GT Popping Rods
Submitted by DazSamFishing on Tue, 2010-08-10 21:05
It's time for a new rod. I'm now GT popping rodless.
Any recommendations?
It needs to be able to work poppers from 125g up to 180g, although, majority of poppers I'll be casting will be in the 125 to 150g range. It also needs stick bait abilities. Most stick baits I'll be working will range from 150-180g.
It needs to run minimum PE8 - coupled to 18000/20000 stella.
The rod will be used boat based but I'd prefer to have a rod closer to 8 foot in length.
So far I'm leaning towards the Hots Gipang 79XH.
Appreciate some suggestions.
Sz1
Posts: 6
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Dazza, it's Sha from Syd
Dazza, it's Sha from Syd didn't you already get the Hots Gipang? Time for a new rod already
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Shazza! Yeah, it's on order,
Shazza! Yeah, it's on order, but I have time to make a change. You know me, I am indecisive when it comes to rods.
Thinking of a dragon so we can fish the tokara & komodo side by side next year!
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Based on those requirements
Based on those requirements you listed, the Komodo Dragon probably fits the bill perfectly.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Have you come across a Hots
Have you come across a Hots popping rod Jay?
Matt Latham
Posts: 17
Date Joined: 12/04/10
Have you had a look at the
Have you had a look at the Zenaq Fokeeto Trevally FC80-10, certainly a lighter rod than the Dragon but still suited to what you are looking for.
Rob C
Posts: 206
Date Joined: 02/08/06
Daz i could be tempted to
Daz i could be tempted to sell my KD if you were after second hand.
Cheers
Rob
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
How many G's have punished
How many G's have punished your KD Rob? Could be tempted.
Rob C
Posts: 206
Date Joined: 02/08/06
Couldnt tell u mate, its
Couldnt tell u mate, its done 4 Nomad trips with me. So a fair few.
SamC
Posts: 2013
Date Joined: 30/08/06
Daz
I have fished with the Gipang 75XXH over in the Mentawai's and it wasn't a bad rod for working the G & I cup Hammerheads that we were casting. Being a PE8-12 rod its definately towards the PE12 side of things, and really fast tapered.
Having a bit extra length in the 79XH might make it quite a nice rod but can't really comment as i haven't fished with it.
Another rod that i have fished with is the Hammerhead Faube 77M, which was my favourite. Easily casted chuggers upto 160g(ish) and was so light and easy to fish with.
Another rod that seems pretty popular for both sticks and poppers is the RF79R which nomad recommends the closest "allround" rod they have found.
By no means am i an expert on this case, as KC or Rob or the boys up north might be lads to talk to.
This is my 2c worth anyway...
Cheers,
Sam
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
Sam, the 75XXH is quite a
Sam, the 75XXH is quite a beast!
I'm inclined to say that the Hots is more of a chugging rod. I would recommend the KD or the RF79R.
Actually, for the size of poppers you are using, you may want to consider the RF79R as first choice, then the KD. It will also have the advantage in stickbaits. The tradeoff is that I think the KD is a more powerful rod, and able to cast a bit heavier.
Coincidentally, the specs on Nomad's website for the 79R tees up with what you're looking for.
'STICKBAITS & POPPERS - This is the first GT rod that anyone getting into GT casting should buy. It is also a perfect stickbait rod for stickbaits up to 150-180 grams. One of the Nomad Favourites from the range.
This rod is completely unique in that it has a great ability to be an incredible stickbait rod, but to also be able to work poppers up to around 130 grams with ease.'
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Thanks gents. I've read into
Thanks gents. I've read into the RF79R & the only problem is that no one in Australia have stock of them (Nomad & Fishhead are out of stock). I've left it a bit late & will need a rod by the very start of September.
Unless anyone knows anymore suppliers of the RF that can get a rod to me quick smart.
I'm almost convinced that the KD will be the rod to buy. It's a proven rod that can subdue big G's and cast large poppers. I suppose the trade off is the length, although we're talking 3 inches really.
It also means I'll have to be patient working stick baits.
Appreciate more suggestions though.
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
I'll send you a PM Daz.
