GTPopping.com - Giant Trevally, GTPopping, Topwater & GT Fly-Fishing Resource
Topwater Caranx Ignobilis: Giant Trevally (GT) => Tackle & Techniques => Topic started by: David Sharples on July 17, 2008, 12:28:48 AM
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Does anyone know where I can find some of these? Need a few for a trip later this year....
If not does anyone know of a similar popper that makes as big a splash?
Does Jones Tackle have any hidden anywhere?
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go and call neil at jones tackle and ask him to see what he have in his stock . as he might have hammer head popper on special price . so who know,s so you got to call him any way .
or another option is fish head duncan who can help you on that as well .
regard,s mick
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David, have you used an I Cup before? If not, then you better prepare yourself for what you're getting yourself in for. I used to love Hammerheads but have completely gone off them in the past 18-24 months. The reason is they are so bloody hard to work effectively and I think I've gotten too old these days. Personally, I think there are lures now that have as much presence in the water for a lot less effort. If anyone doesn't agree, feel free to flame away.
An I cup loaded up with two Gamakatsu Recorder 8/0s or Decoy GT 10/0s will be well into the 270g range. That is a hell of a lot of lure to cast.
If you're looking for a big popper, check out the 140g and 200g FCL Ebipop. The Ebipop is a much easier popper to work and even in the 140g, has tremendous presence in the water.
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Hi Brandon
We will soon have stocks of fcllabo lures in Aust which includes the EBIPOP it is a great lure and have been using for a while now, OHKUBO also uses this model. Though the range is limited they do make 3 model in EBIPOP 120g, 140g & 200g. They also have some great pencils and other types. Though Hammer Head offer a much bigger range of popper. The difference between a the 200g EBIPOP, compared to I-Cup at 230g and 205mm, is not much and the EBIPOP cup size is also smaller than a Hammer Head G-Cup at 190g at 200mm. Come back to the 140g EBIPOP then you have a Hammer Head E-Cup at 145g /190mm, C-Cup at 115g /165mm & D-CUP at 130g /180mm all which have cup size similar or larger to the 140g EBIPOP. I use all of these as well as may fisherman, Carpenter and some other specials I get from Japan and do not find much difference in working any around the same weight / size when fishing in our usual conditions along the GBR.
Always remember to match the rod to lure weight to the (flexible coupling - the anglers) capability.
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Hey Brandon/Steve
Only once or twice but I think its one of those things I'd like to have in the bag.. Wouldn't use it all day but I don't mind the physical thing too much.. Just need to HTFU ;D
Have the EBIPOPS got over the durability problems you spoke about in your report?
If so I'll definately look to get some of the bigger size.
Cheers guys
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Hi David,
At Fish Head we have a number of Hammerhead I cups in stock at the moment along with quite a large selection of other hammerhead poppers including the popping pencils.
We also have FCLLABO EbiPops in 120g, 140g and 200g in a range of colours, along with the FCLLABO squid pencils and other FCLLABO lures in stock. The EbiPops have had huge success on big GT's, you only have to look at some of the photos and reports on this site. There have been improvements in the strength of wire but FCLLABO are working on a "double strength" EbiPop using new materials (they will however be slightly more expensive than the current ones and we don't have a production date as yet).
Cheers
Duncan
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David, Duncan has summed up the current position of the FCL. They have improved the wiring a bit by doubling the number of turns which they used to have. If there has been an improvement in the wire, it must have come as a result of changing the wire used because I can't see any difference in gauge.
They are supposed to be working on a new material but I have been advised already it is going to be more expensive.
Please don't think that the current poppers are wiped out in one hit. They're not bad but if a fish hits it in the wrong spot, they can break it or wipe the paint work out. Mind you, I've seen the same on premium lures like Fisherman, Carpenter, Hammerheads etc. If the fish gets the popper in the mouth where they are continually grinding down on it, they will remove a lot of the paintwork. If you simply want durability from a lure, look at Orions.
Steve, I take your point re the cup size but that is only on aspect of a popper. Over the years, I have used basically every popper on the market and some are simply easier to work than others. The FCL has more presence in the water for its weight and its stability through the water also means that it is a more efficient lure in creating the chug, especially in rougher water.
