Thank you for your kind words, sir! JDM Crankbait fishing is my second favorite technique lagging only behind my JDM topwater fishing presentations, so I spend quite a lot of time, effort, and expense, to try and improve upon the JDM casting rods I use for my crankbait fishing addiction.Craiger12 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:28 amExcellent info. I really enjoy and appreciate your detailed responses. I was hoping I might be able to present these lures with my 7'2" Medium Shimano Adrena, but I don't think it will load quite well enough for my liking. I might have to look into a ML casting rod with a regular fast action to present smaller cranks like these. Maybe there is something in the JDM Expride lineupCity17Banner wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 9:25 amYes, these are all very light JDM crankbaits that are all around 7g or 1/4oz in weight. The IxI crankbaits use the LBO II (miniaturized) version of the classic Megabass LBO (Linear Bearing Oscillation) weight transfer system while the Imakatsu Gekiasa Shad uses a tungsten weight transfer system so both lure families do cast like "rockets" in my experience.Craiger12 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 16, 2023 6:13 amLooks like these cranks come in at just 1/4 oz if the stated weight is accurate - quite light. So what gear are you guys casting these tiny cranks on? I'm not sure if I have casting gear light enough to get the job done, at least not a rod that would load well enough anyway. Maybe they cast like little rockets.City17Banner wrote: ↑Wed Feb 15, 2023 10:25 amI'm glad you are enjoying success with the IxI Type 3 Shad. I've had great success with all the different permutations of the IxI Shad fishing for smallmouth bass in the flood control flowages near my lake cabin in NW Wisconsin. I'm most curious if the newly released IxI Furious 0.5 Shad (designed to dive to 50cm or 19") will finally de-throne the very similarly designed (both lures feature the same exact lip design/material) Imakatsu Gekiasa Shad as my primary super shallow (less than 3ft) shad crankbait of choice during the pre-spawn fishing period this spring for smallmouth bass.PotatoLake wrote: ↑Tue Feb 14, 2023 8:28 pm
I finally got to put in some time with the Type 3 this winter. Had a day where I was getting skunked, I tied the type 3 in a frosted white semi-transparent color and started whacking them. The TX is something I'd like to acquire.
Good luck with your continued success using these excellent shad style crankbaits and please have a great day!
IxI Furious 0.5 Shad Link: https://www.lurenewsr.com/247376/2/
As for casting rods, I use two casting rods depending on if I am fishing open water or cover fishing situations.
Open Water Light Crankbait Fishing Situations (Light Cover & Obstructions)
Rod: Megabass Tomahawk GTZ F3-610 Hien (composite rod)
Rod Length: 6'10"
Number of Pieces: 1
Rod Purchase Price/Availability: $300 (in 2010), rod has been discontinued
Rod Weight: 146g or 5.15oz
Rod Power: F3 (medium light)
Action/Taper: Extra-Fast
Lure Weight: 3/16-5/8oz
Line Weight: 5-16lb
Fishing Impressions: The Megabass Tomahawk GTZ Hien is an old favorite casting rod for presenting small reaction crankbaits and topwater lures and provides the best features of both graphite and fiberglass rods in one consolidated rod blank. The Hien has the buttery smooth casting motion that is associated with classic fiberglass rods of yesteryear along with enough graphite to possess good sensitivity to avoid cover and other underwater obstructions. I have yet to find a better all-around light casting rod than the GTZ Hein even after extensive searching over the last decade.
Cover Light Crankbait Fishing Situations (Weeds and Standing Timber)
Rod: Smith LTD Tourer V-Spec TVC-69ML Bait Finesse Advance (graphite rod)
Rod Length: 6'9"
Number of Pieces: 1
Rod Purchase Price/Availability: $415 (in 2022), rod is available in very limited quantities
Rod Weight: 98g or 3.41oz
Rod Power: Medium Light
Action/Taper: Fast
Lure Weight: 1/16-3/8oz
Line Weight: 5-12lb
Fishing Impressions: After fishing with the Smith LTD Tourer V-Spec Bait Finesse Advance for an entire fishing season, I have determined that this rod will be the future centerpiece of my light crankbait fishing game as it has a potent combination of super lightweight and forgiving belly section that allows for great loading on the cast and excellent ability to ensure a smallmouth bass stays hooked during the fight by protecting the small trebles so often found on these light crankbaits. The sensitivity of the Smith LTD Bait Finesse Advance is especially useful when navigating the standing timber and log strewn flood control flowages I fish in NW Wisconsin and while the venerable Megabass Tomahawk Hien remains the best overall light crankbait casting rod I own, the Smith LTD is fast overtaking the "master light crankbait rod" due to its combination of lightness and sensitivity. I predict that as I gain more time on the water with the Smith LTD Bait Finesse Advance that it will eventually relegate the Hien into long term rod storage.
I hope this helps address your questions regarding these phenomenal JDM light shad style crankbaits.
Please have a great day!
The JDM casting rods that I used last year that failed to properly present these light shad style crankbaits or really any of my light crankbaits in general are as follows (in no particular order):
1. JDM Shimano Poison Adrena 163ML Technical Approach: This rod was far stiffer than expected and may be a better light bottom contact ML casting rod for presenting 5g Bottom Up Gap Jigs with appropriate soft plastic trailer.
2. JDM Daiwa ST 69M+ Firewolf: This rod is far too powerful even though it has a solid graphite tip, instead it makes for a decent medium jerkbait rod for presenting the 3/8oz DUO Realis Rozante 77SP and LC Pointer 78.
3. Megabass Valkyrie VKC-69M+: Great rod for presenting the 3/8oz Megabass Deep-X 100 and the larger 7/16oz Megabass Flap Slap LBO model, too powerful for presenting any lighter crankbaits.
4. Sedition SDC 702ML Cristobal Limited: This rod excels at presenting lighter 3-7g lures, but the stiff tip and powerful belly section have relegated it to use only with bottom contact and light swimbait presentations with emphasize on the 5g RAID Japan Libero Head Swimmer.
5. Legit Design Wild Side 6'10" Solid Tip ML: This rod has a great moderate fast taper, but the solid tip makes this rod very soft and adversely impacts the ability to set hooks properly. This rod is best used to present the 1/8oz Megabass Okashira Screwhead with either a 3" MB Spark Shad or 3" MB Hazedong Shad body.
JDM Casting Rods To Try This Season
1. Daiwa Steez Racing Design 64ML+XB-SMT
2. Daiwa Steez AGS Compile-X (USA) STAGS681LFB68 Finesse Game Special
3. Zenaq Spirado Blackart B65 Finesse
4. Yamaga Blanks Blue Current III 69B
5. EG War Gazelle
Please have a great day!