Thread: JDM rods relating to Panfish

Originally Posted by Scud_Muffin

Hello Everyone!

I am plugging away through this thread to try and educate myself on JDM UL tackle. I am coming from the fly fishing world with an early history of bass fishing and I am totally intrigued by this JDM spinning tackle. So far I am 70-something pages into this thread and watching lots of TroutMagnetMan/Alpha on YT, so I'm starting to get a clearer picture of what I'm looking for and wanted to reach out for clarifications.

So I'm trying to decide between starting slow (and knowing me upgrading soon after once I love it) or jumping in with both feet but possibly getting the less than perfect fit for my first outfit.

I live in GA and will be targeting primarily panfish and trout with the rod, but it being GA I will hook into plenty of LM Bass and Spots--so looking for something durable. I want to primary (65%) fish with microjigs/plastics but I also really enjoy small rapalas and spinners. I’m not sure how micro but I see 1/64 doesn’t seem uncommon (learning).

That sounds like I'm after a tubular ajing or mebaru rod between 6'6" and 7'3". I typically fish around the Atlanta area, in the Hooch for trout and the areas reservoirs for panfish (still learning locations, I’ve been focused on trout).

It seems like selections are VERY limited right now. The Luvias s2000c is tough to find, as are Yamaga Blanks and Graphite Leader/Olympic rods.

Jump in slow options:
ROD:
MajorCraft Triple Cross in T682AJI or T732Aji
REEL:
Shimano 19 Stradic 1000s or c2000s
Shimano 17 Soare Ci4+ C2000SS PG

JUMP IN BOTH FEET:
RODS
-Yamaga Blanks Blue Current JH 67/TZ Nano or 71/TZ Nano (both out of stock everywhere I've looked, reached out to Digitaka and Plat
-Tenryu Lunakia 6102S-MLT (currently available)
REELS
-Shimano Twin Power c2000s (available)
-Daiwa Luvia c2000s (not available anywhere)

Ok so thats as far as I've gotten. What I'm looking for in terms of advice is: am I accurate enough about the offerings for what I'm trying to do that I can't go wrong with the high end stuff or is it better to jump in slow with maybe one of the nicer reels? I could jump in right now and get a Major Craft to see how I like it with a nicer reel and save some money while learning the style/possibly breaking a rod while new to finesse fishing. OR just go for it.

Should I wait for the Yamaga BC or is the Tenryu a great fit for what I'm trying to do? Or try it out and learn on the Major Craft?

Trying to avoid Chinese products but Vietnam/Malaysia/etc ok.

THANKS SO MUCH for all the input and conversation y'all have done already and I thank you all for any contributions to my questions. Have a phenomenal day!

You've done your homework! The Blue Current TZ is ideal for what you are wanting to do. Unfortunately they are out of production...but the TZ Nano series could do the same....if you could find one. If you can get the Luvias FC 2000S by all means do so. The Lunakia is a fine rod and would suffice for what you are wanting to do. I have not used any cranks with it but it can handle 3 gram blade baits just fine. I need to fish the Lunakia more...build is impeccable and sensitivity is fantastic. It is only recently that Major Craft has started making rods any China. Not sure where the Triple Cross is made.....some on here can tell you. The TwinPower is a great reel...but much heavier than the new Luvias. Right now is a difficult time to find certain reels and or rods.....I'm trying my best to find a Super Bellezza but cannot do so. Here is video of the Lunakia bringing in a 20 inch Smallie in current...never felt under powered. Can't stress enough just how great and versatile the new Luvias reel is. Let me know if you have anymore questions.



Regards


YouTube

Originally Posted by Scud_Muffin

RODS
-Yamaga Blanks Blue Current JH 67/TZ Nano or 71/TZ Nano (both out of stock everywhere I've looked, reached out to Digitaka and Plat

I have the 67 TZ Nano and it is waiting for the next trout season to begin around here. The bending curves on the Yamaga Blanks' website do a pretty good job at indicating the action of rods relative to other models in the series. The 67 is very bendy and shows regular taper when casting and working the fish, but also does a great job at working minnows and other hard lures due to the relatively stiff tip. The stiff tip seems pretty common for Blue Current TZ Nano series, based on the two that I have and comments on the web. For that reason, the 77 model is absolutely phenomenal for walk the dog action.

