Tips on Popper Fishing For GTS
Submitted by Coxy on Wed, 2009-11-04 17:44
Gidday guys,
At xmas im heading over to Tonga and my main goal is to cast some poppers for GTs and catch my first and more with any luck.
I havent done it before so any advise on tackle and poppers would be very handy.
I will be using a Jigging Master 8'6" 100-180gram popper rod with a shimano stella 20,000SW reel.
Im yet to spool the reel so any tips on which line would be great, what pound is the main thing do I need about 130lb ?
I have heaps of cheap poppers river2sea ones and stuff like that will they do they job or will they get smashed to bits ?
Any info would be very handy thanks for your time.
Cheers Coxy
honsu chin
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 20/09/05
The poppers are on the
The poppers are on the lighter side, so best to go lighter or thinner line. Whiplash 80lb is more than ample otherwise go lines rated PE6. The JM GT rod is a fairly soft tip rod so best to go thinner line to help with casting.
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
The poppers are on the
Thanks for the reply, I dont mind buying more poppers if the ones I have arnt going to do the job, the last thing I want is to get there and not have the right gear for the job.
So 80lb line will be ok then ? I thought that guys used around 130lb for poppering.
I will have the new rod Friday or Monday so will give it a wee test run in the local lake down the road.
Thanks for the advice.
Cheers Coxy
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Best to bring a good range
Best to bring a good range of poppers & stickbaits. It's an expensive sport - but if you return with unused gear - it's quite easy to sell it.
Line strength really depends on territory & average size of fish. I'm not familiar with Tonga.
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
Are you fishing from shore?
Are you fishing from shore? 8'6" is a long popping rod & as Honsu mentioned, the JM has a soft tip which will be difficult to bloop bigger cup faced poppers.
River2sea are good for calmer water. Halco Haymakers are good all round performing budget poppers. I'd also recommend some cubera 125's (not too heavy - good performing & not too expensive).
It's important to upgrade your hook/terminal tackle on the cheaper poppers. Leader material is also another important consideration. I use YGK gailis 130lb shock absorber.
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
Are you fishing from shore ?
I will be doing most from shore but a wee bit from the boat.
Where can I get the cubera 125s from ? not to many shops sell that stuff on the Gold Coast.
I have all the terminal tackle here already ready to upgrade everything.
I will have some 132lb Jigging Master Fluro leader to use aswell.
So if I use 80lb line use a 130lb leader ?
Thanks for your advice.
Cheers Coxy
DazSamFishing
Posts: 1518
Date Joined: 19/08/09
You can order them online
You can order them online from bluewater tackle. Nomad can also ship some for you. Alternatively, have a look at Doug Burts store on the Gold Coast, or call Duncan at Fishhead in Brisbane. I'm sure they can supply some good poppers & stickbaits.
A mate & I use PE8 (113lb) & use 130-170lb leader. As mentioned, it all depends on the territory you're fishing & the average size of fish encountered (but unfortunately, you don't get to pick the size of the fish you're chasing). A 15-20kg GT will give you a good run for your money.
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
You can order them online
Bloody good cheers mate for all the advice.
I will be fishing at Vavaú which is a Island above Tonga, I saw on a shimano website the guys from there went and fished there and got some good GTs, one was 39kg of the rocks, my customer that is taking me out knows where those guys fished so I will be in the right spots, it comes down to if I can stop them.
I have chucked a few poppers out while land based fishing but just chucking poppers out will be hard work im sure, all I want is a GT.
I will make sure I have a good range of everything as I dont want to be under guned out there.
I think I will pass on Doug Hurts haha I will have to get a loan to go there, I will try bluewater if no luck there fishhead.
Cheers for the advice once again.
Cheers Coxy
honsu chin
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 20/09/05
Dont forget your rod may
Dont forget your rod may only be rated to 80lb. Its horses for courses. 80lb will be maxing the rod out. Your poppers are fine if you dont plan on bring any back...
We've also got the Weezel poppers if you want something a little heavier. Can post up to you as is or fully rigged.
Go too big you be stuffed from just casting. With that rod keep the popper size to 150gm max. If you are keen on the Weezel I can pick out the suitable poppers to use.
130lb quality leader is adequate. At the end of the day if you are gonna get bricked you loose the whole lot regardless of how heavy you go.
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
Dont forget your rod may
The rod is rated PE6-10 so should be fine with most lines.
Haha yeah I better leave the plastic poppers at home. Will take one for a laugh.
Are your poppers on your website ? if you have one.
Yeah you are right there if its big its all gone, im sure it will happen more than once if I spend a few days as planned doing it. I dont mind my poppers not coming back, I will just say he was 30+ kg haha.
What would be classed as a good GT from the rocks ?
Thanks for the advice.
Cheers Coxy
honsu chin
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 20/09/05
here's the thread with the
here's the thread with the pics....those prices still stand.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/oceanside-tackle-exclusive-weezel-premium-poppers
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
here's the thread with the
They look flash cheers for that, can you please tell me whats the go with some of the hooks on the poppers, a single at the back and did I see a couple of singles on the front joined by a rubber band ?
Do I need to use single hooks then on all my poppers ?
If so what brand and size hooks are the go ?
Cheers Coxy
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
dont worry so much about the
dont worry so much about the gear ... get your self in top shape .. standign up to 40lb of drag with a long rod is murder on your body.:P
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
dont worry so much about the
Haha yeah I have done a bit of landbased fishing and caught 20kg longtail which can be hard work on the arms but im sure these GTs will be like a longtail on drugs.
Cheers Coxy
Kasey L.
Posts: 1390
Date Joined: 02/03/06
Hi Coxy, Alot can be said on
Hi Coxy,
Alot can be said on a website but if you're anywhere near Duncan's Fishhead, I can recommend you pop by for a visit and they will show you firsthand alot of what can help. It might be an hours drive but worth it, and they stock alot of speciality gear specifically for popping.
I know alot of good people that hold that shop in high regard as far as popping and jigging is concerned.
Alternatively, you could also try a website like gtpopping.com - some of the Tonga locals who fished that spot with Fukui-san post on there.
There's just too much information for just 1 thread.
Coxy
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 25/07/09
Hi Coxy, Alot can be said on
Cheers mate and thanks to DazSamFishing for the heads up on Duncans Fishhead, I just had a quick look on there website and they have some very nice poppers, some I would have to sell a reel to buy haha. I will go in and see them next week looks they they will have a great range.
Yes I have had a wee look at the gtpopping website, I was speaking to a Darren Cook I think it was of there yesterday as he come round to pickup a new rod of me. I will get on there and have a good look shortly.
Thanks for the info its all helping come time to leave in just over a month I will have all the gear, just need to catch the fish now.
Cheers Coxy