Help needed for Carpenter, Smith and Zenaq popping rods

[seamonster]

Hi, need some help from the pros as I'm looking to buy a new/used popping rod at least 8' long and can handle PE8-10. Any recommendation for rods from Carpenter, Smith and Zenaq??

I think Zenaq and Smith only has FC83-7 and WRC80p/45 respectively, while Carpenter has the WV80XH (WV83XH is too heavy at 595gms) and DJ83MH which fits what I'm looking for. Carpenter has the most complete tech info among all after my search thru the net. So kindly provide missing info below so that I can zero in on the rod that I want after comparison.

Carpenter WV80XH
rod wt : 450gms
Length : 8'
max lure wt : 270gms
max drag : 15kg
PE8-12
Price : ?

Carpenter DJ83MH
rod wt : 425gms
Length : 8'3"
max lure wt : 220gms
max drag : 10kg
PE6-10
Price : ?

Smith WRC 80p/45
rod wt : 505gms
Length : 8'
max lure wt : 200gms
max drag : ?
PE : ?
Price : ?

Zenaq FC83-7
rod wt : ?
Length : 8'3"
max lure wt : 180gms
max drag : ?
PE6-8
Price : ?

Zenaq FC80-10
rod wt : ?
Length : 8'
max lure wt : 230gms
max drag : ?
PE7-10
Price : ?

Heard that there is a new rod FC80-10 from Zenaq. What is the weight of the rod and is it available yet? Anyone tried the rod? I tried looking for the weight of their rods in the website but can't seem to locate any..

After comparing basic data of what I have currently, it seems that the DJ83MH has a heavier rating compared to the FC83-7. Both are 8'3" in length, but the DJ max lure wt is 220gms and PE6-10, while the FC max lure wt is 180 gms and PE6-8. Am I correct with my assumption? The max lure wt for WV80XH is 270gms, so will it have any problems handling lighter lures between 140-160gms, and is it good enuf to use in places like Komodo?

Is WRC 80p/45 from Smith the model that will give you similar performance compared to FC83-7? Which rod has better performance, which is the lighter rod in terms of weight, and which rod has the heavier rating? I noticed that the line class rating for the WRC 80p/45 is 30-50lbs, so am I right to say that this rod has a PE rating of PE3-5??? Will FC83-7 gives you a further casting distance since it's longer in length by 3", or is this extra length negligible assuming that both rods are set up with the same reels, lines, leader, poppers etc etc?

Would appreciate detailed comparisons between all the models listed above. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

By the way, I'm 168cm and weighs about 63kg, average built.

[stickbom!]

Personally I would prefer shorter rods for lines over PE6. A long and stiff popping rod can be hell if you hook a big fish.

Not sure whether there's a warranty for Carpenter products if you're getting it outside of Japan but if you're willing to take the risk then the Super Popping 78UHL is something I would highly recommend for heavy lines and close quarter combat situations. Other rods worth mentioning would be the Tokara 60/ komodo Dragon/ Gipang 75XXH/ Caranx Kaibutsu Surface Monster. If you really want a longer rod then consider the Shimano Caranx Kaibutsu Deep Monster. Its 8' long and will stop a freight train dead in its tracks.

[seamonster]

Hi Stickbom,

Thanks for the recommendation. Actually I already have a Tokara 60. The reason I'm looking for a longer rod rated PE8-10 is to use it as a multi purpose rod. I will fish PE8 with it in places like Maldives and Andamans where long distances are required and use it in places like Komodo, NC and OZ with PE10. Kinda like one rod to rule them all.. I know, I know... you can't get the best of both worlds.. but I'm hoping to get something that's at home with casting long distance and still have enough juice to land big GTs in the event that one is attached to the end of my line.

So you would recommend the Shimano over the rest of the models that I mentioned.. Do you happen to have the tech specs of this rod? Rod wt, max casting wt, max drag and... price? Have you tried casting with this rod? How would you rate the casting of this rod compared to the WV and WRC? Is the Shimano more "user friendly/idiot proof" to use compared to the WV and WRC? I've fish with FC83-7, but have yet to try the WV80XH and WRC 80p/45.

