Carpenter SP vs Smith Tokara

[ChrisT]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anyone here has used any one of these rods. Looking to buy one for heavy popping - hopefully for Komodo next year.

I've also seen the Hots popping rods and they seem cheaper than the 2 rods mentioned. Anyone else has any idea on what other rods fit the bill of PE8 - 10?

Cheers,

Chris

[MarkR]

Hi Chris,

Might you be the Chris who went to WA recently?

Mark

[Sportfisherman]

2 French nationals , each own both Carpenter SP78UHL and Smith Tokara , one loves Carpenter SP78UHL and another prefer Smith Tokara 60 , now they are both accomplished GT anglers and compete with each other everytime they fish together . Each of them still stand their ground , so the
next trip for them to Mozambique will be another test case for them both .

Carpenter SP78UHL is a very stiff rod and only the strongest angler with ability to " power casting " can fully utilised the potential of this rod , most
guys whom I am acquinted with using SP78UHL are European anglers with
physique over 6' tall .

As for me , I settle with SP78H and WV80XH , so far these rods have served me well in Komodo . However , when tuna popping , these 2 rods proved to be too heavy actioned .

Sportfisherman .

[ChrisT]

Hi Mark,

Yeah, its the same Chris who fished with you. Still planning to go Komodo this year? I'm looking more for next year - trying to stock up gears and stuff first.

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the info. I'm slightly shorter than these European guys - make that alot shorter at 1.6m. I've read about their expedition to Fraser - sounds like a trip of a life time trying to land a 60kg GT.

Anyways, I might get the Carpenter 78H for my wife and the Tokara for myself. Btw, could you pm me the cost of Komodo again (I know I did ask you b4 but all the info was lost in the FK forum). Looking at next year.

Cheers,

Chris

[MarkR]

Hi Chris,

Trying to fix something up in September or sometime later this year. As it stands, looking at either komodo or taiwan. If can't find a group that will fit me in then perhaps samsons again.

There are local agents now for mills charter and warrior princess. Meeting one of these guys later this evening.

Blew my budget again, just bought a Carpenter 55 XHS and a Stella 20,000 PG. Joining u guys with the Carpenters, rod is really light Hope to get something good in Bali in a few weeks. Tiong's mate landed a 38kg AJ and 40kg dogtooth in Bali with Adhek recently. Lost an unstoppable that spooled a 665N too...

Was advised to consider the WV80XH instead of the super popping series by Richard. Handled the SP78EXH and WV80XH very briefly yesterday. Again very light. Still not too sure what the major differences are between these two apart from the length. Richard said get the super popping if you are good, not sure what he actually meant...good at casting (as Jon has mentioned in his post above) or good fighting technique because of the stiffness...perhaps both. Wanted to get Mike Tan's very pretty LR86 but decided against it eventually.

Have u watched our Perth video? Short but quite nice

Hope Jac is keeping well,

Mark

[ChrisT]

Hi Mark,

Been seeing some postings for fishing for samsons on the Warrior Princess in other forums. Didnt know the chap is the local agent. Remembered fishing with Mills Charters more than 10 years ago when I was studying in Perth - remembered puking mu lungs out as well!! First time I experienced such heavy swells.

Welcome to the Carpenter club. Didnt realise that the stock for the rods are in - must go check them out with Richard. He did tell me to go for the SP models but not too sure which to look at. He told me to get the UHL but I'm now a little hesitant - worried that it'll be too stiff. As for the WV, friend of mine told me that he couldnt cast well with it. Not sure why tho'.

I did see the cd for our Perth trip - I assume you're talking about Vincent's version. Did Robert get anything from his videocam? Yeah, it is short but fun all the same.

Sounds like Bali's the place to go for jigging as well....must look into that too.

Jac's fine...both of us looking for new grounds to fish....

Cheers,

Chris

[Sportfisherman]

Chris ,

I am not saying anything against your wife's ability to cast n fight the fish but in my opinion , for a woman it is best if you take a look at DJ83MH instead of SP78H .

SP78 series are more suitable for very active anglers ( young men ) while DJ/WV series are for those whose age are creeping toward late thirty onward .

Sportfisherman .

[MarkR]

Hi Chris,

Rob did not get anything on his videocam unfortunately.

One of my mates has the Tokara. Swears by it. I'm sure he'll lend it to us if we want to try casting with it. Can you get hold of a Carpenter? Might be nice to try them out first

cheers,

mark

[ChrisT]

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the advise on the carpenter rods. I was thinking of getting a rod that is shorter than 8 ft for better lifting power. I've been told by tackle shop people that 7 ft+ rods would be better to handle GTs in Komodo. What say you?

Mark,

I'm not sure who has the SP model, maybe Mike might have one - could ask him when he's back from his trip. But if we could get one Tokara and a SP, it would be great to test them before buying one.

Chris

[Sportfisherman]

Chris ,

Shorter rod may be OK for Komodo but longer rod will outcast it , sure SP series give a better fight control but the longer WV series is more forgiving , after a couple of days in Komodo , ones get pretty tired and may not have enough muscle power to control the SP series rod .

It is wise to borrow the rods for casting , what suit one may not suit the others . If you are a power caster , stick to SP series and forget
the others . As for lifting power , both SP series and WV series have plenty of " lift power " , the only different is they way you apply the
lifting power . With SP you have to use your upper body while with WV you just squat and let the back bone of the rod to do the job .

Sportfisherman .

[MarkR]

Hi Chris,

Just get the SP, WV and Tokara

Sure you can afford it! Ha!

