Advice: Stealth STK 78HH

I have an 8ksw on mine. Love it. Mostly used for cobia and I can cast 2oz Bucktails easy 300' with 45lb tasline. Do plan on upgrading to a 14k when prices come down and some used ones hit the board. It throws h4l wingmans which I think are 75 gm with ease. You will love it. I get the same if not a bit more distance with 120gm poppers as the 8'6" 40/60 tuna sniper it replaced. Hope this helps.

Nice trips! If larger like 100+# is your game Id use the 14k and 18k mostly because I feel it covers the larger models

Thanks oil patch and holy cow! That's perfect feedback. I was thinking the same thing with 14K-18K. I have a couple of trips scheduled on the Interprid and Shogun for 2014 along with road trips down to San Quentin/ San Martin. This year had great success slinging poppers down here in the west coast. By the way I plan on getting some of those wingmans : )

The 8k balances perfect I'd just like the higher speed of the 14k. Have a JM 16k spool if I ever get a chance to pop for tuna. Not many rods out there that can cast a 11/2 oz jig and still handle 100lb yft! Good luck and report how ya do

Hi guys,

during my last fishing trip in EIAO I used for top water game only the Stealth 78 HH (matched with SW 10K) searching the limits of this rod: it's unbelievable rod! Strong and lightweight like no other on the market.
I've fighted good GT of 120 cm without problem and lost a huge one breaking PE 7 Varivas Avani GT!
If someone have curiousity this is the trailer of video that will be soon released . http://vimeo.com/76295343

Andy

ps: sorry for my poor english ;-)

Nice vid andyyone : ) Im enticed to bring a videographer along with my trips

Killula good to hear you can't put it down. I feel the same way about my 76h and its my goto.

I've got a bunch of LR trips planned this upcoming year and will post my experience from San Diego : P

coastalwerks said:

I have a 76H and extremely happy with this rod. I have 8K-PG on this sucker and excellent West Coast killing machine for Palegics to bottom dwellers. Now, i'm looking at adding the 78HH to the family. I plan on casting stickbaits and poppers ranging from 70-90grams. Seems 88grams to more common with the lures i have. Guys/Gals, would this rod suffice for this range of lure weights for casting or do you have a preferred weight and/or length? Also, what is your favorite size/type of reel for this rod? Looking for advice as I plan on picking up another 76H and possibly 2x 78HH since I primarily spend 90% of the time throwing lures on my LR trips on the West Coast. Range 3-6 day trips : P

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coastalwerks said:

I have a 76H and extremely happy with this rod. I have 8K-PG on this sucker and excellent West Coast killing machine for Palegics to bottom dwellers. Now, i'm looking at adding the 78HH to the family. I plan on casting stickbaits and poppers ranging from 70-90grams. Seems 88grams to more common with the lures i have. Guys/Gals, would this rod suffice for this range of lure weights for casting or do you have a preferred weight and/or length? Also, what is your favorite size/type of reel for this rod? Looking for advice as I plan on picking up another 76H and possibly 2x 78HH since I primarily spend 90% of the time throwing lures on my LR trips on the West Coast. Range 3-6 day trips : P

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I just returned from Panama where we fished the STK 78HH extensively, I did bring down a STK 76H but it proved to be too light for the lures that I wanted to throw. I am very confident in this rod, the distance and accuracy where fantastic - I fished mine with a STLSW14000 #55 PowerPro 8x (loved it) but I did loose a few fish due to the lighter line, ideally I would have using #70 but i didn't have time to make that happen. Kev fished the STK78HH with a Stella 10K also #55 (daiwa boat braid)

I threw a Salas 7X and a Cubera 100g popper most of the time with it so I would say 100g down to 60g is good for this rod. Even with a #100 leader I got great distance.

Thanks oil patch and holy cow! That's perfect feedback. I was thinking the same thing with 14K-18K. I have a couple of trips scheduled on the Interprid and Shogun for 2014 along with road trips down to San Quentin/ San Martin. This year had great success slinging poppers down here in the west coast. By the way I plan on getting some of those wingmans : )

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noticed you're going to San Quintin', did they finally rebuild Don Eddie's?

I love the fishing there!

sorry about the thread-jack!

Is there much difference between the 76H and the 78HH? I bought a 76H earlier this year and really like it. I've only caught some Kingfish and an African Pompano with it, however, and I'm not sure how it would handle any larger tuna
(80+)that might show up on a trip in a couple of weeks, especially with Temple Reef listing the max drag as 8kg. I'd like to hear about any experiences with catching tuna with either rod.

bluedude said:

Is there much difference between the 76H and the 78HH? I bought a 76H earlier this year and really like it. I've only caught some Kingfish and an African Pompano with it, however, and I'm not sure how it would handle any larger tuna
(80+)that might show up on a trip in a couple of weeks, especially with Temple Reef listing the max drag as 8kg. I'd like to hear about any experiences with catching tuna with either rod.

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Chris ..... Is this the rod I was looking at and asked you if the guides were supposed to be crooked? ..... LOL

Nice rod

bluedude said:

Is there much difference between the 76H and the 78HH? I bought a 76H earlier this year and really like it. I've only caught some Kingfish and an African Pompano with it, however, and I'm not sure how it would handle any larger tuna
(80+)that might show up on a trip in a couple of weeks, especially with Temple Reef listing the max drag as 8kg. I'd like to hear about any experiences with catching tuna with either rod.

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The STK 7'6H has been around for years. Its a fantastic rod and I have personally caught tuna in the #100 with it but it took almost an hour to land the fish, ideally its best suited to #40 to #60 tuna, Bass, Big Mahi. It has a very springy and sensitive tip and good backbone for such a light rod.

The STK HH is the next step up designed for a max tuna of #120 lbs, its a much stiffer rod, but just as light and has the same fast action bend. Check out my report the fish are legit #40 to #48 Amico Jacks and you can see the bendo's of Kevy and Jose on the front of Jan's World Cat fighting with these rods.

The STK is best fished with an SW8000 while I fish my STK HH with a SW10000 or SW14000 and that is ideal. You never once will want to put this rod down its so much fun to fish with and so light

Can't wait for the lighter versions. I thinking the medium double duty for inchiku/slow jigs.

Randy I was under the impression smith made these rods for temple reef that's incorrect?

Be surprised if you get an answer on this one! Might have the same technology thou. Impressively light for the Get UP!

I want to hear what users of the 7'-11" Reefer and the 8'-0" GT Rod think of them!

Curious if the K Frames might be introduced on the STK, REEFER, or GT RODS?

Chris ..... Is this the rod I was looking at and asked you if the guides were supposed to be crooked? ..... LOL

Nice rod

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That was the one. It's a great rod but I've had a couple of solid tuna put the screws to me when I was undergunned so I think I'll probably pick up the heavier model. If you hear of any DSHQ trips needing people this fall, let me know and I might be able to make it down.

Glad to see the REEFER 76 gets it done.
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Looking at 7-11 REEFER & 8-0 GT RODS. SPECS are very similar. 8-0' is a bit lighter and can throw 10+ grams. (180g) over 7-11 REEFER.
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ANYONE!
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Waiting to see CM Tackle Go Pro video of Da Biggins on the Dbl H!