JDM rod bending curve photos

Photo's of the following rods bending curves
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Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS
Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL
Major Craft Aji-Do AD5-S502L / AJI
Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT
BnM LELAND'S TCB (TROUT, CRAPPIE, BLUEGILL) ROD TCB65

A year or two ago I got sucked into the rabbit hole of JDM Rods. I collected two new ones this month that are in a different topic but will be included here also. After breaking the tip on my Eradicator slow taper special , I decided that I would buy a spare rod to be put away incase I do the same stupid thing again. Part of making the decision on what rod that would be led me to testing the bending curve of the rods I have. Hopefully this may help someone make a decision on a rod they may be considering. Aside from this section of Crappie.com, Alphahawk and i_fish’s youtube channels there isn’t much information on the JDM rods that are in English.

I did make a decision that I’ll be ordering a spare ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS the same rod as the Diplomat Extreme. I would still buy another Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special If I can find one. I do already have a spare Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL.

I’ll start with my two newest rods. Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL and the ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS. For me I’ve decided I like the type of action that the Eradicator and Carabus have vs the more moderate parabolic action of the Presso Air AGS.

Attachment 462653
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS in rear Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL in front both loaded with 1oz

Attachment 462658
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS in rear Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL in front both loaded with 2oz

Attachment 462659
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS in rear Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL in front both loaded with 3oz

Attachment 462660
Next the Eradicator and the Carabus both loaded with 2 oz. The Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special is in the rear and the ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS is in the front as pictured. Curves appear very similar with one rated as SUL with a tublar tip and the other as UL with a solid tip.


Next are two Major Craft Finetail rods one UL and one SUL loaded with 2, 3, and 4 oz
Attachment 462661
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL in rear Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL in front both loaded with 2oz

Attachment 462662
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL in rear Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL in front both loaded with 3oz

Attachment 462663
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL in rear Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL in front both loaded with 2oz.

The same rods one rated as UL the other as SUL.

Next the ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS and the Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL both with 2 oz

Attachment 462664
Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL in rear ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS in front. Both rated as UL


And the ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS and the Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632SUL both with 2 oz
Attachment 462665
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS in Rear Major Craft Finetail Area Basic FAX-632UL in Front . One rated UL one Rated SUL

The next group of pictures the rods are loaded with different amounts of of weight. I did this as you don't get a good idea of the bending curve when they are only loaded with 2oz of weight.

The Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT loaded with 4oz and the ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS at 2 oz
Attachment 462666
Lunakia ML Tublar tip in the Rear, Carabus UL Solid tip in the front.


The ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS at 2 oz and the Major Craft Aji-Do AD5-S502L / AJI loaded with 4 oz
Attachment 462667
Carabus UL Solid tip in the front AJI-Do in the rear.

And lastly the BnM LELAND'S TCB (TROUT, CRAPPIE, BLUEGILL) ROD TCB65 loaded with 6oz and the Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL at 2 oz. Similar parabolic curves but 3 times the weight needed on the TCB.
Attachment 462668
TCB in the rear, Presso rated XUL in the front.

Nice work

Interesting!

I love what you're doing and it tells me a lot about how these rods load up. My problem is (old guy, old eyes) the way these pictures are taken I honestly can't tell for sure which is the front rod and which is the back. When you get my age sometimes when you stare at a picture for a bit stuff seems to change positions or orientation. They are always publishing optical illusions based on that.

Personally I have never been a fan of fast action rods but that seems to be the majority of what is made. I like a rod that loads up nicely on the back cast and does the work of casting for me instead of using so much wrist, elbow,arm. It looks like there are a couple in those pictures I might like but I'm not sure which is which.

Bill I hear you on the getting old thing. If there are pictures your interested in PM me your email and I will send you what ever you want to see. It's easier to see if you can blow them up on a computer. I tried saving a pic from this post to my computer but even that didn't work real well. The site must drop the resolution on them as they get grainy when you try to zoon in.

The only one in your pics that I’m familiar with is the TCB, actually it’s predecessor the TSS. It says ultra light but I find it more of a light. It’s still one of my favorites. I’m wanting to handle a Carabus and an older, under $100 Presso. Both have my interest. I really like the grip on the Carabus, looks comfortable. Thanks for doing the research, I know I’ll refer back to it in the future.

Thank you for posting these!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

The only one in your pics that I’m familiar with is the TCB, actually it’s predecessor the TSS. It says ultra light but I find it more of a light.

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I bought two of the TCB's for my wife and daughter in law to fish with. For what they cost you get alot of rod, they have good sensitivity. The only thing I dislike about them is how long the tail is behind the reel seat, it seemed to always be hitting me or something. The one in the picture I cut a couple inches off of the tail and put a replacement EVA form butt on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zekepa

Bill I hear you on the getting old thing. If there are pictures your interested in PM me your email and I will send you what ever you want to see. It's easier to see if you can blow them up on a computer. I tried saving a pic from this post to my computer but even that didn't work real well. The site must drop the resolution on them as they get grainy when you try to zoon in.

