[JasonS]

I'm on the hunt for a new spinning rod and will be mostly throwing 60gm +/- poppers and occasional stickbaits. BFT and YFT are the target and can range anywhere from 15lbs to 150+. I have plenty of other gear to target these fish, but need to limit my popping/stickbait gear to just 1 set-up. It's important to me that the rod be as lightweight as possible.

My reel is a Daiwa 2016 Catalina 4500H. This reel has the capacity and drag to handle the fish I'm after.

Anyone have this rod and care to offer some first hand opinions?

Jason

 

[Ryan Dezwarte]

4500H would be a 8000 reel , PE4 @ 300m.
The RF 83 is for PE 6~8.
If you want good rod/reel balance, you should get a 14000 reel a load it with pe 6. I use the RF83, 18k stella, PE8 (120lb braid) and my target fish are 50~80kg YFT.

You may want to consider the aquilla series for your specific reel.
Cheers!

 

[Palomarknot]

Picked up one a couple months ago, it is very light and feels good in the hand. Only have had 2 trips out with it so far and a couple schoolie yellowfin in the 30lb range. Really like this rod, just haven't really tested it yet on a decent Yellowfin.

 

[JasonS]

@Palomarknot do you happen to know the rod weight?

 

[Palomarknot]

@Palomarknot do you happen to know the rod weight?

Will get you what is listed on the paperwork this afternoon and get you a actual gram/oz. weight on my scale as well.

 

[InshoreSlayer84]

If you are set in this rod I have one still in the plastic that I may consider letting go. @JasonS

 

[Palomarknot]

There are 2 versions of the Ripple Fisher Big Tuna 83 Japan Special. One with the Aluminum Gimbal and the other with the Rubber Butt Cap.

The one I have is with the Rubber Butt Cap, the card that came with it, has it at 409g

On my scale at home it weighs 407g or 14.357oz.

 

[JasonS]

If you are set in this rod I have one still in the plastic that I may consider letting go.

After doing a bit more reading, as well as giving Tomo's a call today, the 83 is probably a bit beefier than what I'm looking for.

The Aquila rods that @Ryan Dezwarte mentioned, do seem to be more in line with what I'm after.

Not having this stuff available locally makes it really hard to make a decision, that's why I'm asking for guidance here.

 

[Ryan Dezwarte]

I think the below would be great balance to your reel and line size. Also in case you size up your reel.
Aquila series is really nice, they are lighter and more "fast" action. I think better suited for your target fish.

Aquila ST 85-6 338g, max pe6 8ft5in. 40~110g. (fast action)
Aquila MST 85-7+ 382g , max pe 7, 382g. (Reg. Slow action)

 

[InshoreSlayer84]

After doing a bit more reading, as well as giving Tomo's a call today, the 83 is probably a bit beefier than what I'm looking for.

The Aquila rods that @Ryan Dezwarte mentioned, do seem to be more in line with what I'm after.

Not having this stuff available locally makes it really hard to make a decision, that's why I'm asking for guidance here.

I definitely know what you mean about that!

 

[matawest]

Need to step up the reel for anything over 80# or so.

 

[JasonS]

I think the below would be great balance to your reel and line size. Also in case you size up your reel.
Aquila series is really nice, they are lighter and more "fast" action. I think better suited for your target fish.

Aquila ST 85-6 338g, max pe6 8ft5in. 40~110g. (fast action)
Aquila MST 85-7+ 382g , max pe 7, 382g. (Reg. Slow action)

The specs on the 85-6 look good to me. Do you, or anyone else reading this, have first hand experience using this rod? Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[jimmyc]

I was looking for something similar and ended up with the Ripple Fisher Big Tuna 85F to pair with my Stella 8K.
I wish I had real field testing to report but unfortunately, not yet.
Here are a couple of videos showing the rod in use:

 

[Ryan Dezwarte]

The specs on the 85-6 look good to me. Do you, or anyone else reading this, have first hand experience using this rod? Thanks again for the suggestions.

I have the Aquilla 85-7 and much of Big tuna series. Most of the Aquila series is faster action, however the 85-7 is a slower action desined for prolonged fights with big king fish in deeper water, which i particularly like for Tuna. Its lighter but is capable of handling pe 8 if you ever move up to that in the future. I have it paired with a 14k pe6. Super nice balance. You can also take a look at the Big Tuna 85F. Nice rod for tuna in the 40kg 10k~14k reel range.

 

[lite-liner]

RF rods are incredible. Its taken a few fish to understand the sweet spot on my BT710. It's like they dont even want to work until you're in a high-stick condition, and then they just lift the fish. Amazing.

 

[JasonS]

Thanks for all of the comments, much appreciated. After a bit more looking, I’m really leaning towards the Aquila 85-6. Biggest issue is that the are not in stock anywhere in the states. Tomo’s is expecting a shipment of RF rods, sometime in April, but the are not sure what is getting shipped to them.

 

[InshoreSlayer84]

Thanks for all of the comments, much appreciated. After a bit more looking, I’m really leaning towards the Aquila 85-6. Biggest issue is that the are not in stock anywhere in the states. Toyo’s is expecting a shipment of RF rods, sometime in April, but the are not sure what is getting shipped to them.

try Fishing Tackle/Online shop PLAT:rods reels lures

 

[lite-liner]

I remember a few years ago I had looked everywhere for a big tuna 710, and NOBODY had one.
Finally located one in a tackle shop in Slovenia. They sent it, arrived perfect, had to pay a HUGE tarriff on delivery!
Still worth it

 

[J.plugger]

I had the Aquila 85/6 . I like it , a faster action , more of a popping rod opposite to swim bait rod but well balanced and built very well . I wish the last 3 guides were not the same size and that they would go down in size but I guess they made them for heavier leaders . I sold the Aquila 85/6 and bought a Aquila 80/4 ( very beautiful and well balanced rod , perfect guide train ).

 

[Boston Tangler]

Ripple Fisher - Big Tuna

Jigging popping high end tackle specialists

tacklenow.com

Big tuna 710, 83, 85 are in stock

On the Yamaga side of things

BlueSniper Blacky 81/6, 81/8 and 81/10 with factory metal gimbal + soft cap

all in stock

Also clearing out some inventory of Ocean GT rods, now being rebranded GT-Fisher Rods so all of those which are extremely high quality as well will be $200 off remaining stock