Thread: JDM rods relating to Panfish

I have bought a couple of JDM rods and hope to use them this spring fishing for bream. One concern I have is the tips do not appear to be large enough to handle a slip cork knot. Do all of the UL rods have such tiny guides towards the tip?

Originally Posted by Quailtail

Do all of the UL rods have such tiny guides towards the tip?

Mine do.

A JDM rod might not be best for what you're trying to do.

Originally Posted by Quailtail

I have bought a couple of JDM rods and hope to use them this spring fishing for bream. One concern I have is the tips do not appear to be large enough to handle a slip cork knot. Do all of the UL rods have such tiny guides towards the tip?

Some are smaller than others...but yes all the rods I own have small tip tops. Most are 3.5mm...a few are 4mm.....and the newer ones have 3mm. I can see where they might not handle a slip float knot.

Regards

Master Craft Volky or Over Seven maybe (4 mm range). Don't think the rods will cast slip bobbers well - they are designed for UL & lite jigs.

LedHed,
What are your go to JDM rods that you find yourself using more often than not? I'm trying to learn as much as possible before buying. I've been looking for a while now.

I use a lot of the lower end rods for what I do. They are longer and are used as UL surfcasters. Not very comfortable for all day casting. I would be looking for something from Master Craft - they seem to have the largest selection. Super fun and my entry rod is the Major Craft TraPara TPS-662UL - Amazon carries it. Not a Aji/Mebaru selection but a good UL rod.

I want something low-end JDM for casting small jigs to crappie and big bluegill & shellcrackers for my first JDM rod. I have a 6'3" Light/Xtra-Fast taper Cadence rod that is my current fave panfish rod, and it only costs about $75. I'd like to find something like that in a much-lighter and sensitive JDM rod. In GA where I fish is very similar to anywhere else in the SE, a spotted bass or whatever could be an occasional hook-up when panfishing, but I don't care if I land the fish, I just don't want to break the rod. Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by jawjatek

I want something low-end JDM for casting small jigs to crappie and big bluegill & shellcrackers for my first JDM rod. I have a 6'3" Light/Xtra-Fast taper Cadence rod that is my current fave panfish rod, and it only costs about $75. I'd like to find something like that in a much-lighter and sensitive JDM rod. In GA where I fish is very similar to anywhere else in the SE, a spotted bass or whatever could be an occasional hook-up when panfishing, but I don't care if I land the fish, I just don't want to break the rod. Any suggestions?

I used to fish out at Charlie Elliott WMA quite a bit and fairly regularly hooked up with 3-4# channel cats. My Yamaga Blanks Blue Current handled them just fine, but it's not low-end. The Major Craft that LedHed recommended above sounds like a good option.