Anyway, would like to join you on Jon's boat if you don't mind me tagging along. Enjoyed your company in WA. Possible to make it this year?

Cheers,

Mark

[ChrisT]

Hey Mark,

Wish I had that kind of money to burn - spent alot on jigging gears for our Perth trip.

As for Komodo, would only plan a trip next year, I'm afraid....

[stickbom!]

Chris, get the Tokara for yourself and the Keyolhu for Jac If you want to fiddle around with a Carpenter SP78UHL or a LR86, drop by my place and have a "yank" on them

[ChrisT]

Hey Mike,

Any local agents for the Keyolhu - not familiar with the brand....

Btw, any plans to fish Komodo next year?

Cheers,

Chris

[MarkR]

Keyolhu is a SMITH?

[stickbom!]

Hey Mike,

Any local agents for the Keyolhu - not familiar with the brand....

Btw, any plans to fish Komodo next year?

Cheers,

Chris

Yup, Tokara and Keyolhu are both by SMITH. I've tried them both before and they are really decent sticks. No plans for next year yet but if you are forming a team for Komodo let me know. My own plans for this year went down the drain...

I'm trying out the HOTS GIPANG 75XXH, after selling off my Custom Carpenter Wild Violence 80XH. Will let you know my impression once I've used it.

[Sportfisherman]

Mark ,

Forget KEYOLHU and go direct to SP78UHL , the strongest popping rod is what you are after , there is a guy who bought Keyolhu from A.O. recently and now wants to sell it and buy a Carpenter rod .

I think Mike went thru that route and he ended up with a SP78UHL too .

Sportfisherman .

[stickbom!]

Mark ,

Forget KEYOLHU and go direct to SP78UHL , the strongest popping rod is what you are after , there is a guy who bought Keyolhu from A.O. recently and now wants to sell it and buy a Carpenter rod .

I think Mike went thru that route and he ended up with a SP78UHL too .

Sportfisherman .

Actually I bought the Tokara/Keyolhu after owning the 3 Carpenters, not that my 3 Carpenters aren't up to standard, just wanted to try other rods. Anyway Mark is getting a WV or SP... it's Chris's wife who needs a popping stick. Remember Jon, not everyone is crazy enough to fish insane drag settings.

Smith makes really decent rods just like Carpenter, it's just a matter of personal preference.

[MarkR]

Point taken Jon.

Think I can manage the SP78UHL if I continue my daily routine with my Kettler dumbells

I have done some popping before but never got anything over 17kg

First rod was a UFM trevally special 11 foot bought from Good Fishing Store...phew,get tired very easily with that rod...sold it off to Colin at Tickle Tackle, he was collecting UFMs at that time.

Second rod was a SMITH WRC- think it is off the catalogs now.

Is casting difficult with the UHL? If so is it because it is a stiffer blank and thus requires better technique/power to load?

Thanks for the advice,

mark

PS. John from Good Fishing Store is getting back in business, opening again in Sembawang shopping ctr.

[Sportfisherman]

All SP series rods are for power caster angler , the transfer of energy from casting action to the popper is very efficient and SP78UHL is the
heaviest actioned Carpenter rod to date , yes not everybody can use
this rod .

UFM is an expensive brand , I broke my PGS83EH in Komodo and after that I swithch to WV80XH , never looked back and even gave away the
handle to a guy who wants to build a popping rod out of it . As for Smith WRC series , it was one of the best valued popping rod at the time and
a few friends still swear by them ( 80P-35 and 80P-45 ) .

Sportfisherman .

[stickbom!]

Point taken Jon.

Think I can manage the SP78UHL if I continue my daily routine with my Kettler dumbells

I have done some popping before but never got anything over 17kg

First rod was a UFM trevally special 11 foot bought from Good Fishing Store...phew,get tired very easily with that rod...sold it off to Colin at Tickle Tackle, he was collecting UFMs at that time.

Second rod was a SMITH WRC- think it is off the catalogs now.

Is casting difficult with the UHL? If so is it because it is a stiffer blank and thus requires better technique/power to load?

Thanks for the advice,

mark

PS. John from Good Fishing Store is getting back in business, opening again in Sembawang shopping ctr.

I might be casting poppers with my friends this weekend... will bring my 78UHL if you're coming with us.

[MarkR]

Hi Jon and Mikey,

Thank you for your views on the Carpenters.

Mike, thanks for the invite but will be out at sea this weekend. Would love to meet you in person and learn some stuff.

Thanks,

Mark

[MarkR]

Sent u PM Mikey

[stickbom!]

Sent u PM Mikey

Right back @ ya

[mKim]

Hi all....just nice to see some discussion here on carpenter rods, and good to know that some are owners of it.
Been wanting to get a carpenter jigging and popping rod but so far not much choice from the local scene. But when I tried to order from them, they refer me back to the local agent here.
Anyway, i am looking at a custom built one not their factory rod.
Any difference between their custom built and factory rods especially in terms of the epoxy?
Knew of some anglers who complain about some rod builders in Singapore who likes to do 'kidney' or 'peanut' epoxy on the guides , but just check out those large "kidneys" on Carpenter rods...
I saw the jig/ popping rods at Richards' shop.... wanted to get one but its the epoxy that puts me off.

Anyone here knows how to place an direct order with carpenter (instead of going through so many parties) for a customised popping rod and also if its possible to request them to thin down the epoxy a little?

Advance thanks to owners of Carpenter rods....

Cheers!
MKim