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Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: sam williams on July 12, 2013, 12:09:06 PM
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hi there just wondering if many people have used this rod before and any feedback would be great. im going to be fishing pe8 on a catalina 6500H 150-200lb leaders and i generally use patriot mastered bomb big cup 135. it is a toss up between this or a cape cod 80G. i know its abit of a jump in price but i played with a komodo this morning and it felt sweet with my reel as far as balance goes.
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Hi Sam,
You better of with a Tokara 60.
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Had a couple of casts with this on various trips.
I've heard nothing but negative reports, including numerous breakages.
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Personally, I find it quite sad that Smith seems to have declined so far as a maker of heavy rods.
The KD was an absolute legend of its time and one of the best popping rods you could buy in that era in my view. Since then other makers have moved on in leaps and bounds while Smith has seemingly gone backwards.
Breakages have also become a real issue with their jigging rods.
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That's not good news at all as I was thinking about this rod myself one day, if and when I wanted a heavier popper stick.
I already have the Smith GTK 77BG that I purchased earlier this year and it feels very good.
Cheers,
Ian
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I have seen this model break before, along with a handful of other smith rods.
Maybe look at different options?
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Any particular reason you are limiting yourself to these options? So many quality products out there.
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I know a guy affiliated with Smith, and Smith says the Rocket is built very specifically to the fighting style that Kozo Okobu is famous for: Keeping the rod extremely low at all times with the rod out of the belt unless the fish is far from the boat. So this rod is allergic to high sticking. They have actually redrawn it from the European market as they do not think the anglers around here have the skills to use it. :)
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I actually wasn't going to post on this thread as I tend to be quite cautious about commenting about possible manufacturing faults but I can't help but respond to what Lars got told because that is up there with the biggest load of hogwash I have ever heard. Every GT rod on the market is allergic to high sticking - that is stating the obvious. To suggest that the rod that the rod was withdrawn because anglers don't have the skill to use it is rather patronising. if it true, it reflects a rather insensible approach to rod building and testing.
I expect the guy who said that is also going to say that the Fremantle was withdrawn for the same reason? What is his rationale for the number of AMJs that seem to blow up inexplicably?
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I actually wasn't going to post on this thread as I tend to be quite cautious about commenting about possible manufacturing faults but I can't help but respond to what Lars got told because that is up there with the biggest load of hogwash I have ever heard. Every GT rod on the market is allergic to high sticking - that is stating the obvious. To suggest that the rod that the rod was withdrawn because anglers don't have the skill to use it is rather patronising. if it true, it reflects a rather insensible approach to rod building and testing.
I expect the guy who said that is also going to say that the Fremantle was withdrawn for the same reason? What is his rationale for the number of AMJs that seem to blow up inexplicably?
Spot on Brandon, how can a manufacturer come up with crap like that, I better go to the Kozo Okubo fish fighting school, so I can learn how to use my rod. ;D
Cheers,
Ian
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hi there just wondering if many people have used this rod before and any feedback would be great. im going to be fishing pe8 on a catalina 6500H 150-200lb leaders and i generally use patriot mastered bomb big cup 135. it is a toss up between this or a cape cod 80G. i know its abit of a jump in price but i played with a komodo this morning and it felt sweet with my reel as far as balance goes.
Sam if you do go for the 80G, then it will be a good match with the popper size you mention.
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I actually wasn't going to post on this thread as I tend to be quite cautious about commenting about possible manufacturing faults but I can't help but respond to what Lars got told because that is up there with the biggest load of hogwash I have ever heard. Every GT rod on the market is allergic to high sticking - that is stating the obvious. To suggest that the rod that the rod was withdrawn because anglers don't have the skill to use it is rather patronising. if it true, it reflects a rather insensible approach to rod building and testing.
I expect the guy who said that is also going to say that the Fremantle was withdrawn for the same reason? What is his rationale for the number of AMJs that seem to blow up inexplicably?
For the sake of argument, what we are talking about is the fighting style you see late in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ablpcVp9kA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ablpcVp9kA) Note how Kozo keeps the reel in the belt - not the rod! We all take the rod out of the belt when the fish is close to the boat, but this guy fights always exclusively this way, apparently.
Anyway I can't disagree with what Brandon says. I was just uncritically referring what I was told. If in fact there is anything truly special about this rod, please just tell us how it is intended to be used, and we will all be better off - even us mere Europeans. xD
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Seen to many Komodo Dragons and Rockets blow up. But Tokara 60 is still one of the best and oldest popping rods around if you are looking specifically for a Smith Popping rod.
Cheers,
Nick
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hey guys thanks for the replys! ok i may lean towards the cape cod now. can anyone else suggest some rods worth looking at in the $600-$900AUD price range?
