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For the CSP S220 sinking and S260 sinking, the action is pretty much the same as the 180 sinking that we showed in the video. As you go up in size, the tail kick slows down a little but the darting and S shaped swimming remains the same. The extra bulk in the water means you can rip them harder, and you can feel the vibration of the lure more clearly through the rod. The other lures I intend to put in an FCL popper action video soon
Hi. Help me with one question. I want to assemble such a set, Zenaq Tobizo 80-80, Shimano Stella SW 8000, PE #4, But what shock leader should I use? And could you suggest what is the best bait to use for this rod? A couple of good brands and what are the best sizes? Thanks.
Hi, the best shock leader depends on the species you are targeting and how rough the environment is. With PE 4 line on the Tobizo 80-80 it is possible to use anywhere between about 50-140lb leader line. If the water is clear and the target species is wary, then 50-60lb leader may be the most you can use. However if the target species is very aggressive, the water is cloudy or the terrain is very rough, then 120-140lb may be the better option. Also it depends on the lure you are using. Smaller lures especially will swim much better with light leader. The Tobizo 80-80 rod casts lures in the 50-90g range best, so anything in this range can be used effectively. Some popular lures include the FCL Labo CSP S145s and Maria Legato 190mm 60g, but it really depends on what your target species are feeding on.
Hello, Duncan, Thank you for PE2-10 all Rods info. If you don't mind, I like to hear for matched and balancedReel of PE2-10 Rods and additional ISO Surf Rod info from you. Thank you again.
Hi, We'll try to include suggested reel for rods in future videos. For Daiwa/Shimano sizing, PE 2-3 rods mostly balance 4000 size reels. PE3-4 rods usually balance 5000-6000 size reels. PE 4-8 rods typically balance 8000-14000 size reels. The 8k-10k-14k are typically the same reel body with different size spools, so the balance is the same, just the line capacity changes. For PE8-10 (mostly just PE10, but also PE8 if I need a lot of line capacity) then I would go up to the 18000-20000 size reel.
Great review! I have the Zenaq 84-100 paired with a 14000xh saltiga with pe6 saltiga braid! Running n gunning tuna all day when I travel. Does a great job throwing and handling hammer head sharapoa 230 slim, yellowfin tuna candy! Been getting some Maria duck dive 190 and 230 I can’t wait to try out! Biggest yellowfin I’ve landed on it so far is right around that 50 kg mark and it made the fight super smooth and pleasant for the body! 20-40 kg fish made easy, until you hook the one that had piss and vinegar for breakfast. You know those one you get up to the boat and wonder when it shrunk cuz they made the 40 kg fish feel easy! Anyhow, highly recommend this rod!!
Glad you are loving the Zenaq 84-100, it is a sweet rod and very comfortable on the body. That rod was designed with tuna up to about 50kg in mind so you have definitely given it a good workout through its full range. There's always one fish in the school that wants to fight twice as hard as all the others- bit of a let down when you get your arms half pulled off and a barely mid size fish pops up at the end!
The Hots Gipang Ryujin 83H is a very nice rod for a GTs in 'regular' sizes, say 10-30kg. It is rated at PE5-8, but I think it is pretty capable as a PE6-8 rod. It will pull large cup poppers up to 130g (say about 400mm cup size), but that would be about the max for me. A range of stickbaits in the 90-160g range + hooks will go great on it as well. In tip stiffness it is just a step down on the Zenaq Tobizo 83-150. Hots have also released a Gipang Boil Shot 83H which is a much softer PE6 rod for tuna. Don't mistake them, because they are quite different rods!
I have one question for you, I have new Graphiteleader Remoto GORMS 9103H with SIC rings, I have the SLP spool Daiwa Saltiga 8000 with new Daiwa saltiga Durasensor X8 PE4 with Varivas ocean record shock leader 90lb , 6 times used all the time is making knob’s and the twist in the tip, last week the line broke when I was casting the new popper of 60$!!!😡😡 I went to fishing yesterday with the spool of 14000 Daiwa Saltiga X12 PE 6, I use Varivas ocean records shock leader 150lb not knobs, no breakage, not twist in the tip. Maybe the FG knob? Les diameter in the FG? Why do you think is happening? Thank you
Yes I like fishing with 14000 size reels for PE6-8 lines, but I step up to the 18000 size when I am fishing PE10 line. You can fish PE10 line on a 14k reel, but after it has been used for a while and you have lost some line off the reel, it makes casting harder as it empties so much line off the spool each cast. You can feel line catching on the edge of the spool and slowing the cast down. With PE10 on the 18k reel you can lose some line and still be able to cast perfectly
Cracking video Duncan. I am leaning towards the FCL Labo UCB 81 MH Pop Extreme (was looking at the FCL Labo UCB 81M Extreme) to be used primarily for poppers 125-150g in weight (the odd 105g popper). Does it cast and work these lighter poppers ok? Or would the 81M Extreme be the better option?