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Thanks for the offer but I think I have managed to figure out what's what. If I am not mistaken that Presso is the one with the kind of bend I would prefer. But as often as I have looked at those JDM rods and reels when I check the price on those which might interest me they are way beyond my budget. I guess I have champagne taste and a beer budget. What I have does what I need to do but maybe I will do some saving for a splurge some day.

But I do very much enjoy the testing some of you do and post about. Very educational.

Nice of you to take the time to post all those photos and info. Thank you.

Going back through the pics I discovered an error in the labeling on the second picture of post 4. I mislabeld whch rod was in the rear and front. Correct info in this pic.

In all the pictures the rod listed as being in the rear is the rod with the highest arc in the curve. As Bill said the eyes can play tricks on you, when the curves are close together or crossover at some point.

The ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS at 2 oz and the Major Craft Aji-Do AD5-S502L / AJI loaded with 4 oz
Attachment 462734

Carabus 6'2" UL Solid tip in the rear, AJI-Do 5' solid tip in the Front.

Nice job. There was a pretty active poster here in the past named Yodie. He also did some nice work in this area as well. Glad you took the project.
Bob

Very good information. Now if I could get this upcoming shoulder replacement surgery done and rehab started hopefully by the end of November I can start fission again.

I know these 4 rods are all very different, but could you possibly speak on the pros/cons or dislikes/likes on these 4 models: I have the lunakia 6’10” as my first jdm rod. I wanted an eradicator realfinesse but it’s impossible to find and out of production. I was debating between the carabus/diplomat extreme or daiwa air AGS 610 XUL

Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS
Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special
Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT

Here are my thoughts/opinion on the rods for how I fish and the size of fish I normally catch. Keep in mind that if you normally catch fish larger than what I am that your opinion may be different. I live in Pennsylvania, in a colder climate, the fish I normally catch are smaller. 7 to 8 inch sunfish are the most common size. Keeper crappie for me are over 9 inches, 10 inch ones are fairly common, over 11 are really nice fish for me.

Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL
Pro- very light, good sensitivity Con- Shorter than I'm used to, slower action than I'm used to. I prefer a rod that is less parabolic.

To me the next three rods are more similar than they are different. The two ABU rods fish the same to me, I can fish them interchangeably, there are times that I like the extra length of the slow taper special. I would have to flip a coin to decide between the two.
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS
Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special


Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT I haven't really fished this rod as much even though like you it is the first rod I bought. With the size fish I'm catching this rod isn't as much fun as the SUL and UL rods I have. If I was expecting to catch larger fish I would use the rod more. I have used it to occasionally drop shot.

The rod I use most often is a SUL Carabus nano. It's not as expensive as the Carabus extreme, but for fun factor on little fish it's a blast.

I don't know if any of that rambling helps you make a decision or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zekepa

Here are my thoughts/opinion on the rods for how I fish and the size of fish I normally catch. Keep in mind that if you normally catch fish larger than what I am that your opinion may be different. I live in Pennsylvania, in a colder climate, the fish I normally catch are smaller. 7 to 8 inch sunfish are the most common size. Keeper crappie for me are over 9 inches, 10 inch ones are fairly common, over 11 are really nice fish for me.

Daiwa 22 Presso Air AGS 510XUL
Pro- very light, good sensitivity Con- Shorter than I'm used to, slower action than I'm used to. I prefer a rod that is less parabolic.

To me the next three rods are more similar than they are different. The two ABU rods fish the same to me, I can fish them interchangeably, there are times that I like the extra length of the slow taper special. I would have to flip a coin to decide between the two.
ABU Garcia CARABUS EXTREME CEX-622ULS
Abu Garcia Eradicator Realfinesse ERFS-67SULT-ST-TZ Slow Taper Special


Tenryu Lunakia LK6102S-MLT I haven't really fished this rod as much even though like you it is the first rod I bought. With the size fish I'm catching this rod isn't as much fun as the SUL and UL rods I have. If I was expecting to catch larger fish I would use the rod more. I have used it to occasionally drop shot.

The rod I use most often is a SUL Carabus nano. It's not as expensive as the Carabus extreme, but for fun factor on little fish it's a blast.

I don't know if any of that rambling helps you make a decision or not.

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yes, this is very helpful in addition to your rod bend photos. Even though they have similar bend curves, Is the carabus extreme as wobbly / slower recovery as the slow taper special?

I haven't taken note of it. I'm working late today but will try to remember to check when I get home.
I think ifish on YouTube talks about the extreme and the solid tip. Tip recovery seems to be something he pays alot of attention to. It's not something I really thought about. I mostly focus on the amount of fun after the fish is on the line.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Quote:

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Originally Posted by troutking

yes, this is very helpful in addition to your rod bend photos. Even though they have similar bend curves, Is the carabus extreme as wobbly / slower recovery as the slow taper special?

