Rod Selection Help Needed

[Mark Whitaker]

I have been reading everything on this site for a while and nearly every online shop that sells quality rods from around the world.

As the old saying goes "a little knowledge is dangerous"!  Reading too much has given that dangerous level of knowlrdge!

Background: 53yo, 6'3" 103kg with lower back problems that I am managed all my life, with but not as powerfull as I once was.

I live in Cairns but will be moving back to Darwin in 12 months.

I am after 3 new rods to cover GT's but they will also manage the other northern species, Mackeral. Dogtooth, Tuna, Sailfish, Cobia and Sharks of various sizes etc, but the mungrals are GT's so the gear needs to stand up to these (and the 200kg Gropers that swallow 10kg Fingermark as they come up to the boat in Darwin Harbour, I would like to get my terminal tackle back from these brutes).

Current trolling and bottom/jigging gear is covered.

I have a Daiwa Muramura 76 with Saltiga 6000GT with 100lb Hi-Seas Grand Slam and 130lb leader so my short GT rod for casting pe8 and 140gr poppers is covered.  I know this may not be as good as a Carpenter CV79/40, but I think they would be very similar?

I need help with 3 other rods.

First choice is Carpenter Monster Hunter 80H, poppers to 170gr and large stick baits to 200gr  (correct me if I am wrong with any of these estimations?)

Now is where I neeed the help.

Would you suggest:

Carpenter EP85/36 for lighter Stick Baits and longer casting or BLC82/40?

and

Patriot Design Zanzibar 82 or Ripple Fisher 79R,  I know these are totally different rods, the PD is heavier class but will cast the same weights further than the 79R.

I want 4 rods total, the 3 new one will be spooled with Daiwa Dogfights and Tasline by Paulus 100lb, (137lb tested braid).

Would you suggest this combination of rods to cover tropical casting?  I am fixed on the MH80H, its just the other 2 rods.

Mark

[Mark Harris]

That's a very detailed brief Mark! Whilst I am  unfamiliar with Darwin waters, I think I get it. 

Your first choice is a cracker and nobody should talk you out of a Carpenter MH80H, simply the best rod of its type on the market.

For your 2nd choice, I guess this is for stick-baiting for species other than GTs as well as some GT work?  Of the rods you mention I would be concerned that you are not going to have balanced set up with either by pairing them with a Dogfight and 100 lb braid. I think both of these rods lend themselves better to a Shimano 10000 size (with a 12000 or 16000 spool if you want to fish as heavy as PE8).  I don't like the idea of casting any EP with the equivalent of PE10 braid.  Carpenter do say you can use up to PE10 on a BLC 83/40 but ideal would have to be lighter than that. The Endless Passions are very much PE6-8 rods.  So  I would humbly suggest rethinking the reel and line. Either would be an excellent rod choice.

For the 3rd choice, I am not sure either of your suggested rods are needed when you already have an MH80H as your first choice? Personally, I would go for a long cast rod which is still capable of working decent sized poppers and big stickbaits, but gives extra casting distance and is comfortable enough to fish all day with.  The two rods that come to mind are Carpenter DJ83MH and Ripple Fisher GT82. Both superb instruments which cast miles but have the backbone to handle very grunty fish.

This is all very much IMHO of course and others may have different views.

[Mark Whitaker]

Thanks Mark,

I am more thinking of rods for different size baits and poppers, not so much line class.  Some days the small fish take the big baits and the Large fish take the small baits.

Am I right in thinking the Muramura 76 is similar to the CV79/40?

The GT fishery is untouched in Darwin, most locals go after the ususal eating suspects, but the GT's are actually closer to Darwin than thet are to Cairns.  All of the Reefs between Darwin and Melville Island have GT's and the big ones are in the Cape Don Area and the northern parts of Melville Island.

Mark

[Mark Harris]

No idea on the Daiwa Muramura I am afraid - not a rod I am at all familiar with.

My point on the line class was that you said all 3 rods would be paired with a Dogfight and PE10 equivalent line. That is why I made the point about the EP and BLC.

[Jon Li]

Hi Mark ,

As you have nominated MH80H , CV79/40 should be the next one down but EP85/36 worth considering for longer cast which is essential for certain situation and condition .

Jon .

[Luke Wyrsta]

From what I know about Darwin I would say that most of the rods mentioned are overkill. There may be the odd larger fish but it would seem that a majority are of school/rat size. I'm more than willing to be advised?

I think that's some pretty irresponsible advice Mark... "Your first choice is a cracker and nobody should talk you out of a Carpenter MH80H, simply the best rod of its type on the market." Even though you provide a caveat that you know nothing about Darwin waters, you might as well tell him he would be ok with a 15ft Carp rod.

Most of the rods you mention are too heavy in my opinion and you will simply miss out on the joy of fighting the GT that live there on the appropriate tackle.

I personally think you would be looking for a PE6 rod. Something from the EP or DJ (LM) range.

The CV would be a nice allrounder if medium to larger fish were indeed more common, to which I am aware, they aren't. Again, willing to be educated.

[Mark Harris]

I think that's some pretty irresponsible advice Mark... "Your first choice is a cracker and nobody should talk you out of a Carpenter MH80H, simply the best rod of its type on the market." Even though you provide a caveat that you know nothing about Darwin waters, you might as well tell him he would be ok with a 15ft Carp rod.