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

You've done your homework! The Blue Current TZ is ideal for what you are wanting to do. Unfortunately they are out of production...but the TZ Nano series could do the same....if you could find one. If you can get the Luvias FC 2000S by all means do so. The Lunakia is a fine rod and would suffice for what you are wanting to do. I have not used any cranks with it but it can handle 3 gram blade baits just fine. I need to fish the Lunakia more...build is impeccable and sensitivity is fantastic. It is only recently that Major Craft has started making rods any China. Not sure where the Triple Cross is made.....some on here can tell you. The TwinPower is a great reel...but much heavier than the new Luvias. Right now is a difficult time to find certain reels and or rods.....I'm trying my best to find a Super Bellezza but cannot do so. Here is video of the Lunakia bringing in a 20 inch Smallie in current...never felt under powered. Can't stress enough just how great and versatile the new Luvias reel is. Let me know if you have anymore questions.



Regards


YouTube

Thanks so much for the info! I’ve spent a lot of my free time in the last week or so obsessing over available information and your videos (which I enjoy thoroughly). So is there much difference between the YB Nano and the original out of production TZ that makes the original better at what I’m looking for?

It sounds like the Lunakia will work but its not quite as good that the TZ/Nano at the prescribed tasks? How delicate is the Lunakia compared to the TZ Nano; both in terms of big fish fighting and accidental abuse? I will check out your video on the subject, thanks for the link.

If it’s just as good to get the Lunakia, and I can’t get a hold of the YB BC TZ Nano then it might just make sense to do that.

It looks like there are windows in which I can try to snag a Luvias. I’ve always wanted a JDM twin power ever since I saw a Japanese tv show that made it into a big deal. It being heavier in general maybe means I should save that for when I get a JDM bass specific spinning rod.


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Originally Posted by s_v

I have the 67 TZ Nano and it is waiting for the next trout season to begin around here. The bending curves on the Yamaga Blanks' website do a pretty good job at indicating the action of rods relative to other models in the series. The 67 is very bendy and shows regular taper when casting and working the fish, but also does a great job at working minnows and other hard lures due to the relatively stiff tip. The stiff tip seems pretty common for Blue Current TZ Nano series, based on the two that I have and comments on the web. For that reason, the 77 model is absolutely phenomenal for walk the dog action.

I will take a look at the site, thanks! Stiff tip sounds up my alley, so long as I can still cast 1/64 micro jig well enough.

If only it were available somewhere! I’m looking forward to hearing back from Digitaka/Plat to see when they get them back in stock.


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Just picked up the Majorcraft Triple Cross Ajing in the 7.3 length, Tubular Tip.
?
I have the solid tip in the same length and action, and love it for Gill fishing with a float. That GA Tech dude reported that he has been dock shooting with the 6.8 tubular tip, so I have been contemplating the tubular tip for awhile and finally caught the 7.3 on sale. For 115 to my door I figured I could learn to shoot with the extra length. Well today it got loaded up with the Luvias and 4lb Yellow Unitaka braid with a FC leader and fired a few shots. Now I have been shooting with the Olympic Graphiteleader Corto in the 7.4, so the learning curve was short for sure. When you shake the two rods side by side, the TC is a little more limber and it loaded the 1/32 jig perfectly. A great shooter it is, I whacked several with it quickly this morning on the first dock I came to. So a test was in order, back and forth between my two weapons I hit about 12 Specks, and found the TC to be the better shooter, but the Corto is more sensitive to the subtle bites while the jig was falling through the water column. Now this is to be expected, the blank on the Corto is a great blank, well worth the money for bite detection and overall feedback. For big fish honors, the Corto got the win today.
?
A nice White around the 13in mark. The TC will be my number one dock shooter for the rest of the Summer, I really like the way it handles. After one trip today, it got slimed up nicely, as did all the others. Broke him in right I did, and a good cleaning will follow this afternoon.
?
Several on here have the TC in various lengths, it is a great all around rod that will also fire a jig well under a dock.


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Originally Posted by Scud_Muffin

Thanks so much for the info! I’ve spent a lot of my free time in the last week or so obsessing over available information and your videos (which I enjoy thoroughly). So is there much difference between the YB Nano and the original out of production TZ that makes the original better at what I’m looking for?