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I haven't had any issues with the overall durability of the Ebipops and the finish has been pretty good too. I have had the wire pull through horizontally at the end a bit but to me that is negligible. for a lure that has caught 30+ fish.
As Brandon mentioned, I love the presence in the water that the 300mmm model has. It casts a huge silhouette and it's design almost acts like a keel, holding in the water for good stability.
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I haven't tried the Ebipops in a productive Big GT spot yet but love it's shape.Little longer body gets decent casts and distance between middle and tail hooks prevent tangling.
Thanks Brandon for the Ebipops-i know their not easy to come by and u had to take them out of your personal supply.
Hey Luke,hope all is well with you.I'll e-mail u this week some time to chat
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Question on the FCL Labo squid pencil.
I see pictures of the squid with tail hook on the eye or head end of the lure. Is this correct, i.e. attaching leader to the baits tail, based on the shape of the head of the lure it just doesn't look right(even though the twisted wire loop is at the head). I'm going to try them out in the pool this afternoon.
BTW Duncan, just got your shipment thanks, pencils and poppers are definitely unique with good looking profiles, can't wait to sacrifice the squid.
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Andy
Squid Pencils swim in either direction. The original intention was for them to be eyes to the rear (they are squid after all), but they do swim well both ways. Swum squid style, they get a really good zig-zagging walk the dog action but if the water is flat calm it is hard to make them dig in and dive sub surface. If you reverse it so eyes are at the front then the weight is also at the nose which causes it to duck under the surface from the first sweep of the rod.
Cheers
Duncan
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I prefer the squid pencils rigged the wrong way round (from what the manufactueer intended). They're easier to work and swim well.
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Sorry, another question!
Do you reckon I need to find 10/0 GT Recorders to rig the I Cup with or will a pair of ST76's do the job?
Can't seem to find the big GT Recorders anywhere at the moment...
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Sorry, another question!
Do you reckon I need to find 10/0 GT Recorders to rig the I Cup with or will a pair of ST76's do the job?
Can't seem to find the big GT Recorders anywhere at the moment...
The ST76 owner will do the job . i like those ST76. not worry about the GT Recorders cos they cost more $$.
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David, the I Cup is a huge lure and in my opinion, too big for the ST-76s. Can you use the ST-76s? Well yes, but they are not ideal. I don't think there is enough clearance with them.
Considering the ST-76 only goes to a 5/0, I think you're better off looking for a big Recorder or a big Decoy. Btw - I don't think Recorders come in 10/0. I think the biggest size is an 8/0. The Decoy comes in a 10/0 and while it is of equivalent size to the Recorder 8/0, it is of a thinner gauge. I like the Decoys myself but they have a bad habit of not standing up that well to really big fish.
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Cheers Brandon, how about a Baker with 2 x 11/0 SJ41's?
I can probably get some big Decoys from Jarvis at Shimreels, the Recorders are just ridiculously expensive!
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Hi David,
GT Recorders only are available up to 8/0.Talked with Jarvis a few weeks ago and he had a report from one of his customers who had a recent trip to X-Mas island.Unfortunately,two big GT were lost on opened 8/0 Recorders.We've had isolated incidents with failed recorders,although not common.Given the right situation and angle probally any treble will eventually give.
Just to let you know he's in Fiji at the moment until the 6th.
The SJ-41(11/0) will be way to small for a baker rig.
On price,haven't checked but if i'm not mistaken the Gama's are cheaper than the Decoy(10/0).
Pat
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David, Pat has pretty much summed it up.
SJ-41s are way too small for a baker rig for the I Cup. Also, any treble on the market will open if the fish gets it the wrong way (well, right way for the fish!). From what I've seen over time, the Recorders hold up better than the Decoys. The Decoys were good a few years back and then they obviously changed the hook - and not for the better.
If you're using a popper like an I Cup, you're targeting serious fish. Maybe an option is to consider running big singles instead like Jobus in a 9/0 or 10/0. Look for a heavy guage single - there are lots on the markets. I find the shank on the Jobu just a bit too long to be ideal myself.
