GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource

Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: Thomas Tai on February 18, 2014, 01:06:23 PM

Title: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Thomas Tai on February 18, 2014, 01:06:23 PM

Hi guys,

Being new and this is my first post here, I am amazed how much information I've gained just by reading the old posts. :D

A little bit about myself. I'm a GT popping newbie who had only 2 trips in my hands. One at Maldives and the other at Tanzania.
My wife and I are going to Tonga in late September for some GT action. She's been with me for the past 2 trips but she didn't fish much. This time she'd like to get into the actions and I definitely need to buy a rod for her.

I have 2 rods for myself: The Carpenter TBL80/40 for stickbaits and MH79XH for poppers. I can use them effectively but she just can't load them up properly.
I used to have a Hammerhead Faube 77M+ as a spare and for her to use but it is even harder to load than the TBL so I've sold it recently.

So my question is there any recommendation of rod for lady angler?
I was thinking of the EP 82/38 but a friend of mine said that the longer rod is actually harder for his girlfriend to cast.
I also considered CV79/40, but will it be too similar to my TBL80/40?
CV79/35 will be nice but I can't find it anywhere though...

The rod will be fished by my wife most of the time and I may use it occasionally such as when I am tired.

cheers,
Thomas

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Andy Rowe on February 18, 2014, 07:45:03 PM

Either of the CV's, the lighter 35 would be better as you note, and hard to find as you also note. A remarkable rod, kind of wishing i never sold mine

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Mark Harris on February 18, 2014, 11:23:51 PM

Coral Vipers would be good choices.  EP82/38 is obviously longer so if the young lady in question is not an experienced caster, the Coral Vipers would be probably be a better choice.

As an aside I would personally say that EP82/38 and TBL 80/40 are more alike than CV79/40 and TBL 80/40.

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Trevor Skinner on February 18, 2014, 11:43:14 PM

What about coming down a notch totally and going for a PE6 outfit like the TBL 83/32 or 80/30? Stick a 10000/14000 size reel on it. Nice and manageable, 100/120g stickbaits and 10kg of drag will cover a lot of fishing..particularly in places like the Maldives.

Just a different take.



Trevor

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Jon Li on February 19, 2014, 01:58:20 AM

For average Asian lady , Carpenter BC75MHS . In the hand of an accomplished angler , this rod can land 30+ kg GT .

Jon .

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Thomas Tai on February 19, 2014, 02:24:51 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I forgot to mention that my wife is quite a petite lady: Height 160cm, Weight around 44kg.
She'll be using poppers around 60-100g mostly.

cheers,
Thomas

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Chris Rowbottom on February 19, 2014, 05:12:40 AM

Where in Tonga?

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Thomas Tai on February 19, 2014, 05:12:51 PM

Hi Chirs,

It will be Vava'u.

cheers,
Thomas

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Cameron Mundy on February 19, 2014, 05:20:36 PM

Sounds like a job for a Hot's 711 to me with an 8k and PE6 it'll be light and forgiving enough to fish with all day and still have a bit of grunt on the bottom end for larger fish, it won't break the bank either.

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Chris Rowbottom on February 20, 2014, 04:57:01 AM

Kurt @ Poppin Tonga has a great and informative website, if you haven't found it yet.
Enjoy your trip, Thomas!  Post some pics!

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Thomas Tai on February 20, 2014, 01:27:05 PM

Thanks Chris!

Yeah I've been exchanging emails with Kurt and hopefully will have everything sort out by the end of April.
A friend of mine went there and had a blast!

cheers,
Thomas

Title: Re: Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)
Post by: Jon Hsu on February 22, 2014, 10:16:58 AM

I think we need pics of lady to provide a better assessment!