GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource
Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Nathan on July 03, 2007, 08:02:07 PM
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I was wondering if you guy's could help me figure out what rod i should get for throwing poppers and the like at GTs Kings etc. I've looked at some of the rod manufacturing sites but i'm overwhelmed with the amount of rods available!
I will be mostly fishing with PE8 Braid on my Expedition.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks Nathan
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Hi Nathan,
What's your budget?
You have a more than capable reel so you will want to match it to something nice too.
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Nathan,
Prices range from $500 upwards to well over a grand...and depends on how big the a fish you are targeting as to the right model.
I have my dogfighter on a precision rod at the moment for poppering at kings on the south coast and sydney and it does the job.Its 37kg rated but Im only using 50lb braid at the moment. Waiting to see if my bro in law goes o/s again to check out a komodo for me or a shimano rod, and then theres Neils rods coming soon too....
Some of the other guys here have a lot more experience with the Japanese popper rods and calstars so Im sure they will add in more feedback.
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I'm thinking strongly about the Calstar Luke referred me to as i currently have a GF410 i built up for jigging of which i'm more than happy with. I think the main reason that i want one of the Japanese blanks is more for the fact of having something that no one else has.
Has any one done any reserch on the URS80XXH blank i was told about this rod from a master rod builder and champion caster and he rates them highly.
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I'm thinking strongly about the Calstar Luke referred me to as i currently have a GF410 i built up for jigging of which i'm more than happy with. I think the main reason that i want one of the Japanese blanks is more for the fact of having something that no one else has.
Has any one done any reserch on the URS80XXH blank i was told about this rod from a master rod builder and champion caster and he rates them highly.
Hi Nathan,
Have you made a decision yet?
I'm not familiar with the URS80XXH but looking at the specs now, it looks ok. You may want to see if you can play with the blank before you decide to buy. Just a note, it's a fast actioned blank - most popping rods are a slow action. Nothing wrong with that if it suits your fishing, afterall some of my favourite popping rods are also fast.
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Looks as though i will get either the Tokara 60 or the Komodo Dragon if i can get it for the right price.
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Good choice Nathan..!
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Nathan, what is your definition of a good price? These are top drawer at even at a good price, they are no gimmes!
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Hi Nathan,
If you are going to spend the money on a quality rod get a SEED GTP-83 or the GTP-83H custom build. You will not regret the purchase!!!
Chris
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Looks as though i will get either the Tokara 60 or the Komodo Dragon if i can get it for the right price.
Better make sure you find some GTs. The Aussie Kings won't know what hit them!
Both are great rods - i don't think you can go wrong with either.
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Luke, do you put your Calstar 700XH in the the same 'fighting' capability as the Tokara 60 or the Komodo Dragon and how does the WRC-73 KERAMA rate, I'm talking pulling power and action, not casting.
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Luke, do you put your Calstar 700XH in the the same 'fighting' capability as the Tokara 60 or the Komodo Dragon and how does the WRC-73 KERAMA rate, I'm talking pulling power and action, not casting.
Greg,
Although i have used them before briefly, the likes of Neil or Brandon will be able to comment much better.
700Xh is in the same fighting class - it is one of the most powerful rods i have ever used. I would say it is closer to a Tokara rather than the Komodo. The Komodo, although retaining a lot of power, is a far more forgiving rod than the Tokara.
The Komodo Dragon is supposed to be an improved version of the Tokara - more research and angler feedback.
As for raw pulling power, i would put the 700XH and Tokara above the Komodo Dragon.
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unfortunately, I cannot give you much of an opinion on the 700XH so we have a lack of a comparative base.
The Kerama is not in the same class as the KD or Tokara in terms of pulling power. As to whethe the Tokara has more pulling power than the KD, well, if it is, it isn't that noticeable to me.
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Tokara has been around much longer than Komodo, so you'll get more opinions on it rather than the newer and more expensive Komodo. One interesting thing is that even though the max drag on Komodo is 3kg less than Tokara the wall thicknesses of both rods at the butt are basically identical.
The ratings are conservative if you know what you're doing, I fished Marion last year with a measured 16kg of drag on Komodo and it was cool, no high sticking or bending it over the gunnel though.
