JDM Rod Advice Crappie Jig Casting

I think I made a mistake following Google into this part of the forum, now I feel that I’m being dragged into the deep water of JDM fishing. Joking!!!

I was originally looking for info and opinions on the UL BnM TCB, that lead me to Alphahawks review of the rod, then I watched another of the video’s on his youtube channel, which lead to looking at higher end US rods. I’m starting to think that if I’m going to spend that kind of money I would be better off getting a decent JDM rod than high end US rod. The rod threads are very long I’ve started reading them, trying to learn as I go. So far I think I’ve figured out that I’m looking for a Mebaru rod. Please correct me if I’m wrong about that, and provide any recommendations that may apply.

I really only fish for crappie, in central Pa where I live they are not that big, the damn I fish at the average keeper is 9 to 10 inches, for me 12 inches is a big fish and not that common. I want the rod to be able to cast jigs, I hand tie 1/64 and 1/32 shad dart style jigs and mostly use 1/32. Last year and this year I’ve bought a bunch of 1/32 and 1/16 jig heads for use with bobby garland and other soft plastics. I’m not very good at the technique yet though. Hoping that maybe a JDM rod will help with that.

Currently have 3 ESP rods, 9ft, 7.5 ft and a 6ft also BnM Sam Heaton 9ft and 7 ft. most of the time I’ve used them with either fixed or slip bobbers depending on depth of fish and style of fishing jog or minnow. I would like to become proficient at single pole jig casting to catch crappie. With the exception of my small pond at my house all of my fishing is from a boat. 2 rods I think would fit what I’m looking to do are the Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT I saw at Finesse fishing (out of stock) and from Alphahawks post in the sticky 4. Major Craft SkyRoad Ajing 7’ 4. Not sure if this rod is still made as the post is from 2015.

Give what I’m wanting to do what would be some recommendations for me to look into further. I prefer rods to be around 7 ft give or take some length. If I'm going this route I would prefer to only cry once at what it cost, so probably looking for at least a decent quality rod for $200 or less if that is even possible.

Thanks

Hi zekepa, I’d like to be first to welcome you to this part of the forum as it was how I got here, Google and Alphahawk videos. I don’t currently own that many high end JDM rods to make sound recommendations base around $200 mark but lots of members will chime in soon, so hang tight! However I’ve no doubt the Lunakia line of rods are excellent for crappie fishing.


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Tough….tough….and more tough. The reason it is tough is the very limited availability of rods. You’re on the right trail looking at the Lunakia. Another one that shines is the Tict Ice Cube…with the Finesse or Power version…..both rods are stellar crappie rods. But none are available except for some eBay sellers who are asking way too much money for those rods. The Sky Road is no longer available. The 67 Slow Taper Special also makes a great crappie rod….with a lot of fun added in. But if I were only going to get one JDM rod I would suggest the Lunakia 610. You would not only have an extremely sensitive….well behaved rod…..it would also shine on white bass….Smallies, and even bigger bluegill. The blank on that rod is superb.

Regards


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Thanks Alphahawk, I've been reading through topics for the past 6 hours. The Lunakia 610 is at the top of my list right now, also been considering the 632 reading what I can find on it but think if I'm going with Lunakia I will hold out for the 610. The Tict ice cube,Eradicator Real Finesse , and 18 corto are also on my list to check out. I'm at work so some of the websites I'd like to get to are blocked. Looks like a lot of research ahead.

I personally used to use the 6ft light esp for my casting for crappie. I prefer my Tict Ice Cube Rockin Finessee more than the Slow Taper Special Eradicator and I believe that puts me in a minority but my preference. I do not own the Lunakia but I own 3 Cortos and like them all. One rod I like a lot for casting is the 6.10 Eradicator which is like a light version. It is a great rod as well. One rod worth considering on the cheaper end of things is the Major Craft Triple Cross. I believe digitaka has the solid tip in stock right now. My dad has the 7.3 and the 6.9 in solid tip that he uses for both float and casting for crappie. I use the Triple Cross as well but only use it for float fishing and prefer the tubular tip. I don’t think you can go wrong with the Triple Cross as your first JDM rod. I would put it up against any St Croix on the market.

Well I bit the bullet and ordered the 610 Lunakia from JDM Tackle Heaven, other than ebay it was the only place I found the rod in stock.

VaCrappieMan, I thought about the triple cross as an entry point but like the higher end US rods like St Croix decided that if I wanted to go JDM to go above an entry level rod hoping to not end up buying rod after rod. Knowing myself had I bought a St Croix next I'd have probably bought something along the lines of the triple cross. For the money spent I could have gotten the Luna 610 to start so I figure I just skipped the inevitable.

My first choice would have been Finesse Fishing had they been in stock. It is somewhat scary paying that kind of money for a rod I've only seen pictures of.

Awesome. I hope you like it and I’m sure you will! I have toyed with the idea of getting one but have several rods that I paid good money for that I think would be fairly similar. Let us know what you think!

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Originally Posted by zekepa

Well I bit the bullet and ordered the 610 Lunakia from JDM Tackle Heaven, other than ebay it was the only place I found the rod in stock.

