I have a Shimano T Curve lacunas jig rod that has a Saragosa 14000. I also have a 4000 and 8000 for the boss and another 5000 for smaller targets. The T curve is not a special GT rod at all but i manage up here with little GTs. The Missus uses a Diawa monster  mesh 6 foot boat rod with her sara 8000 and I would recon the rod would monster a GT, but she doesn't like the weight of the bigger Sara'a.

For the freight trains wait for Kasey, Jay, Brad etc to reply.

Cheers

Neels

Flat seas!!!

How much do you want to spend?

You could look at a Smith komodo dragon this is 7ft6  I wouldnt use this jigging tho.

You wont find a much shorter GT rod than that. Calstar do have some 7ft blanks available but as mentioned before i wouldnt use this for jigging either.

Cheers

Rob

There is a rod made which comes with interchangeable popping and jigging blanks but I'm blowed if I can remember what it is, I reckon Honsu would probabaly know.
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Hey Rob

How much do I want to spend - good question. I spend too much already - While I didn't want to spend too much on this rod  if I don't spend I will end up selling and buying something better anyway in the future...

I am waiting to see some 7 foot Smith's which are on order at Campbells, along with a Lemax that Ryan has at Oceanside....

Crasny - how long is the Lucansas and what is it rated to? Haven't seen one before...  

If you want to buy a jigging rod to throw poppers, buy a jigging rod. If you want to buy a popping rod, it will be 7 feet at least, and very uncomfortable to jig with!

There is no one rod in this world that I know of that will comfortably do both, unfortunately.

Perhaps think about buying a rod then selling it later? As Kasey said, its unlikely something will be suited well for both.

I'll buy you a rod if you give me a free trip, lol

Also, thanks for reminding me about the smiths, forgot about that.

edit: I would be curious to know some of the GT wranglers on this forums view as to whether shorter rods actually suit boat based fishing. One one hand, they would be easier to handle and subdue the fish perhaps, but then you might need the distance anyway as you cant necessarily get close enough in the boat? Guess it depends on location a lot.

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Well, you need to be able to get a fish to strike first then fight it! It is a catch 22 - you'll thank the length for being able to bomb the lure out, but swear at it when a fish sits sideways down deep. If only someone could invent a telescopic version!

P.S. - Short is relative: dedicated shore popping rods are up to about 10 feet in length.

Thanks Kasey... thought as much.

Think I will go something around the 7 foot mark (and probaby flog it off once I have used it)...

Matt - no need to buy me a rod. I have a problem keeping out of tackle stores and enjoy blowing all my cash on gear when the weather isn't suited to getting out (God I hope it is ok for weekend as I don't have cash for another rod). I love those Smith's...

Bones,
If you need a popper AND a jig rod, I would put off the purchase on the Smith. For almost the same kind of money you could pick up a very decent popping rod (eg. shimano gt special) and a very decent jigging rod (eg. Jigwrex) and they will both do a very good job.

I do use the Lucanus jig rod to throw poppers but not aiming at freight trains. I dont think it would belt out the poppers Jay and Brad et al use and I wouldn't try that. However rather than stack the boat with all sorts of combos I compromise a little, but not jigging and thus the Lacanus. I will check the rating correctly when I get home and post it.

Neels

Flat seas!!!

Hey Kasey

I am sorted with heavy jigging gear using a Saltiga 55B matched to a Z40.

The thought of buying a shorter popper rod was based on the fact that 99.99% of fishing is done behind Rotto (jigging generally) and I was looking for something that I could use locally in some form. But I think I might buy a longer rod and potentially sell once I return...

Cheers

Paul

Next time you are in work get Jarrad or me to show you the Egusa 73H blank.

Jarrad made one up and it nice 80lb stick can chuck poppers with it and i reckon the tip is just light enough to work stickbaits aswell.

Can also Jig with it, but not the best and get tired very quickly.

Pretty sure they do a 70H (7'0'') aswell 

Cheers,
Sam

Some good advice here Bones, I don't think there's too much I can add.

Chances are though that you'll be hooked and won't want to sell your rod because you'll want to come back up north :)

Anyway, don't skimp on length, 8 foot is a bit long for my liking too but you'll swear at it if you buy a 7 footer and have trouble getting good casting distances.

In my oppinion 7'6" is a good allround length for boat casting.

my rod is 8ft i get great casting distance but it is just that little bit to long for what i want. Fore grip is a little to far away to be comfortable as well. Im going to a 7ft 9 now that i have a bit of experience and know what my style is like, you will probably find the same with what ever rod you buys so for starters i dont think it is a bad idea to buy one of the entry level rods, at least until you figure out your style and what your comfortable with

http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/

cheers guys!

I use a 7ft Calstar GF700H for my popper fishing.  Love it.  Depends how far you have to cast I suppose, but my Calstar seems to get plenty of distance for me. 

If you're looking for a budget entry Gladiator make a 7ft "GT popper stopper" for well under $300.  I've used the 8ft version and it stood up to plenty of GT's without problem but I prefer a shorter rod (rod was given to me to test).  The 7ft version could be an option. 

cheers,

steve

From Cairns GBR