my two pesos...... (I generally fish Rocky Mountain alpine streams/rivers....wild trout anywhere from 6"-16", sometimes larger) My Tanuki Pocket Ninja is by far one of my favourite rods. An absolute joy to cast, and handles 12"-16" fish just fine when I find them on the line. In terms of quality, feel, and performance it's dang near perfect. Now, I did make a custom cork handle for it (I used to build fly rods and have this ability), and this does make a difference. Also, while I love Tanuki (my "other" main rod is a 375), I really don't like their super bright graphics and paintjobs....luckily they also offer more basic "plain" options. I do have, and use, a Dragontail Talon Mini 310. And I like it fine enough. But it doesn't cast/feel anywhere near as nice as the Tanuki. What makes is very worthwhile to have is that it's inexpensive, relatively easy to get "locally" hear in the states, has great support from Dragontail, is compact and robust enough to always have with you, and fishes just fine. Basically, I have it in my pack at all times as a back up, and when I do fish with it I have a fine time catching nice fish. Definitely worth having. My other "pocket rod" is surprising. I've fished for years with it.....before being able to afford the Tanuki, and before the Talon Mini was available. And.....again surprisingly....it's actually a pretty nice rod - feels fine, fishes well, is very compact, and relatively robust (though I have broken, and replaced, a tip). So why surprising? - because it's an Aventik Pocket rod, which only costs $54 on Amazon (that includes a spare tip section). Now, Aventik is odd.....most of their offerings range from "acceptable" to pretty bad, and their models seem to come in and out of existence, making it hard to actually know what you are getting. I wouldn't recommend most anything else they make. But this one is absolutely worth it, and way better than you might expect. The one to look for is "Aventik Z Pocket", "Super Compact IM12 Nano", is a kinda brown/bronze color with either a dark red handle section or a EVA handle, and is 11.42" long. Mine is the 9 foot version with the EVA handle.
Search Amazon, find it there. Then scroll down on the page to where it says “other sellers on Amazon.” A seller called “Amazon Japan” has it for $131 as of this writing. That is where I bought mine.
This feels a little one sided. You didn't compare RFI, CCS or RM. Obviously the lightest rod with the lightest action will win using those metrics. When ypu start looking at replacement parts, warranty and even availability the dragontail will have a much better chance! Great video, makes me want to pick up a nissin to add to the collection. Cheers!
Yeah I certainly didn’t do any scientific measuring-just my impressions. The Dragontail is fantastic! As is the Tanuki. But when I cast the Nissin next to them, I just love the Nissin. And yes, I almost recorded an addendum about replacement parts, because Dragontail wins hands down. But again, this was mostly about feel and less about all that other stuff. Cheers!
My condolences re: Nissin Airstage Fujiryu 5:5 360 "breakage" perhaps you could expound on the tragic event? Otherwise, your review comparison vs. contrast on these pocket rods is wonderful for the viewer to appreciate subjective experience on-stream. Qualitative Data on contemporary models of Japanese and American Tenkara Rods is both valuable and beneficial to all who are in the market to buy. Thank you.
Cheers! Yes, because we can't walk into Walmart and swing rods to compare them, I also find comparison videos extremely helpful. This is why I try to contribute when I can. Regarding the breakage, there was a dead tree limb in my casting lane, and I pulled it out of the tree, right onto the rod, which snapped at the 3rd section from the tip. I got a replacement part from Tenkara Bum, so I'm back in business.
my two pesos......
(I generally fish Rocky Mountain alpine streams/rivers....wild trout anywhere from 6"-16", sometimes larger)
My Tanuki Pocket Ninja is by far one of my favourite rods. An absolute joy to cast, and handles 12"-16" fish just fine when I find them on the line. In terms of quality, feel, and performance it's dang near perfect. Now, I did make a custom cork handle for it (I used to build fly rods and have this ability), and this does make a difference. Also, while I love Tanuki (my "other" main rod is a 375), I really don't like their super bright graphics and paintjobs....luckily they also offer more basic "plain" options.
I do have, and use, a Dragontail Talon Mini 310. And I like it fine enough. But it doesn't cast/feel anywhere near as nice as the Tanuki. What makes is very worthwhile to have is that it's inexpensive, relatively easy to get "locally" hear in the states, has great support from Dragontail, is compact and robust enough to always have with you, and fishes just fine. Basically, I have it in my pack at all times as a back up, and when I do fish with it I have a fine time catching nice fish. Definitely worth having.
My other "pocket rod" is surprising. I've fished for years with it.....before being able to afford the Tanuki, and before the Talon Mini was available. And.....again surprisingly....it's actually a pretty nice rod - feels fine, fishes well, is very compact, and relatively robust (though I have broken, and replaced, a tip). So why surprising? - because it's an Aventik Pocket rod, which only costs $54 on Amazon (that includes a spare tip section). Now, Aventik is odd.....most of their offerings range from "acceptable" to pretty bad, and their models seem to come in and out of existence, making it hard to actually know what you are getting. I wouldn't recommend most anything else they make. But this one is absolutely worth it, and way better than you might expect. The one to look for is "Aventik Z Pocket", "Super Compact IM12 Nano", is a kinda brown/bronze color with either a dark red handle section or a EVA handle, and is 11.42" long. Mine is the 9 foot version with the EVA handle.
Have you reviewed the Shizuku T270 or 280 for the price they are hard to beat.
I googled that but nothing came up. Did you mean “Shimotsuke?” If you have a link, send it over. Thanks!
@keegansreviews the Shizuku is only sold in Japan and China. They are about $90 with shipping to USA.
Please share links on where to buy the Nissin Mini 32 please. Thanks
Search Amazon, find it there. Then scroll down on the page to where it says “other sellers on Amazon.” A seller called “Amazon Japan” has it for $131 as of this writing. That is where I bought mine.
@@MostlyTenkara Thank you. I hope they ship to Canada.
This feels a little one sided. You didn't compare RFI, CCS or RM. Obviously the lightest rod with the lightest action will win using those metrics. When ypu start looking at replacement parts, warranty and even availability the dragontail will have a much better chance! Great video, makes me want to pick up a nissin to add to the collection. Cheers!
Yeah I certainly didn’t do any scientific measuring-just my impressions. The Dragontail is fantastic! As is the Tanuki. But when I cast the Nissin next to them, I just love the Nissin. And yes, I almost recorded an addendum about replacement parts, because Dragontail wins hands down. But again, this was mostly about feel and less about all that other stuff. Cheers!
My condolences re: Nissin Airstage Fujiryu 5:5 360 "breakage" perhaps you could expound on the tragic event? Otherwise, your review comparison vs. contrast on these pocket rods is wonderful for the viewer to appreciate subjective experience on-stream. Qualitative Data on contemporary models of Japanese and American Tenkara Rods is both valuable and beneficial to all who are in the market to buy. Thank you.
Cheers! Yes, because we can't walk into Walmart and swing rods to compare them, I also find comparison videos extremely helpful. This is why I try to contribute when I can. Regarding the breakage, there was a dead tree limb in my casting lane, and I pulled it out of the tree, right onto the rod, which snapped at the 3rd section from the tip. I got a replacement part from Tenkara Bum, so I'm back in business.
@@MostlyTenkara Thank you for sharing, glad your NASF 5:5 360 is ready for the next adventure.
Surprise! Japan wins again! 🤣