As far as Tungsten Ned’s go, it’s possible it’s an earlier Woo! with a #1 or might just be the Woo! Gamakatsu 1/0 side by side with a Swagger Mustad 2x Ultrapoint 2/0 (that’s what’s actually in their 3/8 size).

The Gamakatsu do run a little smaller and those look to me like Swagger and Woo! Ned’s.

For what you describe I’d vote NRX+ 902S or Steez AGS 76MML.

https://www.lurenewsr.com/239158/

2023 Super Stallion M40X release.

I’m with you. If I’m ordering any JDM rod sight unseen the more info the better and Evergreen is one of the gold standards for knowing what I’m getting into (or passing on) as far as I’m concerned. Based on the limited M40X rods so far I’m looking forward to a lot of the obvious JDM upgrades to come...

I did see the Super Stallion RS refresh with the full M40X treatment is coming, I think that would be more of interest to most of the bass market. Most of these short ML/M/MH rods are pretty JDM technique-centric.

Fair point. I don’t think the Racing Designs actually sold very well globally and they had certain models that ended up discounted at lots of JDM sites. The refresh of the standard Steez AGS models seems to be fairing much much better. I’m mostly surprised that Daiwa keeps rolling the dice with lots...

I’m still hoping for the new Racing Designs to be announced for 2023 with a full lineup of options and cork grips, so I definitely hope you’re right. I’m probably wrong and this isn’t just Daiwa punting the RD for another year. If there’s another RD announcement coming still, aside from cosmetics I ...

Actually similar but slightly less than the Racing Designs were. Daiwa doesn’t specify which graphite they use exactly but based on reading between the lines of the SVF/Compile-X/Nanoplus combinations they use in rod listings plus the description they give of the blanks for these, I’d speculate thes...

Looks like the latest Daiwa Steez lineup. Rod weights are unbelievable, all the latest/greatest tech, and priced in a tier significantly above the standard Steez AGS rods… these going to be the Racing Design replacements?

https://www.daiwa.com/jp/fishing/item/r ... index.html

Might want to double check if Omnia has the ones you’re looking for.

Also curious on this topic, most specifically for the 852S if anyone has any input.

If you want an Evergreen Kaleido frog rod my vote is the Rapid Gunner HD or if you’re super heavy duty frogging the Giant Direwolf. Both of those rods can be used for many other things but for frogs those are my two clear winners.

I wouldn’t get hung up on the Evergreen rod weights too much, at least on their high end lines. They add balancers into the handle builds and you can see them if you look close. There are lots of lighter rods out there but you’d be hard pressed to find this level of refinement and balance in another...

Anyone know of any jig makers that can use this new hook? I’ve reached out to a few without success. Thanks!

Great combo. I’ve had a wide variety of what would be considered similar class JDM/USDM rods (heavy plastic/jig rods) and I’d agree with your sentiment on the Rapid Gunner.
That rod doesn’t get the attention it deserves.