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I have the Carabus, Slow Taper Special, and a couple of Diplomat Extreme. The Carabus is not as slow as the STS. The tip is soft but the rod is reasonably firm. Love all rods mentioned but the STS still gets my vote as my most favorite rod.

Regards


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I have the Carabus, Slow Taper Special, and a couple of Diplomat Extreme. The Carabus is not as slow as the STS. The tip is soft but the rod is reasonably firm. Love all rods mentioned but the STS still gets my vote as my most favorite rod.

Regards


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Ah thank you for the feedback. You are always helpful! I wish the STS was not discontinued :( . Impossible to find. Currently trying to find something comparable to it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

I have the Carabus, Slow Taper Special, and a couple of Diplomat Extreme. The Carabus is not as slow as the STS. The tip is soft but the rod is reasonably firm. Love all rods mentioned but the STS still gets my vote as my most favorite rod.

Regards


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

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Hey Randy, is the diplomat extreme a parabolic rod? Or is it fast action? How does it compare to the STS?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by troutking

Hey Randy, is the diplomat extreme a parabolic rod? Or is it fast action? How does it compare to the STS?

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No not at all. What I call a parabolic rod is something like the US market Presso rods. While the Extreme has a soft tip it is a very crisp rod. Both Extreme and STS are great rods. The STS rod however is the most crisp and best feeling rod I have ever put in my hands. It is also the most fun. Very hard to make a rod soft like the STS yet still be Uber sensitive. You can get a rod like the STS but I think the Evergreen Limber Tip Superior is around 500 bucks. Abu got it right with the STS. However I’m not sure any are available, and not sure you could find an Extreme.


Regards


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alphahawk

No not at all. What I call a parabolic rod is something like the US market Presso rods. While the Extreme has a soft tip it is a very crisp rod. Both Extreme and STS are great rods. The STS rod however is the most crisp and best feeling rod I have ever put in my hands. It is also the most fun. Very hard to make a rod soft like the STS yet still be Uber sensitive. You can get a rod like the STS but I think the Evergreen Limber Tip Superior is around 500 bucks. Abu got it right with the STS. However I’m not sure any are available, and not sure you could find an Extreme.


Regards


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Is the evergreen limber tip a soft rod? I’ve been eying that as an upgrade over my tenryu lunakia 610, but was unsure of the action and whether I would be able to perceive a significant increase in sensitivity per the price point. I love my lunakia 610 but wish it was a little less fast action and a little softer for my style of trout fishing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by troutking

Is the evergreen limber tip a soft rod? I’ve been eying that as an upgrade over my tenryu lunakia 610, but was unsure of the action and whether I would be able to perceive a significant increase in sensitivity per the price point. I love my lunakia 610 but wish it was a little less fast action and a little softer for my style of trout fishing.

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There are 2 on here who own that road. Maybe they will chime in.


Regards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by troutking

Is the evergreen limber tip a soft rod? I’ve been eying that as an upgrade over my tenryu lunakia 610, but was unsure of the action and whether I would be able to perceive a significant increase in sensitivity per the price point. I love my lunakia 610 but wish it was a little less fast action and a little softer for my style of trout fishing.

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I have the Limber Tip for 2-3 years now, and it is my favorite rod - period. I have caught everything from bream to a 4-5 lb spotted bass on it. The tip is soft but the rod has backbone when you need it. It is my go-to crappie rod with light jigs/trout magnets, and I can feel the slightest tap or sudden loss of weight. I also have 2 STS - almost as sensitive - and they are rigged up and on-board at all times, they are especially loved for bream/shellcracker fishing using tiny jig and a red wiggler. I'm about to go hunt some right now...

I hooked a big fish this morning on my Evergreen LT that broke me off in a tree. He sizzled the drag and bull-dogged deep, probably a big spot well over 3-4 lbs. I simply couldn't turn him. I did break 2 lbs a couple times on crappie, bison TM on 1.5g Daiwa jig ( new tungsten SasSaq hook jig). Took a single fish home for a sammich! Re-spooled the Presso on the LT from 3 lb up to 4 lb Twitch Master! Using 3 lb. TM on the Abu STS's. Now socked in with rain, and cant fish until Monday, probably. Dang it!
:cheers2
Attachment 482679

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

I hooked a big fish this morning on my Evergreen LT that broke me off in a tree. He sizzled the drag and bull-dogged deep, probably a big spot well over 3-4 lbs. I simply couldn't turn him. I did break 2 lbs a couple times on crappie, bison TM on 1.5g Daiwa jig ( new tungsten SasSaq hook jig). Took a single fish home for a sammich! Re-spooled the Presso on the LT from 3 lb up to 4 lb Twitch Master! Using 3 lb. TM on the Abu STS's. Now socked in with rain, and cant fish until Monday, probably. Dang it!
:cheers2
Attachment 482679

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Beautiful fish and great info.


Regards