I'm aware that the FC is a lighter rod compared to the WV, but due to the lack of spec info, don't know how it'll measure up against the WRC. I'm pretty sure that the FC83-7 is at home in Maldives but I'll get slaughtered if I bring it to NC and OZ.. I'm using the FC as a gauge because it is the only longer rod that I've fished with.

Anyone out there in Singapore who owns the WV? Can provide info on warranty?

[stickbom!]

Sorry for the late reply Been kinda busy lately.

Okay lets do a reality check, do you see yourself hooking a GT thats over 30kg every 5 casts? No one, not even the most well known charter operators who specializes in GT popping will dare promise you fish over 30kg throughout an entire trip. IMHO most of the fish that you will encounter can be landed on lighter outfits. With the Tokara 60, you can fish big plugs and PE8-10 very comfortably so for the "general purpose" outfit, you might want to consider something easier to handle.

I'm not really sure what's your idea of "general purpose" but to me, having a longer and lighter outfit is crucial because its less taxing physically. Sure you might be a big guy but wouldn't it be better to save your reserves for the big one when it comes along rather than wasting all that energy to cast big plugs with heavy tackle? When you're in open waters and doing what I call "blind casting", a PE5-6 outfit will be most ideal because it will help you cover more ground with less effort. Rods like the Carpenter Long Reef, Hots Gipang 83, Ocea GT 82MH/80H, Caranx Kaibutsu Pencil Instrument, Saltiga Expedition GT86 are great all-rounders that you can consider for "general purpose". They will all fling 100-120g plugs a great distance, won't break your back or dislocate your arms and will handle most fish encountered with ease.

Hope this helps

[seamonster]

Haha.. actually at 1.68 and 63 kg I consider myself too "small" to indulge in the expensive game of popping. Thanks for the valuable insight and recommendations!!! I will go hunt for longer and lighter outfits that'll see me casting more often and therefore increase my chances of hooking up fish.

The poppers that I normally use are between 130-170 gms unrigged. Will the rods recommended by you handle these weights? If not, please let me know what other rods are suitable. I really appreciate your effort to respond to my queries. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[stickbom!]

No worries mate. Once upon a time I wanted to have an entire arsenal of "big cannons" too This exchange reminds of the story about "the smart and the brave" LOL

Try and get some lighter 100-130g plugs. I can assure you that they are much easier to cast with. Most of the medium class rods mentioned below will handle up to 150g plugs.

Good luck buddy

[seamonster]

Thanks again for your recommendation!! cheers!!!!!

[otolite@hotmail.fr]

Hi guys,

I also tried to get the ultimate popping rod few years ago. Stickbom's recommendations are very wise. Remember than it takes less than 10 min to master a 35 kg GT with a FC-83 7/PE 8/Stella 20000 or Saltiga 6000 combo, and considering your weight, you'll be hardly able to cast more than 4 hours in a row with that (unless you go down the gym an hour a day, or your daily work implies physical activities). Do you really need more power than that? The "blind casting" comment of Sticbom is very true: super heavy casting rod should only be used when you EXPECT to strike a GT within a corral reef or a big grouper over a dead boat (well, this last never happened to me).
I find the FC 83-7 pretty good, and rely on Zenaq. May be I should not?! Comments on that from those who knows?

Good luck

[Strikes]

Originally Posted by otolite@hotmail.fr

Hi guys,

I also tried to get the ultimate popping rod few years ago. Stickbom's recommendations are very wise. Remember than it takes less than 10 min to master a 35 kg GT with a FC-83 7/PE 8/Stella 20000 or Saltiga 6000 combo, and considering your weight, you'll be hardly able to cast more than 4 hours in a row with that (unless you go down the gym an hour a day, or your daily work implies physical activities). Do you really need more power than that? The "blind casting" comment of Sticbom is very true: super heavy casting rod should only be used when you EXPECT to strike a GT within a corral reef or a big grouper over a dead boat (well, this last never happened to me).
I find the FC 83-7 pretty good, and rely on Zenaq. May be I should not?! Comments on that from those who knows?

