That sounds like a wise choice.
I’m still leaning towards the X54, due to the non zooming option. My reasoning for that is because with the zoom option I would be inclined to use it in the shorter configuration vs fully extended.
I asked Keiichi for a price on the X54. Waiting to hear a response.
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I get it.
I’ve got the X35 and it’s lots of fun. I’m sure you’ll like whichever one you get.
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I still haven’t used a Sagiri but it seems like it would be VERY similar to the X54.
I like how robust the Seiryu-X is. That 5X rating gives me a lot of confidence to really put pressure on it, and mine have held up.
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Keiichi is setting me up with the X54. Stay tuned.
Order has been placed. Should have it in a week.
3/8/18 - It has shipped!
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I’m definitely curious to hear about it. Not that I “need” another rod, but I like my X35 and have been thinking about a longer one.
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The rod arrived today, packed very nicely of course. It’s a substantial rod but surprisingly light in the hand.
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That was fast. Looks just as nice as expected and similar to my X35, just a little beefier.
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Side x side of Sagiri 45MC and X54.
Update: I took it for an hour to a nearby flood canal. Caught 3 sunfish, a largemouth bass (12 inch) and a 14 inch blue cat. The sunfish put a bend in the upper three sections. The bass and catfish a little more than that. This rod can certainly handle larger fish. I could see this flexing fully into the lower sections with bigger fish. I was using 16 feet of LL, 3 feet of tippet and a leech pattern tied on a Wapsi jig head.
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It certainly looks more substantial when side by side (though I realize the X54 is 90cm longer).
Very nice. You will have some sport with that.
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Nice.
I find that fish up to 18" are easily overpowered by the long rod. Something about that soft arc and greater leverage.
Still fun even on the smalls…and definitely fun on the beasts.
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I did have a decent one on which tried to run under a snag. No problem with the rod. It was around 14 inches but he unhooked before I could net him.
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long rod makes all the difference in the world
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The length is certainly an attribute and a one hand rod at that length is indeed stealthy. I know of a few open meadow streams in Northern New Mexico where a rod of this length is going to be kick ass.
I enjoy using the longest single hand tenkara rod since day one. When I found out about Prof. Ishigaki’s ZE, boom! …and the Ito!
I’ve used quite a few 4+ meter and reading your take on the X is cool. I still keep the +1.5m mainline formula, not a fan of short lining rods.
Rather than penny ratings, if any of you could speak to the feel of using this rod one hand all day, I would be grateful. I use a distal grip, the butt of the rod nearly in my palm. No finger on top, it’s just what I use, feels right but accentuates long rods weight. All that length and combined with air resistance works against this style of grip but it works well for me. But that makes me pay attention to the feel of the rod…
The Ito is my favorite rod hands down and I like a longish rod for stealth and this style of tenkara, the reason why I quit fly fishing and urban waters where I use 7-10m lines and a long rod? Talk about reaching out and big fish fighting leverage…
Yeah!
I’m used to “tip heavy” which I don’t see as tip heavy like others do. It’s a fact with long rods.
How does this long X feel fishing and catching all day?
Thanks for the words R_Ruff.
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That’s the sub set I’m in and the people I want to connect with. Interesting that you pointed it out.
Thanks!
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So I’ve been using this rod a few times now and this is what I’ve learned. It is a soft rod for certain. Works great with unweighted flies but not so much with weighted flies. I have fished with bead heads and Wapsi jig heads (mop fly) but this rod is not meant for them because of the softness. It does not have enough backbone for nymphing. I am generally using a same length line with the rod, usually a #3.5 but I have a #4 if there is a bit of wind. I’ve found that a longer line for me, is not very effective because there comes a point where it becomes difficult to see the line after a certain distance. Having a rod length line is fine because I can still see the line in nearly all conditions. It casts very nicely if I don’t rush it. There is some inertia involved due to the length of the rod and despite weighing 3.4 ounces, it does feel heavy after a few hours. I haven’t used it all day to fish. I’ve carried it as a second rod and use it when certain conditions present themselves. That being said, if I cast it one handed, I’m not holding the distal portion of the grip. I’m holding the rod just above the grip on the smooth finish. I cast it with two hands also when I start feeling some fatigue. I’m heading to SE Minnesota in June and will bring the rod along. I know some streams there where the canopy opens up and I would be able to make some good casts to wary fish.
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Thanks for the insight into the way you use the rod, I appreciate your time.
You’re welcome. I think I know what type of meadows you are talking about. My only concern would be the accuracy with this long rod. It’s difficult, for me anyway, to get a great deal of accuracy when using a longer line and the longer rod. On a larger body of water, the accuracy isn’t that bad and I can live with a +/- foot or two when casting. On a smaller meadow stream, I’d be hung up the majority of the time with that margin of error. On a meadow stream like the Rio Costilla, it wouldn’t be an issue, but, on Commanche Cr. it would definitely be an issue. I had great success on those small meadow streams using my Daiwa Sagiri 39.
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