General JDM advice appreciated

Hello all,
As this appears to be one of the preeminent JDM enthusiast sites (in English), I wanted to ask a question related to rod equivalents. So, I am in the market for a really nice spinning rod for neds up through drop-shot type rigging. I started looking into recommendations and keep getting drawn to the Gloomis NRX+ 822S DSR - a pricy, but quality rod to be certain. If nothing else, I want to see if the sensitivity hype is warranted.

However, after a year of fishing with JDM ultralight rods that seem magically sensitive and cost much less for better quality, I am wondering if I am going in the wrong direction. Should I be considering JDM equivalents and if so, what WOULD the equal be? Are the Gloomis NRX+ blanks actually better than what is coming out of Japan?

I appreciate your input as always.

MW

Just for fun, here's my most recent panfish rod and the 10-lb carp I caught this spring. Notice the little trout magnet hanging out of its lip =)
Attachment 436812Attachment 436813

Short answer to that is no. For the money an NRX is going to cost you can get just as good out of Japan and most likely better. With the exchange rate the way it is if you were ever going to buy a rod of that caliber out of Japan now is the time to do it. I would pose the question over at Tackle Tour. I doubt you will find many…if any at all…on this forum that have purchased the size and power of the rod you mentioned. For that amount of money you will find Shimano…,Daiwa…and MegaBass will have something equivalent or better….and of course there are more brands. I have often wished Loomis would bring NRX tech to UL rods. For me I want the best I can get for my style fishing. In many cases it makes a huge difference in the hook up rate. Three days ago I was trout fishing with a Major Craft FineTail Banshee L action rod with nylon line. The trout were swarming the TM but not really interested and would barely mouth the lure. I caught fish…but only about 20. The Banshee I was using is a very soft rod….and if trout are not aggressive using that rod with nylon line it is going to be a slow day. The next day I tried out a new trout rod…light action but extremely fast. Brought 57 to hand. They were acting same as the day before. But this time I had the right rod and line for the conditions at hand. My host could not believe the difference the rod and PE line made. He now has a JDM rod with some Varivas Infinity PE. Now the rod I was using is not mine…but I pulled the trigger on the same rod…cost me 400 bucks but it is going to be well worth it. When these trout are aggressive just about any setup will do… but when they get like they have been this past week one better have the most sensitive setup you can get. What makes it worse is this gin clear water, you can see all of the action…or lack of action….going on. Best of luck in your search.

Regards


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You might consider an American rod from Edge Rods which is run by Gary Loomis himself. Edgerods.com -

On the JDM side Megabass offers great quality rods in different price ranges. About a year ago I purchased and fish a Megabass Orochi XXX F3 Jade Python for larger trout and it performs well. Probably the most beautiful rod I own. I paired it with a Daiwa Luvia 2000 and Berkley X9 6lb braid for river trout fishing. Mostly use it for twitching 1/8oz jigs. JDM line is just too expensive for some of the rocky rivers I fish.

Ultralight gear ime works fine for creek and planter trout but just doesn't cut it for larger wild trout in my area so I gave up on it after losing some nice fish. My catch rate went way up after switching to light and medium light action rods (JDM) with 6lb X9 braid and 6lb FC leaders. Will add finesse bass rods make great twitching rods for large trout. Attachment 436895Attachment 436896

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That is a beautiful trout. I appreciate your advice and remember seeing someone else recommend the jade python once upon a time. Interesting. I was looking at the Destroyer P5 Hedgehog, but will likely never actually see one for sale.