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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Brandon Khoo on November 09, 2010, 02:10:08 PM
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On my trip to New Caledonia last week, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to test a number of the new GT rods that Carpenter have recently released or will be releasing in the near future.
Konishi San bought along the Endless Passion and Monster Hunter range of rods as well as a number of prototypes. I will not be discussing the prototype rods as there is no point doing this as they were rods he had made up for testing specific ideas and may or may not end up proceeding to production.
First on the Monster Hunters. On the trip, I had the opportunity to test both the 80H RF40 and the 79XH RF45. The 80H has already been released in small numbers and some of you may already have acquired one. The 79XH is the heavier version of this rod and is an international model; that is, it is only for the international market and will not be sold domestically in Japan. This rod will be released during 2011.
I found the 80H to be a very impressive all round rod. I would see it as a PE8-10 rod and it certainly has significant reserves of power down low. In terms of action, I feel the blank has a slightly more progressive action that the EXH. I would suggest both rods are roughly comparable in power. That said, the EXH clearly has a stiffer tip than the 80H. This would be a suitable rod for anyone looking for an all-round rod to throw poppers up to the 170g range and large stickbaits. The rod really does have some power down low. Konishi San landed his biggest GT of the trip on the 80H and he went really, really hard at times with the rod. I liked this rod a lot as an all-round mid-heavy GT rod and I liked it enough where I will be getting one myself.
From the 80H, we take a step up to the 79XH. This rod is another step up in power and I see this as a serious PE10 rod. The tip is probably approaching the EXH is stiffness and while the action is still relatively fast, it has a more forgiving taper than the SP rods like the EXH and UHL. Down low, this rod has loads of power. I found that this rod could take anything I was capable of dishing out on a fish and still had heaps of power in reserve down low. I feel this rod is suitable for poppers up to perhaps the 200g size although I would see around 170-190g as ideal. I will say that I feel that the tip is not strong enough for a King Kong or an I Cup. It will pop lures this size but I think there will be some degree of saturation in the blank. I would, however, see this rod as powerful enough for 95% of anglers who want to work big poppers. From a personal perspective, I will be looking closely at this rod as I have to admit that the UHL is beyond my capabilities these days and probably has been for a few years now.
Onto the Endless Passions. I had the opportunity to test two of the Endless Passions, the EP88 RF35 and the model that is coming in 2011, the EP85 RF36. I used the EP88 quite a lot over a couple of days and then tried the EP85 for a day and I suppose I have to admit to having to eat some humble pie. When this rod was first announced, the impression I had of the rod was that it was a rod for the older or aging angler, built with a more progressive and forgiving taper, additional length to assist with casting, nothing which I would be looking for. Well, I was wrong and wrong in spades as I loved both of these rods.
I used the EP88 as essentially a stickbait rod with PE8 and I have to say that there is a lot of satisfaction is simply loading up and releasing a cast without undue effort and seeing it sail huge distances. I was casting a Gamma 160 with it and it had absolutely no trouble whatsoever with the weight of the lure. The softer tip worked the surface stickbait beautifully and yet when I loaded it up on a fish, I never felt that the rod did not have enough power or that the length made it excessively unwieldy. The biggest fish I got on the EP88 was around the 30kg mark and the fish went crazy but the rod never felt like it was under-powered against the fish. I changed the lure to a 140 Sea Frog for a short period and while it popped the lure satisfactorily, I feel the rod would be more comfortable with lures just under this size.
ON the EP85, I tried this rod for a day and I liked it even more than the EP88. The slightly shorter length suited me more and I did not feel I lost any casting distance in comparison. I felt it worked stickbaits just as well as the EP88 and probably was just a tad better for poppers. I also found that when it came to fighting a fish, it was more comfortable for me than the EP88.
The Endless Passion range is almost a completely new style of GT rod compared to what we have seen previously in the market. The length of the rods from 8'5" to 8'8" is at a level rarely seen before for GT rods. I know that this puts them in the territory of the Long Reefs but the LR range was developed primarily for long casting and it was accepted that these would be more cumbersome in fighting a fish. I think the reality is that my view is a lot more of us should probably be considering a rod like this. I found I could fish for hours on end with this rod as the casting was effortless, the rod was light, it worked stickbaits beautifully and yet when necessary, I could go hard on a fish and the length was manageable.
