Party Boat Popping Rod

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Hi Guys,

In view of the growing interest in catching YFT with poppers, I am hunting for a suitable blank to build the ultimate popping rod for this purpose (on a party boat).

Your opinion and advice on the following will be appreciated:

(1) What would be the ideal length of the rod?
(2) How far do you need to cast in order to get to the fish?
(3) What poppers are used (weight)?
(4) What poundage line are used (PE/LB)?
(5) Do you prefer a one piece or a butt joint (joint at the foregrip)?

The rod will be light, strong yet very good casting, probably composite of carbon and kevlar or titanium.

Randy

[Ragman]

Hey Randy!

What price point or range are you shooting for?

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Hi Tom,

Very much depending on the material, carbon/kevlar and carbon/titanium composite is very expensive but extremely lightweight. Carbon/glass rods may be cheaper.

Actually I do have a blank that might be suitable and I can build it at sub $300 if there is enough demand:

http://www.anglers-proshop.com/produ...product_id=211

Randy

[Gunsmoke]

Randy,
Being from the West Coast, you are probably aware of the "All Spinner" long range trip next year. I was invited to go on this trip, but it is sponsored by Okuma. I'd break every gear on every spinner they brought on board with my pressure style of fishing. If they make rods, I'd get tossed off the boat for snapping to many. Here's some info for you. You probably know the guy putting the trip together.

Trip # 76 3.5 days Sept 16 returns Sept 20 2007



FISHING WITH CAPTAIN MIKE JEWETT!!! "Spinning Rods Only"
This trip is on! Irv Grisbeck called and said we have touched his heart with the spining reel only request and he is doing something great for us. This trip will be sponsored by OKUMA...lots of give aways and prizes. This will be a 3.5 day 3 full days fishing. This is designed as a all spinning trip. Irv also said that this will be a 2 for one price so what it boils down to is the cost will be around $625.00 each person for a 2 person reservation...this price includs food and mex permits... I didn't stutter...that price includes food and mex permits if purchased 2 for 1.........get your partners and let's go. This is trip # 76 for the 2007 season....call Larry at the BG90 office at 858-270-7525 and tell them the spinning trip # 76 for 2007...make reservations early....this one will go quickly.



Hoss

[Anglers Pro Shop]

H Gunsmoke,

I am not a big fan of Okuma. Furthermore, unless you get into good size yellowtail here in the west, on a 3 day trip catching ling cod and rock cod that hardly pull is not really worth it. Nothing beats the GOM in the States!

Randy

PS - You should try breaking a Stella or a Sevenseas rod, if we have the chance to fish together, I will gladly let you try to break mine - on a fish (stand-up fishing without harness)!

[Bazztex]

Randy

I have had the pleasure of cathcing some YFT over 120# on Topwaters. I used a 1 peice Penn Formula 5970 ISTT 30-60# (Discontinued) it fishes well on the heavy side. Fast taper hollow butt and solid tip Grafite- Glass composite. 65# Power Pro and 50# Mono Topshot.

What the majority are using in the Texas Gulf for casting Poppers...

7 Ft Blank (Casting and Spinning) Most rods are one piece blanks with Slick Butt ,machined Aluminum Reel Seat and Gimble

E Glass or Grafite-Glass Hybrid blanks (Calstar 700H or 765L) (GUSA SW7060XH or Monster mag)

60-80 # Spectra braid with 50-60# Mono leader/Topshot

Casting distance is dictated by the reach of the boat lights 60-90 yds

Popper and Ballistic Flyer weights 2 1/2 -4 oz typical

Bazz

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Hi Bazz,

A 60-80lb 7ft rod must be a pretty stiff one.

What is a slick butt?

Thanks,
Randy

[Minnow]

Randy,

it look like this.

[Anglers Pro Shop]

Originally Posted by Gunsmoke

I agree with you on the stella. Very strong. I haven't had a problem with a stella yet. Have you seen the new super seeker blanks? Word is they are super tough, unbreakable, and the Demo for them is taking a 20-40# blank, and touching the tip to the butt - just like an Ugly Stick. Major difference is is the blank is feather light, similar to a graphite rod.

Thanks Minnow, wow do you need that for a popping rod? those guys must have popeye arms.

Gunsmoke,

Quote Gary Loomis "I can build you a rod that won't break but you'd probably won't want to fish with it" Unbreakable usually means too stiff or too soft... anyway, I will check out the blank later today!

Randy

[MrBill]

Randy,
I received all the Japanese jigs and poppers today. All I can say is "NICE STUFF". The paint job on those poppers is incredible. Musuem quality. I really like the way the japanese put the metal echushion on the end of the lure. I've also never seen swivels buried at the hook points. Very interesting. If my teeth were tough enough, I'd eat them for dinner tonight.

The Japanese jigs seem to be different from the Shimano Butterfly jigs. Very nice looking and also very well finished. I like them and look forward to getting them wet. We Americans have a lot to learn from the Japanese when it comes to jigging. Is the Tuna Max a Japanese made blank?

One more thing, that tuna max aluminum rod belt is really fine. Very comfortable. Perfect day belt. More comfortable than the Smitty day belt. Much better than I expected. I was planning to give it away as a gift, but not after strapping it on. I barely know its on. Are you going to continue to stock them?

Also, thanks for the hour and a half video on jigging. To bad I don't speak Japanese. But, a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll finish watching it tonight.