Stuck in Kiribati - Volunteer trying to start out

[kanepe]

This is my first post on this forum and I would greatly appreciate any help that you guys could offer. I am a current Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Kiribati.  I know that Christmas Island is famous for its fishing but my island, Marakei, is not too shaby either.  I would really like to get to purchase popping gear when I travel back to the States for the Holidays and was wondering if you guys could suggest equipment to me (especially rod) that I could easily find in America.  Unfortunately lots of the Shimano and Daiwa gear that you guys use is nearly impossible to find state side.  Reliability is really important to me because my island doesn't have stores let alone a tackle shop.  I would love to target GT in the 20-30kg class leaving the big boys for the more experienced fisherman on this forum. Any help that you could provide would be most appreciated.

Patrick Kane

In addittion to mass amounts of GT around my island Baracuda are in abundant supply if someone could recomend a good setup for these guys as well that would be fantastic. 

[Luke Wyrsta]

[Mark Gonsalves]

In the USA, Daiwa has a newer rod out for popping, the Saltiga Ulua popping rod at either 8 or 8 1/2 feet in length.  It's rated to 80lb test, 2 piece and runs about $200.00 US.  I used this rod with a Saltiga 6000 loaded with 100lb powerpro and the 30-40lb GT's I caught were no problem for this rod.  Hope this helps.