If you want to try something a little more specialized in the rod department look at matching up your Torium with one of the new Terminater rods from jigging master in the 200 size, just got one of these myself and they are great value.

 

I know that slacker of a webmater who works for the Jigs Direct people.   The Terminator 200 sells for $415 off their site.  Drop them an email to mailto:[email protected] - [email protected] .   You should also outline exactly what fish you target, water depth, location etc so that they can guide you with your rod choice.  Terminators are very good value for $'s and performance and only bettered by the Power Spell rods.

 

The Torium20 is a good size reel that should easily fit plenty of 50lb braid like the Jig Star or more of the YGK Ultra.  If you need more drag pressure then Jigs Direct can provide drag up grade kits that will give you more.  Chopsticks can also talk you through additional components to wring out a few lbs more drag pressure too! 

 

Hmmmm, Lance from Enchanter had one such rod which was busted, replaced, busted again then money refunded.  These rods are rated to 80lb (37kg) by virtue of it being capable of dead lifting 7kg?   I don't understand how Kilwell derive this figure but that is what they advertise.   The lightest Jigging Master rod capable of 80lb is the PS400 or TC400, these rods can dead lift 29kg and 28kg respectively - a far cry from 7kg I think you will agree.  I'll heard some mixed views on these rods so please ask around the experienced jiggers for opinions on rod choice before you commit.  Some of the shop professionals won't know what you are talking about so choose good people to speak to.

 

Sorry to diss your rod choice Twinpower, this is not a criticism of your good self.  Some jig rods on the market are simply not up to handling big Kingies or even jigging well.  There are some good brands on the NZ market like T-curves, Jigwrex and plenty others yet to make it down here. 

 

I haven't tried a Jigwrex fishing although I've flexed a couple in the shop (as we do) and they have the right action. They are not top end rods in the Carpenter, Smith, JM, Zenaq, etc league in as much as the quality of assembly on most of them is somewhat sloppy. The components are okay but when I see guide rings out of square to the blank, reel seats that don't line up with the first guide and so on you'll understand what I mean. Nevertheless if you find a good one then I'm sure it will do the job.

 

As for T Curves I've tried a few 400's and I'd have to say that they appear to be well assembled, although only the first ring is under bound apparently. However they don't have the nice parabolic curve under load which helps when jigging and playing a strong fish. They are good strong rods although have seen a couple of them break - then again all rods can break. They are not bad value for money, especially if bought in a combo deal, though now that the Terminator rods are available at the same price I would definitely recommend the latter. The Terminator rods were well tested on our recent Ranfurly trip and they are very, very good and represent superb value for money.

 

 

This would have to be the best piece of advice you'll ever receive from anyone, anywhere with regards to jigging for Kingfish.

 

If you're serious about taking on decent size Kingies, your gear is going to be tested severely by one of the best fighting fish in the world. If there is any weakness in your equipment then the King will find it. Give yourself every chance to land a Kingie as quickly as possible - who wants to leave these magnificent game fish with a death sentence trailing from their mouths? 

 

With the cost of fuel, day trips, longer charter trips and other related expenses do yourself a big, big favour and heed Jimi's no BS, down to earth advice. Don't be a tightwad and whinge and whine on about your budget, mortgage etc. If you can't afford it, then wait until you can. Buy the best, forget the rest - after all we're not talking mega bucks here.

 

 

By the way chopsticks T curve 400 is $350 and Terminator 400 is $450 Not the same price

 

Elpescador,

 

Thanks for clearing that up. Where I shop the T Curve 400 is $399 so I guess they're ripping people off. I thought the Terminator 400 was $420 so I appologise for getting it wrong. May I be punished by a 40 kg Kingfish for my heinous error.

 

No punishment needed in fact may you be blessed with a 53kg Hoodlum just before i catch a 53.5kg one for christmas

 

As Jimi says, go the 30lb braid not 50lb.  The reel is slightly oversized for the JM200 but you gotta start somewhere.  30lb might be a tad brutal for snapper but a reasonable compromise when Kingies are in the mix.  3 Kings, White Isl & Ranfurly is pretty much 80lb stuff anf heavier rods.

It Saw

 

It Conquered

I honestly cannot say what jig , that fish was taken on. But I was Kept very Very Busy on a 475 Gm Deep slim Zest jig , in the Mr Redhead/Lumo Colours , on my $40 Tica Rod and Daiwa SLH50shk with 24 Kg spectron braid , also landing Too many Kingis to remember numbers , but the largest being 24 KG.

But That fish on a Torium20 was the best "catch" I have seen in a Long while and shows what that gear is capable of.

 

 

But That fish on a Torium20 was the best "catch" I have seen in a Long while and shows what that gear is capable of.

 

Agreed ....that is a feat that will not be repeated in the near future on a torium 20,those fish "usually " destroy reels like that and i say this from the 50 odd trips ive done to white chasing kingies..amazing capture indeed

 

 

Everyone would have to agree with you - even though  the Torium is a good quality reel, that is an outstanding capture on the size 20.

 

 

 

any upgrades for torium 16's?

can you get upgraded drags for the Tyrnos16 Chris?

Tyrnos16 not Torium16...... thats if you talking to me

 

No sorry Rob, no Tyrnos.  Just jigging reels.