Major Craft Firstcast

The famous Japanese company has introduced a new entry level rod series. After the success of the "Solpara" series, Major Craft has come back with a cheap series of rod that will definitely catch the attention of many anglers world wide. The company is known for making good value - quality ratio rods and this new beautiful looking rods seems to continue this tradition.  As with the Solpara series looks like the Firstcast models will have a wide range of fishing types. For now on the website we can see that the seabass, light game and eging models are already for sale. Maybe in the future they will add the shore jigging and boat models.
What about specs? They come with Fuji Aluminum Oxide "o" rings which are the cheapest options for Fuji guides. Still capable rings  of good quality.  Eva split handles and fuji reel seats complete the rest. Price is about 6000 YEN and up.
Waiting for more info to share but in the meantime you can check the page and the video below.

New Guides For Major Craft

I wanted to write about this before but never had the time. Major Craft has just introduced a new top and it is placed just at the top of the lineup. The Truzer is an expensive rod and looks quite cool. The real novelty is the new guide named Torzite.
Besides being a name reminiscent of intergalattic planets, we are dealing with an ultra light and low profile guide that makes look the SIC fat and old. I need to investigate and read more about it but this new guides looks promising. Questions like eat dissipation qualities and durability will be answered soon I guess.
Have a look here: (courtesy of PLAT)

Major Craft Go Emotion

While visiting Tokyo I had the chance to handle the Major Craft Go Emotion rods at the Sansui shop in Shibuya.
I enjoy Major Craft rods a lot but to tell you the truth I never considered buying or even checking in detail this bass rod. As a salt lure angler I always check for rods made for salt water but this time I was somehow struck by this rod.

The two models I have handled were the 66ML and the 70ML. Both are rated at 3/8 ounces and 5-10lb line. I found the rods to be extremely light with a nice fast action. The first thing it came to my mind is that these rods looked very good for a light setup in salt water. By light I mean a combination of a 2500 reel , 0.6/0.8PE line and small lures targeting fishes like small seabass and pelagics.

This is definitely only my opinion but sometimes I really need some rod with a light rating but fast enough that would allow me to work with small minnows and especially top water lures with ease.
The action of the Go Emotion was indeed the type I was looking for but I never found in other LRF rods I have tried.

The rod comes with K guides, a nice Eva grip and a fast blank.

The Go Emotion comes in different models all suited for freshwater application (bass fishing). The prices are very good (11000 YEN /112 USD avg.) and the workmanship looks great as usual.

I also liked the short foregrip for more sensibility and weight cut. I enjoyed the blank responsiveness and the price tag.  Will I buy it?  I still have to decide but I am very welcome to get feedback from other anglers who have tried it.


Short video on the Go.Emotion by Major Craft




More detailed info can be found here: Major Craft Japan

Major Craft Turel. A New Model For the International Market

Before writing my last week fishing report I want to share this new info coming straight from Major Craft. I had already seen some posts on Major Craft facebook page about the introduction of a new series specifically designed for the International market. The Japanese company has a strong following in Europe therefore this is definitaly a big and important step for them.  Especially the Europeans have different tastes when it comes to rods and sometimes the designs of the JDM rods were no always the best match for spesfic locations and fishes.
The new series named "Turel" is very interesting. A long array of models ranging from LRF to X-Heavy (80gr. casting) application.  They come with eva grips, fuji reel seats and K guides.
More info will probably coming soon. In the meantime check this photo.

Stay tuned...

How Rods Are Made. Major Craft Factory

Major Craft is a very prolific Japanese rod maker. They make many rods that anglers use throughout the world. They have anything from cheap bass to expensive tuna fishing rods.  Recently they have shared some photos and info about their overseas factory in Vietnam.
One of the reason they can afford to sale good quality entry level rods at good prices is their capacity to make rods in other countries than Japan. I think that when you start building rods in other countries you have to make sure that the quality control is top notch and that the material used are always of prime quality. According to this page here everything looks all set for Major Craft. A clean and professional looking factory in Vietnam where they make some of the series that we enjoy specially in Europe.

Make sure you check all the photos that show the rod building process.

More Rods From Major Craft: EMS-X and Fine Tail

It is 2013 and Major Craft has started to introduce more rods as usual. There are two very brand new rods in the Japanese manufacturer 2013 catalog. One is the EMS-X which has a very cool name. The other one is the Fine Tail.

What to say about the rods?
The EMS-X is a bass fishing rod available both spinning and casting models. The Fine Tail is a trout rod for stream fishing. Those are mid-high level rods with prices in the 15.000-25.000 Yen. High quality KR guides and nice looking blanks are standard.
Just have a look and wait for the first official photo and some cool video!

