Illex popping rods

[NathanMcNiece]

Has anyone used these rods and how did they peform or how do they rate in comparison to other popping rods. I noticed that Ocean blue has some of these on show at the sydney boat show at the moment. they are also showing orion lures, anyone know if they are selling them?

[Andrew Poulos]

Will let you know after going there tomorrow....

[steve sims]

Nathan,
When I was in New Cal in May the skipper used these rods, I think he was their field tester if I remember correctly. I went there with a Zenaq Fokeeto that I had never used before so I only used that, but the other two guys that I shared the charter with used his Illex rods exclusively. From memory they were 7'6" and rated to PE8, the skipper was running 100lb Tuf Line through them and they performed extremely well and accounted for GT's to just over 40kgs. They are made on a blue blank, had all the good components and looked the part. From memory the cost for one of these rods [ordered through him] would run out at about $800-$900AUD.

Steve

[NathanMcNiece]

Thanks mate, they sound good.

[David Noble]

Hi Nathan,

Having used these on 2 x New Cal trips I can't rate them highly enough. ;They are brutal to handle big fish in shallow water but really forgiving on wussy anglers like me...
A fair few people have been able to handle and see them at the boat show, and ofcourse load them up and all were really impressed. Having seen these high sticked, loaded up enough to make you wince and cringe, they still keep going.  

technical specs are 240cm long, 200g Lure casting, PE8, collapsed size (Encomb in French?) 160cm, 12kg drag at 45 degree angle.
This is for the 240H (heavy)
There is also a 270 MH

We should be seeing them over here in the not too distant future, until then footage of them in action can be seen here,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEmHYdQz9OI#noexternalembed&feature=channel_page

cheers Dave

[NathanMcNiece]

Thanks Dave, The rods look well finished and seem to have quite a fast taper, which would make it as you said quite forgiving on the angler. Would you feel comfortable fishing this rod to pe10?

Thanks
Nate

[Scott Maybury]

Great video Dave and sick bend in those Illex rods. crazy business mate

[Sam Conacher]

Has anyone used these rods and how did they peform or how do they rate in comparison to other popping rods. I noticed that Ocean blue has some of these on show at the sydney boat show at the moment. they are also showing orion lures, anyone know if they are selling them?

Nathan,

I went to the boat show a few day's ago.  I thought and was hoping my-self that there would of been Orion lures for sale.

anyway i got there eventually as i was running a bit late as i was meeting some friend's there and from what i know and found out,    unfortunately not but as i said that is from what i found out.

[Luke Wyrsta]

All - OB is not a retailer of Orion Lures as outlined by the owner and manufacturer himself.

Let's stop any reference to this in the future as it will simply confuse people.

[David Noble]

Hi Nathan,

There isnt much info around in English on these rods...

The rods are a nice parabolic action so load up most of the length of the blank.  They don't go to jelly down low though, and have the strength here when needed, they are strong!   Running PE10 on them is fine, Etienne runs 100lb braid as standard.
Honestly I haven't handled enough Carpenters, Ripple Fishers etc to make a comparison with the huge selections of GT rods and top Japanese brands, I've got my Smith WRC80P/35 and the Illex rods are stronger and rated heavier than that.  I took my Smith to New Cal, and it stayed in the hotel room, I used the Illex rods.   I'll be buying one of these for sure.

If and when a few make it over and trickle into the Australian market, I'm sure the experienced guys like Brandon, Luke etc will see them and be able to comment further. 
Illex are made in Japan and sold in France under the Illex banner.  They are the same company as Jackal, which bream fisherman get all excited about.. 

Steve, Etienne developed the rods so I guess is their field tester by default. 

Cheers Dave

[Stan Konstantaras]

Hi Nathan,
After drinking a few of Ocean Blues beers at the boat show I was lucky enough to win the Illex rod they were giving away, but only after it was re-donated back by one of their long time customers who already had a few in his arsenal. My hat off to him, I was not giving it back .
We did have a play with one on the night and the footage on the DVD looked great , but I have to wait until next year to test it to the max!
Cheers
Stan

ps: Great to catch up Andrew.

[Andrew Poulos]

Cheers Stan, should catch up again.Good to meet up with some members and others from the forum(s) and the area..maybe test the Illex out on some kings locally before you go on you next trip.

[Rowan Stanek]

Cheers Stan, should catch up again.Good to meet up with some members and others from the forum(s) and the area..maybe test the Illex out on some kings locally before you go on you next trip.

Glad you guys enjoyed yourselves, it was a great night.

With that rod, I reckon he'd pull the jaws off your average inshore Sydney King!

Shouldn't be too long now Stan...

[Tony Raspudic]

Hi Guys, I recently went on an New Cal trip and fished the Illex rods with guide Etienne Picquel. I have to say these rods were something else. You'll enjoy using these on big GT's. Fished some pretty wild lagoons up the north west coast. I managed to land a 50kg fish with the Illex...good luck with your rod Stan!!. Tony

[Luke Wyrsta]

Do you need to own a ice box "fighting buddy" in order to fish Illex rods?