Thread: JDM rods relating to Panfish

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I can only assume it is because they stock those area lakes with some really big trout and they want the softer action.

That was my guess. Fiberglass fly rods have gotten popular again precisely for that reason.

I don't know of any glass mebaru or ajing rods. There are lots of rods I know nothing about so I won't say they don't exist, but I have not seen or heard of any. There are glass rods designed for native trout (stream fishing), but not many.

Glass rods are not always softer. I have a glass Palms Egeria native trout rod that is quite a bit stiffer than one of my Tenryu carbon/glass composite native trout rods. That was a big disappointment. I was hoping it would be a soft rod.

Hi All. Well, I’m now officially on the VERY slippery JDM slope with my first rod. My 6’3’ Lunakia arrived yesterday, and today I had a chance to look it over before I put it away as my Christmas present to myself. I purchased the rod from Chris at Finesse Fishing. The package arrived in great condition, and everything was well packed. As Randy has commented on other “Made In Japan” JDM rods, on inspection I also think the build quality was flawless. The rod weighed in at exactly 2 oz. The guide alignments look perfect, and when I fish it I’m sure the placements will be as well. The Nishijin Weave handle really is a thing of beauty. My Pflueger 20 at 6.3 oz with line balanced at around 1” or so from the front of the handle, so I think you could easily go a little over 6.5oz and still have a good feeling on the balance. I will upgrade the reel at a later time as budget permits. A couple of other things – this rod doesn’t come with a hook keeper, but I don’t think a lot of the JDM rods do. I can use the bottom guide, being careful not to get near the guide insert. Secondly, I am stunned at how thin the rod is at the tip. I have never seen anything like it. It appears that a minnow could break it! Others have caught some good size fish with it, but I will have to start using a net for sure. LOL I will be using Sunline Wild Trout 3 lb test line, and will set the drag as light as I can. That’s about it for now. It will be awhile before I get a chance to fish it, but it looks like it will be a really enjoyable rod to use, and up the fun factor this coming season!
Bob

Congrats on the new rod and nice report.
Chris sells some nifty little lure keepers on his website.

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Originally Posted by BobC

Hi All. Well, I’m now officially on the VERY slippery JDM slope with my first rod. My 6’3’ Lunakia arrived yesterday, and today I had a chance to look it over before I put it away as my Christmas present to myself. I purchased the rod from Chris at Finesse Fishing. The package arrived in great condition, and everything was well packed. As Randy has commented on other “Made In Japan” JDM rods, on inspection I also think the build quality was flawless. The rod weighed in at exactly 2 oz. The guide alignments look perfect, and when I fish it I’m sure the placements will be as well. The Nishijin Weave handle really is a thing of beauty. My Pflueger 20 at 6.3 oz with line balanced at around 1” or so from the front of the handle, so I think you could easily go a little over 6.5oz and still have a good feeling on the balance. I will upgrade the reel at a later time as budget permits. A couple of other things – this rod doesn’t come with a hook keeper, but I don’t think a lot of the JDM rods do. I can use the bottom guide, being careful not to get near the guide insert. Secondly, I am stunned at how thin the rod is at the tip. I have never seen anything like it. It appears that a minnow could break it! Others have caught some good size fish with it, but I will have to start using a net for sure. LOL I will be using Sunline Wild Trout 3 lb test line, and will set the drag as light as I can. That’s about it for now. It will be awhile before I get a chance to fish it, but it looks like it will be a really enjoyable rod to use, and up the fun factor this coming season!
Bob

I’m sure you’ll love the Little Luna. It’s an excellent rod, easily one my top 3 of the JDM rods I’ve fished. The tip is thin, use common sense when handling fish etc, but it’s not as fragile as it looks, I’ve already made a couple mistakes and whopped it into overhanging tree limbs and it’s no worse for the wear. The sensitivity of this rod is impeccable, when you’re ready for an adventure of a different kind, spool up that Pflueger with some 2.3lb Ester from Varivas, the Red Ajing or Orange Super trout are both excellent lines, the rod will transform into a whole new beast, it really comes into its own with a low stretch small diameter line.

Originally Posted by BobC

Hi All. Well, I’m now officially on the VERY slippery JDM slope with my first rod. My 6’3’ Lunakia arrived yesterday, and today I had a chance to look it over before I put it away as my Christmas present to myself. I purchased the rod from Chris at Finesse Fishing. The package arrived in great condition, and everything was well packed. As Randy has commented on other “Made In Japan” JDM rods, on inspection I also think the build quality was flawless. The rod weighed in at exactly 2 oz. The guide alignments look perfect, and when I fish it I’m sure the placements will be as well. The Nishijin Weave handle really is a thing of beauty. My Pflueger 20 at 6.3 oz with line balanced at around 1” or so from the front of the handle, so I think you could easily go a little over 6.5oz and still have a good feeling on the balance. I will upgrade the reel at a later time as budget permits. A couple of other things – this rod doesn’t come with a hook keeper, but I don’t think a lot of the JDM rods do. I can use the bottom guide, being careful not to get near the guide insert. Secondly, I am stunned at how thin the rod is at the tip. I have never seen anything like it. It appears that a minnow could break it! Others have caught some good size fish with it, but I will have to start using a net for sure. LOL I will be using Sunline Wild Trout 3 lb test line, and will set the drag as light as I can. That’s about it for now. It will be awhile before I get a chance to fish it, but it looks like it will be a really enjoyable rod to use, and up the fun factor this coming season!
Bob

Congrats! While I don’t have that model the Lunakia line up is just superb. As Yodie said those thin solid tips are stronger then they look.....excellent for working small plastics.

Regards


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Gentlemen,
Just posted some JDM equipment for sale in classified ads. Thanks for looking

Originally Posted by farrishorst

Gentlemen,
Just posted some JDM equipment for sale in classified ads. Thanks for looking

Looks like some good deals. Wish I was in the market.


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