Thread: JDM rod help?

For 200 or less, I’d lean towards the Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL or Graphiteleader/Olympic Bellezza UX 24GBELUS-622SUL-T

I’m not the pro around here so others may chime in with something else.


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Originally Posted by Greenwing

Ok guys after a lot of reading I've decided to try a JDM rod, it's very overwhelming with all the different models and actions. I'm wanting a rod for casting 1/16 hair jigs for crappie, I always fish some type of cover 90% of the time it's stake beds. I've been checking out the Master Craft Triple Cross Mebaru, is that a good rod for what I'm wanting to do? Is there a better rod within the 200 budget range? Thanks

Are you wanting L....UL.....what size line do you intend to use. How important is sensitivity to you? What length range of rod?


Regards

I'm learning towards an ultra light, I might try some 1/32 hair jigs also but mainly 1/16. I'm going to use 2-4lb nanofil or nanobraid. I'm currently using 7ft St.Croix panfish and avid spinning rods so I'm wanting something equivalent or better in sensitivity, I like to be able to feel if my bait starts hitting the stakes in the beds. I prefer a rod at least 6ft. Thanks for the help and suggestions.

Converting 1/32oz- 1/16oz in JDM term (0.8 grams to 1.77grams) I'd say ALL area UL and Xul rods will handle that easily and Most Ajing rod in the UL and SUL will as well. Gillchaser having been finding some good quality JDM rods from Amazon for very price often with free shipping. Hope this open an option for you, Greenwing!

Originally Posted by TXPanfisher

For 200 or less, I’d lean towards the Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL or Graphiteleader/Olympic Bellezza UX 24GBELUS-622SUL-T

I’m not the pro around here so others may chime in with something else.


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Do you feel like one is better than the other between the two?

I’ve got a couple of JDM rods and most are tougher than you might think. My latest is a Major Craft finetail banshee and while it’s light weight and SUL it’s no wimp. Like you, I’m just starting down the rabbit hole with this stuff so I’ll hold my comments. I have a lot of UL rods but most are domestic and no comparison to JDM. My only advice is to pay a little more than you think you might need if the right one comes along. Also, get a GOOD reel to go on it to get the full enjoyment from them. A Daiwa Presso reel isn’t cheap but I liked my first one so much that I bought two more. Also, Varivas braid is so much better than the Nanofil that I too used to use that I no longer use it on anything under 6 lbs. I got this this evening on 4 lb Varivas braid. Good luck with the search, these guys will help you a lot. They did for me.

Originally Posted by LVSpinfisher1

Gillchaser having been finding some good quality JDM rods from Amazon for very price often with free shipping. Hope this open an option for you, Greenwing!

On Amazon , I’ll pick out a few rods or reels I’m interested in and put them in my wish list . I’ll keep an eye on them because their prices do go up and down. It’s a waiting game .
We just went through a period where prices were down . They’ve mostly gone back up .
I’ll usually compare prices with Digitaka .
Amazon Japan takes 10-14 days to arrive, sometimes a little longer.

I’m thinking since you’re fishing around staked beds you’re fishing from a boat .
Are you casting and twitching back to you or vertical jigging ?
Fishing around structure you may want to go with braid with a 4# Fluorocarbon leader .

My newest addition is a TFO Pastime Trout and Panfish . It’s a nice rod , made in the USA , with a lifetime warranty.
I’ve only had it out one day for a couple hours , but I’m liking it with 2# P-Line Floroclear line . I’m getting casts with a 1/64th jighead around 60’ and it seems to be a nice sensitive rod . I also own their Trout and panfish II .
I going to be setting it up the similar to the Pastime to see if it’s worth the extra $150 .
I also own several St Croix rods that I enjoy fishing with .
Most of my JDM rods I’ve bought for less than $150 . I don’t own any of the more expensive ones .
One about JDM rods is , once you bought it , it’s yours . I’m sure there’s some kind of warranty that comes with them but getting replacements would be too much of a hassle for me . Just my opinion.
I’m not sure which Avids you have , but the 6’6” light is a favorite of mine. I also have them in the Premier and Triumph series .
The Avid is the sweetest , because of its lighter weight .
But they all fish jigs better than the 6’6” in an UL versions .
Now that I’ve confused you totally, Good luck finding your new rod .

If you like a longer rod around 7' long which I assume you do since you have a couple St.Croix rods check out a 7' Shimano Soare BB, S700SULS. I got mine in 2018 and it's my favorite rod. Don't know what they cost now but I paid $120 including shipping then. It has a soft, sensitive tip but plenty of back bone and the length protects light line really well. Nothing is safe with this rod. I caught a 50# grass carp with this rod, 10# bass and 3# crappie. There is a 7.5' version as well and that's a good one too. A little stiffer than the 7' version, more of a crappie rod which is what you mainly fish for. I've spent up to $350 on JDM rods but the 7' Soare is at the top of my list.