Reels From Japan

[webertime]

Paid $180 for a '17 Scorpion DC.  The US equivalent is the Curado DC with a bit dumber downed brake.  Can't get a Curado DC for $180 in the US.

[TBAG]

I want to order an SLX MGL but afraid the wait is going to be too long. Might have to just get an XT in the meantime. d**n rona virus. 

[Maico1]

On 4/6/2020 at 8:52 PM, Fishin Dad said:

I am not trying to hijack here, but have always wondered about buying from Japan.  Quick question:  What does someone gain from buying there?  Better/ different products, cheaper prices, newer releases, etc?  Thanks.  

Depends on what you are looking for to satisfy your fishing needs. The Japanese have a tendency to keep a lot of their JDM products for themselves thus not all the product line gets released to the US. For instance you can get a Poison Adrena in the states but not a Poison Glorious or Ultima. The same goes for reels although that has loosened up a bit over the past few years. In my opinion if you are someone who does not maintain your own reels then that would lessen the benefit for you. As far as lures go just visit a JDM website and see the differences in the colors and product that are available. If you find an itch well then scratch it......

 

 

 

[Fishin Dad]

Most of these sites are reliable and legitimate that I have seen on here?  I have seen Japan Tackle, Digitaka, Japan lure shop.  Any favorites you all have?

[NOC 1]

On 4/6/2020 at 8:46 PM, Efishin said:

Correct. I find the product to be the same. But yes they do have some different offerings but much of the same 

The reels are more the same than they used to be, but there are still a lot of reels offered around the world that are not imported here.

 

When it comes to rods, it isn't even close there are hundreds if not thousands of rods that aren't imported here, many from companies that we ordinarily don't even hear about.

 

I think it's because the American market has such a limited taste. And it seems to be a different taste than most other countries and it is a world apart from the Japanese market. Most Americans seem to want $100 reel that holds 150 yards of line set up for 3/8-3/4 oz baits. That's sort of a laugh-er to the Japanese where they put a premium on precision and special purpose stuff. Most Japanese reels hold about 90 yards of line. All that extra line really kills performance.

 

Americans want their Mondo reel mounted onto 7'+ MHF and MF rods by and large, where the Japanese market offers many more sizes and styles and many 5'8" to 6'19" rods from UL to Heavy Jig Rods. I for one don't like 7' rods and prefer 6'3" TO 6'8" Rods. I can get them from Japan where that is the norm.

 

I for one prefer the Japanese market stuff and I believe that the stuff made in Japan is a better quality than the made in Korea or China mass market stuff offered in the US. Furthermore, I want a whole cornucopia of different reels not just 20 copies of Tat USA or Lews reels. Lews makes what? 10 different bait-casters and they mostly the same size and functionally equivalent. Where's the Lews reels with 8 gm shallow spools? Or their reels for jigging?

 

I am all for supporting the US economy, but I am also a big fan of market capitalism. Japan is our friend and they manage to have what I want to buy. If the American dealers can offer me what I want at the same price I would rather buy American. But I'm not going to buy a boatload of cookie cutter reels and rods that I could pole vault with just because an American is selling them.

 

I do try, and have tried to avoid buying anything Chinese and am finding it impossible.

[Fishin Dad]

6 minutes ago, NOC 1 said:

The reels are more the same than they used to be, but there are still a lot of reels offered around the world that are not imported here.

 

When it comes to rods, it isn't even close there are hundreds if not thousands of rods that aren't imported here, many from companies that we ordinarily don't even hear about.

 

I think it's because the American market has such a limited taste. And it seems to be a different taste than most other countries and it is a world apart from the Japanese market. Most Americans seem to want $100 reel that holds 150 yards of line set up for 3/8-3/4 oz baits. That's sort of a laugh-er to the Japanese where they put a premium on precision and special purpose stuff. Most Japanese reels hold about 90 yards of line. All that extra line really kills performance.

 

Americans want their Mondo reel mounted onto 7'+ MHF and MF rods by and large, where the Japanese market offers many more sizes and styles and many 5'8" to 6'19" rods from UL to Heavy Jig Rods. I for one don't like 7' rods and prefer 6'3" TO 6'8" Rods. I can get them from Japan where that is the norm.

 

I for one prefer the Japanese market stuff and I believe that the stuff made in Japan is a better quality than the made in Korea or China mass market stuff offered in the US. Furthermore, I want a whole cornucopia of different reels not just 20 copies of Tat USA or Lews reels. Lews makes what? 10 different bait-casters and they mostly the same size and functionally equivalent. Where's the Lews reels with 8 gm shallow spools? Or their reels for jigging?

 

I am all for supporting the US economy, but I am also a big fan of market capitalism. Japan is our friend and they manage to have what I want to buy. If the American dealers can offer me what I want at the same price I would rather buy American. But I'm not going to buy a boatload of cookie cutter reels and rods that I could pole vault with just because an American is selling them.

 

I do try, and have tried to avoid buying anything Chinese and am finding it impossible.

I have looked at some of these sites and they confuse the heck out of me.  How do you learn about the different rods that we hear nothing about and can’t see or feel?   I searched earlier today and looked at known brands quick (Daiwa, Shimano, Abu) and had no idea what most of them were except Exprides Zodias and Fantasista.  Thanks for the help.  I really do find this interesting and opening up some fun possibilities.  

