JDM Rod question/ recommendation.

Guys, I was looking several weeks ago for a better panfish rod and saw the Major Craft Trapara Area trout rod at prices that surprised me. I had intentions of ordering one then, but work has had me so busy for weeks now that I never got around to it. I was a little worried that the Area trout rod might not be the right action for me. I mostly cast jigs and beetle spins for bream using 2-6 lb test line. I see the Major Craft Native trout rods for a little more than the Area and thought I might like the action better. My question is in the $100 to $140 range what JDM rod would you recommend. Right now my favorite for the type fishing I do is a Lew's Wally Marshall 7' Signature Series. Recommendations would be appreciated. Birthday is tomorrow and I need to tell the wife what to order me.

Thanks,
Flintcreek

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

My question is in the $100 to $140 range what JDM rod would you recommend.

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Have you checked out this thread? There are lots of comments about rods in that price range.

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/panf...ating-panfish/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

Guys, I was looking several weeks ago for a better panfish rod and saw the Major Craft Trapara Area trout rod at prices that surprised me. I had intentions of ordering one then, but work has had me so busy for weeks now that I never got around to it. I was a little worried that the Area trout rod might not be the right action for me. I mostly cast jigs and beetle spins for bream using 2-6 lb test line. I see the Major Craft Native trout rods for a little more than the Area and thought I might like the action better. My question is in the $100 to $140 range what JDM rod would you recommend. Right now my favorite for the type fishing I do is a Lew's Wally Marshall 7' Signature Series. Recommendations would be appreciated. Birthday is tomorrow and I need to tell the wife what to order me.

Thanks,
Flintcreek

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I have owned a TraPara.....and it was a good rod for the money. If you are wanting to spend 140 bucks why not put 33 dollars more with it and get the “New” Fine Tail Rod? It has the new Sic-s guides....a much improved blank. They have models in stream and area category. I prefer area rods as I put sensitivity above all else. They even have some glass rods in the “New” Fine Tail Series. The “New” Fine Tail is so much better than the TraPara. The way I look at is “Buy once cry once”. Of course this is my thoughts and I’m sure others have some advice also.

New Finetail AREA | メジャークラフト｜Major Craft Web

Regards


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Deathb4disco,
I have definitely checked out the thread several times and watched tons of Alphahawk's Youtube reviews this is what got me in the market for a JDM rod. Reading through it there is a lot of information, enough to confuse me. I read most of the thread today before posting...trying to figure out what I wanted to order. Every time I found a rod that sounded good everyone was sold out or it was out of production or out of my price range.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

Have you checked out this thread? There are lots of comments about rods in that price range.

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/panf...ating-panfish/

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Thanks Alphahawk, that was one the reasons I posted I wondering if I spend a little more do I get alot more bang for my buck. There are so many JDM rods out there that it is confusing...I was hoping for some guidance. I had seen on Ebay the Major Craft Triple Cross which is mentioned several times on the forum for $125 with tublar tip and $147 for the solid tip what do you think about it. I kayak fish alot and the odds of something getting planted if I were to flip are alot higher than fishing from a boat...so if I am going to use one in my kayak I would like to stay under $150.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I have owned a TraPara.....and it was a good rod for the money. If you are wanting to spend 140 bucks why not put 33 dollars more with it and get the “New” Fine Tail Rod? It has the new Sic-s guides....a much improved blank. They have models in stream and area category. I prefer area rods as I put sensitivity above all else. They even have some glass rods in the “New” Fine Tail Series. The “New” Fine Tail is so much better than the TraPara. The way I look at is “Buy once cry once”. Of course this is my thoughts and I’m sure others have some advice also.

New Finetail AREA | メジャークラフト｜Major Craft Web

Regards


Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

Thanks Alphahawk, that was one the reasons I posted I wondering if I spend a little more do I get alot more bang for my buck. There are so many JDM rods out there that it is confusing...I was hoping for some guidance. I had seen on Ebay the Major Craft Triple Cross which is mentioned several times on the forum for $125 with tublar tip and $147 for the solid tip what do you think about it. I kayak fish alot and the odds of something getting planted if I were to flip are alot higher than fishing from a boat...so if I am going to use one in my kayak I would like to stay under $150.