Kerama is a 10kg drag rod, so like a ladies (hope my wife doesn't read this) rod.
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Greg,
As i said, i haven't used them anywhere near as much as Neil and Brandon - trust what they say.
All rods mentioned (except Kerama) are all good for heavy popping (PE8+) - i don't think you can go wrong.
For other use other than heavy popping you may want to give us some more info on how you want to use it for a more concise answer.
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if you're going to get just one rod and it is going to be a Smith, I'd recommend a Komodo Dragon. The Kerama will not be up to it if you are fishing a really tough location and need to wind the drag right down. Also, the KD will manage ok even on relatively light lures (80g).
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Whats the casting weight range for the komodo?
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Whats the casting weight range for the komodo?
Smith says 300g but i think 250g is more realistic feedback that i have heard.
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Whats the minimum you could get away with....
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Whats the minimum you could get away with....
Andrew,
I'm not sure myself as i currently don't own one. To be safe i reckon 120g, however, Brandon has said that you could get away with 80g.
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Thanks for all the info Luke, Brandon and Neil, after reading the specks on different rods and then hearing what experienced anglers use and favour has helped me categorise [to a point] the medium/heavy and heavy duty GT rods. My custom Calstar 700H should be here this week so I can practise casting 60-140grm poppers and stickbaits at YF and LT Tuna and maybe even a Sail, and do a bit of jigging with it to get the feel of the rod, and when the weather warms up I'll check out the local boomies and reefs. 15kg tackle would cover most fishing off Mooloolaba local waters, but using the heavier outfit with bigger poppers is like training, and who knows what might latch on [20-30kg Cobia above some local wrecks at the moment]. The heavy rod will come, what brand is another story ;D. ;)
Cam is going to do the same as Nathan, terrorise the local Kingies [big NZ ones] with his new KD, that's what I call full training, that is once his leg comes right from snowboarding ::).
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The lightest lures I use are about 80g on the KD but don't forget that with two big trebles that the lure will be 120g. Can I make the point that casting a 200g lure is a real challenge even with a KD. I know they claim 300g but bloody hell, casting a 300g lure would break anyone!
Whats the minimum you could get away with....
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Whats the minimum you could get away with....
One of the most attractive things about quality jap popping rods like KD is their versatility re casting weights. Like Brandon says 80g unrigged lures cast superbly (like Baby Runboh) but they will cast lower weights efficiently as well.
Some anglers use 50lb braid on a another spool and cast tuna and small Gt lures down to 50g quite successfully.
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Nathan, a bit of info on that blank you were inquiring about.
Hastings United Series Blue Water URS80XXH
( Hastings Rod Manufacturing - Graphite-U.S.A. )
"Dual Helix" ply construction combining glass scrim and multi modulus graphite. All blanks will be in translucent gloss graphite. The translucent color scheme allows you can see through the color coat into the depths of the blank itself. 1 pce. 8'0" long. Line rating 24+Kg. Lure wgt (oz) 1-10. MOD-FAST action. Tip diam 3.6mm. Butt diam 19.8mm. Blank wgt 221gms.
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HI guys
I own a Smith Kerama and used it shore popping for G's. It sure was hard work casting with PE 8. Its quite a parabolic rod for PE10. Its realistically a PE 5-8 rod. I'm now running PE5 on my stella 8k for it. It cast better now. You can probably even jig with this rod.
I suggest look for a longer rod with maybe a faster action so you can have the lighter tip for casting lighter poppers. Another brand to consider is the HOTs Gipang range. Faster action and pretty good prices as well. I now have the Shimano's new Pencil Instrument and Long Cast popping rods and the LC rod can cast anything from 80gm up to about 170gm.... The Kerama struggles with 150gm.
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Has anyone heard of the Tenryu Rods are they any good?
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Hi Nathan ,
I used to have Tenryu GT84 ( PE6 rating ) but since have sold it , quite a good rod but not in the league with the equivalent in Carpenter range . A stronger one is GT80 ( PE8 rating ) which is shorter .
There are rumours that Fisherman rods are based on Tenryu blanks but this is not confirmed , may be Tenryu makes special exclusive blanks for Fisherman .
