TackleTour

Just ordered this new rod from Japan! I'm excited to try it out. There are a few videos of the rod in action and it looks FUN! I am pairing it with the new Soare 500s reel to make a whooping 6.5oz combo! Sweet!!
Here is a link to one of the Shimano videos. https://youtu.be/h8uOJHSptmE

https://youtu.be/XC1WjmaUWYc

Another link of the rod in action. First production run from Shimano is sold out. Next production run is due in December 2017 from what one of my suppliers told me. However, if you know how to buy overseas through Japanese shops you should be able to grab one.

5oz for a Shimano reel?? That is totally killer.

I have a bunch of small Shimano reels. The 5oz threshold has traditionally been unattainable as far as a quality Shimano reel goes. It is nice to see them offer a tiny reel with the features of the 1000/2500 series reels. Generally the 500's have always had slower retrieve ratios.

I'll be looking into this 500.

I'm excited to hit the water with both the new toys!

I had a week of breaking in the new rod and reel. I'll sum it up, FUN!! Wow! This is a super light combo! Let's start with out of the box.... is this a toy or a fishing rod. Two peice Rod is ultralight and blank is super thin. When I put the rod together with the Spare 500s reel I just smiled. What a super ultralight combo, I was almost scared to fish it. Well, almost. Haha. The spiral wrap, xrap is noticable up to the tip section. The tip is solid carbon on the last 5 guides. I loaded 2lbs Sunline FC fluorocarbon and had to take a test run day one. Rod is super sensitive. I'm not sure if it's the short length, Shimano carbon tech and solid tip, or both. This is one sensitive rod. A few bites, no fish on day one. That said, I could tell if the spoon I was using was on bottom, or hitting brush in the water.

Next trip I landed two bass in the 1/2lbs to 1lbs range.Classic ajing feel in a short package. Rod loads under a fish, but is not a noodle. Day three I hit one of my favorite rivers in East Texas. I fished the Neches River below Lake Palestine Dam. Caught many fish. Redbreast sunfish, longear sunfish, bluegill, redspotted sunfish, white bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass all played along. Rod is just FUN! I hooked a nice hybrid which was a drag screamer. Lost the fish at the three minute mark when trying to net it! That said, I am impressed with the rods ability playing the fish I would guess was a 3lbs hybrid striper in current. So far I would crown this combo the ultimate small water ultralight set up I have used. 6.5 oz for the combo! One of those setups I will probably use even when I should not. Its that fun! I have pics and videos I can send to email or text if you want to see more. PM me.

I want to see more, over the last 5 years I have built my baitcast/spinning selection for bass fishing, now I am either gonna upgrade certain reels in that arsenal or go big on an UL/L setup. As of now I just want a good price on a nice 1000 size reel and a cheap crappie Light powered rod, but I am definitely looking for better options...

Sent you a PM. I have pics and GoPro video of the rod in action I shot last week. I can send to email or text. I have yet to get the right setup going to post here.

Jrob wrote:I had a week of breaking in the new rod and reel. I'll sum it up, FUN!! Wow! This is a super light combo! Let's start with out of the box.... is this a toy or a fishing rod. Two peice Rod is ultralight and blank is super thin. When I put the rod together with the Spare 500s reel I just smiled. What a super ultralight combo, I was almost scared to fish it. Well, almost. Haha. The spiral wrap, xrap is noticable up to the tip section. The tip is solid carbon on the last 5 guides. I loaded 2lbs Sunline FC fluorocarbon and had to take a test run day one. Rod is super sensitive. I'm not sure if it's the short length, Shimano carbon tech and solid tip, or both. This is one sensitive rod. A few bites, no fish on day one. That said, I could tell if the spoon I was using was on bottom, or hitting brush in the water.

Next trip I landed two bass in the 1/2lbs to 1lbs range.Classic ajing feel in a short package. Rod loads under a fish, but is not a noodle. Day three I hit one of my favorite rivers in East Texas. I fished the Neches River below Lake Palestine Dam. Caught many fish. Redbreast sunfish, longear sunfish, bluegill, redspotted sunfish, white bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass all played along. Rod is just FUN! I hooked a nice hybrid which was a drag screamer. Lost the fish at the three minute mark when trying to net it! That said, I am impressed with the rods ability playing the fish I would guess was a 3lbs hybrid striper in current. So far I would crown this combo the ultimate small water ultralight set up I have used. 6.5 oz for the combo! One of those setups I will probably use even when I should not. Its that fun! I have pics and videos I can send to email or text if you want to see more. PM me.

Where did you order from? Thanks.

Buyee.jp

Jrob wrote:Buyee.jp

Never heard of it thanks. I see PLAT has it in stock too. I might get one just to have it. Always wanted a higher end 500; and this is highest to date I think. Wish was Stella, metal framed reel, but still very cool. Thanks again for all your info.

IMO both the rod and reel are a must buy for ultralight enthusiast. Love seeing high end ultralight offerings!

Thanks for the heads-up. I picked up a new one on eBay last night, to go on a 5' 2" Nissin ultralight.

hay there . what is the line and lure weight rating on the rod ? I have the 500 reel and it is great .

RIng wrote:hay there . what is the line and lure weight rating on the rod ? I have the 500 reel and it is great .

1-3lbs line, up to 8g lure.

JROB, I used the exact same line as you almost exclusively for my ultralight. Normally on Daiwa 1000 size reels (Luvias 1003 type reel).

May I ask how many yads or meters of Sunline 2 lbs sniper were you able to get on this reel? And does it come off in coils as it is a bit smaller than the 1000 size spools.

Thanks!

UL