Is there any downside to ordering JDM rods? I know at least on the Shimano rods they all can separate at the handle. Does that negatively affect sensitivity? Anyone who has used both, what are the differences? I would much rather pay 150-160 for an Expride from Japan as opposed to 290 for a US one if there isn’t much downside to them. What’re yall’s thoughts?

Earlier this year I was about to pull the trigger on a Shimano Zodias two piece rod from Japan. Ended up finding a Daiwa Rebellion two piece rod locally and liked it better than the Zodias. Rebellion being a JDM rod they brought to North America. 

 

Anyways, the two piece I have is the traditional center joint. Sensitivity if phenominal as is strength. The handle joint shouldn't effect anything. You could glue it place if you really wanted to, but I wouldn't personally. The handle joint kind of defeats the point of the convince of a two piece rod though, one short piece and one long piece. 

 

The expride is also on my radar, but it has to be a two piece. I would not hesitate to buy it from Japan, but here in Canada the shipping and duty make it the same or slightly higher than retail for a one piece.

 

Did purchase a couple of reels from Japan with no issue. Would do it again for sure. 

I have ordered 3 so far from Japan with no issues.  Each was shipped in a PVC tube and arrived in perfect condition. The downside to ordering is, for the most part, no warranty. 

 

Also, from what I can tell, JDM rods that separate at the handle are just like any two piece rod.  They are designed to be transported or shipped easily.  It should not effect how sensitive it is. 

 

I've purchased 9 rods from Japan mostly because no USDM equivalent exists, all are exactly what I needed for what I do.  It's kind of a bummer not having a warranty, but I have yet to make a warranty claim on a rod in my 35 years of fishing.  I try to take good care of my gear.

I understand JDM rods - the Japanese fish like I do.  I've bought from low grade to high grade, and am still fishing two low-grade finesse spinning rods I bought 13 years ago,  which have caught 13 years of big fish in pretty amazing numbers.  And was buying fly rods a decade before that, when Japan was the only source for new glass rods. 

 

The lightning-bolt sticker is the Japan domestic product quality approval - their version of UL-Listed, though it's a government bureau in Japan, which noteworthy applies to domestic-made fishing rods - and it's kinda what makes a rod JDM. 

Wasn't targeting striper this day on 5-wt streamer rod, just worked out that way. 

 

I don't understand USM rods, but technique-specific discussion shows they've created a pretty good market.  Reservoir bass fishermen are harder on rods than most open water fishermen, so I can understand the warranty concerns. 

As far as paying 60% more for what should be the same product - you're only buying that warranty insurance from the USM importer, and counting on them to come through if you need it.  If you think you're buying a different level of quality, that's completely wrong - the US government has no equivalent product quality approval bureau to JDM.