Rod for the lady (and probably an exhausted me)

[Thomas Tai]

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.

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

[Andy Rowe]

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

[Mark Harris]

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.

[Trevor Skinner]

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

[Jon Li]

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

Jon .

[Thomas Tai]

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

[Chris Rowbottom]

Where in Tonga?

[Thomas Tai]

Hi Chirs,

It will be Vava'u.

cheers,
Thomas

[Cameron Mundy]

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.

[Chris Rowbottom]

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

[Thomas Tai]

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

[Jon Hsu]

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