GT Rod

FISH ASSASSIN

New member
Hi All

One for the GT hunters.
Was thinking of getting a dedicated rod for my summer target species, GT's.
Length? Action? Type of rod? By that I mean a casting(multiplier) rod or a spinning(grinder) rod? Is there a holy grail rod that can be used for plugs etc and bait? Or would two rods be needed?

I will be fishing the beaches off St Lucia, going north to the reefs up to Cape Vidal. As stated above, I intend to use bait off the beaches and plugs/ poppers around the reefs.

Budget around R3500 to R4000 for a one does it all rod or about R2000 each if you guys recommend two different rods for each application.

The GT's are officially under warning....

Thanks in advance guys.
 

Limpopoking

Sealiner
For targeting GTs off the boat I use an 8'6 rod and from shore a 10'6. There a good Shimi Exage GT270 that can do both. I had one but unfortunately sold it a while ago.

I only fish artificials so I can't advise on chucking big baits.
 
hmmmm, I wonder.....

there aint no rod that fits it all!!!!

I have been targeting gts for more then 20 years!!!
and I have succeeded in landing the big ones....all on my lighter set ups, with no rocks to worry about.
this is the 22, 35, and 50kg ones

then I have landed a 28kg 4km north of vidal in between the rocks, on a 440/4 with 0,50mm

plugs, a 12 ft rod could work well.
especially with todays braid technology.

for st lucia beaches.....I like my 14ft rods, all multipliers.
I like sliding but I still have old rods...1x piece unbreakable purglass executive 400-4 and 5

so casting big baits and big live shad if needed.

I bit heavy to throw plugs the whole day!!!

lost a gt in the shore break st lucia, "slides", back in the day on a 12 ft loaded with maxima 10kg line.
fish had me in the rocks and the line held up.

fishing cape vidal…..north....
plenty of rocks and plenty scattered.

so if you were fishing bait, you need to get over the 1st wave with your line.
or else the waves would just crash onto your line.
so a 14 ft rod is better bait wise.

but going plugs there......with a lighter 12 ft rod, could be more productive.

which rods will fill the needs...I do not know.

let see what the comes dish up!!! :)
 

HuntaGrunt

New member
Hi there Fish Assassin.

There are a few rods that should do well for the gts but not much thats gna be perfect for both baits and lures.

Check out the following for spinning
-shimano tiralejo (spelling)
good option with various cast weights and lengths to choose from

the cape cod rods from afrijig / but above price range.
- assissin range
the amia zero xxxh 11ft 2- 5oz

assissin sierra spin is a good option.

Best bet for baits and artificial would prob be to go multiplier. Something like a torium and a shimano exage would be tops.

Hope this helps, though im sure the more experienced could provide better options.
the above will not do it for gt popping with big poppers though. list the reel and lures/ baits you wish to match with the rod/s and this may assist gents in helping you.
 

Ant86

Sealiner
I would steer away from getting a one rod does it all, fishing for GT's isn't about compromise. As the others have suggested that a 14ft Rod will be ideal for bait, and you definitely don't want to be throwing plugs with a 14ft surf rod.

I have a 8ft6 popping rod for the boat, a bit short for the beach but I still use it off points and reefs from the shore and it works fine. It's nice and light to throw with all day, and the action is purpose built for popping- so working big cup faced poppers is a breeze. You are also going to be making hundreds of casts, so find out what the most common size plug is for the area and match it to the rod. If the plug is too light, the rod won't load and so you will be putting in extra effort to get distance. You are going to be covering a lot of distance walking, so these things add up.

What I'm getting at is that you would find far more joy and confidence in fishing with the right tool for the given situation. I would rather choose one facet to concentrate on and spend the money on that one rod. For R3-4K you will find decent options either way, and then save up to buy the other rod next season.

However within your budget you could still make due with the following:

- Ganis have a special on both the 10ft and 11ft SHIMANO EXAGE AX SURF SPINNING for R1200 which you could consider for plugging
- And then 2-3k would get you an Okuma Metaloid/Makaira, Blue Marlin G3, Shimano Beastmaster/Technium etc 14ft Heavy for the beach to Slide/Cast bait
 

Mikea

New member
Hi again.
The reason is said the Berkley cottonmouth is that it has just come out and made for the purpose of one rod fits all ..popping.sudsurface lures etc.and for bait...If you are looking something second hand in perfect condtion and will be perfect for Geets..i have a 10ft exage casting with a Trini gold14 and a 11ft casting exage with a trini 20a. they are all in mint shape.
0832876875
 

FISH ASSASSIN

New member
Hi All.

Sorry for the delay in replying. I work in retail so has been pretty busy this past two weeks.

Ater your input and speaking to some local old salts I am going to do the following.

Live baits. I have an Assassin Beachmaster heavy and an Assassin Beachmaster 4 piece, the old original Beachmaster. Both paired with Torium 30's.
Both spooled with Maxx 0.5mm. So covered from 7 to 9 ounce. Going to use this for sliding. Might also use for big baits.
I also have a Metaloid 13.6 paired with a BG65 which I will use for the big baits and at night. Grinder much easier in the dark...

Would like a 12' for plugs and poppers but cannot find anything right. So going to go with a 11'. Toss up between an Amia xxh cob special and Exage 110h. What you guys think? Going to need a strong grinder with a good drag. Would love a Gosa but not sure if a could get something a bit more friendly on the pocket as I am going to use this exclusively for GT's. Suggestions?

Going to go with Boss 50lb braid which will be easy on the pocket after the inevitable cut off in the bricks. Now if I could just find some budget conscious poppers and plugs...

What you guys think?

Thanks once again
 

Inlander375

New member
Before you buy the 11vt,talk to Craig Neil of CDS Angling in PTA - Enigma here on Sealine.
I have one of his 12vt DC Oval's,2-5oz...awesome rod for plugs and poppers.
 

StangV2_0

New member
I was in the exact same market recently. I went with the Assassin Cob Special heavy 11'. Its the 2-5oz version. Also got it for the intention of throwing lures into big fish like GT, Tail, Garrick etc. And for throwing the odd whole pilchard from time to time.
 
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