patrick Naslund]

[Mark Harris]

Brandon's specific recommendation of a GT79 R is very appropriate. superb all rounder.

A slightly leftfield suggestion would be a Ripple Fisher GT82 Longcast. I love this rod and it is my first go to option these days. Fabulous stickbait rod but still works 160 gram chuggers OK. I suspect on Brandon's scale this would be a pure PE8 rod and not a PE8/10. The only question would be the wisdom of using such a relatively long GT rod (8 ft 2 in) for tuna luring.

Two rods I never leave homne without - this one and my AMJ52EX for jigging 

[Jon Li]

What I can say is : Buy the best , most suitable rod you can afford because if you are serious with the sport , this way you will save money rather than buying the non descript brands which when coming to resell , nobody wants it .

Jon .

[Patrick Naslund]

[Mark Harris]

Patrick, are those prices USD or EUros?

If you want to spend  less and get a very nice rod, it would be remiss not to mention this: http://www.gtpopping.com/forum/index.php?topic=2594.0

A rod developed by one of the sponsors of this forum. I have raved about this rod since picking one up. Five friends have used mine and were all similarly impressed. It is a Pe8/10 rod that casts beautifully. Works big chuggers well and stickbaits acceptably. The blank used is Korean. The Kaiser guys would be happy to tell you more I am sure. The price is very attractive.

[Patrick Naslund]

Mark prices are Euros.. actual costs are less but I have to pay 3,5% custom and 25 % VAT on the total cost ( shipping included) when buying from outside EU

Can't find any price info on the Kaiser rod since my I got a malware warning trying to enter the shop site