Thread: JDM rods relating to Panfish

Originally Posted by StantheMan2567

Thinking about “The Answer” a Tict Ajing Rod? That small 6.5mm tip seems delicate. Lightweight rascal though, bet it feels like air in the hand. Put a 1000 series Vanquish or Exist on it and Sore Lip All of Them!

I don't own any Tict ajing rods but I have the Rockin Finesse and the Rockin Drift. The Drift...which is no longer made.....was their "tuned" mebaru rod like the Answer is their "tuned" ajing rod. You will be getting a much better blank than they use on their EXR rods. I could be wrong but in my opinion the Answer will be unworldly when you fish with it. The Drift is that way....so good it is spooky when you fish with it..like the rod is part of you...it is that good.


Regards

Originally Posted by s_v

Finally received the first of two Yamaga Blanks rods that had I ordered from Digitaka (took a record-setting one month). What a nice rod. I have St Croix Avid in almost the same length and a similar test (light/ medium light) labeled as extra fast, I believe. The new BC is half the weight and far superior action-wise – has an instant blank recovery yet feels quite flexible. Now I am even more curios about that ultralight jig head special that is still waiting for me at Digitaka...

Which model rod did you receive?

Blue Current 77 TZ Nano Stream Special. I need to keep spotted bay bass off the rocky bottom, hence the powerful rig. I'll pair it up with #0.4 PE (maybe 0.5) for use with soft swimbaits and plugs. I suspect it will also be great for fishing weightless plastics for largemouth. It feels like a big step up from my Avid...

Originally Posted by s_v

Blue Current 77 TZ Nano Stream Special. I need to keep spotted bay bass off the rocky bottom, hence the powerful rig. I'll pair it up with #0.4 PE (maybe 0.5) for use with soft swimbaits and plugs. I suspect it will also be great for fishing weightless plastics for largemouth. It feels like a big step up from my Avid...

The specs on that rod seem perfect for light saltwater action. I think you will be impressed with the sensitivity. I do not own a YB rod but if they are as responsive as the Olympic Graphiteleader rods are you will be taking the Avid out of the rotation.

Speaking of Graphiteleader, or Ever Green for that matter: why is it that neither Digitaka nor PLAT carry those brands?

Stan,

I echo your comments on working from home and researching JDM equipment. I've never learned so much about rods in particular and have found some weird online resources. I think I'm pushing the limits of consumer Google search, and that doesn't happen very often...

Originally Posted by s_v

Speaking of Graphiteleader, or Ever Green for that matter: why is it that neither Digitaka nor PLAT carry those brands?

Can't answer that. In the past 8 years neither has ever carried those brands in light game rods...Plat has a few heavier action Ever Green and Graphiteleader rods. As stated before Plat will get me a Salty Sensation in September and I am sure they could get me the Super Bellezza. I used to have a contact who worked at TroutShop Japan who would gladly answer any question I had...but he had to leave the company to take care of his parents and I've never developed another relationship with any other webstore folks.


Regards

First fish. (Tried rotating pics, but all ended upside down.)

The one below was 2.3 lbs.

Valiant fighter, one eye, lip hooked, jumped 9 times!



This Evergreen rod is 7 ft, Weight-1.9 oz., Line Range- PE 0.2 ~ 0.5 (MF1 ~ 3lb), Lure Range- 0.4-10 grams, and Power-Light. Retrieving an Easy Shiner on 3 lb. test Varivas nylon spooled on an Exist 2003, I was surprised at how hard this spotted bass fought after I set the hook! The rod gave a lot of feedback instantly, with each headshake transmitted to my hand. Great sensitivity, yet not a lot of bend in the rod compared to the BC III 69. The fish weighed 1.3 lbs. and was 15 inches long. Caught a few more that day, always with great feedback shaking my wrist. The rod did overpower a small bluegill that hit. I could feel fish wrapping my line around rocks and brush piles, with most of them coming loose. Half-pound white bass and spots will be fun, too.
When I saw this unique combination of specs of a rod weighing under 2 oz., 3 lb. test max line rating, and a 10 g max lure weight, I knew I wanted it to throw some of my small to medium sized swimbaits. It is an ajing rod and seemed stiff, or “steely” as some of you have remarked about some other rods. But it came alive when casting or with a fish on it. I did break off a couple of fish before getting the drag set right.
During three or four trips with it, I have thrown jig head /soft plastic combos ranging from 1.0 g. to 8.5 g. It seemed to me that it loaded better with 3g-8.5g lures. If you want a rod which will throw 3,4,6, or 8-gram lures on 3 lb. test line a long way, this rod will do it very well. It was not overloaded at all while throwing the 8.5 g. lure. I still have not broken off any lure while casting with the 3 lb. line.
Since it is difficult to measure casting distance on the water, I decided to make a few casts in the driveway and measure those. The wind varied slightly from cast to cast, but was not a big factor in affecting casting distance. The other two variables were the two trees which slightly over hung each side of my driveway and prevented me from going all-out with my power casts, for fear of getting tangled in the limbs.
Using a 2015 JDM model Exist 1025 with 3 lb. test Varivas Super Trout Advance Sight Edition nylon line, average casting distances for some frequently used lure combos:
1. actual 1/16 oz. jig head and a BGBS combo (just under 3g) sailed over 80 ft. 2. actual 1/16 oz. jig head and a 3” inch Easy Shiner (slightly over 4g) a couple of feet farther (it is not as aerodynamic as the BGBS). 3. Since it is constitutionally mandated, I also threw a 1.5 g. Daiwa Gekkabijin with a TM which had one section cut off. It flew close to 70 ft. Your mileage may vary, depending on age, arm strength, technique and equipment!
The grip around the reel seat is very comfortable in the hand. Weight savings on the rod were partly accomplished by reducing the size of the butt cap and going down in guide size. Very small guides and butt cap. These choices helped the company get under the 2-ounce weight mark for a 7-foot ajing rod. The bottom guide measures about 8mm, compared to about 10mm for the Yamaga BC III 69 rod. While the Scout Master achieves very good casting distances, I believe it would have been better with a size 10 bottom guide. Guide trains on many new rods have been shrinking for several years now. This rod may have been designed for braided lines as a first choice.
I do not see how you could use 1 lb. test line with confidence on this rod. Maybe some of you could. Two lb. test line on this rod for white or spotted bass would require a very loose drag. Three lb. nylon works very well, and I believe the rod would handle soft 4 lb. nylon well too, with some slight loss in distance. The rod performed well with a 2000 size Exist but is better balanced with the 1025 Exist. The smaller spool probably matches better with the bottom guide, too.
Good casting distance, great sensitivity, great fun and a great rod! While other rods may be more versatile, I plan to use The Scout Master a lot in the future as my main choice for 3 lb. test line when fishing for spotted or white bass.