Good luck

Hi seamonster,

I am sorry for the highjacked.



Hi otolite@hotmail.fr,

I am targeting to accquire this rod for my first popping outfit. From the Zenaq catalogue, this rod can max 180 grams lure weight. Where have you use this popper before? Can it be use in most waters in our region? What reel did you pair with this rod?

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
CW

[seamonster]

Originally Posted by Strikes

Hi seamonster,

I am sorry for the highjacked.



Hi otolite@hotmail.fr,

I am targeting to accquire this rod for my first popping outfit. From the Zenaq catalogue, this rod can max 180 grams lure weight. Where have you use this popper before? Can it be use in most waters in our region? What reel did you pair with this rod?

Thanks a lot.

Regards,
CW

Hi there!! No worries bout the hi jack. In fact I'm glad that you jumped the line, and provide valuable insight to outfit combos for popping. I've tried the FC 83-7 with 170 gms poppers (fully rigged should be slightly under 190 gms) . I think this rod is much more comfortable handling 120 - 160 gms. That's why I'm asking if anyone has tried the FC80-10.

Thanks!!

[otolite@hotmail.fr]

Hi Strikes (and Seamonster),

I agree that the FC83-7 works well with 120 g (on routine basis, I never go beyond that). May be girlish, but I like to use the classical Surface-bull from Yo-Zuri (100 g), and when it seems woth it, one of those 110 g surface cruiser from Fisherman. Where? Northern Madagascar, just at the junction of the Mozambic canal and Indian ocean. A few nice GT, and small Tunas...Regarding the reel, Saltiga Z6000GT or Shimano Stella 20000PG. Those are the only reels I had that can withstand the drag (when working nice fish) and the work of a heavy poper 8 h a day. May be there are others (the former Stella 10000FE collapsed in my hands...), but I did not have the chance to acquire them (the stella and the saltiga series are a bit expensive to my taste, although I bought them in the States and Japan: in Europe, the price is an outrageous rip off). I did not have the chance yet to fight a fish that could overcome the FC 83-7/PE 8/stella or saltiga combo (best being a 47 kg GT). Regarding rod, I made it a bit short in my last message. I do like the shimano ocea GT 97RS, (again in the line of Stickbom's comment) because it has very good (fantastic?) casting abilities, without this sometimes painfull "hit" of the FC, or even the daiwa GT86 that you can feel in your shoulder and elbow (and, Seamonster, the ocea97RS is rated PE10). After a couple of hours "brushing" the ocean without a strike, this apparent smoothness is very appreciable. It does not have the nerve of the FC or the GT86 during the fight, though. You have to use the very low part of the blank to retrieve line. Might be worth considering...I would also like to hear the comments of more expert anglers that had the chance to use it (FC83-7, Daiwa GT86 and Shimano Ocea97RS are the only "heavy" popping rod I ever used.

Happy fishing

[seamonster]

Originally Posted by otolite@hotmail.fr

Hi Strikes (and Seamonster),

I agree that the FC83-7 works well with 120 g (on routine basis, I never go beyond that). May be girlish, but I like to use the classical Surface-bull from Yo-Zuri (100 g), and when it seems woth it, one of those 110 g surface cruiser from Fisherman. Where? Northern Madagascar, just at the junction of the Mozambic canal and Indian ocean. A few nice GT, and small Tunas...Regarding the reel, Saltiga Z6000GT or Shimano Stella 20000PG. Those are the only reels I had that can withstand the drag (when working nice fish) and the work of a heavy poper 8 h a day. May be there are others (the former Stella 10000FE collapsed in my hands...), but I did not have the chance to acquire them (the stella and the saltiga series are a bit expensive to my taste, although I bought them in the States and Japan: in Europe, the price is an outrageous rip off). I did not have the chance yet to fight a fish that could overcome the FC 83-7/PE 8/stella or saltiga combo (best being a 47 kg GT). Regarding rod, I made it a bit short in my last message. I do like the shimano ocea GT 97RS, (again in the line of Stickbom's comment) because it has very good (fantastic?) casting abilities, without this sometimes painfull "hit" of the FC, or even the daiwa GT86 that you can feel in your shoulder and elbow (and, Seamonster, the ocea97RS is rated PE10). After a couple of hours "brushing" the ocean without a strike, this apparent smoothness is very appreciable. It does not have the nerve of the FC or the GT86 during the fight, though. You have to use the very low part of the blank to retrieve line. Might be worth considering...I would also like to hear the comments of more expert anglers that had the chance to use it (FC83-7, Daiwa GT86 and Shimano Ocea97RS are the only "heavy" popping rod I ever used.

