Raid Japan Gladiator Anti Spinning "Defender"

[RRocket]

It's new rod day today!! 

 

Unexpectedly received a rod today from my lovely wife! While she's no fisherman, she does pay attention to my ramblings and knows I love JDMv finesse gear and technique. And apparently she saw a video about some of the "best" JDM rods and bought me one! 

 

It's a Raid Japan Gladiator Anti Spinning rod with the model being "Defender". It's 6'3", Light, Fast action. It's beautifully made and was beautifully packaged in a velvet bag.

 

I subscribe to a more minimalist approach and therefore only have 2 other rods, both JDM Shimano Expride B. One a 265 UL+ and the other a 266 L. The 266L is my primary rod for my primary techniques, so I'll be comparing it to this rod as time goes by. Am curious to see what it has to offer for nearly double the price. The new rod is slightly heavier at 94 grams vs. 88 grams for the Expride

 

I've posted a couple of quick pictures beside my Expride. If anyone has specific questions, ask away.

 

 

[Joshua B]

Sick! That rod looks insane

Question: Are your exprides the models that split in half or the ones that split at the handle? I am looking at getting a 1610M-2 casting rod for jerkbaits primarily. Do you think the 1610M-S (solid tip) would work well enough for jerkbaits/wacky worms? I want a rod with a faster tip. I cant seem to find any 1610M in stock. You seem pretty knowledgable in this topic (I’m pretty clueless lol)

[RRocket]

3 hours ago, Joshua B said:

Sick! That rod looks insane

Question: Are your exprides the models that split in half or the ones that split at the handle? I am looking at getting a 1610M-2 casting rod for jerkbaits primarily. Do you think the 1610M-S (solid tip) would work well enough for jerkbaits/wacky worms? I want a rod with a faster tip. I cant seem to find any 1610M in stock. You seem pretty knowledgable in this topic (I’m pretty clueless lol)

One of my rods splits in the middle, the other at the handle. So I have both.

 

As to what works best with a wacky? I'm of no help! Sorry! In lieu of a wacky, I throw poop baits.

 

But you can be sure than any Expride rod is superb.