Slabmaster II
Carbon content
Looking at some of the rods from Japan that they list carbon content. How does this effect the rod? I don't want a rod so fragile that I'm afraid to use it. I hear some of you talk about boat flipping crappie, which I do, and how some of the rods won't stand up to it. I'm fine with the sensitivity of my ESP and Lew's IM 8 graphite rods, just trying to understand what sets the JDM rods apart. One of the rods I looked at was a Daiwa trout rod that listed it as 86% carbon.
Crappie.com Legend
Recipe for disaster ^^^Originally Posted by Bert
It's not a sin to use a net.
Most of the people on this site who "boat flip" crappie are using heavier action (and much cheaper) rods. They are sold by companies who will generally give you a new tip if you break one. JDM companies are not that generous (and have no incentive to be, IMO.)
Crappie.com Legend
I've owned the rods you speak of. I was fine with all of them too until I started using high end JDM rods. The higher the graphite content generally speaking the more sensitive the rod is...not to mention lighter. I did not get real serious about a net until I started using UL rods to fish with. Boat lifting crappie...any fish really..... even with cheap UL rods is a disaster waiting to happen. I owned 2 ESP rods and never boat lifted a single fish with them. Elite Tech River Runners....Phenix Elixirs.....G Loomis Trout rods.....no boat lifting with any of them. I've been doing this a long time and have never broken a JDM rod while fishing....landing huge drum...more Smallies in the 18-21 ich range than I can keep count of...Spotted bass in the 14-19 inch range. I have however broken some out of being stupid on my part. I am not worried at all about hooking up with big fish with my collection of rods...as long as I use the correct rated line on them. Many of the rods I own have a graphite content of 99 percent in them. Fishing with these rods is what sets them apart from other rods. As many have said "You can't explain it until you fish with one". And that is very true. I am sure some will say they boatlift fish everyday with UL rods but I won't do it...no matter the cost high or low. Full disclosure here...I am known to get lazy and boat lift some bluegill but I should not be doing that.
Regards
jawjatek LIKED above post
Slabmaster II
Thanks guys, when I say boat flip I'm talking about smaller crappie 8-9 inch. Anything bigger I reach over the side and lip it. I've caught several catfish up to 18-19 lbs. on the rods above. All of my rods so far are 1 piece, noticed most of the JDM rods are 2 pieces. Never broken one on a fish, I don't think I would have a problem with a JDM rod, just have to select one to go with a baitcaster and 4 lb. line.
Crappie Wall Hanger
Due to the nature of my fishing, I frequently lift my catch with a rod. With that said, if I could avoid "boat flipping", I would. All the JDM rods I currently fish have carbon content 99% or greater. They are not as fragile as they look, but it is difficult to know their limits. You can see numerous videos from Japan where anglers lift their fish up onto the rocks. Big fish, large seabass, sea bream, small tuna. But they do it in a smart way, making sure the angle is never too sharp.
Sometimes, I have to lift fairly large fish at a fairly sharp angle. I've done that successfully several times, but with JDM rods that are robust, to my knowledge. Graphites are all different, rods on T1100G and M40X blanks can take a VERY serious beating. When I fish large rocky jetties and rocks points, where access to water is a couple of yards out and the rocky structure continues for a few more yards underwater, I cannot dream bringing up even a moderately sized catch. In those cases I use net with a long telescopic handle, such as this one: LANDING GEAR ランディングギア alphatackle.com
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