As Kenji San has now specifically referred to the rod, I can now also add that there was another rod we tested during the week, the EP82/37 prototype. I'm not 100% sure of how this rod is going to be released yet in terms of which range or whether it will form part of a new range but when it is, boy, this is the rod which is I think is really going to be something. Its got everything - length, power but still really comfortable to fish with, casting distance etc. For me, I'd think about using this as a heavy stickbait rod. There is no release date on this rod yet as Kenji San has not formally put it onto the production schedule but the fact that he has given it a numeric designation is indicative that it may well proceed. This one is a certain purchase for me along with the EP85/36!
Fishing in the New Caledonian heat was brutal last week and having a rod that I could cast and work effortlessly made a big difference. While I found I could only work the Monster Hunter 79XH effectively for half hour periods, I could fish for long periods with the Endless Passions. Konishi san said that the EP88 had been extremely popular in Japan and it is easy for me now to understand why.
All in all, a very enjoyable experience having the opportunity to test these new rods. After what has almost been an absence from our market for a few years, it is clear that Carpenter is back, and back with a vengeance.
All of this can only bode well for the premium GT rod buyer as there has never been such a wide range of rods available before when you look at what companies like Ripple Fisher and others are offering.
Finally, I would just like to make one point and that is to clear up some rumours. I have become aware of rumours linking me with various equipment companies. These rumours are incorrect. I have no interest in any equipment company nor do I have no interest in any online or retail stores. Where I have had some involvement is assisting some companies is with the testing of equipment - no more than that.
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Hi Brandon ,
Good write up and thanks for taking time to do so , any photo of the curve of the rods you describe under load ?
Jon .
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thanks Brandon, a truly brilliant, fantastic and highly informative post and write up again. I believe you just hit the nail on the head with that superbly, thanks for doing it.
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Thanks for that detailed report Brandon, the EP's are looking good, I might shout myself an EP85 for my next birthday (60th) more so that I need it than want it.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd207/bunzo51/Smileys/11_12_13.gif)
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Brandon thanks for the info.
I am looking at getting the 80H Monster Hunter and reading this has sealed the deal.
Cheers,
Chris
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Thanks for taking the time to write the reviews Brandon. I think it's going to be very tempting to get a 79XH RF45 ;D
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Red hot review Brandon.
I was lucky to play with a heap of protoypes in Tokara but I would be have the faintest clue as to what was what besides from the Monster Hunter's. Certainly not the range Konishi-San would've had but it was an awesome privalege!
Can't wait to get a hold of a couple of Monster Hunter's as well as maybe diversifying into a EP 8)
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Monster Hunter 80H
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/122.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/121.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/104.jpg)
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Endless Passion EP88 RF35
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/114.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/111.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/112.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/113.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/110.jpg)
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Great Review Brandon.....I love the look of the MH80H
Pete
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I did too! You can see how hard Kenji is going at the fish with the rod but you can see there is still a fair bit of power left in it down low.
Great Review Brandon.....I love the look of the MH80H
Pete
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Brandon what line class was Kenji (generally) running....PE10..?
Pete
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he used everything from PE6 to PE10. On the Monster Hunter, it was either PE8 or PE10.
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That is a really sweet looking bend in that EP85, looks comfortable, nice stuff
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Good write up Brandon , just the to the point trip report we have come to expect from you. A picture says a thousand words, glad you had a great time with Konoshi.
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Very Informative Brandon....thank for sharing
Can you tell us the exact spec of the 79XH RF45? Interested to know.....
Cheers,
Bwanna
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Thanks for the write up Brandon really appreciate the info and exciting to hear Carpenter is busy with a bunch of new rods.
Great to see the pictures of Konoshi fighting fish with the MH80- he looks so balanced like he is doing tai chi rather than struggling with a 40-50 odd kg brute!
