Not hearing much about these models in NA, but they seem to be very popular in Japan because from what i hear, they're very universal rods that can cover a bunch of different presentations. Got a 5pc model a few days ago (still waiting for it to arrive), and was wondering if any of you have one, and how do they perform.

Is that something that is meant for backpacking and for getting into remote areas?

12 minutes ago, Spankey said:

Is that something that is meant for backpacking and for getting into remote areas?

In the USA, yes. That and air travel.

 

In Japan, a lot of travel is done by train, and rod builds cater to this.

I have a couple of the one piece black labels and a number of travel rods from Japan.  IMHO the travel rods from Japan are fantastic rods.  I have three, four and five piece rods. It is hard to tell the difference between the one piece and the multi piece rods. They are all spigot ferrules and the quality is very high. I use mine for air travel and with the possibility of doing some Kayak bass tournaments that I would fly to. 

Regards,

Fishingmickey

 

p.s. The Diawa Black label rods are very very nice too.

 

13 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

In the USA, yes. That and air travel.

 

In Japan, a lot of travel is done by train, and rod builds cater to this.

A buddy of mine spent some time in Japan. He was telling me about the subways. I think he called it subway surfing. It’s where you can pickup your feet and not fall.  Cause everyone is so packed in 

I have one, and it's a surprising rod.  

it's kinda built to be the all-Japan travel rod, all-range baitfinesse, bass, surprising shore caster, and even offshore vertical jigging to 4 oz. The ML loads 2 g below the 1st joint, and casts that light weight with several of my longer shore-baitfinesse rods.
For its short length, it's a surprising performer.
If you're looking for a rod that packs this small, it would be tough to beat.

The ML, at least, feels like all-range baitfinesse rod.  If you're looking for a similar, longer 5-piece that feels all bass, might want to look at Legit Design Wild Side 

7 hours ago, Spankey said:

Is that something that is meant for backpacking and for getting into remote areas?

I primarily do my fishing from the bank, going to spots on my mountain bike, and since the Megabass Triza line came out a few years ago, i am all about these 3-5pc rods now. 

6 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

I have one, and it's a surprising rod.  

it's kinda built to be the all-Japan travel rod, all-range baitfinesse, bass, surprising shore caster, and even offshore vertical jigging to 4 oz. The ML loads 2 g below the 1st joint, and casts that light weight with several of my longer shore-baitfinesse rods.
For its short length, it's a surprising performer.
If you're looking for a rod that packs this small, it would be tough to beat.

The ML, at least, feels like all-range baitfinesse rod.  If you're looking for a similar, longer 5-piece that feels all bass, might want to look at Legit Design Wild Side 

I am indeed looking at the Legit Design ones as well. I got the 7' MH version of the Black Label, and considering its length and power, they're just 4.4oz, which is kinda very good for a multi piece rod. Will try this one out until the end of the season, and if i don't like it (which i doubt would happen), i might grab a Legit Design one.

Daiwa Black Label has sleeve-over-butt ferrules, which make it lighter, and mechanically makes bulk modulus (stiffness) steps at each joint.  But they've designed these with really effective tapers.  

 

I also have have the 6'8"-M Wild Side, which is has spigot ferrules, making it slightly heavier, but perfectly smooth taper that duplicates one-piece.  

Compared to my Black Label ML, this feels much more like a bass rod.  

Comes in a sock inside a neoprene case, all inside a Meiho box for bulletproof travel.