VaCrappieMan, I thought about the triple cross as an entry point but like the higher end US rods like St Croix decided that if I wanted to go JDM to go above an entry level rod hoping to not end up buying rod after rod. Knowing myself had I bought a St Croix next I'd have probably bought something along the lines of the triple cross. For the money spent I could have gotten the Luna 610 to start so I figure I just skipped the inevitable.

My first choice would have been Finesse Fishing had they been in stock. It is somewhat scary paying that kind of money for a rod I've only seen pictures of.

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Congrats on the new rod, I do think you will like it. Did you mention the reel and line diameter you plan on saddling up to the new stick? I personally prefer the fine diameter of JDM braid and it’s sensitivity and low stretch, on a shallow spool JDM spinning reel of course. Further down the rabbit hole we go.

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Originally Posted by StantheMan2567

Congrats on the new rod, I do think you will like it. Did you mention the reel and line diameter you plan on saddling up to the new stick? I personally prefer the fine diameter of JDM braid and it’s sensitivity and low stretch, on a shallow spool JDM spinning reel of course. Further down the rabbit hole we go.

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I haven't even started reading the reel and line topics. For starters I will most likely take a reel off one of my other rods to checkout how it balances with different weight reels. I seem to favor Diawa for reels as that is what I've ended up putting on the rods I use the past two years. My 2 9ft rods have BG2500s at 9.3oz I think they will be too heavy, my 2 7 ish ft rods have Revros 2000's (7.4oz) on them and I just put a Regal 2000(6.7 oz) on the 6 ft rod last weekend. I'm hoping one of them will balance nicely. I like the shallow spool on the Revros reels but wanted to try the Regal. As you can see I've been going with 2000 series reels, mainly for the larger spool diameter. A JDM reel is going to have to wait for awhile.

The Regal is spooled with 4lb vicious, I have National Guard drill this weekend on the other side of the state, so I will be going to bass pro and cabela's I'll look if they have anything in 2lb. I do have a spool of 4lb fireline crystal I'm just not a real fan of the line, although i've only used the 6lb a little bit. I imagine I will end up with JDM braid in the end, but think I will start with mono just for the stretch factor to protect the rod while getting started.

Check out the line options from varivas. Plenty of folks in this sub-forum use their lines… and I believe they are a board sponsor.


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Congrats on the purchase! I think if you start using Japanese premium lines from the start you will be way ahead of the game. It took me years to finally get around to doing so, I wish I had done it from day one. Varivas makes fantastic lines for UL anglers...you will not go wrong with Varivas.


Regards

I prefer nylon myself and like the Varivas Twitch Master in 3lb. If you are looking for a good 2lb US line I would go with 2lb maxima or even 2lb trout sos (I believe it breaks around 3.5lbs).

Congrats on the new rod, zepeka. You will love it. I have the 6’3” little Luna and it is a fantastic rod on pans (and crappies).
Bob

Congrats.

Found these at Basspro today. I've never used fluorocarbon before. The braid might be a little to heavy. The diameter is the same as 6lb suffix 832. I'll test the actual break strength on it. I also bought some 3.4 lb flyline tippet to use as a leader with the braid.

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That Sunline 2lb should be really nice or I would think so. I would be slightly worried about using that braid with your Lunakia. Might be okay with drag set lightly.

I won't be using the braid on the JDM rod. A double surgeons loop knot slipped at 5 lbs twice, when I got a knot to hold the line broke pretty close to 20 lbs.

I never graduated past the 2lb SOS line. I use it on all of my JDM rods and reels with good results. It may not be as sensitive as the fancier lines, but it holds up to 13 inch redear that I target and the willing 4lb catfish that inevitably inhales my offerings.

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Originally Posted by redearhoosier

I never graduated past the 2lb SOS line. I use it on all of my JDM rods and reels with good results. It may not be as sensitive as the fancier lines, but it holds up to 13 inch redear that I target and the willing 4lb catfish that inevitably inhales my offerings.

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Those are good results, redear. The 2lb gamma panfish is a nice 2lb line as well. Strength a little over 4lbs actual. I guess when all is said and done though, you can’t beat the JDM lines. I hav 3lb JDM nylon on one of my reels and it is a very good performer.
Bob

I’m feeling like a kid leading up to Christmas. I ordered the 610 Lunakia from JDMTackle Heaven on March 31^st. The order has been showing as “Unfulfilled” the past couple of days, I was starting to think that I mistakenly placed the order for an out of stock rod and would have to wait while it was on backorder. Checked my email this morning, I had an email from DHL with tracking info. Delivery is supposed to be a week from today on April 14^th. The anticipation is killing me.

Fedex and the mailman did deliver some things to tide me over yesterday. USPS delivered a Abu Garcia MGX Theta 1000s that I got from VaCrappieMan(Thanks, great person to deal with) from the classifieds. Fedex delivered a Garmin 106sv that I had really didn’t need but the price was to good to let it pass.

Varivas line is to be delivered USPS today. Ordered high 4lb Super Trout mono and Yellow PE X4 line. Looks like I will be able to spool some line on the reel tonight.

Dang…. I thought you already had the Lunakia in hand. Won’t be long!