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hi boys.
i am wondering if there is anyone in Sydney who has got a Monster Hunter 80H and provided if it is no problem's at all with you if you are or would be willing for me to meet you somewhere if we could arrange to meet somewhere so i can have a look at the rod, as i am really considering getting one myself but if possible would like to have a look at one first and then go from there, which i am sure i will really like it but just to be sure.
Please PM me, thankyou and greatly appreciated if you are willing to do so.
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Awesome reviews Brandon. So, where can we get hold of these new models? ;D
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Here is the list of international dealers, Eric. Please note that not all dealers will opt to carry all the models as they are released. Check with them to find out.
http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20index%20english/co%20overseas%20dealer.htm (http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20index%20english/co%20overseas%20dealer.htm)
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Nice post Brandon, how did you find the comparison between the LR88 and the EP. I've been using the LR88 for a while and found it to be a majic caster - really flatters my casting ability - but a bit of a handful after hookup (I'm just a desk jockey not a landscaper!).
It looks like the EP's lock up a little further down the blank would this be right?
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Peter, I feel the Endless Passion is a little progressive than a Long Reef in that it folds just a little easier through the blank which it turn makes it easier on the angler
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I don't know what the exact specs are - sorry
Very Informative Brandon....thank for sharing
Can you tell us the exact spec of the 79XH RF45? Interested to know.....
Cheers,
Bwanna
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Brandon,
Do you think the MH 80H would be suitable all-rounder for a beginner, comparable to a Ripplefisher 79R?
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Guys ,
Here are the specifications of MH80H n MH79XH .
Jon .
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I'd suggest that the Monster Hunter is a bit stronger than the 79R Ripple, especially down low. It really comes down to the individual and what they want to fish for. If you are principally looking to fish PE6-8 with poppers of no more than 140g and stickbaits of say up to 160g, I'd actually look for a Coral Viper CV79 RF40.
If yuo want to up the weight of the lures by say around 20g and you want to fish PE8 principally and dabble with PE10 from time to time, I'd look at the 79R. If you're look at lures of the same size to maybe up to another 20g and you want more power in the rod, then the MH80H would be good.
I don't like to group beginners because some may have little fishing experience whilst others may have fished extensively. People also come in all sorts of shapes and sizes
Brandon,
Do you think the MH 80H would be suitable all-rounder for a beginner, comparable to a Ripplefisher 79R?
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Superb reviews and thank you so much.
I can see myself very much in the market for a MH 80H.
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I've just added some comments on a prototype 82/37 that we tested during the week as well. I hadn't included this previously but as Kenji San has now given it a designation, it would indicate a release is possible. I'm not 100% sure how this rod will fit into the Carpenter range at this point.
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Hi Brandon, I have been following your posts for couple of months now and finally I think I picked up enough knowledge ask to few beginner's questions..
I owned a Yamaga 76/8 and able to cast 75m with popper below 150gram. Fished once in Maldive and couple of trips around Malaysia but have yet to challenge by any GT of more than 25kg. I am very comfortable with poppers from 100-125 grams and will try out E Cup and Craft bait on my next trip but that's maximum I will go in term of popper as my body can't handle any heavy rod like RF GT79H due to previous back injury.
I recently started to look into stickbait rod which can handle at least 170gram. I am looking at Ultimo 79H UG while waiting for the new Ultimo 82 and 83 to be come available until I read your excellent review on the new range of Carpenter and got excited on the EP thus come my question how would you compare the current Ultimo and EP? Do you think the new Ultimo 82 and 83 UG will share the same character as EP 82/37?
Sam from Singapore
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Hi Sam
I haven't had an opportunity to check out the new longer Ultimos yet. There will be some similar characteristics between the longer Ultimos and Endless Passion range though in terms of action. Without having seen the new longer Ultimos, I'd postulaet that the EPs will have a slightly more progressive action whilst the Ultimos will be slightly faster through the blank. The EPs will still be a fair bit longer (a lot in the case of the EP88).
You're obviously a good caster notwithstanding the previous injury. You'll find both the longer Ultimos and EPs will cast considerably longer.