[NOC 1]

5 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

I have looked at some of these sites and they confuse the heck out of me.  How do you learn about the different rods that we hear nothing about and can’t see or feel?   I searched earlier today and looked at known brands quick (Daiwa, Shimano, Abu) and had no idea what most of them were except Exprides Zodias and Fantasista.  Thanks for the help.  I really do find this interesting and opening up some fun possibilities.  

That is a good question, and unfortunately one that I don't have a very good answer for. I am in the process of sorting it out too.

 

Forums like this one help as sometimes other people have taken the plunge on different stuff and can pass on their opinions of it. After a long while of looking at the Japanese sites and reading forums on the net you can begin to form opinions or theories.

 

For example, I've never used a Daiko rod, but those who have been into the JDM rods for a longer time have a high opinion of certain models such as the "Burroughs". So what I am doing is finding a used Burroughs in EXC shape and take the plunge. After that I know what to expect from Daiko, and can tell something about their other rods by comparing the description of a different model with what I have.

 

The bottom line though is that somebody has to take the plunge sight unseen and share what they find.

[Hammer 4]

Everything was so easy not to long ago, when most reels were made in Japan. I can't recall having any issues or people that bought from other countries.

[Outdoors]

On 4/5/2020 at 5:48 PM, TxHawgs said:

Want to make ebay purchase has anyone bought any recently? Did it take longer or is the usps holding packages coming in from Japan? Thanks

Have you ever considered Amazon? I brought an Antares DC 16 about two years ago from a company in Tokyo, and it was here at my door in NC within a few days.

 

I can't speak much for Ebay.

[NOC 1]

14 hours ago, Outdoors said:

Have you ever considered Amazon? I brought an Antares DC 16 about two years ago from a company in Tokyo, and it was here at my door in NC within a few days.

 

I can't speak much for Ebay.

It kind of depends on what your priority is as to whether Amazon or E-bay are good choices. They offer you assurances that you will not get ripped off, so if you are the type of person that wants reassurance, that's a plus. There is less hassle with shipping for sure. But there is a downside.

 

First of all you won't see half of what is available. Amazon is worse than E-bay for that. Anybody can find a brand new Daiwa Rebellion, or MajorCraft MS-X, but try to find something like a Fishman Brist 5.10 MXH or Beams Crawla 6.6L+, or maybe even a Palms Metal Witch Quest MTSC-631T "Tachi). You have a small chance of finding that stuff on E-bay but it isn't going to happen on Amazon.

 

7Seas Pro Shop is a huge dealer in Thailand, known and respected around the world and they have all of those I named plus 1000 more. Just to name one source.

 

Secondly, even if you are not wanting to score a Metal Witch Quest, and you do find that more common thing that you are looking for I would expect to pay more. Assurance costs I guess.

 

3rd. I would rather deal with guys like The Tackle Trap, DVT or even TW than contribute 1 dime to Bezo's plan to subjugate the entire world or to Google's police state surveillance schemes. If those guys happens to be in Japan or Thailand that's OK.

 

 

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[AmSO4]

On 4/7/2020 at 7:19 PM, TBAG said:

I want to order an SLX MGL but afraid the wait is going to be too long. Might have to just get an XT in the meantime. d**n rona virus. 

I got this from ebay seller Asian Portal.  Nice reel, I had to put a little grease to quiet the brakes, but not a bad cheap alternative to Aldebaren when you don't need to be super lightweight.  I am using it on a new Dobyns Xtasy 754 for finesse jigs.

 

Shimano 19 SLX MGL 71XG (left handle) From Japan

( 133193903806 )

Delivered on Mar 26, 2020

Tracking number: 

ITEM PRICE:

US $129.42

[Fishin Dad]

Thanks, your responses definitely answered some of those questions AND gave me great resources to check out.  Much appreciated.  

[fishwizzard]

On 4/8/2020 at 1:54 PM, Fishin Dad said:

I searched earlier today and looked at known brands quick (Daiwa, Shimano, Abu) and had no idea what most of them were except Exprides Zodias and Fantasista.  Thanks for the help.  I really do find this interesting and opening up some fun possibilities.  

One of the best ways to dip your toe in JDM rods is to look for manufacturers who have lines that are offered in both countries. For example the Shimano Poison Adrena and Daiwa Black Label rods are offered in both countries but with a vastly more limited selection available in the US.  This way you can generally find reviews on the overall quality of the line, which adds a bit of confidence when buying one of the JDM specific models. 
 

 

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Penn makes 2   z series  in the usa and also a few conventional..torque 12 is small at 14 oz and can be used to cast bass lures or musky in the upper weights..

[NOC 1]

On 4/9/2020 at 12:08 PM, BaitFinesse said:

The TT forums have a bunch of members who regularly purchase JDM rods so there is a ton of info out there about them and they regularly sell them in the site classified section.  The Tackle Trap will often import a number of JDM rods allowing you to get access to them without having to pay high shipping fees.  In the case of Megabass rods TTT is an authorized retailer and imported JDM rods bought through them will come with a warranty.  That's how I got my Orochi xXx.  

 

I only have a handful of JDM rods but I learned about them from the TT forums and even purchased one used like new from a member there.

 

 

Good call on both The Tackle Trap and Tackle Tour forum. I was going to mention Tackle Tour, but wasn't sure how that would be received on a "competing" forum.

 

Worth mentioning too are the reviews that Tackle Tour does. Best reviews in the industry IMO even though they are pretty much limited to the stuff imported into the USA. There is still a lot of applicable info there.

 

The tackle trap is a great shop. I've bought Megabass there as well.