I can safely say that I see strikes (line twitch or flash or disappearing fly) far more often than feeling them, particularly when using unweighted flies for small fish. You certainly lose some sensitivity with the softer tip, but I think that can also play to your advantage sometimes since the fish won’t feel tension immediately. I rely more on sight than feel at those close distances overall. The tip flex is probably takes a little more focus for me from a casting perspective, but I love the overall feel and the fight makes me grin every time.
I just ordered up the 33 and 39, filling in the gap between the 30 and 45 that I already have. Can’t wait to get them out on the water.
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I previously owned the 33. It was definitely fun to catch fish on it. I did catch and land a 17 inch brown on it which was totally unexpected in the stream I had been fishing.
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I recently picked up a Kurenai PROSPEC 33 from Tenbum. You can read about it here: Suntech Kurenai PROSPEC 33. I won’t try to give you a technical review, but what I can say is that I love it! I was unsure about the connection without the lillian, but it was simple and worked perfectly. In fact, it seemed to reduce the number of tangles that tend to form on the tag end of the lillian. The grip is shorter than the HM33R, but it fits me perfectly. It took no time to get accustomed to the flex profile and make consistent fly first casts. With the stouter tip section and higher penny rating, it easily handled small bead heads, but I enjoy unweighted flies in general. The rod is very sensitive and the fit and finish is impeccable, although the two tone red may not be for everyone. All in all, I think it is an exceptional rod and look forward to many trips with it.
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I just ordered the kurenai PROSPEC 33 ! Looking forward to fishing it.
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Excellent. I’m sure you will like it.
I have a 33R and I love mine…Karl.
The 33R is my favorite of the 4 “regular” kurenai rods that I own. The Prospec 33 is very different to me….in a good way. I really enjoy the flex profile relative to the penny rating. It just seems to fit my casting stroke and inspires confidence with the stronger tip section. I was unsure about the non-lillian connection, but I really like it now. I need some more time with it, but it’s a great example of similar-but-different when compared to the HMxxR siblings.
Kris, on the non-Lillian connection, do you use a slip-noose or a girth-hitch connection? Do you think the girth-hitch connection would work on that rod, securely?
Karl, I just use the same slip-noose that I use with a lillian. The groove/slot is narrow and I don’t think a girth hitch would fit, although I don’t have any to try it with. From the close-up on Tenbum’s site, the groove looks big, but not in-person with old eyes.
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Thanks, Kris. I had doubts about a girth-hitch being secure on the metal rod tip.
Finally got to test the new Kurenai PROSPEC 33. I use to own the Kurenai 33R as well so I have fished both. Both amazing rods! Rod is as described by Chris Stewart on the TenkaraBum site. Just a bit firmer than the previous version making it a bit more versatile overall. I had a blast today fishing a size 16 bead head nymph. Caught dozens of fish up to a few pounds using 2lb flourocarbon for tippet. Handled all the fish wonderfully. Sensitivity was great as well. Very pleased with my purchase.
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Awesome…I’m glad you like it! You’re braver than me…I would’ve use a bigger rod in that water:)
Hahaha. I understand! Should have included a “don’t try this at home” warning. I am always amazed at what a fixed line rod and light tippet are capable of in the right hands.
I catch fish that may be too big for the rod I have, but usually it’s by mistake. Each time, the rods’ capabilities impress me. Recently, I was fishing a tiny creek in the middle of a town for little brookies with my Hakubai (medium) and found a pool that was home to a 12” brown. The little rod survived, but probably due to the limited area that the fish had to run. It certainly makes things exciting when you’re “under-gunned.”
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I’m looking to buy a PROSPEC 33 if anyone gets tired of theirs 