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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Darius Smulkstys on December 22, 2012, 02:02:24 AM
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I need some advice. I am looking to buy an all rounder for poppers and stickbaits. I won't be casting anything more than 180g. I'm looking at the BLC 83/40R Power Max or MH80H. I am using FCL Labo UCB-81 Extreme for poppers and Ultimo82 MH for stickbaits. I find the FCL Labo too stiff for my liking and therefore, I'm looking for a replacement.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Darius
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Definetly the monster hunter if you plan on using any form of popper. I own a blc83/40 it has a very soft tip n it's max comfortable cast weight is 160g lure (no hooks). I have the Fcl 81extreme mh and it's a awesome stickbait rod, soft tip and loads of power down low. If you already have the ultimo 82 I'd be looking at a dedicated popper rod.
Chris
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Darius,
I own and use the Monster Hunter 80H but have never held the BLC. The MH comfortably handles 180g lures, including poppers, and will go bigger for stickbaits should you need it. The compromise for that is that it struggles with lighter (like 120-130g) lures.
Although it has a lot of backbone it's fairly progressive when bending into a fish. I like it a lot.
Regards,
Trevor
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Darius, the BLC is not designed as a GT rod.
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The 83/40 is a Kingie rod.It's a very nice rod but has a very soft tip.I have one and it's really good for casting,leaves a Ripple Fisher GT79 R hands down BUT because of it's soft tip poppers are hard work.I've caught GT's to 22kg on it and it wasn't too bad.The rod tip however was below the reel seat!!.
You would be better with theMH80H to get the most out of your poppers.
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I'll go with the MH80H. Thanks for all your feedback. The problem is, that there are no shops in the UK where you can go and try the rods. You have to rely on your own research and feedback on the forums.
Tight lines.
Darius
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I would point out that the MH80 is firmer in the tip than the UCB81.
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I have the BLC 83/40R and the bigger brother of the MH80H - MH79XH.
The BLC 83/40R is a nice rod and can cast small stick baits - 60g - 100g a mile easily as well as working bigger stick baits like GT Gamma 140 - 160. The tip is very flexible (to allow casting of the smaller lures). With the rod at the 0 deg position, there is great power lifting deep fish though as one of the previous posters mentioned, the tip does tend to be at a fairly disconcerting position. I have not been using the BLC83/40 R for its intended purpose (kingies) and instead have been using it for GTs anywhere between 20-30kg.
I think the MH series rods have more brute power in them than the BLC 83/40R and a better all rounder than the BLC 83/40R. The BLC 83/40R however is a rod that I will always bring with me along with the MH79XH.