First 2013 Post: News from Major Craft

Here we are. A new year and my first 2013 post on my blog.
I just saw a post on Major Craft's Facebook page and I wanted to share with you. According to the official Facebook page, the Japanase company is working on a "international series" named "TUREL" specifically designed for the international market.
This is something interesting as shows how the guys at MC are aware of the potential of the brand overseas. According to the first rumors, the rod series will range from LRF to Heavy stuff. It looks like we will have a brand new Solpara-Crostage level medium quality rods at great prices. Looking forward to hear and read more about it in the future. For now, check this photo shared by MC on the facebook page. This is a LRF model.

Wait for more news.

Seabass in Tokyo Bay with Major Craft

Enjoy...

Major Craft Goes International

Great news for Major Craft fans worldwide. The Japanese makes has finally opened a English page and English Facebook page. You can see some pretty photos and updates on the Facebook page and check the latest products on the page in English. This is a small but exciting spec by a rod manufacturer that has a great following especially in Europe.

Check here:
English Page
Facebook Page

New rods from Majorcraft (with video)

The Japanese company is not stopping in introducing new rods. They design new rods at an incredible pace.
Anyway there are two new series coming soon : SkyRoad and X-Ride.

The text was translated by Google. It might not make much sense.

 

They are both offered as Seabass, Boat Seabass, Eging and Wind (saber fish) models. The different models are there in details on the website. At first glance the specs are similar to the Crostage Series. As for the design the first photos are promising.

The prices are not that bad. The SkyRoad is a notch above the Crostage series (15000YEN) while the X-Ride is more expensive  (25000YEN)

The X-Ride mounts the new Fuji KR guides and K guides in Titanium. Top Class.

Check the website and stay tuned for more.

News from Japan: DUO and Major Craft

This morning I spent my time reading the newspaper and browsing my favorite fishing sites.
I found two news worth sharing on my blog.
First of all, DUO is working on a very ambitious project right now. They are about to introduce the Realis Jerkbait 120 to the worldwide market. I say ambitious because this lure will be available in different setting to meet the expectations and demands of angler worldwide. There will be floating, sinking models, bigger stronger hooks, tungsten weights and so on. Basically they are making a lure that will work in all the waters around the world.Hats off to DUO for such a great design and idea. Meanwhile check this link and the photo below. Looks promising.

Great design, colors and craftsmanship: DUO

The other news comes from Major Craft's official blog.
The busy staff of MC is testing a new rod for scabbard fish angling. It is still in development phase but the blog has posted a photo of a all black rod with identification label on it. It is impressive the number of rod models they keep designing. Worth keeping an eye on them.

New Major Craft Trout Rod is Out: Nextino

I have written about this upcoming rod in a previous post (see here). Now more details about the rod are available at Major Craft website.

The rod looks great. Nice blank colors (blue and dark brown), quality cork grips, classy looking reel seats and latest Fuji K-Guides.  The rod is available both as Area and Stream models.
The Area models are ultra light rods while the stream models go from ultra light to Heavy. For the Stream Series the shortest and lightest is the 4.8ft and 1-8g. while the longest and heavier is the 8.6ft 6-25g.
The Area models ranges from 6.0ft to 6.6ft with casting weight between 0.5 and 4g.

More details here: Major Craft Nextino

New trout rod from Major Craft

If you love trout fishing and you like Major Craft rods, here is some news for you.
According to the official blog of Major Craft (see here) they are ready to introduce a new trout rod named "Nextino" (a next-troutino?) that will come equipped with Fuji K guides. This is something still under development and info is scarce (and in Japanese too!). For now enjoy the pictures available and wait for something to be introduced soon.

Source: Major Craft Official Blog (Japanese)
Maker: Major Craft Official Website (Japanese)

Major Craft Crostage K Series in Action!

I have already wrote about the new MajorCraft Crostage K series in this post.
Below is the video of nice catch made with the rod. The target was the seabass but the angler hooked something much better!
Enjoy!

More info on Major Craft here

Major Craft Crostage K Series

The famous "Crostage" line up of Major Craft rods got a "re-freshened" look and a substantial upgrade.
The new Crostage "K" series now are wrapped with the famous Fuji K guides, known for being very easy on braid and excellent at avoiding tangled lines.

The new Crostage is available in four different series :  Mebaru-K , Ajing-K, Seabass-K and Eging-K.
Prices are between 11000 - 12500 Yen. Check the original page here. Worth giving a look.