Eh? If the man wants a rod in that class (he clearly does from his brief - "poppers to 170gr and large stick baits to 200gr") how is it irresponsible to recommend what I think is the best rod in that class? Is it irresponsible to suggest that an MH80H is the right rod for working poppers to 170 grams and large stickbaits? 

I had already said I know little about the waters, and the rest of your comments may well be correct - i.e. the brief was wrong.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Jumped the gun Mark, apologies.

[Mark Harris]

No worries mate. I was a bit surprised, that's all! 

[Christoffer Hansen]

Hey mark,
               Having 3 pe10 setups may be overkill where your fishing. If your using those outfits to their potential, you'll be scull dragging any fish under 20kgs and that will more than likely be the majority. You would get more enjoyment from a lighter pe6-8 outfit and easier to work for long periods. I know there's very large tides up that way and u could be fishing in some very fast running currents, but personally I'd be looking at a outfit in each class and use depending on conditions. Just my thoughts.
       Cheers chris

[Mark Whitaker]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Yes, most GT's in the Darwin area are not monsters but there are plenty of 20 to 25kg fish with a few 30kg further out near Cape Don.

I plan on fishing not just Darwin but other places as well, and as most say PE10 is overkill for Darwin, but where the GT's are, even at 20kg the current is flowing fast as well, especially in the reefs north of Gunn Point.

I have a smaller outfit a Saltiga 63S with Van Staal VS100 with PE3, I have tried the rod with a 4500 but to me its too heavy (weight, not class) for the rod.  This makes a great Queeny and live bait outfit for Mackeral.

The problem with Darwin is there are too many Big fish you never see that simply strip line.  They like the same baits as what you are after especially at Fenton Patches.  No GT's at Fenton Patches, thats why I was thinking of the BLC82/40.

Mark

[Luke Wyrsta]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Yes, most GT's in the Darwin area are not monsters but there are plenty of 20 to 25kg fish with a few 30kg further out near Cape Don.

I plan on fishing not just Darwin but other places as well, and as most say PE10 is overkill for Darwin, but where the GT's are, even at 20kg the current is flowing fast as well, especially in the reefs north of Gunn Point.

I have a smaller outfit a Saltiga 63S with Van Staal VS100 with PE3, I have tried the rod with a 4500 but to me its too heavy (weight, not class) for the rod.  This makes a great Queeny and live bait outfit for Mackeral.

The problem with Darwin is there are too many Big fish you never see that simply strip line.  They like the same baits as what you are after especially at Fenton Patches.  No GT's at Fenton Patches, thats why I was thinking of the BLC82/40.

Mark

Hi Mark,

I still can't see any of your brief points that would warrant a PE10 rod. Simply advising you as to what I would do in your position.

If you want a PE10 rod, just because you want one in your collection and with occassional use, then so be it.

Just the same as in Cairns, my collection would be focused on PE4-PE8 outfits.

Luke

[Mark Whitaker]

Thanks Luke,

So a Zenaq ROUF Hiramasa 80-6 RG for up to 150g Stickbaits and a FCL Labo UCB-81 Extreme for Stick baits 150 to 190g.  Both with Saltiga 5000H?

As I already have a Muramura 76 which is good for poppers to 150g all I need is the 2 above?

I can't find a PE6 8' popper rod for 180g poppers, only the CV79?

Mark

[Mark Harris]

Mark, of the rods you have already highlighted a CV79/40 or EP 82/38 would do a very nice job fishing PE6, PE7 or PE8 for stickbaits in the 120 to 190 gram range - one rod would do it I think.  You will not get enough PE8 on a Saltiga 5000 spool but that reel would be fine for PE6 line weight.  However, a Stella or Twinpower 10000 with a 12000 or 16000 after-market spool would be perfect for PE6 through to PE8 and pair perfectly with either of those rods.

I can't think of any specialist PE6 rod which would handle well big-faced 180 gram poppers. Maybe someone else can? You could do it with a number of rods, but it is not ideal. I think the sensible limit of a CV7940 is 150 gram chuggers unless you use small faced models (kind of defeats the object). Nearest might be DJ83MH but that rod is better loaded with PE8.

Why are you wanting to fish 180 grams poppers on PE6? I would keep the MH80H for that type of heavy work and use smaller poppers on the lighter line class rods.

[Mark Whitaker]

I use whatever is in the bag that catches fish.

Sometimes big baits catch small fish, I have also caught a Barra on a 240mm GT stickbait, tried it out late one evening just to see what happened, obviously I did not use it on the barra outfit!

I have some Poppers that saturate the Muramura so yes, I need a rod that will handle the bait regardless of line class.

As Brandon says in the Guide to buying a rod post, there is no perfect rod, its all compromise.  I can afford 4 casting outfits for GT's and anything else that likes the bait, light and heavy poppers and stick baits, so yes I will end up with an overkill PE10 popper rod!  Its funny but the really heavy gear WV80 or PD Fire Vortex will cast anything from 100 to almost 300g chuggers.  If I did not have the Muramura I would probably buy one of those even though I would never use it to its full potential.

As I will be buying all of these sight unseen (or even cast) I need your advise and I do plan on going to some GT hot spots every now and again.

Mark