Happy fishing

Hi Otolite,

I'm actually quite baffled by the term "heavy" popping rod. Most will interpret "heavy" as high PE rating to handle heavy loads (be it fish or casting wt).

Although I've never used any Carpenter's rods, let make some interesting comparisons with regards to the ratings of the DJ and WV series.

Carpenter WV80XH
rod wt : 450gms
Length : 8'
max lure wt : 270gms
max drag : 15kg
PE8-12

Carpenter DJ83MH
rod wt : 425gms
Length : 8'3"
max lure wt : 220gms
max drag : 10kg
PE6-10

From the replys that I've read in other treads, my understanding of the term "heavy" tend to lean towards high PE ratings with heavy casting wt, which will wear out the anglers from long hrs of casting for several days, which will sap away our precious energy when the big fish hits.

The WV net weight is a mere 25 grams more than the DJ. Let say that both rods have the same set up from reel, lines (PE10), down to the last hardware. The WV is widely labeled as a "heavy rod". But in this case it's only heavier in terms of wt by 25 gm. With the heavier PE rating of the WV, I know I have more fire power when I have a big fish at the business end. I'm using the carpenter's rods as a comparison cos the tech info of the other rods are not as complete. I have excluded casting performance of both rods with the same set up as I've not fished with either of them. Bros who have fished with both rods are most welcome to throw some light with regards to this aspect.

Thanks!!

[Narc]

Originally Posted by seamonster

Hi Otolite,

I'm actually quite baffled by the term "heavy" popping rod. Most will interpret "heavy" as high PE rating to handle heavy loads (be it fish or casting wt).

Although I've never used any Carpenter's rods, let make some interesting comparisons with regards to the ratings of the DJ and WV series.

Carpenter WV80XH
rod wt : 450gms
Length : 8'
max lure wt : 270gms
max drag : 15kg
PE8-12

Carpenter DJ83MH
rod wt : 425gms
Length : 8'3"
max lure wt : 220gms
max drag : 10kg
PE6-10

From the replys that I've read in other treads, my understanding of the term "heavy" tend to lean towards high PE ratings with heavy casting wt, which will wear out the anglers from long hrs of casting for several days, which will sap away our precious energy when the big fish hits.

The WV net weight is a mere 25 grams more than the DJ. Let say that both rods have the same set up from reel, lines (PE10), down to the last hardware. The WV is widely labeled as a "heavy rod". But in this case it's only heavier in terms of wt by 25 gm. With the heavier PE rating of the WV, I know I have more fire power when I have a big fish at the business end. I'm using the carpenter's rods as a comparison cos the tech info of the other rods are not as complete. I have excluded casting performance of both rods with the same set up as I've not fished with either of them. Bros who have fished with both rods are most welcome to throw some light with regards to this aspect.

Thanks!!

I'm not good at writing but instead of speculations and just basing on opinions and hearsay (opinions are always personal and subjective), perhaps you may want to consider having a few cast with the WV. I have a piece of that.

[seamonster]

Originally Posted by Narc

I'm not good at writing but instead of speculations and just basing on opinions and hearsay (opinions are always personal and subjective), perhaps you may want to consider having a few cast with the WV. I have a piece of that.

Hi Narc,

Thanks for your generous invitation. May I know what is the price of the rod?