Thread: I need some help

I am at the point where I want to purchase my first JDM rod. My issue is, I am a very tactile person which makes it very difficult to buy new things online. I have to touch them, get a feel for them and see the details. I also seem to be struggling to find websites. I have ordered a couple of things from Digitaka, a couple of reels, some line and a couple of types of jig heads. The reels were ones that I already had the U.S. version of so I was pretty secure in that purchase. I would love some input and suggestions. I am wanting something in the 6' to 6'4" range, and I like a stiffer tip. honestly I like a stiff rod, I am not into super limber noodle rods lol. My favorite type of fishing is a jig under a float, usually tipped with some sort of organic (live) bait. I will also fish a straight jig when I am in search mode. As for budget, I would like to stay under $200.

Thanks in advance for any input on rods and your favorite sites to shop.

I would recommend checking out the majorcraft aji fo rods, either the 5G or the 1G. Digitaka does have them
Mucher stiffer/faster action than any us spec rods. Lightweight and super sensitive.

Originally Posted by Ohio UL

I would recommend checking out the majorcraft aji fo rods, either the 5G or the 1G. Digitaka does have them
Mucher stiffer/faster action than any us spec rods. Lightweight and super sensitive.

I was looking at those earlier today. I saw they were listed as an extra fast action. It is my understanding that with the Japanese stuff, an extra fast is more limber i.e. faster to react and a stiffer rod would be rated as slow or regular. I will confess I have learned a lot of what I "know" from youtube, but a lot of it is from i_fish and he seems to have a strong understanding of the topic.

Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I was looking at those earlier today. I saw they were listed as an extra fast action. It is my understanding that with the Japanese stuff, an extra fast is more limber i.e. faster to react and a stiffer rod would be rated as slow or regular. I will confess I have learned a lot of what I "know" from youtube, but a lot of it is from i_fish and he seems to have a strong understanding of the topic.

That is completely wrong. You get an extra fast from Major Craft it is going to be rigid. When Major Craft tells you fast it is like another companies extra fast. Even a slow rated rod from Major Craft is going to be faster than any other brands slow rating. I've been buying JDM rods for about 13 years now. Lost count of exactly how many I have purchased but it is a bunch. If my budget was 200 bucks I would look at the Major Craft Aji Do 5G Aji-Do 5G AD5-S682L/AJI 2 pieces (Spinning) But be warned it is not going to be like any rod you will get here in the USA. Four types of specie specific rods most of us order from Japan for UL angling. Ajing.....Mebaru.......Area Trout.....bass UL rods. There is a 5th category which has only been around for about 7 years or so...and one of my favourite types of rods. It is the light game hybrid rods. One thing to keep in mind a fast Mebaru rod is different than a fast Ajing road.....and a bass UL rod is faster than those two types. A fast Area trout rod is the slowest in the bunch. I own all types to include stream trout rods...but that is another story altogether. Feel free to ask away...many folks on here have a plethora of JDM UL rods.


Regards

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

That is completely wrong. You get an extra fast from Major Craft it is going to be rigid. When Major Craft tells you fast it is like another companies extra fast. Even a slow rated rod from Major Craft is going to be faster than any other brands slow rating. I've been buying JDM rods for about 13 years now. Lost count of exactly how many I have purchased but it is a bunch. If my budget was 200 bucks I would look at the Major Craft Aji Do 5G Aji-Do 5G AD5-S682L/AJI 2 pieces (Spinning) But be warned it is not going to be like any rod you will get here in the USA. Four types of specie specific rods most of us order from Japan for UL angling. Ajing.....Mebaru.......Area Trout.....bass UL rods. There is a 5th category which has only been around for about 7 years or so...and one of my favourite types of rods. It is the light game hybrid rods. One thing to keep in mind a fast Mebaru rod is different than a fast Ajing road.....and a bass UL rod is faster than those two types. A fast Area trout rod is the slowest in the bunch. I own all types to include stream trout rods...but that is another story altogether. Feel free to ask away...many folks on here have a plethora of JDM UL rods.


Regards

Thank you for you reply. Here is the video I watched that initiated my statements. I will be the first one to admit that I may be confused about what he was saying. I will also admit that I thought I had a good understanding of the nomenclature until I watched this video, and it did affect my confidence in choosing the right rod.

