Just a quick report. I have now been out four times this season, a couple hours each time. The rods I have used are: Nissin Royal Stage, Oni Type III, Esoteric Tenkara 245-206. I have not caught a single fish. So I can say with confidence that these three rods do not work.
Perhaps I should spend my stimulus money on lessons…
Lol, definitely the rod’s fault. I would ask about their warranty programs, because they obviously sent you defective rods!
Did you order them with the chumming or electroshock options?
I’ll buy the Oni III from you to see if I can get it to work. I wouldn’t want to see you owning a rod that didn’t work.
Sometimes the fish just don’t want to play.
I’ll keep it in mind. I think if Oni isn’t willing to stand behind his rod and allow me to return it then I may make a giant cat toy or perhaps use it for tent poles.
There is always a chance that the issue is with faulty hackle from Whitings. I guess I should continue experimenting.
This year has been off in CT with the weather. The cold mornings really screw things up and the inconsistent weather pattern does not help. Mid 70s days then now in the 30s. Also if it stocked water, I suspect it may have already been cleaned out. I saw a group of spinning guys really doing a number on the fish. With everyone out of work, the meat fisherman may have been hammering the water more than usual. Try targeting water that is not spinning friendly…fast water with lots of snags.
In the wild rivers I have also found challenging. Early mornings I target, because I dont want to wonder if a fisherman has stung all the fish ahead of my arrival. The mornings have been really cold…and the insect activity low. I have been able to convert some brookies but all of them have been the tiniest…and probably the most willing. I find most contact I have made have been the type where I get one chance at a fish and if I miss it…I need to move on.
hope the info is helpful.