I need some help

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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I wish I had a good technical answer but I guess the best answer I have is that, it's just what I like the feel of. I know that folks like different rods and actions for different types of fishing and different species of fish and I'm not saying they a wrong, I have lots of different rods in various actions and lengths. I just find myself gravitating back to a stiff action UL rod that balances slightly tip up. I have heard a thousand TV fisherman say, you catch more fish with a lure that you have confidence in. I think the same holds true with a rod and reel. It works better when it is more of an extension of your arm and that is the feeling I get with my favorite rod in my hand.

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You are a 100% right about the “feel.” We all differ in some ways when it comes to that. I have a moderate action UL blank (I think Gen 1 St Croix but I could be wrong) that is sold under clearance on Mudhole. At first it was built as a spinning rod and I have to admit I didn’t like it. But late last year I cut off a foot from the bottom and converted into a BFS rod. And I love it now. Flick casts better than my Majorcraft glass rod. The noodle like rods, usually moderate action domestic options, will have a parabolic bend but a poor recovery after casting. Next, they will be hard to twitch a jig with. However, an Area Trout rod is not the same when comparing recovery and twitching. Even though the bending curve could be near identical to a moderate domestic blank. Simply put… the JDM version is just different.

I like to follow Victor on YT, but I have to admit I started off with Randy’s channel. Loads to learn there. Never felt buyers remorse purchasing anything recommended by Randy. If you check out Randy’s channel most of his UL fishing is on Area Trout rods and a handful on hybrid light game. Would be worth it to check out the videos to see the bending curve when hooked into a fish.


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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I am wanting something in the 6' to 6'4" range, and I like a stiffer tip. honestly I like a stiff rod, I am not into super limber noodle rods lol. My favorite type of fishing is a jig under a float, usually tipped with some sort of organic (live) bait. As for budget, I would like to stay under $200.

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This is exactly the type of fishing I did 90% of the time before I stumbled into the JDM rabbit hole. Back then my favorite rod was a 7' Shakesphere graphite rod in Light action. I tried the UL version but found it too whippy for my taste. I used the clip on pencil bobbers down to about 6 ft, any deeper than that made it difficult to cast. When fishing deeper than 6 ft I would switch to a slip style float.

This is just my opinion but the biggest advantage of the JDM rods is their sensitivity. I feel you lose most of that advantage when using a bobber. Also if using a slip bobber with a bobber stop, you will have to pay attention to the size of the guides on the rod. Most JDM rods have much smaller guides than US rods. I've looked at trying to set up a slip bobber JDM rod, and decided not to do it. The guides are to small and the sensitiviy isn't needed for how I fish a slip bobber. I still use the 7' shakespere rods night fishing with a slip bobber with a live minnow during the summer time when they crappie are 10 to 15 ft deep.

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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I will also fish a straight jig when I am in search mode.

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This is where the sensitivity of a JDM shines. With the right line you can feel everything the jig is doing. I mostly fish a 1/32 jig with a troutmagnet tipped with a waxworm. I've transitioned from almost always fishing with a bobber to mostly fishing with just a jig.

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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

I am wanting something in the 6' to 6'4" range, and I like a stiffer tip. honestly I like a stiff rod, I am not into super limber noodle rods lol.

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The fish I normally catch are not large, where I normally fish 7 inch sunfish and 9 to 10 inch crappie are the norm. Given that I tend to have XUL,SUL, and UL JDM rods. The rating is somewhat subjective between brands. At the low power ratings even smaller fish are just plain fun on an area trout rod. I have Majorcraft, and several models of the Abu Garcia that I really like the action on. I also have 2 different Diawa area trout rods, I think the action on them is slower, more parabolic, I know i fish likes that action, I prefer a faster action.

I also have one Merabu rod, and one Aji rod. With the smaller size fish I normally catch they just aren't as much fun as the area trout rods, to me.

After watching ifish and troutmagnet mans you tube videos I tried to duplicate some of the bending curves that ifish has done. Photos are in this topic, maybe they will help you make a decision.
JDM rod bending curve photos (crappie.com)

Zekepa,

I found your thread very helpful. It was good to see the rods under a static load.



If I'm honest I am still confused lol. There are so many reviews and and all are the subject of opinion and that persons' interpretation of the ratings on that rod. You can also count on the fact that the rods with the most/best reviews are either models that are one to two years old and no longer available or sold out with no predicted re-stock date.

I find myself leaning towards the Major Craft Aji-Do rods. With the exchange rate today, they are slightly over $100 on Digitaka, and that is an amount I am willing to gamble on a rod I may hate lol. It comes in at 6'2" and Major Craft seems to have a happy following. I have a 1000 series Vanford and a 2000 series Ultegra that both need a home, I will just see which one feels better when the rod arrives.

[QUOTE=gunwhatgun;4432809]Zekepa,

I found your thread very helpful. It was good to see the rods under a static load.



If I'm honest I am still confused lol. There are so many reviews and and all are the subject of opinion and that persons' interpretation of the ratings on that rod. You can also count on the fact that the rods with the most/best reviews are either models that are one to two years old and no longer available or sold out with no predicted re-stock date.

I find myself leaning towards the Major Craft Aji-Do rods. With the exchange rate today, they are slightly over $100 on Digitaka, and that is an amount I am willing to gamble on a rod I may hate lol. It comes in at 6'2" and Major Craft seems to have a happy following. I have a 1000 series Vanford and a 2000 series Ultegra that both need a home, I will just see which one feels better when the rod arrives.[/QUOTE


Major Craft is known as a company that gives a lot for money paid. I have owned over a dozen Major Craft rods. Never been disappointed in a single one....from very low end up to their high end rods. Whatever rod you decide on I suggest you hit the buy button...if not it may be gone as you try to make up your mind. Since Covid one has to scour all over to find the rod they want. Stocks are very limited.


Regards

So, for better or worse, I pulled the trigger on a Majorcraft Agi-do 6'2" from Digitaka. Wish me luck lol

At a little over $100 I'm guessing you ordered the 6'2" Aji-do 1G. I see they have both a light and Medium. Which on did you order? Either way let us know how you like it when you get to fish it.

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Originally Posted by zekepa

At a little over $100 I'm guessing you ordered the 6'2" Aji-do 1G. I see they have both a light and Medium. Which on did you order? Either way let us know how you like it when you get to fish it.

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If I am understanding the nomenclature, I got the light. There is an L at the end of the model so I am hoping that means light.

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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

If I am understanding the nomenclature, I got the light. There is an L at the end of the model so I am hoping that means light.

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That does mean light. But it means light for an Ajing rod. Japanese rods are made for a specific specie of fish. An L designation on an Area trout rod has a complete different action. I’ve seen medium light Area trout rods that are what most would say is an UL. The rod you ordered is designed to catch a fish that has an average size of about 7 inches. But requires an extremely sensitive rod to detect the bite. When it comes to fishing gear the Japanese just take it to a whole another level. Only fair to earn you that most who go down this road will not stop at one rod…LOL. I have stopped, for now anyway as I’m spending a ton of money to get my house like I want it and add a few things to my boat.

Regards


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Originally Posted by gunwhatgun

So, for better or worse, I pulled the trigger on a Majorcraft Agi-do 6'2" from Digitaka. Wish me luck lol

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I think you made a good choice. I love the one I have.