First GT rods.. have it got it right?

[Steve Winsor]

Hey Guys,

Ive recently found an interest in GT popping/stickbaiting and I am very close to biting the bullet on 2 rods to start with.

I just want to make sure I am going down the correct path.

Stick Baiting
PE 8 Varivas on a Saltiga Exp 8000h or Saltiga 6500h
KLL (Carpenter) Endless Passion EP82/42R Power 1

throwing stickbaits such as the hammerhead asymmetry 240s, orion bigfoots, Heru Wahoo & Dogtooth 150s etc

Popping

PE10 Varivas on a Saltiga Exp 8000h
Carpenter Monster Hunter 79XH

throwing big poppers such as the I cup hammerheads, and E cups etc

am I on the right track?

[Robert Woll]

Hi Steve,

my personal advice would be to go a little bit lighter. I own a Monster Hunter 80H and an 79XH and most of the time I prefer the 80H. Also throwing I cups all day is not fun at all. A nice 150gr Cubera popper is lighter, cheaper and still creates quite a nice splash. Let's see what the others will tell you.

Cheers

[Steve Winsor]

Thanks for the advice.

I shall try find myself a 80H

[Joshua Fifis]

Sounds like you're definitely going all out for your first two GT combos! Good luck with whatever you decide on.

[Steve Winsor]

I already have the reels, and about 50 poppers and stickbaits. its just the rods im waiting to buy

[Alex Wong]

Personally I would think to start with 120g to 140g is the best.
If you know the terrain that you will be fishing in then its easier to choose the tackles.

[Steve Winsor]

ive got the option to buy the Carpenter TBL 08/40 or the KLL TBL 80/42R

what do you guys think would be the better option? both PE6-8 Rods

[Mark Richie]

Hi Steve,

To be honest mate, it's hard to give you solid advice without more details of your intended use. If the average size of fish in your intended area are only 20kg, then I don't recommend a MH79 with pe10 on an 8000exp. The large/heavy lures you'll need to get adequate casting distance from the pe10/short rod may be too large and intimidating to get a feeding strike so you'll need to cast a lot more to get a territorial strike.

I think the 8000 Saltiga is a needless expense. It's heavy and has too much line capacity for what you're doing. Especially for pe8. The 6500h will do the job admirably (pe8 and pe10) and will also keep a couple of hundred dollars in your pocket for more lures. You'll need em. The previous generation Dogfight 7000 was a great pe10 reel with that extra 40m or so but my opinion is that the 8000 is just too big and is intended for tuna anglers.

Another thing to think about is you're looking at around $5,000+AUD for this set-up. What if you decide this form of fishing isn't for you?

[Steve Winsor]

The Gts in my area range from 2 to 100lb.. often 40plus kg models are caught.. shallow water

Fishing dampier, monte bellos and exmouth etc

[Steve Winsor]

Also planning a trip too bugatti reef and vanuatu next year

[Mark Richie]

Steve,

I think the MH80H would be the prime rod for you. And only the MH. It'll throw big stickbaits and reasonably big poppers and save you over $2,000. With some of the newer lures coming out with plastic injection, you can buy a big lure with a lot of presence without the fatigue involve in throwing and working I cup poppers etc.

[Steve Winsor]

I changed my order to the 80h today

thanks for the info mate