Hi, In general I think that both rods handle poppers in the 125-150g range very well. When you get to large cup poppers at the 150g mark the MH Pop is still handling things very easily, while you can feel that the M model is working the lure fine, but the rod is at the upper end of its ability pulling the lure through the water. Likewise at the 105g end both rods are pulling the lure through the water very easily, but the M model is loading up better with that cast weight. the MH starts to feel really good with the 120g lures and up
Great vids sir. As usual very informative and fun to watch. If not to much to ask, would you do a vids for carpenter rod series? What the difference between each series?
We would like to add a video of various carpenter models, however due to their rod production being so small these days, it is very hard to do. If Carpenter rods start to become more available then we will have a go at it!
Hi, the Black Mafia has been discontinued a little while back by PD (I believe the particular kevlar material used in the blank became very hard to get). They do have a new full carbon 'Super Mafia' which I haven't tried yet. If it is anything like the Black Mafia it will be an extremely powerful big popper rod, suited to giant lures, giant fish and very strong anglers!
Hi, The Tobizo is the ideal boat rod series for GT with the best straight up and down lifting power, while the Accura is more shore specific with the extra length to handle most ocean rock fishing locations. If you have good deep ledges that allow the use of the shorter boat style rods from the shore, then rods like the Tobizo will give you the best chance of landing a good sized GT. However if your shore fishing features lots of shallow obstacles that require a longer rod to maneuver around or manage the line successfully, then the heavier Accura rods will be the best choice.
Hi, We review the rods that we sell through our store. At this time we are not doing MC Works but if we do start carrying them in future we would add them to our video list.
Hi, Each of the benefits of the RG system listed in the video have a small effect on their own, but when you add them all up as a whole package, then yes it is a very nice performance boost all round. For heavier leaders it does depend on how heavy and which of the RG guide trains you are looking at - as there are light, medium and heavy versions. On the lightest rods (Snipe and Plaisir answer series, PE 1-2 rods) I've found leaders under 25lb work best on the small guides used. People wanting to run 40-50lb leaders through the guides on these light model rods may struggle. Zenaq is going to start running a new 'RG10' guide train on upcoming medium/light (PE2-3) rods which will address this. In the medium and heavy RG systems on larger rods it has not really been an issue. At the other end of the spectrum, Zenaq does not offer RG system on heavy tackle PE8-10 GT/tuna rods and Accura HHH shore casting rod, as they don't believe there are as much benefits to be had there compared to the heavy duty MNSG set up. Even so, these non RG rods still run more guides than many brands and the 'Assist Guide' placed close to the tip is starting to appear on these models too. Hope that helps Duncan
I just got the zenaq Expedition 83 and 73 spin. I would have love to try other rods from zenaqs range defi muthos and the tobizo 83 150 preferably over this heavier model. But i like to be as compact as possible. Haven't used the 83 yet but the 73 casts slick 70 gram stickbaits frickin miles works well enough with smaller poppers and even gets the job done when i want to place a bait on the bottom. Was pretty sceptical when mates were hyping this brand. But all and all really impressed with them.
Your videos are excellent, explain every thing we need to to know about high end rods. I wish you make video for Tobizo TC80-50G and compare it withe other rods in the spectrum Thanks
Hi can I know how to compare a popper rod and a stick bait rod. This has been always been confusing for me. I am I right to say that if a stick bait rod we require to have a soft tip and popper rod would be a stiffer tip. Hope you can help to clarify. Thanks You
Hi, Yes, broadly speaking a popper rod has a stiff tip and stickbait rod has a soft tip, while an allrounder is somewhere in the middle. However the taper, materials used and amounts of material can change the feel and use of the rod quite a lot. So for example you could have a popper rod which is fairly stiff and responsive from tip to butt, or one that has a softer tip initially, followed by a considerably stiffer mid-section. Likewise you can have a Stickbait rod which is reasonable soft and supple in the tip and middle, or build a softer tip section followed by a more supportive and responsive mid section. All these designs have plusses and minuses as far as their ability to work lures, casting performance, versatility of lure style and angler comfort.
Thanks Duncan I am really liking this series of video’s and rods getting their own dedicated video. This will help those shopping really understand each rod and what they will provide for their fishing style in case they can’t get to a store to put their hands on the rods which is of course recommended. My personal favorite and what I have the most of is Zenaq baby OH YEAH !!
Very nice, I'm just subscribed to your channel. What's the rod length?How much does it cost, and how many sections is it??? Thanks in advance bye bye 😊😃🤙🤙
Duncan quick question: Between what guides does your FG knot sit on these rods for casting? I was told between the reel and first guide. Wanted to get your thoughts. Thanks for the videos and keep them coming!!
Hi! For most people the knot is between the reel and the first guide. For me the knot is on the reel. I always prefer the longer leader because my braid always gets quickly roughed up from the gloved finger that releases the line. Probably something to do with the way I release line on the cast - its not an issue for me with light line and no gloves. The longer leader does make me a little more prone to casting knots, but practicing a smooth load up and release on the cast alleviates this.
