Hi All. I am a long time lurker and new time poster with some questions on the Tenryu Lunakia rods. I started fishing again this season after a number of off years, and after a lot of reading here decided to try the stiff, fast action UL rods. Based on what I read I bought a TSS Trout Slayer rod to try something that was JDM styled to see how I liked it. It has really upped my enjoyment of pan fishing, and I see why everyone is so enthusiastic about these type rods. The TS is a great rod, so I can only guess what the JDMs bring to the table. I have decided to get a JDM rod, and have narrowed down my search to the 6’10” or 6’3” Tenryu Lunakia, which I will buy from Finesse. I’m not hard on equipment but like the idea of a warranty I can use, particularly as a first time JDM buyer. I can only buy one, and I would like some opinions on which one might be best, or maybe it’s a push and either would be great. Here are some particulars:
- 90% of my fishing is on a small rock bottomed warm water creek that for the most part can be easily waded, which is how I fish.
- Target fish is primarily panfish, with crappie during nesting and the occasional smallie. A 12” smallie is a good one on this stream. Spring brings hatchery put and take trout, which I really don’t care about. The pans aren’t huge, but give a good fight with the TS.
- I primarily fish soft baits of the trout magnet type with TM jigs and 1/32.
I’m not in a rush to buy; this is going to be a Christmas present to myself. I will probably match it up with a 20 size Pflueger which balances perfectly on the TS, and Chris at Finesse said another brand at that weight balanced well with the 6’3” Luna. I know a few members here have experience with both lengths and that experience is what I’m looking for.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bob C