JDM same as USDM?

[Brett's_daddy]

I know the reels usually have some differences between the USDM version and the same model JDM version but what about the rods? Are there differences between the two versions in Megabass, Shimano and Daiwa rods?

[F14A-B]

A lot of JDM rods are two piece, either centercut or at the handle. But I don’t believe they all are. As far as materials I cannot say. 

[Brett's_daddy]

32 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

A lot of JDM rods are two piece, either centercut or at the handle. But I don’t believe they all are. As far as materials I cannot say. 

Oh I make sure they say 1 piece, I am not a fan of 2 piece rods!

[softwateronly]

4 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Oh I make sure they say 1 piece, I am not a fan of 2 piece rods!

I'm not saying change your opinion, but the 2-piece jdm models I've recently purchased have almost zero in common with the 2-piece rods of the 80's and 90's.  And some of what @F14A-B is referring to is that the usdm has such a distaste for 2-piece rods, that certain jdm rods that are handle breaks in the rest of the world, get glued in place for the US market.

 

scott

[F14A-B]

9 minutes ago, softwateronly said:

I'm not saying change your opinion, but the 2-piece jdm models I've recently purchased have almost zero in common with the 2-piece rods of the 80's and 90's.  And some of what @F14A-B is referring to is that the usdm has such a distaste for 2-piece rods, that certain jdm rods that are handle breaks in the rest of the world, get glued in place for the US market.

 

scott

Have you tried any of the 2 piece Tatula rods? I’ve had my eye on one the last couple weeks. 

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, softwateronly said:

usdm has such a distaste for 2-piece rods, that certain jdm rods that are handle breaks in the rest of the world, get glued in place for the US market.

 

scott

Whats hilarious is that most Americans love 2 piece rods for trout, panfish, catfish, especially Ugly Stiks. Most fly rods are 3 or 4 piece too and no one complains about that either.

 

But as soon as we get into bass fishing that switch gets flipped, hence the distaste or plain hatred for them.

3 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Oh I make sure they say 1 piece, I am not a fan of 2 piece rods!

I love every 2 piece rod i have for trout and panfish, nor do i have any issues with my fly rods, but the 2 pieces i have several of for bass fishing feel awful, not much sensitivity, feels dull and weaker too, they are all usually more parabolic than the stiff stout 1 piece rods im used to and just dont feel right to me. (talking about the middle of rod, not near the handle for 2 piece ones) Most likely all 2 piece rods arent this way, but i havent found any i like yet.

 

But i will say that they are probably the better way price wise in the long run, since its cheaper to replace a top piece than a whole rod if it were to ever break.

 

 

For OP if shopping JDM more than likely most rods will be more than one piece, atleast from what ive heard. And after checking Japan Lure Shop just now the majority of Daiwa rods i looked at were "2 Joints". If you do go this route make sure you buy from one that has a very good reputation for handling any issues, because new rods can and do break from time to time whether from being stored a certain way or the modern day shipping disasters, even though its a very small % if it happened theres no manufacturer warranty. Having a good shop will still be costly with shipping but it wouldnt be a total loss.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, MediumMouthBass said:

But as soon as we get into bass fishing that switch gets flipped, hence the distaste or plain hatred for them.

I love every 2 piece rod i have for trout and panfish, nor do i have any issues with my fly rods, but the 2 pieces i have several of for bass fishing feel awful, not much sensitivity, feels dull and weaker too, they are all usually more parabolic than the stiff stout 1 piece rods im used to and just dont feel right to me. (talking about the middle of rod, not near the handle for 2 piece ones) Most likely all 2 piece rods arent this way, but i havent found any i like yet.

 

The problem and the answer are both in your paragraph.  Because there is minimal interest in 2 piece bass rods, there is little to no development put into 2 piece blanks for bass rods.  As you said, a 2 piece rod can be made to feel just as good as a 1-piece. Fly rods and multi species rods do it all the time.  I suspect rods with a steeper taper like a mag bass or jig and worm style might be tougher but I have no verifiable data on that.

 

 

1 hour ago, MediumMouthBass said:

But i will say that they are probably the better way price wise in the long run, since its cheaper to replace a top piece than a whole rod if it were to ever break.

 

Have you ever tried to replace a tip section?  Most manufacturers won't do it.  Tips and butts are often mated for fit.  So they won't sell you just one piece as a breakage replacement.

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Have you tried any of the 2 piece Tatula rods? I’ve had my eye on one the last couple weeks. 

I haven't unfortunately.  These are the 2-piece center breaks that I have and like a lot;

 

MC Days:

6'9 M/F

6'9 MH/RF

7' XXH/RF

 

MC Black Porgy:

7'8 ML/RF

MC Triple Cross:

7'9 MH+/RF

 

Abu Garcia Salty Stage Kurodai

7'9 LT-BF RF

7'3 MLS-BF F

 

scott

[Eric 26]

Although I’m not going to give a direct answer I can say our very own @bulldog1935 has taught me a lot about the different ways 2 piece rods are connected and why it makes a difference and can definitely explain it better than myself. I will add though that St Croix still has some 2 piece rods for what I would consider “bass presentations” in off the top of my head the Black Bass series, Premiere series and even the Avid series. Although I’ve been fortunate to not have to use the warranty/replace any damaged rods from them in recent years I did have to replace a top section of my 2 piece Premier rod and there was no issues other than supplying the model number and the appropriate amount for shipping and it was sent promptly and in a heavy cardboard tube to boot.

Edited 11 hours ago by Eric 26
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[AlabamaSpothunter]

In terms of Megabass, their top end line, the P5 Destroyer lineup is offered in both a JDM and USDM lineup.

The rods are quite different, and you really get a sense of the differences between Japanese and US angler preferences.

 

For example the JDM P5 Destroyer 110 Stick is a 6'3 offering, while the USDM jerkbait models are much longer.   The Japanese prefer shorter jerkbait rods, and so do I which I why I went with the JDM option.

 

I'm not sure about other JDM companies.  

[MediumMouthBass]

5 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Have you ever tried to replace a tip section?  Most manufacturers won't do it.  Tips and butts are often mated for fit.  So they won't sell you just one piece as a breakage replacement.

For higher end rods it would be more difficult no doubt, especially when manufacturers today want you to completely replace instead of fixing. But if someone joined a FB group for that brand and asked theres probably someone out there with the same rod broken near the bottom that would be willing to let go of their now useless top piece. And then theres Marketplace, auction sites, etc....

 

Ive also heard of a few companies sending replacement pieces too, although it wont be any of the big 4.

 

Atleast there is a chance, whereas a 1 piece broken in the middle is completely useless if it doesnt have a "insurance plan" that costs $60 for a new one (Dobyns, St Croix, etc).