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Hi Sam, There are a lot of rods available in that range. I would suggest rods in this range that I now best such as Race Point 200, Hots 79XH, Hots 77XH, XXH, XXXH, FCL UCB81.
Hope this helps.
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It's very sad to hear such negativity on both the Smith Tokara and the Fremantle. I have owned both the rods for many years and had no problems with either. I have fished them both over their specified ratings and the rods performed flawlessly.
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Hi Dave, The Tokara is still a good rod and I would still suggest it as a good heavy popping rod and we do have them in our shop as it is a good option. Although I did break 2 in a short period about 5 or 6 years ago but I think this was down to being stupid and fishing with an Accurate SR30 with 150lb line and a locked drag. A case of rod or fish or angler was going to break. Bit younger and thinking power was better than technique.
But the Rocket and Komodo Dragon I have seen many blow up on our boats and some have been on the first day of use casting, not even under pressure. Once might be a coincidence but several times is a problem.
Cheers,
Nick
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hey guys thanks for the replys! ok i may lean towards the cape cod now. can anyone else suggest some rods worth looking at in the $600-$900AUD price range?
Hi Sam,
If you are heading to the Cape and need advice let us know we will be more then happy to help you out,
as for rods, many anglers in the Cape use the Tokara for tuna fishing and we never heard of any incident or breakage, they landed fish up to 300lb on the Tokara 60, there are many other options and if you are in the market to purchase a rod we can have it delivered to you to the Cape,
The Tokara 60 is still one of my favorite rod regardless how old it is, Yes many company had moved ahead but they don't justify the developing of many rods that seems to have the same action and power but with different names,
any of the rods that Nick suggested will do the job.
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Heard the same from many fishos about smith rods
i have a komodo dragon
and the thing i hate with smith rods are
they are hard to take a part
any idea how to take it apart safely it feels like its stuck and wont budge
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Hi Jason, Always a problem with a lot of rods in hot humid climates especially if you have fished for a while! I normally always carry 2 pieces of bicycle tube or the thick rod straps with rubber on the inside like MC Works, Valley Hill etc . Stretch and wrap the rubber around either side of the joins tightly and normally you will be able to pull out the two sections no problem. If this does not work put inside AC if there is any or put ice-cold water on the join and try again. Don't try pulling on the eyes or twisting.
Cheers,
Nick
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Jason, cooling the joint is the key.
The most convenient way to do this is with one of those refrigerant gel/liquid packs. Get this VERY cold, wrap around the joint, secure with elastic bands and leave for 30 minutes or so. You can also use a plastic bag with ice cubes but the frozen gel packs are much easier to wrap around the joint.
Also, if you are on a multi-day trip, always remember to loosen the ferrule joints each evening. The real problems seem to occur when rods are left for days on end to bind.
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another one to throw in the mix is the patriot design black sword 78prisim or the 80arcadia anyone used these?
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Heaps of favourite and reliable rods already mentioned Sam. I suggest you look further into those rather than fringe models, unless you have a specific requirement dictating otherwise.
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The black sword and Arcadia are both stickbait rods. I don't think they're within the budget you mentioned either. Take a look at the fcl rods. You won't be disappointed!
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another one to throw in the mix is the patriot design black sword 78prisim or the 80arcadia anyone used these?
I happened to use both PD black swords. 80arcadia has really much of a stickbait rod, but 78prism works poppers well. It pulled PD Master Bomb 155 and Craft Bait GT-3 150 with acceptable efforts for me, so I think HH E-cup and D-Cup won't be a problem.
As for the price, I always thought that black swords were about the same price level as mentioned above Hots and FCL, though PDs feel more bulky in the hands.
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thank you everyone for your input was much appreciated. ive decided upon an fcl 81 extreme, its not the MH version its slightly stiffer was a close race between this and the patriot 78prisim. came down to physical weight and a bit cheaper the fcl smokes the patriot as far as weight is concerned and seems to have a stiffer tip and more progressive taper. cant wait
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Had a couple of casts with this on various trips.
I've heard nothing but negative reports, including numerous breakages.
That's not what I want to hear... I've got one.
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I have 1 of these rockets and it has been use 3 times. 2 trips to the Andamans with best fish 129cm and 1 time in Eiao best fish maybe 125cm guess didnt measure this one. I am no pro and have only been on 5 Gt trips but i have had no faliure at all. I must say my go to rod is still my Carp. SP80. Maybe some of the breakage is product failure maybe some are bad handling. Load of crap to say it is lack of skills from European anglers, if you special skills to not break a rod. Dont sell it!!! Just my 2 vents as you Guys call it