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Been down that kayak road myself. Broke several Fenwick Elite Techs when I was kayaking. The Triple Cross is a very good rod. A few on here fish that rod and all have good things to say about it. It is a daunting task buying your first JDM. Daiwa makes the Iprimi in a 65 L version....that would handle your 6# test line. The Iprimi is a ton of fun and comes in at around 148 bucks. I just gave a brand new one away to a 11 year old kid. He is the son of my physical therapist and I just wanted to introduce him to UL angling. He is a nut about fishing and last I heard he was having a ball with it.

Regards


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Guys, what do you think about this rod for the price it is the older model Finetail Area 6'6"?

New Major Craft FINE TAIL 2 piece rod #FTA-662SUL from japan 4560350840535 | eBay

This is probably the better rod for me it is a UL and the one above is a SUL which I did not realize when I was first looking. I prefer slightly longer rods like 6'6" and 7' but I do have a couple of 6'3" that I have been pretty happy with.New Major Craft Finetail Area FTA-632UL Spinning Rod | eBay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

This is probably the better rod for me it is a UL and the one above is a SUL which I did not realize when I was first looking. I prefer slightly longer rods like 6'6" and 7' but I do have a couple of 6'3" that I have been pretty happy with.New Major Craft Finetail Area FTA-632UL Spinning Rod | eBay

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Tough call for me. I owned an older Fine Tail 6 years ago.....gave it to my son. I’m pretty sure I paid more than this price but can’t remember......and best I remember I enjoyed the rod.

Regards


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I have the 6'6" SUL - pretty good rod - softer than the Trappara. Got one ~4 years ago and paid a lot more than that price.

Interesting post, keep it going! Everyone needs a new UL rod!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

Guys, I was looking several weeks ago for a better panfish rod and saw the Major Craft Trapara Area trout rod at prices that surprised me. I had intentions of ordering one then, but work has had me so busy for weeks now that I never got around to it. I was a little worried that the Area trout rod might not be the right action for me. I mostly cast jigs and beetle spins for bream using 2-6 lb test line. I see the Major Craft Native trout rods for a little more than the Area and thought I might like the action better. My question is in the $100 to $140 range what JDM rod would you recommend. Right now my favorite for the type fishing I do is a Lew's Wally Marshall 7' Signature Series. Recommendations would be appreciated. Birthday is tomorrow and I need to tell the wife what to order me.

Thanks,
Flintcreek

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Did you decide on a rod? Oh....Happy Birthday!

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I have not yet ordered, but am leaning toward the Major Craft Trapara 632UL. I have been back through a bunch of your video's the last couple of days trying to make up my mind. In a post a few weeks back you compared the Trapara to the St. Croix panfish for me and it had superior components and is very comparable in price. Ledhead also said he has 1 and had given several away and they were good rods. So this is probably where I will end up as I navigate the JDM market for the first time. I was wondering how you would compare he Trout Magnet TSS against the St Croix panfish. I know the weigh of the TSS is really light and in your video review you label it as very sensitive. I was thinking about picking up a TSS as my next rod after the Trapara. Thanks for the Birthday wishes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Did you decide on a rod? Oh....Happy Birthday!

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Get the Trapara. You will not believe how light it is and how small a diameter the blank is. Very nice quality for 88 bucks.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

I have not yet ordered, but am leaning toward the Major Craft Trapara 632UL. I have been back through a bunch of your video's the last couple of days trying to make up my mind. In a post a few weeks back you compared the Trapara to the St. Croix panfish for me and it had superior components and is very comparable in price. Ledhead also said he has 1 and had given several away and they were good rods. So this is probably where I will end up as I navigate the JDM market for the first time. I was wondering how you would compare he Trout Magnet TSS against the St Croix panfish. I know the weigh of the TSS is really light and in your video review you label it as very sensitive. I was thinking about picking up a TSS as my next rod after the Trapara. Thanks for the Birthday wishes.

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I think you’ll like the TraPara...it is a good rod for the money. A fun rod to fish also. The St Croix is a better built rod than the TSS.....but the St Croix has an 70 dollar premium over the TSS.

