I don't think there is such a thing as a perfect allround rod. What some people think is a broomstick others reckon is spot on. If I was to want a rod(already have a nice one though) it would be. PE6-8, 7' - 7'3" cast weights up to 200gm and have a action that can work stickbaits as well as poppers. I reckon if you built a rod that was specifically designed to fish pe8 using Roostas you would cover a fair wack of us who only get up north once or twice a year, don't spend 50-80 each on a popper, and because we don't do it all the time it needs to be fairly forgiving for a long day on the water. Also price would need to be around the $600 mark, as there are some good off the shelf stuff at that price without getting silly and going Carpenter etc.

Thanks for the input Simon. With all kinds of fishing there is no such thing as an all round rod as you mentioned. Basically I just wanted to get an idea from you guys to see if there are any paticular properties that you guys may be after in a PE8-10 popping rod. And don't worry it won't be costing any where near those carpenters.

Ahh.....Simon, you mean a rod like Smith Kerama 73??...hehe

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Unfortunately, the catch 22 with popping rods is that if it is great for stickbaits, it won't be great for poppers. Something about having to be soft for one application and stiff for the other. Carpenter tried that with the CV I believe, but the jury is still out... I have a feeling most still prefer to take a TBL and a SP.

The holy grail at the moment seems to be a PE10 rod specifically for stickbaits that don't have to be as big and heavy as a shoe (and sink as well). I know there is one or two in development but this really is an area screaming out for something to be filled. Again I believe its a hard task - trying to make something that is soft enough to work stickbaits ~130-160g really effectively yet be brutal enough to fish PE10 (130lb).

Simon, there are already a myriad of rods that fit your price tag and description.

Unfortunately, while there may be relatively few who go out there and fish often enough to justify this, alot of them own anything from 2-20 GT rods each (some even more!), regardless of price tag. Do 10% of GT fishermen own 90% of the gear? hmm..

YEs Honsu - something like that (HAHA)
Kasey - isn't that all of us with gear, mine is just jig rods and baitcasters but if I was up north it owuld be popping sticks and trolling reels (Bugger, I know which I would rather have)

After seeing that MONSTER gt the other week, I think you'd need an absolute beast of a rod but the biggest thing for me is it being as light as possible but still maintaining reel balance and comfortable grips that work when putting in long hours blooping.  My mates have a few custom jobbies that are pretty nice, but start weighing on you arms after a good session which is a bit annoying.  Spose its difficult to balance both power and weight though.

Note taken guys. Keep em coming.

I had an idea ;) seeing as im in school  ill go with it. Its probably a gay idea but hell i got nothing better to do. 

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You couln't wipe that grin fom my face even with a hammer.

Ok so from what i understand its soft vs stiff?

Why not have a soft rod and have like a rod that slips in on the back to make it stiffer?

I did it to my homemade bow, it was too soft so i glued a long rod of plastic on the back.

What if the rod was not glued and slipped in and out through rings or something.

i know its gay but i got nothing else ^_^

Edit* If the added piece was the round and hollow in half like a C it would reduce negative effects on the rod action. Cc   sorta clips on, and the C wont reach around to the eyes.

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You couln't wipe that grin fom my face even with a hammer.

I'm sniffing around for a popper rod in the PE8 range at the moment. At this stage the shimano T-Curve GT special is leading the charge, but I'd like to have another contender to play off against it thats in that ballpark price-wise.

I'd like to consider a few exotics, but they start slipping past that $600 - $800 mark pretty quickly for light popper rods, and when you start wanting it to handle PE8 or casting more than 100g of lure it wanders into +$1000 territory without batting an eyelid.

Plus I only have a pimped Spheros 14000, and to put that on a Carpenter etc would be like putting hubcaps on a ferrari. So unless I win lotto or my mates/parents feel ultra generous for xmas/birthday, that reel aint gonna be upgraded any time soon.

The young gun of GT fishing will have the lo down. Custom seem the way to go but then the rod is RS 4 anything else. Have spent heaps (I mean bling heaps) on OTC (over the counter) Rods. Love to c a PE6-8 allround. Up here would be the holy Grail.

Merry Xmas all.

Neels

Flat seas!!!