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David Sharples

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New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 07:00:16 AM
I'm starting to feel the itch again and I reckon its time to add to my collection.

At the moment I've got a WV80XH, a Komodo Dragon and a HOTS Gipang 83H.

I'm looking for something a bit above the rating of the HOTS rod but that can cast far. The HOTS is great for stickbaits and pencils but doesn't really have the poke to fish chuggers or anything over 130g or PE6.

What I'm looking for needs to fish PE8, cast lures from 130-180g a long way and have grunt enough to work 150g Cuberas or similar sized lures.

I'm liking Carpenter rods at the moment and was thinking the heavier DJ Popping DJ83MH. Anyone got any opiinions on this? The Long Reef just seems to be too much of a specialist tool and I'm not sure I'm keen on a rod that long...

Pat Victorino

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 07:46:42 AM
I'm starting to feel the itch again and I reckon its time to add to my collection.

At the moment I've got a WV80XH, a Komodo Dragon and a HOTS Gipang 83H.

I'm looking for something a bit above the rating of the HOTS rod but that can cast far. The HOTS is great for stickbaits and pencils but doesn't really have the poke to fish chuggers or anything over 130g or PE6.

What I'm looking for needs to fish PE8, cast lures from 130-180g a long way and have grunt enough to work 150g Cuberas or similar sized lures.

  Hi Dave,

        A carpenter SP-710H may be an option.It won't cast quite as far as the DJ but has a bit more power in the butt.
Ripple Fisher has a great line of GT Rods.However i'm more familiar with there jigging rods.Brandon i'm sure will help you out on more alternative choices



I'm liking Carpenter rods at the moment and was thinking the heavier DJ Popping DJ83MH. Anyone got any opiinions on this? The Long Reef just seems to be too much of a specialist tool and I'm not sure I'm keen on a rod that long...

David Sharples

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 08:02:03 AM
Hi Pat

Cheers for that, I really need it to cast far, its going to be for Seychelles and Maldives where you need to get the lure into the surf and the boat can't get too close to the reef.

How about the SP80M? Is that a good distance rod?

Brandon Khoo

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 08:31:42 AM
David - from what I can see, you want a rod that will cast further than an 83H, can cast up to 180g and pop poppers of that size and fish PE8. You also don't want it any longer than 8'3". Your last point is the real sticking point.

As you know, Carpenter have the Long Reef series which will do everything else you want except the length is a problem. I have a SP80M and it is one of my favourite rods but it will not cast as far as a rod that is 8'3". It also is great for up to about 150g poppers but I really wouldn't go much higher than that. That said, it casts plenty long and I feel the slight difference in distance is quite acceptable. You can help yourself along the way by using Varivas GT or GT SMP and using friction knots like the FG or PR knot.

The DJ83MH also looks quite suitable but this is the one rod I haven't seen myself. The spec slook about right for what you're looking for though.

You could look at a Ripple Fisher GT82LC which is 8'2" long and which will cast lures a long, long way. It will also handle poppers but I'd suggest 140 to 150g is about it's limit. I wouldn't go to 180g. This rod will also work stickbaits beautifully.

Another option (big dollars though!) is the Fisherman Big Game 82RS. This will handle PE8 and will pop the lures sizes you are talking about easily.

A Zenaq FC83-7 is also an option. 8'3" and good for PE8. Zenqs are also quite strong for their stated use. I'd be quite comfortable going to 170 to 180g poppers with this rod.

Taking into account where you want to use this rod, I'd look at the DJ83MH, the Ripple 82LC or Zenaq FC83-7. I'd probably lean towards the DJ or Ripple myself simply because I like these brands. If I was primarily going to be casting 130g poppers, I'd probably look at the Ripple but if I wanted more scope to go up in weight, I'd go the DJ.

Just a word of warning with these longer rods considering you're after maximum distance - don't get a wind knot!!   :o
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Luke Wyrsta

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 08:49:31 AM
Brandon & Pat make good recommendations.

My favorite for such a purpose would be the Fisherman BG Jack 78 - http://www.gt-fisherman.co.jp/rodgtmonstere.htm

Or.....you could consider a Shimano GT Special - but it sounds like you are looking more up-market  ;)

Brock Arifovic

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 08:52:22 AM
With all that been said, the Zenaq (& possibly the Ripple Fisher)can be purchased from our sponsor, where as the Carpenter could be al little harder to source.

Pat Victorino

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 11:06:12 AM

  Your welcome Dave as i am always glad to help if i can.Brandon summed up the SP-80M perfectly.

Jon Li

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 12:55:21 PM
David ,

My recommendation , LR88 as DJ83MH is a little too hard to work with big chugger but work wonder with big stickbait n pencil popper . Myself own a SP710H SHP , it is basically SP78H SHP with what once termed " LDC " handle which is longer by 2" to make it 7'10" in overall length .

Jon .
Last Edit: December 17, 2008, 06:32:33 PM by Jon Li
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

David Sharples

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 08:22:25 PM
Cheers all for this very comprehensive advice!

Just to explain further the chuggers I want to work are GT Mania and Cubera sized 130-150g but if possible I'd like the rod to be able to cast a 170g bigfoot as well so I don't have to bring a heavier stick with me to these places.

I've got an option on a used Ripple Fisher Fanta Stick GT82LC and as this is reccommended and at a good price this sounds like its in the lead.

I've got no experience of this brand, anyone got any observations?

Brandon Khoo

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 17, 2008, 09:20:04 PM
David, if you got access to a used GT82LC at the right price, there isn't much to lose then. It's an excellent brand.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

Mick Cunningham

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 19, 2008, 10:09:34 PM
hi david

just notice that you maybe have found the ripple fisher rod  ::) ;D

hope it,s the right one  ;) :D

George Pang

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 19, 2008, 10:38:21 PM
David,

I have a GT82LC and its a great rod. Casts a mile, and works medium size poppers well. But its ability as stickbait rod is where it stands out, with a fantastic twitching action.

Also it has some serious stopping power, which I tested recently at fraser.

Overall a very nice rod ;)

George



Brandon Khoo

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Re: New popping rod.. Its been a while
December 19, 2008, 10:52:58 PM
Boy George, you were quick to get one! The 82LC is a seriously good rod. I used one the entire trip at Marion this year and was amazed at how far I could cast with it,. I also found it a brilliant stickbait rod - it gave a great twitch to surface stickbaits.

Ripples are seriously good. I had a prototype PE8 stickbait rod called the Ultimo at Bugatti which I used the whole trip there this year and I really did not want to give it back!   :D  I understand this may be released in 2009.
If it swims; I want to catch it!