Regards


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I went ahead and ordered the Trapara 632UL it is due in Sept 5-10. I guess I will mount a Pflueger President 25 series and spool it with 2 lb SOS for now. Hopefully I can get some time off work when it comes in to give it a try.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

I went ahead and ordered the Trapara 632UL it is due in Sept 5-10. I guess I will mount a Pflueger President 25 series and spool it with 2 lb SOS for now. Hopefully I can get some time off work when it comes in to give it a try.

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Big congrats!

Regards


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f you haven't made the purchase on the reel yet, look at a 20.
I put a Daiwa SS700 that I already had on mine, and it really weighed it down and didn't balance well. I had a 20 on my Trout Slayer Series rod, so pulled it off and it balanced well on the Trapara. I ordered the XT 20 model to save a little more weight and it is a super combo.
Spooled it with 2 lb Hybrid Floro.
You will enjoy the rod

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Thanks, I am looking forward to the rod. I already have the 25 series President and a Mitchell Avocet that is smaller with high bearing count that I may give a try. I may need to pick up a reel a little later.

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Originally Posted by slowhand

f you haven't made the purchase on the reel yet, look at a 20.
I put a Daiwa SS700 that I already had on mine, and it really weighed it down and didn't balance well. I had a 20 on my Trout Slayer Series rod, so pulled it off and it balanced well on the Trapara. I ordered the XT 20 model to save a little more weight and it is a super combo.
Spooled it with 2 lb Hybrid Floro.
You will enjoy the rod

Sent from my SM-T580 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

I went ahead and ordered the Trapara 632UL it is due in Sept 5-10. I guess I will mount a Pflueger President 25 series and spool it with 2 lb SOS for now. Hopefully I can get some time off work when it comes in to give it a try.

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don't forget the trout slayer , i really like mine ...i put a stradic 1000hg on it , the hg is a good bit lower in price than the ci+4 , got mine for 149 $........the sahara 1000 is just as smooth i think as the stradic hg ,,,,and it was 69 $....plus the sahara has a gear ratio of 5.0:1.......i am going to try one day to get all my reels the same ratio so i don't have to remember which is faster or slower.........but anyway sounds like you got a great rod and it's getting cooler soon , so we can fish without dripping with sweat...........good luck !

TraPara came in today it was due in between the 5th and 10th so 1 day earlier and caught me off guard. Man is this rod light and small diameter, but does not feel wimpy especially for a UL. So far I am really impressed I can't wait to get it out and try it out. Now to figure out which of my reels to mount on it for now. I will eventually have to buy a reel specifically for the rod. Now will it be a JDM or perhaps a Sahara? I guess I will have to study on it and check a few reels out. Recommendations for a reel will be appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

TraPara came in today it was due in between the 5th and 10th so 1 day earlier and caught me off guard. Man is this rod light and small diameter, but does not feel wimpy especially for a UL. So far I am really impressed I can't wait to get it out and try it out. Now to figure out which of my reels to mount on it for now. I will eventually have to buy a reel specifically for the rod. Now will it be a JDM or perhaps a Sahara? I guess I will have to study on it and check a few reels out. Recommendations for a reel will be appreciated.

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Congrats on your new rod! Nothing wrong with a Sahara. You can get a JDM Sahara for just about same price as a US domestic market one. Both reels are made in Malaysia....with one difference. The JDM model has a shallow spool....which will give you increased casting distance and you don’t have to use so much line with the shallow spool.

Regards


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by flintcreek

TraPara came in today it was due in between the 5th and 10th so 1 day earlier and caught me off guard. Man is this rod light and small diameter, but does not feel wimpy especially for a UL. So far I am really impressed I can't wait to get it out and try it out. Now to figure out which of my reels to mount on it for now. I will eventually have to buy a reel specifically for the rod. Now will it be a JDM or perhaps a Sahara? I guess I will have to study on it and check a few reels out. Recommendations for a reel will be appreciated.

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i noticed in one of your previous comments that you like to fish for bluegill using beetle-spins....if you get a chance , try out an extra ultralight or even an extra extra ultralight , i am going to order a daiwa iprimi 5'6" extra extra ultralight for my blue-gill rod , i have a low-end rod but i want to try a better rod for the blue-gill , since that is what is most abundant here where i fish..and the iprimi is made strictly for blue-gill size fish.........there is information on the iprimi on ( finesse fishing.com ). he will give lots of info on the rods.