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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Nic Clapham on August 03, 2011, 10:35:50 PM

Title: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 03, 2011, 10:35:50 PM
Hey Guys Im new to this scence and style of fishing.

I'm looking at a new popping combo. This is what i have decided on at this stage.

Stella 10000 Live Fibre Venom PE5    Braid ?  Leader?
Stella 18000 Live Fibre Venom PE8    Braid ?   Leader?


I figured i would buy one of the most reliable/popular reels because i can use it for other applications if I only go popping  once a year, And the Live Fibre is just a Personal choice due to the success and reliability of the other Live Fibre rods I own and it seems a reasonable prices entry Popping rod.

Which combo is better and why?   Any thoughts welcome!

Nic



Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Brandon Khoo on August 04, 2011, 06:33:06 AM
unless you are popping for just Ts and not GTs, you may find PE5 to be a bit light on, Nick. I'd suggest you think about the PE8 outfit.
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 04, 2011, 10:49:34 AM
The only reason I have looked at the lighter combo is that the SW10000 would be great for many other applications where i think the SW18000 is for Big fish only!.  I would hate to buy the SW18000 only to use it once a year if you know what I mean.

Yeah i know i want the best of both worlds!.

So how would the SW10000 go on a PE8 Rod?

And I was thinking Jerry Brown Braid, Any size recommendations for each reel?  Hollow/Solid?
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Brandon Khoo on August 04, 2011, 12:22:23 PM
10000 is fine but i would suggest you think about getting a SOM 16000 No Limits spool
For JB, I'd suggest you get the 100lb solid spectra
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 04, 2011, 05:21:40 PM
Hmmm well Ive been doing a lot of reading in this forum and im not sure what to get, man you guys have so much info on here that my head hurts  :-\.

Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 04, 2011, 05:35:40 PM
10000 is fine but i would suggest you think about getting a SOM 16000 No Limits spool
For JB, I'd suggest you get the 100lb solid spectra

So basically the 10k on the standard spool with 80lb braid is gonna get smoked by a good fish ?
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Jay Burgess on August 04, 2011, 07:20:26 PM
10000 is fine but i would suggest you think about getting a SOM 16000 No Limits spool
For JB, I'd suggest you get the 100lb solid spectra

So basically the 10k on the standard spool with 80lb braid is gonna get smoked by a good fish ?

Standard spool lacks line capacity to seriously consider running PE8.
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Sandy Moorhouse on August 04, 2011, 07:29:11 PM
Like Nic my head hurts as a newbie.I am also am drawn to a more versatile lighter (PE5-6) outfit as I can use it at home to chase SBTs.What size GTs would a PE5-6 outfit cope with or is it a waste of time? (Exmouth bound)
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Vasko Dimoski on August 04, 2011, 07:40:57 PM
10000 is fine but i would suggest you think about getting a SOM 16000 No Limits spool
For JB, I'd suggest you get the 100lb solid spectra
Hi Brandon how much JB 100lb solid will the 16000 No Limits spool fit? ::)
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Brandon Khoo on August 04, 2011, 08:06:00 PM
if I remember correctly, around 240 to 250m
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Jay Burgess on August 04, 2011, 08:33:36 PM
Like Nic my head hurts as a newbie.I am also am drawn to a more versatile lighter (PE5-6) outfit as I can use it at home to chase SBTs.What size GTs would a PE5-6 outfit cope with or is it a waste of time? (Exmouth bound)

A waste of time basically. There's some big GT's off Exmouth and the terrain can be tough. That's not to say you won't land any decent GT's on PE6 (80lb) but I've been demolished on PE10 gear numerous times. PE6 lacks the ability to handle shock load from high drag that is required during the strike.
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Brandon Khoo on August 04, 2011, 08:57:24 PM
in the kind of terrain that Jay is describing, maybe 5-10kg?

Like Nic my head hurts as a newbie.I am also am drawn to a more versatile lighter (PE5-6) outfit as I can use it at home to chase SBTs.What size GTs would a PE5-6 outfit cope with or is it a waste of time? (Exmouth bound)
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Vasko Dimoski on August 04, 2011, 10:11:58 PM
if I remember correctly, around 240 to 250m
Sound  better then the standard spool which would prob take 240m to 250m if your lucky of 65lb tuf line xp .
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 05, 2011, 08:37:05 AM
Sounds like the 10k is like bringing  knife to a gun fight!.    What does every one use their 18k for other then gt popping?

For instance if at a later date I bought a second spool and loaded it with 50lb braid could i use it as a bottom basher, or floating for snapper, how comfortable is the 18k for theses applications?
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Brandon Khoo on August 05, 2011, 08:46:23 AM
It isn't, Nic. I use the 10000 almost exclusively now when I use PE8 although the caveat is that I use the SOM 16000 spool with it. That is not to say you can't use the standard spool. I landed a mid 40kgs GT using the standard spool with PE8 when the reel first came out but I was lucky. The fish almost spooled me on it's first run but then it changed direction and swam back to the boat.

I also personally don't like the drag system on the standard spool. It's fine for PE6 but PE8 is pushing it in my view and also from the point of view of line capacity. The standard spool would be perfectly good for PE6 and less in terms of capacity.

The 18000 in my view is very much a GT popping reel. If you put 50lb onto it, you'd probably get 500m though!
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 05, 2011, 09:12:16 AM
I guess the advantage of getting a SOM spool is that you have the original spool for lighter applications.

Thats good to know that the 10k is up to the job, now Ive gota explain to the minister for war and finance why i need a $300 spool on a new $1000 reel  :o.

Im in the position that i know i should just buy the 18k or the 10k with the SOM spool, but for the limited times I will put this gear to the test its sort of not worth it and think i should just buy the 10k and load it with PE6 and take my chances, Im not paying a bomb for the upcoming trip we are doing, lets say its a favour, if i was spending thousands just to chase GT's well it would be a easy decision what to buy. 

I am not disagreeing with you at all brandon, everything you have said makes perfect sense.   
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: jonathan_tan on August 05, 2011, 12:38:18 PM
Hi Nic,

I would still recommend getting the SOM spool as a spare or replace the main spool. You never know what might happen, like getting spooled out on your first day fishing or getting cut off on the reef and having insufficient line. A SOM 16K spool can give you PE6 x 300m or PE8 x 250m. You can use your current 10K spool for lighter lines. Its also a matter of self-assurance that you are prepared for the trip.
All the best for your trip and hope you catch plenty!
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 05, 2011, 11:39:35 PM
How about a Saltiga Z6000GT, are they any good?
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Sandy Moorhouse on August 06, 2011, 09:34:50 AM
Like Nic my head hurts as a newbie.I am also am drawn to a more versatile lighter (PE5-6) outfit as I can use it at home to chase SBTs.What size GTs would a PE5-6 outfit cope with or is it a waste of time? (Exmouth bound)

A waste of time basically. There's some big GT's off Exmouth and the terrain can be tough. That's not to say you won't land any decent GT's on PE6 (80lb) but I've been demolished on PE10 gear numerous times. PE6 lacks the ability to handle shock load from high drag that is required during the strike.

Thanks for the info. Looks like a SW10000 and SOM spool is the reel for me. Normal spool for PE5 and PE8 on the SOM. Now I just need 2 rods.
Title: Re: New Popping Combo
Post by: Nic Clapham on August 08, 2011, 05:30:22 PM
Hey guys.  I bought a sw 10k and a wilson venom PE8 rod today.  Probably going to put Avani Bigone PE5 on it.  Thanks all for your advice.  And when i can afford it I will get a SOM spool with some heavier braid.

Nic