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David Sharples

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Hammerhead I Cups
July 17, 2008, 12:28:48 AM
Does anyone know where I can find some of these? Need a few for a trip later this year....

If not does anyone know of a similar popper that makes as big a splash?

Does Jones Tackle have any hidden anywhere?

Mick Cunningham

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 17, 2008, 07:26:46 AM
go and call neil at jones tackle and ask him to see what he have in his stock . as he might have hammer head popper on special price . so who know,s so you got to call him any way .

or another option is fish head duncan who can help you on that as well .

regard,s mick

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 17, 2008, 09:58:55 AM
David, have you used an I Cup before? If not, then you better prepare yourself for what you're getting yourself in for. I used to love Hammerheads but have completely gone off them in the past 18-24 months. The reason is they are so bloody hard to work effectively and I think I've gotten too old these days. Personally, I think there are lures now that have as much presence in the water for a lot less effort. If anyone doesn't agree, feel free to flame away.

An I cup loaded up with two Gamakatsu Recorder 8/0s or Decoy GT 10/0s will be well into the 270g range. That is a hell of a lot of lure to cast.

If you're looking for a big popper, check out the 140g and 200g FCL Ebipop. The Ebipop is a much easier popper to work and even in the 140g, has tremendous presence in the water.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

AustralianAngling

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 17, 2008, 11:34:11 AM
Hi Brandon

We will soon have stocks of fcllabo lures in Aust which includes the EBIPOP it is a great lure and have been using for a while now, OHKUBO also uses this model. Though the range is limited they do make 3 model in EBIPOP 120g, 140g & 200g. They also have some great pencils and other types. Though Hammer Head offer a much bigger range of popper. The difference between a the 200g EBIPOP, compared to I-Cup at 230g and 205mm, is not much and the EBIPOP cup size is also smaller than a Hammer Head G-Cup at 190g at 200mm. Come back to the 140g EBIPOP then you have a Hammer Head E-Cup at 145g /190mm, C-Cup at 115g /165mm & D-CUP at 130g /180mm all which have cup size similar or larger to the 140g EBIPOP. I use all of these as well as may fisherman, Carpenter and some other specials I get from Japan and do not find much difference in working any around the same weight / size when fishing in our usual conditions along the GBR.
Always remember to match the rod to lure weight to the (flexible coupling - the anglers) capability.

David Sharples

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 17, 2008, 06:13:57 PM
Hey Brandon/Steve

Only once or twice but I think its one of those things I'd like to have in the bag.. Wouldn't use it all day but I don't mind the physical thing too much.. Just need to HTFU  ;D

Have the EBIPOPS got over the durability problems you spoke about in your report?

If so I'll definately look to get some of the bigger size.

Cheers guys

Duncan O'Connell

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 18, 2008, 11:08:26 PM
Hi David,

At Fish Head we have a number of Hammerhead I cups in stock at the moment along with quite a large selection of other hammerhead poppers including the popping pencils.

We also have FCLLABO EbiPops in 120g, 140g and 200g in a range of colours, along with the FCLLABO squid pencils and other FCLLABO lures in stock. The EbiPops have had huge success on big GT's, you only have to look at some of the photos and reports on this site.  There have been improvements in the strength of wire but FCLLABO are working on a "double strength" EbiPop using new materials (they will however be slightly more expensive than the current ones and we don't have a production date as yet).

Cheers
Duncan

Fish Head - Specialist Fishing Tackle

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 22, 2008, 08:47:02 AM
David, Duncan has summed up the current position of the FCL. They have improved the wiring a bit by doubling the number of turns which they used to have. If there has been an improvement in the wire, it must have come as a result of changing the wire used because I can't see any difference in gauge.

They are supposed to be working on a new material but I have been advised already it is going to be more expensive.

Please don't think that the current poppers are wiped out in one hit. They're not bad but if a fish hits it in the wrong spot, they can break it or wipe the paint work out. Mind you, I've seen the same on premium lures like Fisherman, Carpenter, Hammerheads etc. If the fish gets the popper in the mouth where they are continually grinding down on it, they will remove a lot of the paintwork. If you simply want durability from a lure, look at Orions.

