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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Damien Phillip on August 18, 2009, 09:01:41 PM

Title: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 18, 2009, 09:01:41 PM
Gday all,

looking for a rod rated to PE 6 that will cast lures between 80 and 150g. Budget up to $800. What are my options?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Andre van Wyk on August 18, 2009, 10:43:04 PM
Hi Damien,

Check out the Black Devil 200 from Ocean Revolution

70 - 150 gram casting weight
8ft in length
Rated for up to PE 6

Its designed primarily as a Tuna popping rod, for Tuna up to 200 lbs, and has thumped some impressive fish including numerous 200lb plus Tuna, and would double fantastcally as a light GT rod as well with a max drag of 12 kilos and fighting drag of 10 kilos.

The lighter model, the Black Devil 100 is 8'8" and a great long cast weapon in its own right, but casting weights up to 120 grams only, and probably best for smaller stickbaits such as Baby Runbohs and such.

Both rods retail for under $700 AUD, so well within your price range and have been proven time and again on some mean ass fish....

Hope this helps
A
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Scott Maybury on August 19, 2009, 06:57:10 AM
I agree with Andre I have the Black Devil 100 which I have purchased for tuna but the 200 would be well suited to your request

OR also make some GT rods in your price range such as the Widowmaker series but I haven't checked if they have a rod in that weight range. A friend has the Widowmaker PE12 rod and it looks the business

the OR rods are built on Smith blanks so they aren't rubbish

The BD are a bit hard to come by at the moment, try Anglers Pro Shop and TackleDirect online
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 19, 2009, 10:11:04 PM
Thank you Andre and Scott. I've just had a look at the Ocean Revo rods and they are difinitely on the list of rods to consider. Some other models I've been looking at are the Smith GTK-74PG, the Zenaq FC76-4 Tuna and the Hots Tide Lez 72M or 72H. Can't seem to find a store that stocks the Hots though. What do you guys reckon?
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Janelle O'Connell on August 20, 2009, 08:42:56 AM
Hi Damien,

Fish Head has the Smith and Zenaq rods in stock.  The Hots rods are due to arrive soon.  You can always contact Duncan at [email protected] or PM him here for more information on the rods you are looking at.

Cheers,

Janelle
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Matt Kilpatrick on August 20, 2009, 09:02:10 AM
Hi Scott, has your Black Devil 100 seen any / much use yet? How do you find it? And what reel and line have you matched it with? Cheers, Matt
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Scott Maybury on August 20, 2009, 09:12:35 AM
Hi Scott, has your Black Devil 100 seen any / much use yet? How do you find it? And what reel and line have you matched it with? Cheers, Matt

Hey Matt, it is still sitting in my office in it's rod bag, only got it a few weeks ago and the tuna haven't been running down here since late June. I am going to but a Twinpower SW 12000HG on it, probably with PE5 YGK castman, but haven't bought the reel yet so haven't made a final decision on line

I had considered the Smith referred to above but wanted the extra length for casting at tuna schools
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Luke Anderson on August 20, 2009, 09:41:28 AM
Saltiga 80TN rated 30-100gram cast & pe 4-6. Absolute dream meadium casting outfitted with 4500 & 50pd Will cast medium poppers(River 2 Sea Dumbell 150mm 64grams) half a mile.
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Jon Li on August 20, 2009, 11:59:35 AM
Gday all,

looking for a rod rated to PE 6 that will cast lures between 80 and 150g. Budget up to $800. What are my options?

Thanks in advance.

The budget is low but worth considering is Carpenter LR88 , will handle PE 6 at ease .

Jon .
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Scott Maybury on August 20, 2009, 04:26:45 PM


the OR rods are built on Smith blanks so they aren't rubbish


Hey guys, just wanted to clarify the above, it has been brought to my attention that not all the OR rods are built on Smith blanks. The Black Devil models are but I understand some or all of the others are not.

Cheers
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Jon Li on August 20, 2009, 06:02:51 PM


the OR rods are built on Smith blanks so they aren't rubbish


Hey guys, just wanted to clarify the above, it has been brought to my attention that not all the OR rods are built on Smith blanks. The Black Devil models are but I understand some or all of the others are not.

