I need a new rod! Advice please...

[David Clumpner]

I've learned recently (not the hard way just yet) that I am going to need a new rod if I am serious about catching a big GT.  I think I would be plenty happy with smaller GTs, but I live in a place that produces some big fish and I would hate to hook one and not catch it due to mechanical failure.

So, with that said, here are the details:  I live in Japan.  I know that some great rods are made here, so it makes sense to buy something local.  I expect the largest fish I could hook and land to be in the 35kg range, but that's probably optimistic.  I am using lures mostly in the 150 gram range, but would like to have the option of casting up to 200 grams.  Most of my fishing should be taking place on calmish water (and from a kayak).  So I am not specializing in long-distance casting or rough water or monster fish - mostly I think I am looking in the 'general purpose' arena.

Also, if you have ordering advice I'd love to hear it.  I've looked on Plat and saw that a lot of their Carpenter rods are out of stock.  The Carpenter site doesn't address it, but can I special order direct from the factory (of them or other companies)?

Thanks for any advice - this bulletin board has really opened my eyes to GT fishing.  I thought I was the only one who was obsessed...

[Jon Li]

You can order Carpenter rods thru their retailer in Japan , here are the link to those shops and you can call them by identifying the area code near where you are located . Plat is geared more for online purchases .

http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20toriatsukaiten.htm

For lures 150 gr. ~ 200 gr. , you are limited to the heavier rods such as DJ83MH ( for beginners ) , SP78EX-H , CV79/40RF SHP and WV80XH .

Jon .

[David Clumpner]

Hey, thanks a lot for that link, Jon!  I don't know how I missed it before.  Do you know if these rods are special ordered or should I expect to be able to buy one off the rack?  I'm confused by this page:

http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20rod%20kanseiyotei%20kyouka%20regular.htm

that says "4 months completion schedule" on the DJ83MH.

[Mick Cunningham]

hi david
in japen most shop should have capenter rod over there  cos it is make in japen just go and shop around and find out see what you can find that is clsoe to you ..

cos i got one of my carpenter from japen out of the rack . as one of my friend who was coming to aust to fish with nomad so i asked him to get me one of the carpenter rod what ever is in the rack so he found me one and it was a Bl@@dly great rod and i total love it now 
and now  i want to order one or two more ... 

hope that will help,s goos lucky to your finding on the rod ...

[Brandon Khoo]

have you replaced the stripper guide yet, Mick?

[Mick Cunningham]

hi brandon  .. oh yeah i got them both replace ... and now waiting to get wet again  ... damn the summer weather is happening here  ... as i want to wet her again last week but it was too windy  .. so i am off on a holiday for a week ... 

have you replaced the stripper guide yet, Mick?

[Jon Li]

Hi David ,

That is the production schedule from Carpenter , some shops have leftover stocks from the previous production which can be bought OTC , you just have to call those shops starting from the closest one to your location .

Jon .

Hey, thanks a lot for that link, Jon!  I don't know how I missed it before.  Do you know if these rods are special ordered or should I expect to be able to buy one off the rack?  I'm confused by this page:

http://www.carpenter.ne.jp/co%20rod%20kanseiyotei%20kyouka%20regular.htm

that says "4 months completion schedule" on the DJ83MH.

[David Clumpner]

Thanks for the advice, Mick (and Jon).

Does anybody have anything to offer on other Japanese brands?  I only know Carpenter because I hear a lot about them, but I also hear of Fisherman and Tenryu - and know nothing of the other brands listed on Plat.

[Hon-Su Chin]

Check out the Smith range, they have some great rods, Tenryu has a couple but thats it. Zenaq do a small range of their Forkeeto Trevally range. Hots Gipang GT series, Valleyhill do a very nice one called Kamaja GT Sniper. Otherwise you cant go wrong with the Carpenter range.

[Rob Ciotucha]

Hi David you could have a look at the Smith Komodo Dragon, This rod was recommended to me. Very very nice rod, although im yet to land a fish on it but that shall soon change :D

Cheers
Rob

[Ian Young]

Hi David

I was in the Tokyo-Shibuya branch of the Sansui tackle chain last month and they have a wide range of Carpenter and other popper rods available off the rack.

But if you are fishing from a kayak I have my doubts about whether such a high-end rod would be useful. A drag setting of more than 5kg or so will simply see you getting towed along....and if fighting a fish vertically, then I'd hate to be applying any more pressure than that for fear of getting tipped out. All of which might make a top-end rod capable of 15+kg of drag pressure a bit redundant. Also, a long stiff popper rod would be pretty nightmarish to deal with in a kayak wouldn't it?

Have you considered a cheaper outfit? I have used a 195cm Shimano trevala rod for some popping (although only with lures up to 90grams or so)... it's not a specialist rod, but a useful characteristic for your scenario is that it's a real noodle (but is fairly indestructible!), bending all the way through the grips. A kayak fight with this sort of rod would be much less likely to result in a swim. With a big fish you'd mostly be fighting with the reel. Admittedly there's some flaws here...can't cast a 200g lure with this sort of stick! But some food for thought.

Cheers

Ian

[Brandon Khoo]

David, PM David Noble - he fishes regularly off a kayak and should be able to give you soem views on this.

[Sachin Chaudhry]

Anyone know much about the Sevensea Armorclad GT77 EXH rod?
I have a chance to get one and am wondering how it stacks up. My other two heavy popping rods are a Wild Violence WV80XH and a Caranx Kaibutsu Deep Monster.

[Brandon Khoo]

I know a couple of guys with them, Sachin.
Their views are that the rod is quite similar to the Wild Violence in action and power. It is a little heavier than the Carpneter though

[Jon Li]

I tried ArmourClad rod belonging to AhGu , in my opinion this rod tend to be tip heavy while I prefer the rod that is not tip heavy but during the hey day of SevenSeas and before the Patriot Design days , this rod was very much sought after . I have another friend in Hawaii who own this rod and both the Singaporean n the Hawaiian are tackle junkies , they have lots of rods from different rod makers .

Jon .