Steve, I take your point re the cup size but that is only on aspect of a popper. Over the years, I have used basically every popper on the market and some are simply easier to work than others. The FCL has more presence in the water for its weight and its stability through the water also means that it is a more efficient lure in creating the chug, especially in rougher water.

If it swims; I want to catch it!

Luke Wyrsta

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 22, 2008, 09:09:20 AM
I haven't had any issues with the overall durability of the Ebipops and the finish has been pretty good too. I have had the wire pull through horizontally at the end a bit but to me that is negligible. for a lure that has caught 30+ fish.

As Brandon mentioned, I love the presence in the water that the 300mmm model has. It casts a huge silhouette and it's design almost acts like a keel, holding in the water for good stability.

Pat Victorino

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 22, 2008, 09:40:17 AM

   I haven't tried the Ebipops in a productive Big GT spot yet but love it's shape.Little longer body gets decent casts and  distance between middle and tail hooks prevent tangling.
Thanks Brandon for the Ebipops-i know their not easy to come by and u had to take them out of your personal supply.
 Hey Luke,hope all is well with you.I'll e-mail u this week some time to chat

 

Andy Rowe

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 24, 2008, 11:30:30 AM
Question on the FCL Labo squid pencil.

I see pictures of the squid with tail hook on the eye or head end of the lure. Is this correct, i.e. attaching leader to the baits tail, based on the shape of the head of the lure it just doesn't look right(even though the twisted wire loop is at the head). I'm going to try them out in the pool this afternoon.

BTW Duncan, just got your shipment thanks, pencils and poppers are definitely unique with good looking profiles, can't wait to sacrifice the squid.

Last Edit: July 24, 2008, 11:55:42 AM by Andy Rowe
Set the ray to GeeT

Duncan O'Connell

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 24, 2008, 07:17:19 PM
Andy

Squid Pencils swim in either direction. The original intention was for them to be eyes to the rear (they are squid after all), but they do swim well both ways. Swum squid style, they get a really good zig-zagging walk the dog action but if the water is flat calm it is hard to make them dig in and dive sub surface. If you reverse it so eyes are at the front then the weight is also at the nose which causes it to duck under the surface from the first sweep of the rod.

Cheers

Duncan
Fish Head - Specialist Fishing Tackle

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 25, 2008, 01:32:25 PM
I prefer the squid pencils rigged the wrong way round (from what the manufactueer intended). They're easier to work and swim well.
If it swims; I want to catch it!

David Sharples

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 30, 2008, 08:36:15 PM
Sorry, another question!

Do you reckon I need to find 10/0 GT Recorders to rig the I Cup with or will a pair of ST76's do the job?

Can't seem to find the big GT Recorders anywhere at the moment...

Mick Cunningham

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 30, 2008, 09:11:05 PM
Sorry, another question!

Do you reckon I need to find 10/0 GT Recorders to rig the I Cup with or will a pair of ST76's do the job?

Can't seem to find the big GT Recorders anywhere at the moment...

The ST76 owner will do the job . i like those ST76. not worry about the GT Recorders cos they cost more $$.
Last Edit: July 30, 2008, 09:12:42 PM by Mick Cunningham

Brandon Khoo

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Re: Hammerhead I Cups
July 30, 2008, 11:06:53 PM
David, the I Cup is a huge lure and in my opinion, too big for the ST-76s. Can you use the ST-76s? Well yes, but they are not ideal. I don't think there is enough clearance with them.

Considering the ST-76 only goes to a 5/0, I think you're better off looking for a big Recorder or a big Decoy. Btw - I don't think Recorders come in 10/0. I think the biggest size is an 8/0. The Decoy comes in a 10/0 and while it is of equivalent size to the Recorder 8/0, it is of a thinner gauge. I like the Decoys myself but they have a bad habit of not standing up that well to really big fish.
If it swims; I want to catch it!