I'll send you a PM Daz.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Decide whether you'll be
Decide whether you'll be using stickbaits more or poppers more.... and go from there.
You said, "It needs to be able to work poppers from 125g up to 180g"...
The 79R is not really suitable for the chuggers in the upper end of that range, but will be better for stickbaits than the KD and the KD will be much better for the heavier chuggers you're going to use.
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
Carpenter
Just to spice things up, I forgot to mention the Carpenter Coral Viper range!
Rob C
Posts: 206
Date Joined: 02/08/06
CV range is probaly only
CV range is probaly only suited to poppers 150g max?
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
and probably too difficult
and probably too difficult to get one here in 3 weeks.
Rob C
Posts: 206
Date Joined: 02/08/06
It seems Nomad have got
It seems Nomad have got these in stock.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Yep and there's stock
Yep and there's stock overseas which can get to Australia within a week. I don't think a Coral Viper would be the right rod though.
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
Gee you guys are quick -
Gee you guys are quick - closer than my edited comment about RF78XH!
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
RF78XH is probably a bit too
RF78XH is probably a bit too heavy.
Rob C
Posts: 206
Date Joined: 02/08/06
I agree with that edited
I agree with that edited comment kasey i think he should get a RF78XH very good rod, either that or a BG Jack :D :D
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
There's always a compromise
There's always a compromise to be made. Looks like the 79R is the ideal candidate.
KC, PM sent.
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
Daz i have a 78XH and a
Daz i have a 78XH and a 78PF
the xh your right is probably a bit heavy for waht your after and far from ideal when it comes to throwing stickbaits around.
the 78pf however is my favourite and really sould be considered as a bit of an allrounder. I can easily cast gt3's and cono's to 190g unrigged and it works a bigfoot 140 or 190 very easily with quite a forgiving action.
If you cant find a 79r i would def consider the 78pf, great rod IMO
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Brad, how does it cope with
Brad, how does the 78pf cope with surface stick baits?
PilbaraBrad
Posts: 3628
Date Joined: 16/05/07
Daz, look it probably isnt
Daz, look it probably isnt as good of an all round rod as the 79R, more a moderate sized popping rod for sure but it does work very well on stickbaits. I used it with the realbaits quite well i guess the 79r has a slightly faster taper and enables the angler to "feel" a surface sticky a litle better.
just a personal choice i have used both and would probably choose the PF over the R simply because I probaly use chuggers 70% of the time. Howevr if i was looking for a 50-50 rod i guess i would go the 79R
I thnk after listening to what you want the 79R would probably be the first choice, but if they seem hard to come by you def will not be dissapointed with the PF mate, works very well for me. It is always the first rod i pick up thats for sure
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Daz, a rod that's suitable
Daz, a rod that's suitable for surface stickbaits is going to be very poor for chuggers and vice versa. Unless you get two outfits, what your asking for is going to be a compromise either way.
If you decide to go down the path of the PF the GT78 Flex is probably a better option. It's very similar to the PF but is more forgiving with a slower taper and probably handles stick baits a fraction better.
That said, I think the Komodo Dragon or GT79R is a better option for what you want than these offerings.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
agree Jay. There's always a
agree Jay. There's always a compromise. I've ended up ordering the 79XH. This rod will be suited to mid range poppers (130-160g), but still get away with 150g stickbaits.
At the end of the day, if I find it difficult to fish surface stick baits, I'll switch to a sub surface stick.
The 79R will be more ideal for the stickbaits due to a softer top end. But it's a fine line as you'd be aware of... depends what the G's are after.
My last trip proved that on certain days, the G's only wanted cups... on other days, they only wanted to touch stick baits.
I'll probably end up picking up a 79R later this year, just in time for Fiji next year. Offload the 79XH & pick up a UHL / 78XH or just a PF.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Are you refering to the 79H?
Are you refering to the 79H?
You'll probably find it difficult to work stickbaits with it unless they're sinking stickbaits.
What trip are you using this rod for?
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
No, Hots 79XH. Christmas
No, Hots 79XH.
Christmas Island
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
Good luck, let us know how
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Cheers mate. Appreciate
Cheers mate. Appreciate everyones help.