Ultimate Heavy Popping Rod & Why

[Sachin Chaudhry]

Okay People, with some luck this just may take on epic proportions like say a Stella vs. Saltiga debate.
If you had to pick just one rod for your heavy popping adventures (I mean minimum PE8)what would it be??

[adrien antunes]

Carpenter SP 78 UHL

[Brandon Khoo]

Sachin, if I had to pick one rod as the ultimate popping rod, I'd be like Adrian and it would be the SP78UHL but if I had to pick one rod for a heavy popping trip and I could only have that one rod to cover everything, that is a different equation altogether because I'd want something I could work stickbaits and pencils with effectively.

For me, I'd be looking at a Komodo Dragon or a WV80XH - happy with either.

I really hope this does not polarise people like the Saltiga versus Stella debate. 

[Luke Wyrsta]

Although I am primarily a popper fisherman, I think the ultimate rod should be able to work poppers just as well as stickbaits (just as Brandon mentioned), which for me rules out the fast actioned SP series from Carpenter. I'm not arguing with anyone that this isn't one of the best rods on the market, but it doesn't hold the versatility that some of the other rods have, afterall, we are talking about the 'ultimate' rod - so it should be a bit more versatile in how it can be used.

Given what I just said, finding a rod that has this versatility can be quite difficult, which is why there are so many specialist models available - since I don't think there is a rod out there that is 'ultimate' for all purposes of a GT fisherman, but sure, some do come very close!

To weigh in on this discussion, out of the Japanese rods, I would have to put my hand up for a Fisherman GT Monster 76 R10 for strength, power and castability ideal for poppers (I would also class the SP78UHL not far behind in the same category) and a Fisherman TRSH GT GAME for stickbaits for balance and awesome rod action.

In the more budget category I would be recommending something like a Calstar GF700H or XH (fast) or a Shimano GT Special (slow).

Sorry to go a little off-track but I don?t think the question can be answered any other way.

[Chris Young]

I wonder if the new heavy Coral Viper from Carpenter will fit the bill  , They claim it to be a popper/stickbait rod, If it is then I want one 

[Jon Li]

Chris ,

CV79/40RF SHP is rated PE 6~8 so won't qualify for " ultra heavy " GT rod but it is the heaviest stickbait rod to date from Carpenter .

Jon .

[Chris Young]

Thanks Jon, I'm still keen to hear how they perform, I'm after a versatile rod in that size in the not too distant future  .

Chris

[Santosh Shanmuga]

Just to add to the debate...

As you guys know, I am planning to build a popping rod as soon as a finish up a few fly rods. What would better suit casting poppers? The Calstar GF700H or XH?

Or even better, what are the pros and cons of each rod. I know Luke has had previous experiences with these rods...

[Hon-Su Chin]

Mate forget the Calstars, they are dinosaurs compare to the Jap rods. Altho still pretty good nice to use but just cant compare. Smith do make a blank available so I reckon you should check out the WRC 80P/35.

This guy is the closest Smith stockist to you.

http://www.anglers-proshop.com/product_view.php?product_id=211

If you're worried about sizes of knots getting caught on tips, etc, upsize the tip and first 2 guides to 16's.

[Greg Burt]

Santosh, this is an answer I received from a well known Aussie rod builder when asking the same questions, I ended up with a 700H which I find is easy to cast and work although I haven't had any big fish on it as yet, it has heaps of power. I even tried it jigging and was surprised at how good it was.

Quote: "There isn?t a big difference between the H and the XH. I prefer the H as it is a little softer for casting, but there?s really nothing much in it. The 62lb is a bit light on the rod; 86lb is good. A comfortable working drag is about ten kilos; max drag is unreachable. Unlike Japanese rods they won't keep on bending, they will lock up. I have two now and use everything from 80lb to 130lb on them".

The pic is loading to 12kg of drag over the scales.

[Luke Wyrsta]

Mate forget the Calstars, they are dinosaurs compare to the Jap rods. Altho still pretty good nice to use but just cant compare. Smith do make a blank available so I reckon you should check out the WRC 80P/35.

This guy is the closest Smith stockist to you.

http://www.#########.com/product_view.php?product_id=211

If you're worried about sizes of knots getting caught on tips, etc, upsize the tip and first 2 guides to 16's.

I think you're a bit out of line there mate. No comparison, they are both fishing rods are they not??? I think many people get blinded by the bling and price tags associated with Japanese rods - they are sweet and perform well but it's ignorant to have that kind of tunnel vision in my opinion. I would put my left ball on the XH as being one of the best blanks I've used for turning massive GTs - its performance and power is ridiculous. Quality GT rods don?t just come from Japan - period.

[Santosh Shanmuga]

Luke, so in a perfect world, the H would be better suited for casting, while the XH for jigging?

Thanks for all the help Luke! As of now, Calstar is the best bang for the buck. I've seen Calstars muscle big fish too.

Still, I'm open to other ideas. Hon-su, how much would the Smith blanks cost? Your link doesn't work.

[Sachin Chaudhry]

Thanks Guys. I have a WV80XH and a Caranx Deep Monster.
Also have a Calstar GF700XH and a Tenryu Draggo Machine GT86 (This rod is rated to PE8 but I really think it won't do much good on bigger poppers so it is confined to PE6 and pencils only. Most of the time it is a non travelling reserve on the fishing trips. Beautiful workmanship on the rod though.
Am looking at a Stella 18000 around April or May and trying to narrow down the rod choice on this. Have also got a Sevenseas Armorclad 77 on offer from a dealer. I am not seeing too many on this thread backing up the Smith WRC 60 or the Komodo Dragon. Anyone want to give a low down on either of these? What about the Zenaq FC 7- 10?
I agree with Luke on the GF700XH having mega grunt but just wish they could get the length around 8ft so the casting distance could be a bit better. Luke do you know if they have a Grafighter blank around 8ft that could handle 100lb braid and chuck poppers up to 250 gram max?

[Sachin Chaudhry]

Santosh, my personal opinion is that a good GT rod needs to be around the 7ft 6 inch mark to 8ft or so. This primarily to do with getting that little bit more distance and also being able to keep some distance between the fish and the boat should you need to such as when the fish is hanging near the motor (especially outboards).
However if popping for tuna which tend to fight by going straight down and staying there a long rod can be quite brutal over an extended time and this is when the Calstars would be a better fighting tool in my opinion.
The extra casting distance is also handy when you cannot get to close to the reef edge due to safety reasons and unfortunately most of the time the wash zone is where most of the fish and especially bigger fish tend to be. Do not underestimate the safety element as a swim to to the reef if your boat capsizes is not the best or cheapest experience one can have. I have been there twice.

[Stephen Polzin]

Here's some recent footage I posted up of the Calstar 700H in action.  (Apologies for reposting this, but the link has disappeared from my previous post in reports).  I'm in the grey hat with the Calstar, while my mate in the dark blue hat is using a Shimano GT special.  

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=t0nFpz1-5Yc

When I first built the Calstar I intended to later move on to a Smith or a Carpenter, but now I simply don't feel the need... The Calstar just works so well!