Cheers

Rumours are they are Yamaga blanks but again , rumours only .  :-\

Jon .
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 20, 2009, 07:17:56 PM
Thanks for the replies. Now considering either the Smith or Zenaq I mentioned earlier as I will be casting mainly smaller lures. What are everyones experience with them? Would love some feedback.
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 23, 2009, 07:14:08 PM
Surely someone must have used them?
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Lip Song on August 24, 2009, 01:43:13 AM
hi,

a couple of us have the honour of trying out different OR rods during one of the sunday morning casting session. this particular rod, BD100, simply outcast (distance) any of e OR rods present, on a 120gram popper, 8000 size reel. it doesn't take alot to make it cast a mile! works a 125grams chugger very well. i have not tried this rod with a similar size stickbait, but am sure it can handle it good too. this is a pretty parabolic rod, so it takes the load off ur back during fighting a fish.

overall, a very fun rod to have, especially for those going to Maldive.
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Jon Li on August 24, 2009, 04:40:36 PM
Check Carpenter HL TN87 , it's a tuna rod but very versatile for smaller GTs up to 20 kg and I imagine it's good for other species such as YT Kingfish , can cast 50 gr. lures a long way and it's one of the rod which goes with me wherever I go .

It is a little more in the cost when one compared to most other brands but being a Carpenter , the resale value is very good in general .

Jon .
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Chris Young on August 24, 2009, 05:17:39 PM
Hi Damien...I have the Smith GTK 70JP witch is vertually the same rod as the GTK74PG but a bit shorter. I love this rod but it will struggle with the upper lure weights you mentioned. The 74PG has a slightly softer tip than the 70JP that I have and I would say 120-130g the be the absolute upper limmit of my rod. Can only use Sml poppers (cup size under 30mm). I use it for medium pencils and stickbaits up to 120g.
Hope this helps a bit.

Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Duncan O'Connell on August 25, 2009, 09:02:59 AM
I agree with Chris in regards to the cast weights on either the GTK74PG or Zenaq FC76-4. While they both fish PE4-6, their ideal cast weights are in the 60-120g range. In the Zenaq range, the FC83-5 could be the ideal choice as it is designed to cast weights in the 90-130g range comfortably and fish PE5-7. It is light in weight and utilizes the very fast recovery graphite which is typical of most Zenaq rods, making for a very responsive lightweight GT Stick.
In the Smith range there is a bit of a gap between the GTK74 and the next rod up, the WRC80P. While the 80P is rated as a PE6 rod, I have known many anglers to fish PE8 over it (with care). I feel it fits more into the mold of a heavier class rod in terms of its feel and balance, when compared to the Zenaq FC83-5.

Regards

Duncan
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 25, 2009, 02:29:36 PM
Cheers all. Duncan, I've been meaning to get to you, thanks for your post. Now I'm stuck more than ever!  >:( :P Leaning towards either the Zenaq FC76-4 or the FC83-5 ??? Can't seem to notice much difference.

Thanks again,
Damo
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Duncan O'Connell on August 25, 2009, 05:26:28 PM
Hi Damien,

There is definitely a difference at the casting end of things.  The FC83-5 is stiffer for casting bigger weights and working bigger poppers.  Being longer also helps with casting distance too.  I am out on the water tonight and all day tomorrow but will send you a PM with more info when I get back.

Cheers,

Duncan
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Damien Phillip on August 28, 2009, 05:41:41 PM
At the casting end of things - 80-100g stickbaits like ulua's and dogtooth's and 80-125g poppers like cubera's and dumbell's. If I can get something that will cast these all day with PE 6 I'll be one happy camper  :)
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Jon Li on August 28, 2009, 07:53:28 PM
At the casting end of things - 80-100g stickbaits like ulua's and dogtooth's and 80-125g poppers like cubera's and dumbell's. If I can get something that will cast these all day with PE 6 I'll be one happy camper  :)

Get an LR88 , you won't regret it .

Jon .
Title: Re: PE 4-6 popping rod
Post by: Peter Childs on August 30, 2009, 01:23:03 PM
At the casting end of things - 80-100g stickbaits like ulua's and dogtooth's and 80-125g poppers like cubera's and dumbell's. If I can get something that will cast these all day with PE 6 I'll be one happy camper  :)

Get an LR88 , you won't regret it .

Jon .
Damien, I agree with Jon!  I have an LR88 its great on the weights mentioned.  Casts into the next postcode with PE6 (stella sw10000 or 4500H) yet is comfortable to work all day.  125g stickbaits are a breeze, but a 125g chugger (full cup face) is about its limit - you will need a stiffer rod beyond that. 100g chuggers are ideal (cuberas, haymakers, dumbells etc.) I also have one of the earlier mentioned Saltiga TN80, beautiful rod, but a much lighter class (max 100g stickbaits and 80g chugger) This is more of a 4-6 rod whilst LR88 is genuine 6-8.  I'm happier to hook a GT on the LR88! the salty is a little out of its depth in tiger country!