Samurai Pop 10 in Vanuatu

by Brad Bell

Recently I had a chance to use the Samurai Pop 10 while on a trip in Vanuatu fishing with Ocean Blue.  The main target species of the trip was dog-tooth tuna, with some popping thrown in to break up the sessions.  Vanuatu is very different to a lot of the traditional pacific island groups. Unlike New Caledonia and Fiji there is less of the fringing reefs and more of the trenches and deeper water.  We had were faced with some very trying conditions at times making popping very difficult.  I did manage to get stuck into a few decent fish and used the Pop 10 both as chugging and stick-bait rod and found that although the rod is only 7ft 6 in length it cast extremely well, even when using 80 – 90g stickbaits.  I was using a Stella 18000, this combination was very well balanced overall when casting and fighting.

On the final day of our trip we decided to concentrate on popping and were working one of the few fringing reefs in the south that has a prominent lagoon.  Strikes were coming thick and fast, I was the first to hook up and stay connected.  I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of power down low in the Pop 10. I was in a situation where there was a lot of current combined with the power of the boat as the skipper positioned the boat into deeper water. At no point was I uncertain or unsure of the rod and its power, I gave it everything I had with 15kg of drag and it didn’t let me down.

During the session I landed red bass and GT’s to 30kg on both stick baits and chuggers. Overall I would rate the pop 10 as a very forgiving “all-rounder” for someone looking at getting into the sport. I like to have a couple of rods rigged at the ready and found myself picking up the Samurai before my others by the end of the trip because it is so forgiving on the angler.

Living in the North West of Australia I am lucky enough to have GT’s on my doorstep, they are a species I tackle regularly. I’m looking forward to pushing the Pop 10 to its limits just to see what it can handle.  The problem is, I think it can handle more than I or any fish in the area can dish out. I am looking forward to the challenge.

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