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Brandon, thanks for your swift reply. As EP85 stated by Carpenter a PE6-8 rod, I would presume the later EP82 being somewhat a PE8. Again do you postulate the Ultimo 83 MH UG Swim (PE8) will be in the same class as EP82 and Ultimo 82 H UG Swim with max lure stated at 230gram a much much heavier rod? Reason of asking is because I know the feel of RF Infinity 80 light, GT79R and GT78F but I have never tried a carpenter before thus a slightly more progressive action as you mentioned of which one will have more power down low?
cheers
Hi Sam
I haven't had an opportunity to check out the new longer Ultimos yet. There will be some similar characteristics between the longer Ultimos and Endless Passion range though in terms of action. Without having seen the new longer Ultimos, I'd postulaet that the EPs will have a slightly more progressive action whilst the Ultimos will be slightly faster through the blank. The EPs will still be a fair bit longer (a lot in the case of the EP88).
You're obviously a good caster notwithstanding the previous injury. You'll find both the longer Ultimos and EPs will cast considerably longer.
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Hi Sam, firstly, there is no guarantee that the 82/37 will be released, or if it is, released as an Endless Passion. That was simply a personal observation based on the feel of the rod. I would expect that there would a few similarities between that and UG83MH although I think the 82/37 may fall somewhere in between the two Ripples in power.
I can only draw a comparison on the Ripples between the current 79MH and 79H. In that case, the 79H is noticeably more powerful and will handle a significantly heavier casting weight.
Carpenter don't necessarily have a more progressive action - this is my observation specific to the Endless Passion range.
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Hi Brandon, thanks again and really appreciate
Sam
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From a personal perspective, I will be looking closely at this rod as I have to admit that the UHL is beyond my capabilities these days and probably has been for a few years now.
Brandon, to read that makes me very sad :'(
A strong young bloke like me should be able to handle the UHL no worries, but unfortunately somewhere along the way my right arm decided to fall off. To know that you once considered the UHL within your capabilities...
I am simply ashamed of myself! I'll go look for dad now so I can cry. :-\
Did you also mention an 'old-man rod'? I think you have just sold the whole EP range to a certain shandy-guzzling angler!
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Shandy??? Oh dear Kasey...somewhere else please :P :P :P
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Hello Brandon, very interesting mate.
I was going to buy a ripple fisher GT82 before my next trip. Now you've given me another option for a long cast PE8 rod for 120 gramish poppers.
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Just got news , EP85/36 is going to be shipped out from Japan sometimes in May 2011 .
Jon .
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thanks very much for the review Brandon. The EP35 sounds like the rod I've been looking for to fish pe 6-8 for stickbaits and poppers between 100-150g. What is your opinion on how it compares to the RF GT82lc? Are you also able to give a comparison to the DJ83MH?
Also, does anyone know any retailers I can pre-order the ep from?
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Thanks for the review Brandon, I see that the 80H RF40 is available at some tackle stores now. I was just wondering if anyone has an idea on when the 79XH RF45 will be available
for sale?
Cheers Zac
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Hi Kasey,
Indeed. Sold to the shandy guzzling fellow :)
From a personal perspective, I will be looking closely at this rod as I have to admit that the UHL is beyond my capabilities these days and probably has been for a few years now.
Brandon, to read that makes me very sad :'(
A strong young bloke like me should be able to handle the UHL no worries, but unfortunately somewhere along the way my right arm decided to fall off. To know that you once considered the UHL within your capabilities...
I am simply ashamed of myself! I'll go look for dad now so I can cry. :-\
Did you also mention an 'old-man rod'? I think you have just sold the whole EP range to a certain shandy-guzzling angler!
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Kai.... Do you need someone to cast it and work the lure back for you too? :P
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Kai.... Do you need someone to cast it and work the lure back for you too? :P
That person had better not be Sunny!
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Thanks for the review Brandon, I see that the 80H RF40 is available at some tackle stores now. I was just wondering if anyone has an idea on when the 79XH RF45 will be available
for sale?
Cheers Zac
Hi Zac, 79XH is due for shipment from Japan in March.
