JDM type ultra fitness, or technical type set ups ??

I have read through some of the high end rod/reel/line setups on here and watched some videos of the more well know micro light tackle guys on youtube.

What brought me to this was trying to fish small and light lures, jigs for "small fish" in small stream/river and lake situations. I have been doing this for years now. What I mean by small fish is "bluegill type sunfish". Years ago I got very interested in targeting large bluegill, redbreast, pumpkinseeds and green sunfish.

I fish crappie also and have an entirely different application and setups and gear for that specifically. Obviously if I pick some up good but I do specifically target the sunfish family..
Crappie, I personally consider that a larger fish. I fish commercial bought gear and hand made stuff I tie myself. Think fly fishing on a slightly larger scale.

I typical use stuff in 1/64, 1/32. 1/16 at the very heaviest.

I understand the how technical a setup using this JDM gear is.
But I'm not as much interested in making make a small fish into a battle. What I am more interested in was being able to fish small/light lures. Specifically casting them without a float.

Having explained that. I fish these on common quality ultralight setups with 2lb line.
For those of you who fish these cadillac setups.
Is this needed for casting distance and feel or bite detection? I'm sure you started where I'm at now. So, Have you seen these setups really outperform in casting distance and feel? Or are you looking for and gaining more technical fitness ultra light applications? Like fun and enjoyable technical experience?

Theses rods are very expensive for a "bluegill" rod.
That is no means to be taken wrongly or disrespectful. Just trying to get an understanding of the real reason you guys are going this route. Does it perform better in application or are you using this gear because of the technical aspect?
I know what can happen $$ wise. I'm also a fly fisherman....



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Hi, Let me help with your question's. You brought up 3 different things to consider. The JDM rods- Like a fine tail banshee, BENKEI and so on are great in all those areas. Distance, feel, sensitive and fight. I have to of these fine rods- My favorite is the JDM BENKEI. These rods are in the $140- 160 in price. They are very sensitive to the bite with 3# Nylon line. I use the Siglon F by Sunline Co. LTD. I get my line from amazon. You can find the Benkei rod on E-bay. I use the 6.6ft size. I hope this helps, my 2cts.

Thank you.
I didn't realize there was ones in that range. Other than US verity. The ones I had looked at and maybe I didn't understand, the pricing was in the $250-400 range for just a rod.
I will have to check out the one you mentioned.


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I fished Loomis and St. Croix rods for years because I thought they were the best. Having tried JDM rods, I am in the process of selling my old rods to purchase more JDM tackle. JDM stuff is just better. Rods are lighter and more sensitive. Reels are better, too.

As far as being “just a bluegill rod”, I love bluegill and UL fishing, so I don’t mind spending more. As you know, many people happily spend $2000 - $3000 for a bamboo fly rod. To some, it’d be crazy to spend that kind of money on “just a trout rod”, but it’s worth it to them. Only you can decide if JDM is worth it to you.

FWIW, I mostly cast jigs in the 1/64 - 1/32 oz range with 2-3# line and never use a float. JDM is ideal for this.

I took my son out fishing last week and he used my old rods and reels. Most of these are President reels and St Croix or Bass Pro Shop rods. The obvious performance issues I noticed were a lack of casting distance and some of the reels were very harsh feeling upon turning the handle to reel.

You DO NOT need the JDM gear to catch fish, and even Randy will tell you that. However, JDM gear is just much smoother, made better, higher quality, and simply put, performs much better.

Intermediate to high end JDM rods take sensitivity to a whole new level. Depending on the rod you can spend in the area of $175 on a rod that will blow most US domestic rods out of the water. Before I went down the JDM road I had the Loomis.....Phenix Elixir......Fenwick Elite Tech....custom built rods. Once I went JDM I gave all my old UL rods away. I tell folks all the time “Until you fish one you won’t understand”.....same was told to me when started out. I have advised a ton of folks on buying JDM rods. No one has ever told me they wish they had not gone down that road....as a matter of fact most...if not all....wind up buying multiple rods. They are that good. For us that use them we get a huge advantage in sensitivity.....not to even mention the fun factor.

Regards


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smoltz

I have read through some of the high end rod/reel/line setups on here and watched some videos of the more well know micro light tackle guys on youtube.

