Ultralight Spinning Rods

I took my 6' UL St Croix Avid , my 6'9" SC UL Panfish Series , and an inexpensive 5'6" Daiwa Triforce , along with three Shimano 500 reels , a Symetre , a Sahara , and a Sienna .
The Sienna was loaded with 4# PLine , the other two with 2# PLine . As I fished i would swap the reels amongst the rods to get a good idea how each cast , throwing a 1/64th Trout Magnet .
I was surprised ny the outcome . The Avid was the slowest action of the three, followed by the Panfish , then the Daiwa .
I was able to cast farther with the Daiwa not only with the 2# test line , but with the 4# as well . I was casting farther with the Daiwa with 4# than I was with the other two with with 2# line.
The St Croix rods have their place , casting light jigs with floats , but when I want to cast light jigs without floats , I'll be taking my cheap Daiwa and its sisters , a Procyon, and a Presso . Just my observation, you may find differently . Gillchaser

Thanks for a detailed report on the rods... that's the kind of info we need to know when fishing with these light lures.

Thanks

One more thing, casting distance is great but what about sensitivity? I want to experiment with a couple of rods mentioned here.

The Avids are sensitive rods, as are Loomis. Alphahawk raves about the sensitivity of the JDM rods, though.

I haven't made the plunge into JDM yet, but I'm about to.

I don't try to push JDM rods on anyone. They are expensive. I don't talk about them that much except to tell what rod I was using in a fishing report....or if someone asks me about them. There is a great article over at Finesse Fishing about JDM gear...and why it is not sold in the USA. As someone said "You can't explain JDM gear until someone fishes with it". I...or no one else will poo poo someones 30 dollar rod...but on many forums you talk about spending 150-400 dollars on an UL rod and it invokes all kinds of negative response. I have fished nearly all the rods that have been mentioned here.....maybe some of them were older versions.....but I have fished a ton of UL rods since 2001. I have only been fishing JDM rods for about 3 years. From 2001-2012 I was on the water 5 days a week 365 a year. Then knee replacement...getting older and not liking the cold...so I have slowed a little. The best US market rods I have purchased were a Phenix Elixir and Loomis trout rods. They were fine rods...no doubt. But for around 165 dollars you can get an UL rod out of Japan that will blow the doors off of many Loomis trout rods....I have not fished the 450 dollar Loomis trout rods......those in the 200-250 range I have. Just ordered some new gear last night. I am not made of money....fishing is a passion....a religion to me.....so that is what I choose to spend my money on. I cast for fish 99 percent of the time. I have made sure I will not run out of JDM rods....I have a shotgun case full of them. Plus it is kind of a hobby to watch the exchange rate of the dollar to yen...trying to figure when is best time to buy with the exchange rate and watching for sales. When the Japanese have a sale you better get on it...they have real sales and once it is over it is over...subject to never be back again. Over Christmas I purchased two new Major Craft rods that were 20 percent off and the exchange rate was very good...saved a lot of money over normal price. Two years ago I had my eye on a rod that was normally 500 bucks...it was on sale at Christmas for 250 dollars.....I waited and waited....my wife told me I should buy. Well when made up my mind it was back up to 500 bucks...still is to this very day....I was...and still am sick over that one. If you are wanting what are probably the best UL rods on the planet Japan is the place to get them. Plus you will be dealing with actions on UL rods not seen here in the USA.


Regards

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I am not made of money....fishing is a passion....a religion to me.....so that is what I choose to spend my money on.

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My feelings exactly. I'm not interested in the latest TV or computer or stereo system -- but I don't mind spending money on fishing stuff. :)

I probably would pay a good price for a nice rod, but I'd have to try one out first.

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Originally Posted by BluegillHunter

I probably would pay $500 for a nice rod, but I'd have to find someone who had one to try it out first.

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http://www.crappie.com/crappie/panfi...ating-panfish/

Alpha hawk. I too have got into the Jdm ultralight and I can say I am not the same. I was fishing a Phenix elixir 7ft fast action. Try the Major Craft Basspara and major Craft Skyroad 7'6 mebura 2-6lb. All I can say is wow. Next rod that just came in was a Diawa Gekkabijin 7ft and in the mail is a Major Craft x-ride s682H Aji. Jdm is not for everyone but once you try it. You will never be the same.

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Originally Posted by jry2598

Alpha hawk. I too have got into the Jdm ultralight and I can say I am not the same. I was fishing a Phenix elixir 7ft fast action. Try the Major Craft Basspara and major Craft Skyroad 7'6 mebura 2-6lb. All I can say is wow. Next rod that just came in was a Diawa Gekkabijin 7ft and in the mail is a Major Craft x-ride s682H Aji. Jdm is not for everyone but once you try it. You will never be the same.

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I have the SkyRoad....which I gave to my son.....also gave my son a Basspara. I have the Gekkabijin MX Ajing UL solid tip.....an amazing rod. The SkyRoad is what started me down this road. I am all set for another great season of UL fishing. Don't have any X-Ride rods but know they are great.....I have the Truzer 6' 5" UL-H model. I don't need anymore but I know I will get some more to try out. I have a MegaBass ShoreLuck Limited that I have only used a few times...it just looks so good I can't bring myself to use it.....but I am sure it will see some use this year....will probably wind up giving it to my son. If I ever get over this sinus infection and bronchitis I will be back out fishing.


Regards