Quote Originally Posted by BobC View Post
Hi All. I am a long time lurker and new time poster with some questions on the Tenryu Lunakia rods. I started fishing again this season after a number of off years, and after a lot of reading here decided to try the stiff, fast action UL rods. Based on what I read I bought a TSS Trout Slayer rod to try something that was JDM styled to see how I liked it. It has really upped my enjoyment of pan fishing, and I see why everyone is so enthusiastic about these type rods. The TS is a great rod, so I can only guess what the JDMs bring to the table. I have decided to get a JDM rod, and have narrowed down my search to the 6’10” or 6’3” Tenryu Lunakia, which I will buy from Finesse. I’m not hard on equipment but like the idea of a warranty I can use, particularly as a first time JDM buyer. I can only buy one, and I would like some opinions on which one might be best, or maybe it’s a push and either would be great. Here are some particulars:

  1. 90% of my fishing is on a small rock bottomed warm water creek that for the most part can be easily waded, which is how I fish.
  2. Target fish is primarily panfish, with crappie during nesting and the occasional smallie. A 12” smallie is a good one on this stream. Spring brings hatchery put and take trout, which I really don’t care about. The pans aren’t huge, but give a good fight with the TS.
  3. I primarily fish soft baits of the trout magnet type with TM jigs and 1/32.

I’m not in a rush to buy; this is going to be a Christmas present to myself. I will probably match it up with a 20 size Pflueger which balances perfectly on the TS, and Chris at Finesse said another brand at that weight balanced well with the 6’3” Luna. I know a few members here have experience with both lengths and that experience is what I’m looking for.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Bob C

In my opinion you couldn't make a better choice. The parameters you describe for your fishing sounds like the 6' 3" rod would be perfect. I own the 6' 10" and it just is simply a fantastic rod. Buying from Chris with the warranty is certainly a plus. Both models of the rod...as I am sure you know......are designed to fish soft plastics. I have landed big smallmouth....Gills...crappie...and KY bass with my 6' 10". I never felt under powered with the Smallies nor did I feel I had too much rod to have fun with the Gills. As for crappie...it is like it was designed to catch crappie. The sensitivity is off the charts good and the rod in hand feels awesome. I have fished mine with the Presso Limited 1025....Luvias 1003 and 2004. All those reels ballance very nice with the rod. There are so many more rods I want to try out and the 6' 3" will probably be one of them in the future. I have been preparing for an initial impression video of my new Fine Tail FAX 632SUL rod. I try to get my thoughts together as much as I can on a rod before doing so. When checking out the fit...finish, and build quality of it I lay my Graphiteleader rods...and the Lunakia beside it to compare. Well there is no comparison. While the Fine Tail has excellent build quality the Luna and Graphiteleader rods are simply perfect. One could look all day and you will not find any misalignments....access lacquer, or overruns. The reel seat is a thing of beauty. Yodie has the 6' 3" model and I am sure he will chime in but he has told me the 6' 3" is a superb rod.

Regards