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Yeah no worries Jay I have one on order, so hopefully shouldn't be to long now
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Sunny this time round, i wun need that. Buy it for catching Koi LOL. Brandon & Tak know that it's my Koi rod.
Kai.... Do you need someone to cast it and work the lure back for you too? :P
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hello Brandon and all of you,
I read with greatest interest in particular about the Endless Passion 88/35 and my question is anybody can compare it to the Patriot Grand Armour Tuna Black Diamond 90
I must confess to have kept this rod on the boat without to test it on bluefin despite in july and august past year we were pratically all day trolling on large feeding of medium size bluefin, my crew was not too much inclined to spinning and I gave up the idea not to recover the 10 rods of the trolling spread , a real pity will not repeat this season
going back to the question the idea was to use the Patriot BD90 as relaxe rod on Gt , looking at the rod curve picture I tend to assimilate the two rods or the EP concept is consistently different from a tuna rod.
I have also a Zanzibar, a Black Mafia and a Armoclad 77
thaks, pier
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Pierluigi, I'm not ure I understand your question. Are you asking whether the Patriot in question is similar in profile to a EP88? If that is your question, my response is I don't know. I have almost no knowledge of tuna rods.
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Thanks Brandon,
yes my question was if the Patriot Grand Armour has a similar profile to EP88 and in general if tuna rod above 8,5 in lenght differ in theyr action profile from rods like Long Reef and similar one's
hope to get a few bluefin this season to make an idea myself
ciao pier
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Hello Brandon and all of you,
Thanks for this very informative post .... I was going to purchase a Coral Viper 79RF40 but now I am looking at the Endless Passion EP82 or EP85. I will use Stella 10000, PE8, stickbaits and poppers max 145 gms. I have few questions :
Is the EP82/85 as capable as the CV 79RF40 to knock over 40 kgs GTs ?
I have seen the max lure for CV79/40 is 200gms, the max lure for EP82 is 190gms and the max lure for EP85 is 180gms ... What is the best casting rod for 140 gms lure ? Coral viper79 or Endless Passion 82, 85 ?
Do you think I will notice any difference in casting distance between the EP82 and EP85 ? Can these longer rods be used from shore occasionnaly?
I am amazed by the progressive action of EP rods, looks like a lot of fun !!!!!
Thank you very much for your input,
Regards
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Hi Yannick,
From product development point of view, Carpenter thinks those two rods are:
CV79/40 = all round GT rod (we know rod is good for other species like Kingfish)
EP82/38 = versatile rod for many species like GT, Tuna, Kingfish
For 40kg+ GT you have mentioned, I think CV79/40 will be generally better choice for the capability to handle higher drag pressure if you are targeting GT mainly as long as casting distance is not critical factor in the area you fish.(If you need more drag then you go MH series.)
In terms of lure weight, you can cast 140g with any of these rods but for action it is bit hard to say by the weight and it will probably easier for members to advise you if you become bit more specific. (type or model)
I think 3 inches are generally noticeable in casting distance. I have not much idea in shore fishing but one of my dealers who has lots of shore fishing customer is selling EP85/36 well.
Cheers,
Tak
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Hi Yannick
I don't think I would ever use the term "knock over" when talking about a 40kg GT!
The CV79 will be a better rod to fight a fish with but conversely, the EP82 and EP85 will cast further. All three rods load easily and cast very well but the longer rods will clearly be advantageous when casting.
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Brandon/Tak,
Salute.....
any news/rumours on the production of EP86/40 R-P?
Based on Carpenter site, this rod was tested by Konishi-san / Ali-san during Montebello trip.
cheers
izhan
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Brandon/Tak,
Salute.....
any news/rumours on the production of EP86/40 R-P?
Based on Carpenter site, this rod was tested by Konishi-san / Ali-san during Montebello trip.
cheers
izhan
Hi Izhan,
This rod has been tested for a while now in many places and will probably come to production at some point.
It's probably all I can say at this stage and I shouldn't comment further before Carpenter mention about it. Sorry... :)
Cheers,
Tak