Thread: Budget JDM combo

For those of who would like to get your feet wet into JDM ultralight fishing equipment, I have a combo I’d recommend.
The rod is the Abu Garcia Mass Beat III 6’3” four piece travel rod . Less than $70 from Amazon Japan .
The reel is the Shimano Nasci c2000s from Digitaka for less than $90 .
The rod is designated as a Japanese light action , but it’s an American ultralight action rod .
The Nasci reel is a shallow spool 2000 spool with five ball bearings and one roller bearing .
It’s a 1000 frame with a larger diameter shallow spool . 5/1 gear ratio . It does weigh 210g , but balances nicely on the 6’3” rod . It actually feels lighter than the Abu Garcia I just returned that was 181g .
The rod with 2# P-line Floroclear line combined larger spooled reel gives me casts in the 65-70 feet range with a 1/32 Trout Magnet jig and body .
The drag on the Nasci is awesome IMO . Infinitely adjustable.
If you prefer a two piece rod , an Abu Garcia MB 3 UL in 6’3” or 6’ can be purchased from JDM Tackle Heaven, but you’ll pay around $100 each for them , $30 more than the travel rod . They’re all nice rods that their quality exceeds their price IMO .
I took my 6’ and one of my 6’3” travel rods out today for a test run . They both exceeded my expectations.
The Nasci is a buttery smooth , low inertia reel .
I had written off Shimano reels because of some issued I had with a couple , but I’m glad I gave them another chance .
Between the two approximately hour long trips to the pond this morning , I managed to catch 7 bass and one bluegill , in spite of the heavy winds we’re experiencing today , gusts to 28 mph .