Budget JDM combo

For those of who would like to get your feet wet into JDM ultralight fishing equipment, I have a combo I’d recommend.
The rod is the Abu Garcia Mass Beat III 6’3” four piece travel rod . Less than $70 from Amazon Japan .
The reel is the Shimano Nasci c2000s from Digitaka for less than $90 .
The rod is designated as a Japanese light action , but it’s an American ultralight action rod .
The Nasci reel is a shallow spool 2000 spool with five ball bearings and one roller bearing .
It’s a 1000 frame with a larger diameter shallow spool . 5/1 gear ratio . It does weigh 210g , but balances nicely on the 6’3” rod . It actually feels lighter than the Abu Garcia I just returned that was 181g .
The rod with 2# P-line Floroclear line combined larger spooled reel gives me casts in the 65-70 feet range with a 1/32 Trout Magnet jig and body .
The drag on the Nasci is awesome IMO . Infinitely adjustable.
If you prefer a two piece rod , an Abu Garcia MB 3 UL in 6’3” or 6’ can be purchased from JDM Tackle Heaven, but you’ll pay around $100 each for them , $30 more than the travel rod . They’re all nice rods that their quality exceeds their price IMO .
I took my 6’ and one of my 6’3” travel rods out today for a test run . They both exceeded my expectations.
The Nasci is a buttery smooth , low inertia reel .
I had written off Shimano reels because of some issued I had with a couple , but I’m glad I gave them another chance .
Between the two approximately hour long trips to the pond this morning , I managed to catch 7 bass and one bluegill , in spite of the heavy winds we’re experiencing today , gusts to 28 mph .

Good read and nice catches.

Good information and pics. Thanks for sharing

I’ve looked at them and believe me, it’s hard not to pull the trigger. I just got three more rods given to me today and I have nowhere to keep them out of harms way. My 6’ and I are still getting to know each other but I’m liking it. Those bass are too much fun. Got 3 of them this morning myself, throwing a little Cleo in chrome. We both had good trips, kinda like a double!

Nice combo

I should add ,
I had no idea a shallow spool version of the Shimano Nasci existed until I was searching and googling around and found a thread here on CDC where someone was asking for less than $100 shallow spool reels that were available .
It was Randy , TMM , that put up links to the Nasci and the Shimano Sahara c2000s , that I didn’t know was available either . There’s also high speed 6/1 versions of these reel available.
BTW , the Nasci does not have an anti-reverse switch , but the cheaper Sahara does .
I bought both and I give a slight edge to the Nasci , just because the Nasci frame shape fits my fat fingers better . The “G free body” frame Shimano switched to a couple years ago, usually cramps my knuckles , but the Nasci doesn’t where the Sahara and other do .
I was hoping the spool off my Ultegra 2000shg would fit one of these , but nope .

Thanks for sharing this with us. :ThumbsUp

Thanks for the info on that reel.
Bob

I have a few shallow spool reels and love them all. One Stella and two Revo MGX20's. Thought I was finished buying rods and reels but seriously thinking of adding the reel to my arsenal. At that price I won't have to sneak it by my wife like I did with the Stella a few years ago.

That didn't take long. Found the reel on ebay for just over $90 with tax.

Have fun with it Jim. I’m waiting for a Soare 500s right now myself. I don’t wait so good.