What brought me to this was trying to fish small and light lures, jigs for "small fish" in small stream/river and lake situations. I have been doing this for years now. What I mean by small fish is "bluegill type sunfish". Years ago I got very interested in targeting large bluegill, redbreast, pumpkinseeds and green sunfish.

I fish crappie also and have an entirely different application and setups and gear for that specifically. Obviously if I pick some up good but I do specifically target the sunfish family..
Crappie, I personally consider that a larger fish. I fish commercial bought gear and hand made stuff I tie myself. Think fly fishing on a slightly larger scale.

I typical use stuff in 1/64, 1/32. 1/16 at the very heaviest.

I understand the how technical a setup using this JDM gear is.
But I'm not as much interested in making make a small fish into a battle. What I am more interested in was being able to fish small/light lures. Specifically casting them without a float.

Having explained that. I fish these on common quality ultralight setups with 2lb line.
For those of you who fish these cadillac setups.
Is this needed for casting distance and feel or bite detection? I'm sure you started where I'm at now. So, Have you seen these setups really outperform in casting distance and feel? Or are you looking for and gaining more technical fitness ultra light applications? Like fun and enjoyable technical experience?

Theses rods are very expensive for a "bluegill" rod.
That is no means to be taken wrongly or disrespectful. Just trying to get an understanding of the real reason you guys are going this route. Does it perform better in application or are you using this gear because of the technical aspect?
I know what can happen $$ wise. I'm also a fly fisherman....



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Some good info in this video.

Regards


YouTube


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I have a friend who fly fishes for trout using various fly rods (he fishes euro style style now). Sometimes he out fishes me using beaded nymphs. Sometimes I out fish him with my spin gear, crappie tubes and custom tied streamer jigs.

I want to fish beaded nymphs (tungsten) and mini tube jigs down to 1/64oz with spinning gear. Don't have the time to master the fly rod and I feel spin gear is more versatile for my situations.

I was drawn to the sensitivity and the lighter weight of JDM rods especially the Ajing and Trout rods. So far I'm impressed with the JDM rod's performance and I have confidence if I ever hook that big one like this one caught on the river recently by a fly fisherman :
Attachment 373737

Might add much of that confidence comes from Alphahawk's experience with big drums and others on this forum.
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Thank you for the great advice guys. Looks like it may be for me then.
Are guys currently able to get these rods with the covid situation?
Also what payment method do these overseas places take? Do you trust spending there online like you do here in the states? Or do you use a credit card? Thanks


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smoltz

Thank you for the great advice guys. Looks like it may be for me then.
Are guys currently able to get these rods with the covid situation?
Also what payment method do these overseas places take? Do you trust spending there online like you do here in the states? Or do you use a credit card? Thanks


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I have been doing this a long time and have never had an issue. I always use PayPal but once my wife used a cc and had no problems. I use Plat and Digitaka a lot...they are highly reputable. You may want to check out a web store here in the states also....Finesse Fishing. Digitaka is closed now for spring vacation...I think Plat is still open and both stores are now shipping by DHL so packages are being shipped...takes about a week. There are other highly reputable shops. You can also buy from sellers off of eBay...but do your homework. Usually...but not always...rods sold on eBay carry a premium on the price many times much higher than the Japanese web stores.


Regards

Thank you.
Another question. Do you guys use regular line with these? I like to use 2lb sos and 2 pline, 2lb vicious. Are these fine to use on these rods?

Better to go with UL or SUL models in my situation?



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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smoltz

Another question. Do you guys use regular line with these? I like to use 2lb sos and 2 pline, 2lb vicious. Are these fine to use on these rods?

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Yes. I've also used 2# Trilene XL, 2# Trilene Sensation and 2# Stren Crappie. All work fine. If you look at the JDM line sticky thread, there are lots of other lines discussed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smoltz

Better to go with UL or SUL models in my situation?

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I suggest reading through this for a start. Finesse Fishing is owned by Chris Stewart, who is a member here.

https://www.finesse-fishing.com/jdm-spinning-rods.html

Also, check out the very first post in the JDM rod sticky thread. Alphahawk gives a good summary of aijing/mebaru rods.

Thank you sir!


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