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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 03:49:40 PM

Title: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 03:49:40 PM
Pretty cool Marlin poppers handcrafted by Toru San from Japan. I spent a miserable day popping the Tubes not long back and spent some good time talking popping methods and lure design.

See pics below. Will add more later.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 04:10:11 PM
more...
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 11, 2009, 06:17:45 PM
Why the wire connection ? Was it just to hold the hooks in that position ?

I would have thought that assist hooks and a free swinging hook would offer a better hookup and the potential to snag the bill as well as the mouth if inhaled.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: PeterD on March 11, 2009, 07:50:26 PM
Interesting method of rigging them up. Any reason behind this? Reason i'm asking is because that's my second home!!! Pitty about the lack of action this year.

I'v dreamed about popping marlin from that ledge!! One day ;)
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: jay currie on March 11, 2009, 07:55:04 PM
You hook Marlin of those rocks! With poppers! How big are the Marlin?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: PeterD on March 11, 2009, 08:07:36 PM
We hook marlin off the rock's on bait. Havent hooked one on a popper yet but its just a matter of time.

They range anywhere from 40kg to 200kg. Largest i have seen landed went 136kg
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Tri Vi Ton on March 11, 2009, 08:10:19 PM
looks like the hook breaks free from tail point on hook up
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Tri Vi Ton on March 11, 2009, 08:17:23 PM
double set up looks like just double the trouble for marlin. again looks like hooks break free, this set up has me wondering why too?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 08:20:14 PM
Why the wire connection ? Was it just to hold the hooks in that position ?

I would have thought that assist hooks and a free swinging hook would offer a better hookup and the potential to snag the bill as well as the mouth if inhaled.

If you look closely there is a small plastic tag holding the hook rig in position for strike. Once pressure is applied and hookset is achieved, the plastic tag breaks free from the anchor point so that the lure cannot be used for leverage to shake the hooks (or at least minimize the effect). Cable is used as Toru has found that assist dyneema simply is not durable enough for Marlin bill.

I'm no expert on the Marlin but one would imagine that a free swinging assist may not provide the best hook-up i.e. a mouth corner hook-up is more desirable than trying your luck to penetrate the tough Marlin bill.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 08:23:56 PM
double set up looks like just double the trouble for marlin. again looks like hooks break free, this set up has me wondering why too?

In an ideal world, only one hook would be set with the other remaining well behaved still secured by plastic tag. Toru has been popping for Marlin from this ledge for well over 5 years. The single hook rig is his latest weapon - so perhaps he prefers over the twin hook rig.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: PeterD on March 11, 2009, 08:31:15 PM
Has he landed any there Luke?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 08:35:29 PM
Has he landed any there Luke?

He has hooked at least several, but by no means is it a common occurrence. All the moons need to align!

He hasn't had a hook-up for 5 years I recall but has hooked a fish in excess of 300lb which he was connected to for 8 minutes before it wore through the leader.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Tri Vi Ton on March 11, 2009, 08:35:40 PM
luke...
i was toying with wire the other day, for smaller lures for spotted mackeral, ideally dyneema would be freeer/hence better, but it lacks bite protection... any assist cord out there built for teeth?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Tri Vi Ton on March 11, 2009, 08:37:33 PM
maybe toru san needs to book a charter for frazer island  :)
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 11, 2009, 08:41:43 PM
luke...
i was toying with wire the other day, for smaller lures for spotted mackeral, ideally dyneema would be freeer/hence better, but it lacks bite protection... any assist cord out there built for teeth?

There is Zylon, but it is more designed for less dramatic toothed critters, for example, fish with teeth that are more conical and spaced apart more. Whereas serrated style teeth will cut it just as quickly as nylon. Best to stick to wire IMO!
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: PeterD on March 11, 2009, 08:45:06 PM
He has hooked at least several, but by no means is it a common occurrence. All the moons need to align!

He hasn't had a hook-up for 5 years I recall but has hooked a fish in excess of 300lb which he was connected to for 8 minutes before it wore through the leader.

I know that feeling!!

What gear were u guy's using??

I'v seen a few take 900m of line on their first run. But then again i have seen marlin hooked and landed without taking any more then 50m of line.

This is some thing that always sit's in the back of my mind when i have been throwing popper's down there during marlin season. Should i go the lighter 50lb line but with more of it or the heavier 130lb and hope it doesn't go for a run and just try to hang on!!

I guess i need to get on to take the popper first!
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Chris Young on March 11, 2009, 09:09:03 PM
Luke, I can't see from the photos but does the lure also break away from the tow point to run up the line the same as a skirted lure?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Brandon Khoo on March 11, 2009, 09:17:19 PM
Luke is right - for seriously toothy critters, wire is the only viable option
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Tri Vi Ton on March 11, 2009, 09:49:59 PM
brandon & luke..
dang, i was hoping there was something i hadnt come across, i hate wire  :)
are dogtooth tunas not as crazy in the teeth? more peg like structures?
thanks
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Andrew Poulos on March 11, 2009, 10:38:52 PM
Wire being used while chasing Marlin is just one of those things Im havent seen a lot of around here. Did the leader wear through as its shorter than what would normally be used while using live baits?
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Kasey Leong on March 11, 2009, 11:48:10 PM
Hi,
Are there any websites about marlin on poppers/stickbaits? I have seen some pictures I think through Carpenter and would like to know more  :)
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 12, 2009, 09:05:55 AM
Wire being used while chasing Marlin is just one of those things Im havent seen a lot of around here. Did the leader wear through as its shorter than what would normally be used while using live baits?

