New Set Up Advice

[mitchell huner]

Hey was just wondering if people could give me there advice on this set up. This is for just starting up as well. This is for popping for GT's.

Reel: Diawa Catalina 6500 reel using PE6 or 8 not to sure yet on the braid.
Rod: Diawa Demon Blood 82HX or Shimano T-Curve GT special (would like to know which people think is better)

[Chris Webster]

Hi Mitchell,

Will be needing a few more details than that mate. Can you let us know:

- Where you will be fishing
- How much pressure can you take physically
- What size GT's you are targeting
- Your budget

and anything else you can think of....

There is a great write up on this forum on choosing a rod. Suggestyou take a look at that also.

Cheers,

Chris

[mitchell huner]

Hey
Yeh heading up to the Whitsunday's and will be sail my mates boat around then back down to the sunshine coast. Looking for the biggest GT's can possibly get along with other fish. Didn't want to spend to much about 500 on a rod and 500 and a reel. They say that the catalina is the baby saltiga, and from i have read it is a good reel thats why i am interested in it but if anyone thinks there is a better reel for 500 i am all ears, had a read of that rod action and it gave me good pointers on what to look for but i just want the advice of experienced people but if anyone can also think of a rod that is better for 500 i am very interested.
so hope that helps you out.   
Thanks Mitch
(this sight has been a big help)

[Dan Konig]

Around that sort of price I'd be looking at the GT special and a Saragosa

There are also some well priced GT rods going second hand on this forum that you could pair with a Saragosa and still get away under $1k all up 

[mitchell huner]

Yeh i can't get on to the 2nd hand forum cause i have not done enough posts.

[Sami Ghandour]

If you are willing to spend $500 on a reel i suggest you to buy an old model Stella, the Stella will take the abuse with no problem,
there is a lot of deals going on these days in many Forums.
buy i definitely won't target big fish with the set up that you intend to purchase.
Good luck 

[Chris Webster]

Hey Mitchell,

I have a El Toro GT150 which i purchased from Gara Pro Shop. It is s little bit more expensive (like $100 or so more) than you said but oh well.

Speak to Luke and see if he has any.

Allthough i am a die hard Daiwa fan for the money i would suggest the Shimano Saragosa as a second to the Catalina but definately agree with Sami that you should first try and get yourself an older Stella.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Chris

[mitchell huner]

Yeh this all helps. Its just really hard to get on to forums that have send hand gear on them. You have to become a member and then like this forum you must first do so many post before you are laud to look at the classifide ads, but yes i will have a look around. thanks for all the help.