Major Craft Trapara

The Trapara is the latest addition to the wide family of Major Craft rods.
It is a low-budget trout rod in line with the Basspara (bass fishing) and Solpara series (seabass, eging, rockfish, shore jigging)
The rod, judging by the pictures, is as usually well made with a nice aesthetic and in this case a beautiful brown blank and quality cork.  Probably a "made in China" model, but with great Quality Control and workmanship.
A good price for a rod that seems to be another winner for the Japanese Rod maker.
Looking forward to ordering one.

Official page is here: Major Craft Trapara

Detail of cork handle

Spigot Joint

Fuji Aluminum "O" Oxide Guides.

The Trapara lineup includes 6 different rods for different uses. Blank action is medium.
Casting rage from 0.8 - 3 grams to 1-4 grams. Length is from 6ft to 6.6 ft.

Street price is in the 6.700 and 7.100 YEN range.

Models:
TPS-602SUL 
TPS-632SUL 
TPS-662SUL 
TPS-602UL
TPS-632UL
TPS-662UL

Major Craft Solpara Seabass Rod

They are many rodmakers in Japan known for their amazing high quality products. 

One of those companies is certainly Major Craft. This company, in my opinion, makes one of the best rods in terms of cost/performance. They have rods that start from about 80USD up to 400USD.  

Their catalog range from ultralight trout rods to Tuna  boat casting rods. They offer lots of models to choose from and basically you can find a rod for every kind of lure fishing. And the best part is that they keep adding new rods almost on a monthly basis.

At the bottom of their line we find the Solpara range. These rods, introduced in 2010, are cheap but yet very pleasing. To keep the costs down the production was shifted to China but the guys at Major Craft were able to ensure that the quality remained high as for the other MC rods. 

Solpara: Performance > Cost . It summarizes exactly the rod quality price ratio.

The Solpara rod  family is pretty vast. They have seabass, ajingu, rockfishing, eging, shore jigging models and so on. The trademark of the Solpara is the very nice electron blue blank that really adds a perceived quality feel to the whole rod and look insanely cool!. Guides are Fuji  Aluminum Oxide and the workmanship is overall really impressive for such a cheap and made in China rod. As told before, quality control is definitely there. 

The Details on the rod like cork accents, quality EVA and metal rings add a nice touch and give that famous JDM signature to the rod.

It comes in different length and power : 

• SPS-862L         8'6 " 7-23
• SPS-902L         9'0 " 7-23         
• SPS-862ML 8'6 " 10-30
• SPS-902ML 9'0 " 10-30
• SPS-962ML 96 " 10-30
• SPS-962M 96 " 15-42
• SPS-1002M 100 "15-42

Ok, so, you would say, the rod is nice looking but how does it behave in action? How is the blank? Sensibility?

Well, I use the 9ft 7-23gr. medium-light Seabass rod (SPS-902L) and I have been very pleased with it.

I own many rods made by different  and famous brands and I can safely say that this rod is a keeper. For the price you pay you get a very decent rod, light, sensible and very enjoyable. It has a moderate-fast action and is pretty flexible. It casts lures very effectively and safely casts  up to 18 gr. with no problems. 

I admit that I didn't fight any respectable fish but the rod has enough backbone to handle good size seabass or  even bluefish. The 9ft matches very good with a size 3000 Daiwa or 4000 Shimano reel.

I have been so impressed that I am thinking about getting the shore jigging rod too. My friend got the eging rod and it says that is incredible for the price he paid.

Fuji DPS reel seat plus a nice composite cork and EVA
combination for the foregrip. Very nice looking detail.

The grip is made with good quality EVA. The metal ring
and the cork add a nice touch to the rod.

The rod comes with silver Fuji Aluminum Oxide Guides.
Cheapest Fuji guides available but they do their job with braid

Spigot Ferrule Joint

 Link to  Major Craft Solpara 

Bottom line is, the rod is definitely a very decent rod, not a high end top quality rod, but at this price point I doubt you can find anything better. Being made in China might sound like a big turn off, but trust me, you wouldn't tell the difference with a made in Japan one.  I heard also great things about the upper level series such as the Saltz and Huntaway. I am sure you will get even a better rod once the price starts to reach the 150-250 USD (12.000 - 20.000 YEN) range. I am following closely this amazing rodmaker. They just keep producing new and exciting products at a fast rate. The latest range they introduced is the Trapara (trout rods).

I am planning to write more in the near future. I'll post some pictures of the rod in action. 

In the meantime have a look at their website : Major Craft 

Some Shore Jigging with Major Craft

Major Craft is one of those Japanese rod companies that I admire the most. I will write more about them in the future. For now enjoy this short video :)