I'm not quite sure, but judging from what I observed it would've been a case of the leader wearing through at the bill and not necessarily being too short.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 12, 2009, 09:07:49 AM
He has hooked at least several, but by no means is it a common occurrence. All the moons need to align!

He hasn't had a hook-up for 5 years I recall but has hooked a fish in excess of 300lb which he was connected to for 8 minutes before it wore through the leader.

I know that feeling!!

What gear were u guy's using??

I'v seen a few take 900m of line on their first run. But then again i have seen marlin hooked and landed without taking any more then 50m of line.

This is some thing that always sit's in the back of my mind when i have been throwing popper's down there during marlin season. Should i go the lighter 50lb line but with more of it or the heavier 130lb and hope it doesn't go for a run and just try to hang on!!

I guess i need to get on to take the popper first!

Mainly Stella's but there was another older reel there that Toru also used sometimes. I was using a GT Special to pop for Kings but Toru was using some 11ft Daiko sticks. Very nice.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 12, 2009, 09:08:38 AM
Luke, I can't see from the photos but does the lure also break away from the tow point to run up the line the same as a skirted lure?

No, the lure itself does not run up the line.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Greg Burt on March 12, 2009, 09:23:12 AM
The multi-strand wire in the hook setups for skirted lures is more to save the 'expensive' lure from bite offs from toothy creatures, I have never experienced or seen a lite tackle Billfish [25-80kg Marlin] wear through 80 -130lb FC or 100-150lb mono, or heavy tackle Marlin [200kg+] using 300-400lb mono leaders through fighting the fish, even deep hooked ones fought over 2-4 hours.
  Maybe it's a case of the lure not being through wired as I have seen the same system used on big Minnows.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Brock Arifovic on March 12, 2009, 10:01:07 AM
Kasey,

Carpenter have a DVD that has Marlin being caught on stickbaits. i have a copy if you would like me to burn you one.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Aaron Concord on March 14, 2009, 08:40:52 PM
He's not mucking around with the 'cliff gaff' hanging off the rear of the lower image!!!

Looks pretty cool. I like the way he has come up with some rigging issues that plague people catching jumping pelagics such as billfish & mahi mahi.
Perhaps he found a sliding popper too hard to 'pin' in place BEFORE the hook up without the hooks fouling etc.....food for thought.

A marlin skirt is just vinyl skirted popper.....I wonder is he keen to switch bait for Blue Marlin with it :)
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Luke Wyrsta on March 14, 2009, 10:50:52 PM
He's not mucking around with the 'cliff gaff' hanging off the rear of the lower image!!!

Looks pretty cool. I like the way he has come up with some rigging issues that plague people catching jumping pelagics such as billfish & mahi mahi.
Perhaps he found a sliding popper too hard to 'pin' in place BEFORE the hook up without the hooks fouling etc.....food for thought.

A marlin skirt is just vinyl skirted popper.....I wonder is he keen to switch bait for Blue Marlin with it :)


He gave me the lure bud! So maybe we can try it in the canyons off Fraser!  ;)
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Aaron Concord on March 15, 2009, 01:24:24 AM
Young Luke,

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bring on another Blue Marlin I say!

We will need to paint it like a tuna or mahi mahi to make the Blues beat the heck out of it!

Aaron.
PS.......this week will be the start of the Blues off the Cape...take a look at Sea breeze....
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: MikeOsborn on March 15, 2009, 01:14:33 PM
I had my first shot yesterday from a Nice sized stripey on a popper.
I came tight for about 4 seconds then line went slack :( it was a good bite and the lure looked like it was hit in a good way(not a stripey swat)

I've had a setup ready pretty much all season and this is only the second time we have been able to cast to a tailer.. it was very very hard not to pitch a livie and the boys gave me shit about it after but I was soo close now im hungry for it!.... another 4 days before I can get wide to the trench again
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Aaron Concord on March 16, 2009, 08:24:11 PM
Mike,

Glad you got soooo close!!
Don't let the others get ya down.....take it from a fly fisher who wants to throw a 'chook' at a Blue Marlin this season....my mates eyes just roll in their heads.....
Keep us posted on the stripey front. They can be buggers to hook.....

Aaron.
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: MikeOsborn on March 17, 2009, 08:17:30 AM
fingers crossed for the 3 kings trip for easter. should get several shots hopefully
Title: Re: Original Marlin Poppers - GT Popping Applications?
Post by: Gavin Ng on June 06, 2009, 02:05:06 PM
Hey Luke, thanks for sharing, did you notice how heavy his leader and mainline were? How long was his leader and what connection was he using for the leader to mainline?

Cheers