ROD ACTION vs. YOUTUBE 'EXPERTS' - YouTube

I’m curious to learn why you like stiffer rods. My rods include Area Trout, Hybrid Light Game, Ajing, and Mebaru. Couple of BFS trout steam rods, but like Randy said these are a whole different category. Overall I like the Area Trout rods because they work well for crappie, bluegill, red ear, and trout despite being bendy/slower action (note: they have fast recovery). My Ajing rod is an Abu Garcia. It is stiffer (than Area Trout, and Mebaru) and very sensitive. I don’t like it for crappie but it does fine for bluegill, red ear, and trout (DNR stocked local pond). Tend to lose a lot of crappie on it, but rarely on the Area Trout rods.

Seems MajorCraft would work for you, but I’d love to know what makes you gravitate toward stiffer rods.


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Originally Posted by dannypeoples

I’m curious to learn why you like stiffer rods. My rods include Area Trout, Hybrid Light Game, Ajing, and Mebaru. Couple of BFS trout steam rods, but like Randy said these are a whole different category. Overall I like the Area Trout rods because they work well for crappie, bluegill, red ear, and trout despite being bendy/slower action (note: they have fast recovery). My Ajing rod is an Abu Garcia. It is stiffer (than Area Trout, and Mebaru) and very sensitive. I don’t like it for crappie but it does fine for bluegill, red ear, and trout (DNR stocked local pond). Tend to lose a lot of crappie on it, but rarely on the Area Trout rods.

Seems MajorCraft would work for you, but I’d love to know what makes you gravitate toward stiffer rods.


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I wish I had a good technical answer but I guess the best answer I have is that, it's just what I like the feel of. I know that folks like different rods and actions for different types of fishing and different species of fish and I'm not saying they a wrong, I have lots of different rods in various actions and lengths. I just find myself gravitating back to a stiff action UL rod that balances slightly tip up. I have heard a thousand TV fisherman say, you catch more fish with a lure that you have confidence in. I think the same holds true with a rod and reel. It works better when it is more of an extension of your arm and that is the feeling I get with my favorite rod in my hand.

Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I wish I had a good technical answer but I guess the best answer I have is that, it's just what I like the feel of. I know that folks like different rods and actions for different types of fishing and different species of fish and I'm not saying they a wrong, I have lots of different rods in various actions and lengths. I just find myself gravitating back to a stiff action UL rod that balances slightly tip up. I have heard a thousand TV fisherman say, you catch more fish with a lure that you have confidence in. I think the same holds true with a rod and reel. It works better when it is more of an extension of your arm and that is the feeling I get with my favorite rod in my hand.

You are a 100% right about the “feel.” We all differ in some ways when it comes to that. I have a moderate action UL blank (I think Gen 1 St Croix but I could be wrong) that is sold under clearance on Mudhole. At first it was built as a spinning rod and I have to admit I didn’t like it. But late last year I cut off a foot from the bottom and converted into a BFS rod. And I love it now. Flick casts better than my Majorcraft glass rod. The noodle like rods, usually moderate action domestic options, will have a parabolic bend but a poor recovery after casting. Next, they will be hard to twitch a jig with. However, an Area Trout rod is not the same when comparing recovery and twitching. Even though the bending curve could be near identical to a moderate domestic blank. Simply put… the JDM version is just different.

I like to follow Victor on YT, but I have to admit I started off with Randy’s channel. Loads to learn there. Never felt buyers remorse purchasing anything recommended by Randy. If you check out Randy’s channel most of his UL fishing is on Area Trout rods and a handful on hybrid light game. Would be worth it to check out the videos to see the bending curve when hooked into a fish.


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I’m familiar with Victor. I personally know him and he is now fishing all the spots I used to fish in TN until I moved to Arkansas. I have a lot of info on my YouTube channel about JDM UL rods. Check it out at TroutMagnetMan.


Regards


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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I’m familiar with Victor. I personally know him and he is now fishing all the spots I used to fish in TN until I moved to Arkansas. I have a lot of info on my YouTube channel about JDM UL rods. Check it out at TroutMagnetMan.


Regards




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I will check out your channel as well, thank you.So would you say that I am misunderstanding what he is saying? I can certainly live with knowing that I was confused lol, I just don't want to make a purchase like this and be disappointed in my selection. It's different when you can return it or sell it, but in my neck of the wood it would be tough to unload a $200 bluegill rod lol.