For 100-160 gr stickbaits and lightish poppers a good all round rod would be Carpenters Endless Passion 85/36 . Made for ease of casting and I find has a real good control of stickbaits in that range . There is also the BLC 83/40 which is very popular . Where are you based ?

accurate wrote: I am looking at purchasing a new rod for working stick baits, I will be using a stella 10,000 and I will mostly be fishing larger baits 100g and upwards for kings and hoping to chase a few gt's. What rods are proving to be the go to choices at the moment ?, I don't really have a budget to stick to. Im after a few opinions from guys that are using them as you cant really get a feel on the shop floor for what they are really going to be like. Thanks.

Synit Topshot 76MH

Blue chaser 83/40, magic! Works the carpenter gamma lures so well.

have the new JM Surface Assassin stickbait rods arriving next week.  Details unavailable at the mo but look out for an announcement next week. 

Defintiley a Fisherman 76GTR-S for casting Sitckbaits to GT's like I will be in ummm,13 Days!

Kenshin wrote: I like to suggest you look at the PowerJIg stick bait rods from GoFish. Best rod for its moneys worth. PS. if someone gives you an advice what to use.. ask them if they had own/use them before taking note. In which above I did.

FFS not everyone can afford a $1200+ rod, and believe it or not there are other options that work!!! 

Elpescador wrote: FFS not everyone can afford a $1200+ rod, and believe it or not there are other options that work!!!

Thing about the blue chasers are they are SPECIFICALLY designed for fighting NZ kingfish, and they absolutely excel at it as people will start to discover when more and more get out there. They are also designed by one of the best lure designers and manufacturers in the world and work his lures like nothing else. The lures and rods continue to catch the most fish on my boat trip after trip. We spend time casting others, go back to a carpenter and wham.

When the kings are on you will catch them on a broom stick and a spoon but it's the hard days where the top end stuff earns it's money.

If you can afford it get the blue chaser for NZ kingfish. If you plan to do other trips overseas etc and can only afford one rod and plan to do ALOT of popper fishing then maybe something else