Smith Tokara

[Mick Cunningham]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I'm 77kg and still will be pushing more on the squat as I've been training for 7 months now. I've to be realistic that pushing twice my body weight on the press would be nearly impossible!

The fighting would definitely be a problem as you guys are heavier than I am and are happy with the black diamond 77. What is stunning is that there's also a black mafia which is suppose to be AAA rating! I think what ever I choose I will be ok with the casting.

BTW, are the rod weight light compared to other brands?

How does it split up in two? Handle+ tip?

Kevin .

the black mafia are to handle the pe12 that is why it got the AAA rating
most ppl fish  up to pe10 that is why i took the black diamond which it rate at pe10 .

but i can fish with pe12 on the black diamond . all i had to do is lower the rod 

Maybe you should try the SP78EXH

hope,s this help .

[Aaron Concord]

Hi Kevin,

I do own both the Carpenter SP78UHL and the PD Black Diamond.

They both have the same lifting capacity as each other (the Black Diamond is marginally more powerful) and I run PE 10 GT Avani on both.

As far as a realistic HEAVY popping rod is concerned, I chose the Black Diamond due to its ability to sling a 200gm popper 90m and work it well.

It also isn't a spine popping experience to hang on to as well, where the Fire Vortex is!!

Basically, I am 5'10 and weigh 93kg.
If you are under 6'4 and 100kg forget the Fire Vortex!!!!!
Also the Butt section on the 80 Extreme, Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Mafia & Fire Vortex is the same in rear & front grip length.

Cheers

Aaron AKA Donkey

[Brock Arifovic]

WSell said Donkey.

PS: are you really only 93kg? could have fooles me 

Sorry Buddy

[Aaron Concord]

Yeah Brock.........I am 93 kg.
I am FAR from being fit enough for an extended GT only trip at present!
Pilates + Swimming got me down to 82 kg when I got my PB in 2007...

I am far from Gordon's strength...he squats 140, dead lifts 200 and can shove 620kg with his legs....THATS FIRE VORTEX FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Aaron.

[Brandon Khoo]

620kgs - that's just bloody ridiculous.
That's equivalent to something like twelve Lara Bingles 

[Gordon Low]

620kgs - that's just bloody ridiculous.
That's equivalent to something like twelve Lara Bingles 

Brandon,
That was a one rep wonder (result of a pissing match with my trainer )
I normally don't legpress near that when I'm training properly.

Kevin,
All the jokes about training aside, it really just comes down to weight/leverage. All the power in the world won't help if you get pulled off your feet. Trying to put hurt on a big fish through a long stiff lever like the FV simply gets harder the lighter you are. Even the UHL is a burly rod (I've seen Aaron getting carted along the gunnels running 22kg of drag on a serious fish on his ) and it's nowhere near the Fire Vortex.

Unless you're trying to work massive poppers (where a stiff rod helps) something that folds away to the butt like a Smith Komodo Dragon is going to give you the best leverage.

[Kevin Li]

Thanks for all the feedback.

I use to be 85kg but has loss weight since. I just tried 100kg full squat using a bar and weight. Will need a couple of weeks to get use to it.

Btw, is the black diamond, firevortex and blackmafia fast or through action?

May be I've been influenced by surfcasting but I like lightning fast recovery in a rod and which bites back if you have put the power too early when casting. A super stiff rod for casting which does deliver the good with good timing and speed.

[Greg Burt]

!2 Lara Bingles, I'll like to see that, Brandons Heaven 

[Chris Young]

I'd like to see just 2 of Lara's Bingles 

[Brandon Khoo]

Bloody hell, if I had that, you guys wouldn't see me on this site too often   

!2 Lara Bingles, I'll like to see that, Brandons Heaven 

[Brandon Khoo]

Kevin, I think the posts from Aaron and Gordon pretty much sum up the Fire Vortex.

All I can say to you is you are best off looking for gear that will help you, not the fish. The strongest GT rod made may sound great but in practice, that rod is going to be extremely difficult to fish with and on a big GT, you are going to wonder whether you've hooked the fish or the fish has hooked you. I even told Gordon he was crazy to go for this rod but if anyone can fish it.....

[Brock Arifovic]

Gordon,

Best of luck mate, i know you can do it. it's not that hard mate, just have plenty of red bulls & think of the girl in the flannel skirt