[GFM]

Yo Nicola, maybe you can ask Lamiglas to wrap spin versions for all the rods in the Big Fish range? I'm pretty sure they will work well for jigging and popping!

BIG FISH RODS!

[JON]

Mike ,

I come across this MATAGI-LAMIGLASS blank , now which manufacturer is the OEM ?

Jon .

[GFM]

Matagi is a reputable Rod Crafting company in Osaka, Japan. They built & repair rods, sell rod building components and carry some very nice blanks too. Matagi does not produce any blanks but they do get blank makers like Lamiglas and Cape Fear to produce task specific blanks for them. These blanks are often exclusive to Matagi and cannot be found any where else. Remember the bunch of GT popping rods I was using on your boat back in 2001? Well I was testing some of their early generation GT blanks and Fred's largest GT to date was landed on a Matagi Grit Tale 86XH. I've also tried their new GT-K series and would rate them as top notch too. These new blanks have a kevlar reinforced butt section that gives the blank more lifting power. I've also tried tested their glass composite jigging blanks and found them to be good as well. Hope this helps.

[caranx]

GFM, I have recently received a new jigging rod from Lamiglas, is a 5'6" composite blank rated 50lb (in my opinion) and I had a blast fishing with it in Ascension Island. The blank has some kind of moderate action bending on the tip quite good. This gives great action to the jigs and is also good fun when fighting a fish. When it comes to the mid section the lifting power of the rod shows up and you can put some serious pressure on the fish. I landed 70lb YFT and a 50lb Almaco Jack with it, nothing spectacular but I had the proof that the blank works great as medium/heavy jigging rod. I have also asked them to rig a 50-100lb blank of the big fish rods series for me, spinning of course for jigging porpouses, it might be here soon. As far as popping rods concern, they don't have blanks ready to go for it but they built for me a 8'6" 2 equal pieces spinning rod for GT fishing (third prototype). I tested the rod in Panama and Gabon so far, no GT (big cuberas though) yet but I know that one of them has landed a nearly 200lb Yellowfin Tuna on a popper in Panama, quite good of a result. The company is really supportive and they're trying to follow up with my requests even though GT popping and jigging have never been part of their expertise, I think they're doing a great job.

ciao

Nicola

[GFM]

GFM, I have recently received a new jigging rod from Lamiglas, is a 5'6" composite blank rated 50lb (in my opinion) and I had a blast fishing with it in Ascension Island. The blank has some kind of moderate action bending on the tip quite good. This gives great action to the jigs and is also good fun when fighting a fish. When it comes to the mid section the lifting power of the rod shows up and you can put some serious pressure on the fish. I landed 70lb YFT and a 50lb Almaco Jack with it, nothing spectacular but I had the proof that the blank works great as medium/heavy jigging rod. I have also asked them to rig a 50-100lb blank of the big fish rods series for me, spinning of course for jigging porpouses, it might be here soon. As far as popping rods concern, they don't have blanks ready to go for it but they built for me a 8'6" 2 equal pieces spinning rod for GT fishing (third prototype). I tested the rod in Panama and Gabon so far, no GT (big cuberas though) yet but I know that one of them has landed a nearly 200lb Yellowfin Tuna on a popper in Panama, quite good of a result. The company is really supportive and they're trying to follow up with my requests even though GT popping and jigging have never been part of their expertise, I think they're doing a great job.

ciao

Nicola

Woah... thanks for the update Nicola.If Lamiglas ever decides to produce a 2pc 10' 30lb class popping rod (with spigot ferrule) remember to tell me about it!

[sailfish1]

I am waiting for that popping rod and also a few of my israeli friends
so please HURRY UP

[Ivan]

Mike and JJ

if you have access to the catalogue or web site of Decathlon, a French sport good superstore, you can find a 10 foot 30lb rod in 2 equal pieces called "la silure" made by Caperlan. For â?¬60 you can get this really great rod. It is not a "pretty" rod, so if you are into "look", you may need to look away. But if like me you are into "performance" and "value for money", the Silure is great. They have 3 versions and the longer one is the best (I have the 3m and the 2.7mt).
You can cast medium poppers (60g) a looooooong way and with 30lb braid I can show you a 100mt cast with a miss carna (28g lure!).
Mind you that I landed tarpons up to 40kg in gabon from the beach with that rod!! so there is plenty of power. And for that price, you can buy it without even blinking.

Ivan

[GFM]

Thanks for the tip off Ivan! However, shipping that rod from Europe to Asia would cost a bomb! Maybe you can hand carry a piece over to Asia when you visit Andamans? Just kidding.

[caranx]

There's a 5'6" jigging rod rated 80lb coming this way. Next week the test in a great spot.....

ciao

Nicola

[sailfish1]

Hi Nicola
I am hot so please make it work
Iwill come to europe to get the rod

[caranx]

The CJ5680S is here, with cool blue guides and a very promisong action. Is a strong rod, but the tip still moves a bit, I just think I will love it. In 2 days will be receiving her vernissage in the South China Sea

ciao

Nicola

[dentex]

Marica !!!

[sailfish1]

when where how and how much
could I find it in France?

[caranx]

Sailfish,

I have a 5650 and a 5680 ready to go into production on a single piece configuration but we are working on a 2 piece (offste handle) 5650 so you might want to wait for that one maybe. I have tried both rods and the passed quite some sever testes in Ascension, Costa Rica and Cuba. Thus, the 5680 is a very strong rod, I would only use it for big Doggies or XL fish. It is also ready the 8'6" spinning GT rod, the test is ov er and I'm happy with it., She can cast 180g but wok better in the 120/140g range. In Cuba I used it with 80lb test Tuf Line and 200lb mono leader and landed a 50lb + cubera with no apparent effort, the reel didn't give a single inch of line..... Is a 2 equal piece rod.

ciao

Nicola

[fishy]

caranx, i am definitely interested in the 2-piece. is it a spigot type ferrule? any idea when lamiglas will start production? more importantly, when can i get one?

ciao, zeck

[sailfish1]

Hi Nicola
I am ready to get that rod
(BOTH OF THEM)
JUST WAITING FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS

[caranx]

Hi Guys,

thanks for your interest on the Caranx Heavy Rod. Is an 2 equal piece where the lower section (male) is inserted in the upper section, not a spigot. Talking with the Lami engineer I asked about the spigot and he told me he wouldn't use it in a rod of that kind, too fragile he suggested. The rod will probably come in 2 different configurations, a economic one with Fuji Hardloy guides and SIC tip top, eva foam handle and an special version with Zyrconite Guides with Titanium frames, cork handle, double wrappings on the guides and some decoration. I'm awaiting to receiving the prices from Lamiglas. The rods should be available this summer, maybe in a couple of months from now.

I will keep you posted

ciao

Nicola