Jon .
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Jon,
I was talking to a Japanese angler the other day that said Carpenter rods are based on Daiko blanks. Any truth to this?
Cheers,
Luke
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I would think that most, if not all of the specialist companies would have to have another company build their blanks for them or at the very least, manufacture the graphite cloth for them. There are some highly respected Japanese manufacturers of graphite tubing for highly specialised purposes like Mitusbishi and Graphite Design, among others.
Carpenter must source from somewhere as must companies like Fisherman and Smith. Small companies simply would not have the capital for R&D and there is little doubt the stuff that goes into these rods is cutting edge.
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Never ceases to amaze me that i can always find the info i need on this site!!! :)
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Jon,
I was talking to a Japanese angler the other day that said Carpenter rods are based on Daiko blanks. Any truth to this?
Cheers,
Luke
Hi Rob ,
Yes , but Daiko won't sell the blank to anyone because both the mandrels and the lamination techniques
( intelectual properties ) belong to Carpenter . That is one reason Daiko pull out from producing Gt popping rod .
Jon .
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Jusr got myself a KOMODO DRAGON and couldn't be more stoked.
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congrats- you've got yourself as good a stick as you're likely to find.
I feel sorry for Matt though who was so hoping to get onto a GT trip! Maybe one day.......
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Jusr got myself a KOMODO DRAGON and couldn't be more stoked.
Cam ,
I hope your SR30 stands up for the tasks , have a few very disappointed friends who used to own that reel including some in Australia . The Yanks are still behind when comes to producing strong enough spinning reel to the Japanese , IMHO .
Jon .
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Yes i feel for Matt too and what i nice guy.
Praying the Accurate holds up although have been looking at the Stella 10000 very hard and i would have more confidence in the Stella ,so we will see ,i am not scared to put the Accurate to the test and find out what happens,this could mean losing a good fish but at least i will no.
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Cam - honestly, bring it along and give it everything you got on the reel. There is no point having a reel you don't have complete confidence in and there is no better testing ground than where we're going. I'd go as far as to say it is the ultimate testing ground. If the reel doesn't hold up, it's the least of your problems. Nomad have dozen of Stellas which you can use on your KD should the Accurate pack it in. Nothing to worry about and you certainly do not need to bring a spare reel.
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Brandon do you think i should put some 100lb or even 130lb braid on it for the trip and really give it a hard time.
Yer had no intentions of bringing along a Stella when i could use NOMADs
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Cam - I was going to get in touch with the people coming on that week to Marion next year about three months before on tackle but everyone seems to be stocking up now!
Mate, with what happened to the guys this year, I'd strongly suggest you do that. Have one spool of 130lb for when the XOS GTs come out to play. I doubt that any of us will be able to stop them even on tackle of that magnitude but at least it will give us a bit more chance.
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Cam,
The Twinspin is definately up to the task but i am increasingly hearing about problems from other anglers. Me personally, i had no problems - not in the same class as a Stella but can definately do the same job as long as it doesn't break! I comfortabley ran PE8, 10 and 12 on it and boated many GTs from 30 to 50kg+.
Just hope you don't break it as i have heard negative experiences about reel repairs and turnaround (again, this is information i have heard and not experienced myself).
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Cam, as i've said before, find your feet first with PE6/8 but definately bring along PE10/12 for if the big boys come out to play. Get the fundamentals and basics right before you gun it out of the blocks with PE12 - i have now seen way to many people have a frustrating, exhausting and discouraging experience going all out when they haven't understood and put into practice the basics - not saying this will be you but would hate to see that happen if that were your intention :)
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Yer i have herd some bad things about the Accurate and experienced one drama with mine when jigging ,the thing just kind of seized up and i had to send it back to the states,4 weeks later i got it back ,some little screw had snapped inside it.
Accurate did look after me though with shirts and stickers.
I will definitely find my feet first with PE 6 and 8 before loading up with PE12.
I do have a stella 20000 but no point tacking that as Nomad have plenty of them,just keen to see if the Accurate is up to the task or not ,i will also be tacking an Accurate 665 overhead in case the weather is going to let us out for a jig ,will have this on a JM500 rod.