Available in the market: Carpenter rods in Q4 2016

Current available Carpenter’s GT rod in the market this winter season 2016 includes

1. F3 711/40
2. TBL 80/35
3. CV 79/40
4. MH 80H

Got few quiries regarding the above rods…so below in just my humble feedback and opinion.  Here we go....

1.  F3 711/40
All rounder 40lb class rod.  PE # 8 ~ 10 rod. Max lure weight 250g with max drag of 13kg.  Paired with  Stella 18000 or 14000 (SOM 16k spool).

Target fish GT.  i think it can be used for large New Zealand Kingfish.
Suitable for more experience GT angler who like to fight with high load drag but need some time to relax during fight, making fighting effort easier.  Lifting power is good.  Tip is softer than MH series. Note that with F3 is a 40lb class rod and it doesn't miraculously make anglers who is generally struggle using heavy tackle, able to use them.
Lures that I tested and found out suitable are chuggers 120-150gram eg. Carpenter Twinhooks 120, Craftbait GT2 120, Craftbait GT2 150, HammerHead D cup, Fullscale Kong 180, Adhek Gecko 160.
Personally i used F3 for my "heavy" stickbait rod together with my TBL 80/40.
Found out that the best stickbait size for F3 is Gamma 160, Gamma 200, SS lure F5.  When tested with Gamma 140 and BF140, found that the tip is slightly stiffer which i need to adjust tempo and slackline to make the lures swim.  I also like F3 when partner with sinking pencil of Pandora 150 and Zeus 150+25.  Swimmer like Napalm 220 is also nice pair.

Carpenter Builder Mr Konishi with F3

2.  TBL 80/35
One of my favorite rod for stickbait.  Stickbait 35lb class rod.  Replacing TBL 711/35.  PE 6 rod (use PE8 with caution). Max lure weight 180g with max drag of 11kg.  Paired with  Stella 14000 (SOM 16k spool).
Target fish GT.  Can be used for large New Zealand Kingfish.
Excellent pairing with Maihime 120, Gamma 120 and 140 and Bluefish 120 and 140, SS Lure F3.  Strong backbone that can fight and lift GT. Very enjoyable rod when casting and playing stickbait and swimbait of Napalm 200.

Carpenter tester Mr Tanaka with TBL 80/35

TBL 80/35

3.  CV 79/40
All rounder 40lb class rod. One of Konishi's favourite rod.
PE♯6 ~ 8. Max lure weight 200g with max drag 12kg.
Main advantage of this rod is the weight i.e. sub 390gram.  Can-cast-all-day-rod.  Paired with Stella 14k.
During trip, i mainly used this rod for Gamma 140 or Twinhook 120g.  During fight, you can load power with its stiffer tip.

Carpenter tester bending CV to maximum

4. MH 80H
40lb class rod.  PE # 8 ~ 10 rod. Max lure weight 250g with max drag of 13kg.  Paired with  Stella 18000 or 14000 (SOM 16k spool).
Pure monster GT rod. High load drag rod to stop GT from reefed me. Stable fight with minimal absorption of shock when GT dived during fight i.e. in other word, need a strong back. Stiffer tip than F3 which is suitable for chugger GT3 150 and 170, D & E cup and Cono Cono 160.  As for stickbait, normally i paired MH80H with gamma 160.  Swimbait of Napalm 250 is also suitable.

Quiries also came asking which to buy, either MH80H or F3.  My feedback is F3 came with newer technology, ~ 50gram lighter, has softer tip, more forgiving during fight i.e. like EP with lifting power, but do not have enough power on high 13kg drag to stop mama GT if it wants to reef you (your lure is also expensive and hard to get).

Carpenter builder Mr Konishi bending MH80H to max

Disclaimer
I am not claim to be an authority in the field of rod, lure and equipment testing and the use of any information on this site is at the user’s and buyer's own risk.  All above writing is just my feedback and opinion.  Please browse official sites for more accurate explanation and description. While I makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information, i provide no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any information on this site. I welcome suggestions on how to improve this site’s content and correct errors.  Pictures taken courtesy of Carpenter Japan website.