Thread: JDM rods relating to Panfish

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!