It sounds like the Lunakia will work but its not quite as good that the TZ/Nano at the prescribed tasks? How delicate is the Lunakia compared to the TZ Nano; both in terms of big fish fighting and accidental abuse? I will check out your video on the subject, thanks for the link.

If it’s just as good to get the Lunakia, and I can’t get a hold of the YB BC TZ Nano then it might just make sense to do that.

It looks like there are windows in which I can try to snag a Luvias. I’ve always wanted a JDM twin power ever since I saw a Japanese tv show that made it into a big deal. It being heavier in general maybe means I should save that for when I get a JDM bass specific spinning rod.


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Thanks for the comment....I do not own a TZ Nano but in my opinion it will be very similar to the TZ with a stronger blank. As for durability both rods are the same on that point. The YB has the tubular tip and I would give it the nod for handling small cranks over the Lunakia. The YB truly is very versatile. As to the sensitivity I doubt anyone could pick one over the other. I have said many times when we get into the high end ajing...mebaru rods, we are splitting hairs on which one is the most sensitive. There are some others on here who own a Lunakia and might have thrown some cranks on it and can comment on that. I have a nephew who I got a YB TZ several years back. He regularly uses it to fish the Little Red throwing cranks and jigs for trout...and the rod really shines with trout in the 3-5 pound range. I have my TwinPower loaded up with some 3# test nylon for targeting Smallies....or for throwing cranks if I am trout fishing.

Regards

Originally Posted by Scud_Muffin

I will take a look at the site, thanks! Stiff tip sounds up my alley, so long as I can still cast 1/64 micro jig well enough.

If only it were available somewhere! I’m looking forward to hearing back from Digitaka/Plat to see when they get them back in stock.


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If you are not too attached to getting a deal, which does not seem to be easy with Yamaga Blanks, you can take a look at North One Tackles out of Japan for 610 TZ JH Special:

YAMAGA Blanks Blue Current TZ JH-Special 610/TZ Spinning Rod 4560395512404

That's from the previous model series Alphahawk has mentioned. From what I understand it is slightly different action-wise from the most recent TZ Nano, but I do not have the TZ and cannot compare them directly. It comes with free shipping, but it is also priced higher than the MSRP. I bought my first JDM rod from North One and had a great experience, but that was via eBay several months ago. I read recent posts on other forums that they continue to ship fast and currently use Fedex. Contemplating another purchase directly from them right now.

67 TZ Nano is a great all-arounder and excellent for hard lures, in my opinion. If you're really into 1/64 oz jig heads, other JDM ultralights may offer even more excitement with those.

Originally Posted by StantheMan2567

Just picked up the Majorcraft Triple Cross Ajing in the 7.3 length, Tubular Tip.
?
I have the solid tip in the same length and action, and love it for Gill fishing with a float. That GA Tech dude reported that he has been dock shooting with the 6.8 tubular tip, so I have been contemplating the tubular tip for awhile and finally caught the 7.3 on sale. For 115 to my door I figured I could learn to shoot with the extra length. Well today it got loaded up with the Luvias and 4lb Yellow Unitaka braid with a FC leader and fired a few shots. Now I have been shooting with the Olympic Graphiteleader Corto in the 7.4, so the learning curve was short for sure. When you shake the two rods side by side, the TC is a little more limber and it loaded the 1/32 jig perfectly. A great shooter it is, I whacked several with it quickly this morning on the first dock I came to. So a test was in order, back and forth between my two weapons I hit about 12 Specks, and found the TC to be the better shooter, but the Corto is more sensitive to the subtle bites while the jig was falling through the water column. Now this is to be expected, the blank on the Corto is a great blank, well worth the money for bite detection and overall feedback. For big fish honors, the Corto got the win today.
?
A nice White around the 13in mark. The TC will be my number one dock shooter for the rest of the Summer, I really like the way it handles. After one trip today, it got slimed up nicely, as did all the others. Broke him in right I did, and a good cleaning will follow this afternoon.
?
Several on here have the TC in various lengths, it is a great all around rod that will also fire a jig well under a dock.


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You buying rods left and right...LOL...good for you! I'm currently looking at the 6' 6" and under models to add to my collection....be they ajing or area trout rods.

Regards