Price-wise, both Recorders and Decoys are expensive. Pretty much lineball from what I've seen in the past - depends on where you buy them.
I've attached a few photos below for comparative purposes so you can see that the difference. First photo is an I CUP with a ST-76 5/0 followed by the Decoy 10/0 followed by the Gamakatsu Recorder 8/0. It's a big popper!!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/ICUP-ST76.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/ICUP-DECOY.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w95/berniek/ICUP-RECORDER.jpg)
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Brandon ... GOOD JOB ... keep it up ... :D :D
well i guess he will have to pay more money for the Gamakatsu Recorder 8/0 .
i have the decoy 10/0 but they are okay but i am waiting for them to be bended so i can show it off on my wall ;D ;D ::).
but i mostly like the ST76 cos it,s so tough ;D ;D
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The I-Cup being such a heavy lure as it is - I prefer to run 11/0 Decoy Singles. Work very well - good hook-ups on fish where it counts and minimal fouling. You'll also find that you will avoid unwanted by-catch (not completely, but significantly) - GT under 60lb/Trout/Bluefin etc. by using bigger singles.
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that's the reason why I prefeer the Decoys. on a mega-popper like the I Cup, it's already so damn heavy without the hooks. The Gamakatsu Recorder is a deadset grappling hook. All in all, I think you might be better off with singles.
The I-Cup being such a heavy lure as it is - I prefer to run 11/0 Decoy Singles. Work very well - good hook-ups on fish where it counts and minimal fouling. You'll also find that you will avoid unwanted by-catch (not completely, but significantly) - GT under 60lb/Trout/Bluefin etc. by using bigger singles.
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Cheers Brandon. always going the extra mile! Really appreciate it!
That popper is huge, it even makes the big recorder look a bit small. I'm getting a few Shout Kudako hooks to run as a Baker underneath, may get a few recorders as well just to see how it all goes together.
Does a spinner blade off the back help at all with balance and stopping it flying out of the water?
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David,
The blade on the tail might work well, though it would need to be a large one! There is merit in trying it.
The Shout Kudako 7/0 hooks I tried on today swung very well under the belly of the I Cup...perfect fit. They are a BIG 7/0!!
If you want less trouble un-hooking GT's, then a Baker rigged belly and a blade on the tail should work fine...no worse than a treble-blade combo and lighter to boot...
Aaron.
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holy smoke, that will be the biggest popper I have ever seen with a spinner blade!
Kudakos make good Baker although the slight offset eye is a bit of a pain. If you're prepared to go to the effort, they're made of a metal that bends reasonably easily in a vice. Go for the biggest Kudako which is the 7/0 Aaron is recommending.
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Brandon,
I've used BIG willow blades on the Lively Lures GT popper, which is 200mm long and it worked a treat!
Flails around a bit during the cast, though it flashes around like mad when retreived and holds the lure's bum in the drink a bit better.
Had a 30kg GT poke holes through it, and spaniards like to munch on the silver blade as well.
I'd like to see an I Cup tried like this...with the Baker belly rig.
Can't hurt to try eh?
Aaron.
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Off to Musandam on the 20th September or so so I'll let you know how it works. Apparently they have a run of spaniards at that time of year, big fish at 20kg plus.. just hope I don't get too many poppers clipped off by these things.
Last time one chased a popper out of the water right at my feet. If it had been six inches higher my baby making days would have been over. As it was it smashed into the rail. Serves it right.
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if there are a lot of spaniards around, they're going to terrorise your poppers. It may pay to add a bite segment of wire to the end of your leaders if you find they're stealing your poppers sp it may pay to take some wire along
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David,
I'm with Brandon on taking wire.
Single strand wire does a great job of flossing spaniard gums!
The flashy blade DOES make them more prone to the 'mack attack', though since it is at the rear, you are a lot less likely for a spaniard, or big GT to bite you off since they line the blade up pretty well.
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....You'll also find that you will avoid unwanted by-catch (not completely, but significantly) - GT under 60lb/Trout/Bluefin etc...
:D :D Yeah I hate catching all those things Luke ;) :D