Many thanks, Kris. I really appreciate how you compared the rod’s characteristics to other known rods, and expanded on the differences of similar length/CCS/RFI. Tenkara/Fixed-line rod purchases are so much different than Western rods, where we could go to a shop and they would string-up a few rods to show the differences, allowing us to buy the one which ‘felt’ best based on our individual stroke. Much of my purchases have been based on these TH-cam videos of folks’ interpretation of the rod based on what they prefer: weightless v bead-head; high gradient streams vs Driftless/ponds, Tenkara/Seiryu/Keiryu, etc… Again, many thanks!
I can’t believe he, master Sakakibara produced the rod like this. He is famous for using long light line with a flexible rod. And now he came up with this little stiffer, short and tough rod. Thanks for sharing your review! Yes, the number, RFI, CCS doesn’t show actual feeling of the rod.
Great video. Love the change in format. I listen to your commentary carefully when you discuss a particular rod. The fishing portion of this video is so cool. Oni is such a good boy. Love seeing him develop from the shy little puppy you introduced us to just a few months ago. Tough summer for me. But im headed to Hawaii to work and maybe fix line some other species. ( HellBender arrived today).
I might have to pick this one up to replace a Nissin Air Stage Hakubai 290 I typically use on the smallest streams I fish. Its 7X tippet rating and lack of power to steer fish out of trouble makes this look like a solid replacement. It's one of my favorite rods for bluelining, but now that it's discontinued and parts will eventually become nonexistent, I might relegate it to microfishing exclusively.
New subscriber here ,great stuff. New i am about to purchase my first rod i live in the Pittsburgh area ,where small creeks and rivers are plenty some . What would you recommend and size.
Great review Kris. So when you say tip flex, is the mid and butt firm or does it easily bend all the way into the grip? I'm not a fan of overly soft rods, nice to cast weightless flies, not so nice as an overall fishing tool. Strange choice of colors, would of liked to see it in black, dark green or for a bright color yellow blending to a black grip. I just got the new TAO Driftless, had it out this morning and caught some beautiful pre-spawn Brookies. At it's short length it's soft, at full length it's got a nice flex in the tip, however the mid and butt firms up nicely, makes for a nice small stream rod that can reach out when needed. I like it's slightly shorter slim grip.
It bends more in the upper third which makes for easy casting. The lower section will bend progressively with added pressure but it has plenty of backbone considering its size and weight. It is not soft…faster/stiffer than other Oni rods, but it is smaller and shorter so it’s all relative.
Is there a shorter rod that you like the action? I don’t have experience with the driftless. I did fish the TAO scout that day, but that’s apples and oranges compared to the oni.
@michaelcapurso the oni has a more flexible tip than the mizuchi and is much lighter. I like my Quattro 5:5 in the longest length as well. Fished that this week.
What are your thoughts on Coco 290 vs tanuki pocket ninja? I am specifically interested in the new streamborn 290 so I realize you may not have had a chance to test that one.
Like you said, I haven’t fished the streamborn yet. I guess it comes down to your priorities…portability of the pocket ninja vs lightness of the coco 290. In general, I prefer the casting characteristics and weight savings of having fewer and narrower sections, but I do a lot of backpacking so the portability of pocket rods is undeniable….and the Tanuki rods are unique and beautiful.
The Tanuki rods are very unique and I pretty much had my mind made up. But now I may be leaning toward the Oni because I don't do a lot of backpacking so portability isn't as important to me as casting and weight. Thanks for following up!!@@tenkaraonthetrail
Sounds like the "Coco" is like a tougher, more capable version of the Kurenai hm30r. Would that be a fair statement? Thanks for the great review Kris, very helpful as always.
That wouldn’t be far off, although it’s not as tip flex and the tip sections are thicker. The mid section flexes a bit more and the overall casting experience is smoother to me. Whereas I have to be careful not to overpower the kurenai tip when casting and cause bounce back, the oni is easier and more intuitive to me. I don’t know how Oni made it that light and yet instill that much confidence. I need to put them side by side with identical weights on the Lillian to show the difference.
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Well done Kris! Looks like the Oni Coco is the new ultimate small stream rod! And dang, Oni is getting big and loves trout as much as you! 🤣
Thanks Jared!
Many thanks, Kris. I really appreciate how you compared the rod’s characteristics to other known rods, and expanded on the differences of similar length/CCS/RFI.
Tenkara/Fixed-line rod purchases are so much different than Western rods, where we could go to a shop and they would string-up a few rods to show the differences, allowing us to buy the one which ‘felt’ best based on our individual stroke. Much of my purchases have been based on these TH-cam videos of folks’ interpretation of the rod based on what they prefer: weightless v bead-head; high gradient streams vs Driftless/ponds, Tenkara/Seiryu/Keiryu, etc…
Again, many thanks!
Awesome, thanks Mitch!
I can’t believe he, master Sakakibara produced the rod like this.
He is famous for using long light line with a flexible rod. And now he came up with this little stiffer, short and tough rod.
Thanks for sharing your review! Yes, the number, RFI, CCS doesn’t show actual feeling of the rod.
Great video. Love the change in format. I listen to your commentary carefully when you discuss a particular rod. The fishing portion of this video is so cool. Oni is such a good boy. Love seeing him develop from the shy little puppy you introduced us to just a few months ago.
Tough summer for me. But im headed to Hawaii to work and maybe fix line some other species. ( HellBender arrived today).
Thanks Captain Sean! Enjoy the hellbender!
I lol’ed at telling Oni he had to wet his mouth before he grabbed them
Haha. Thanks
I might have to pick this one up to replace a Nissin Air Stage Hakubai 290 I typically use on the smallest streams I fish. Its 7X tippet rating and lack of power to steer fish out of trouble makes this look like a solid replacement. It's one of my favorite rods for bluelining, but now that it's discontinued and parts will eventually become nonexistent, I might relegate it to microfishing exclusively.
I have 2 hakubai 240s. The oni is way more capable for sure.
New subscriber here ,great stuff. New i am about to purchase my first rod i live in the Pittsburgh area ,where small creeks and rivers are plenty some . What would you recommend and size.
Thanks. Shoot me an email at tenkaraonthetrail@gmail.com since I might need to ask some questions
Great review Kris. So when you say tip flex, is the mid and butt firm or does it easily bend all the way into the grip? I'm not a fan of overly soft rods, nice to cast weightless flies, not so nice as an overall fishing tool. Strange choice of colors, would of liked to see it in black, dark green or for a bright color yellow blending to a black grip.
I just got the new TAO Driftless, had it out this morning and caught some beautiful pre-spawn Brookies. At it's short length it's soft, at full length it's got a nice flex in the tip, however the mid and butt firms up nicely, makes for a nice small stream rod that can reach out when needed. I like it's slightly shorter slim grip.
It bends more in the upper third which makes for easy casting. The lower section will bend progressively with added pressure but it has plenty of backbone considering its size and weight. It is not soft…faster/stiffer than other Oni rods, but it is smaller and shorter so it’s all relative.
Is there a shorter rod that you like the action? I don’t have experience with the driftless. I did fish the TAO scout that day, but that’s apples and oranges compared to the oni.
I like the Mizuchi in it's shorter lengths. Also like the Darth Quattro in it's longest length.@@tenkaraonthetrail
@michaelcapurso the oni has a more flexible tip than the mizuchi and is much lighter. I like my Quattro 5:5 in the longest length as well. Fished that this week.
What are your thoughts on Coco 290 vs tanuki pocket ninja?
I am specifically interested in the new streamborn 290 so I realize you may not have had a chance to test that one.
Like you said, I haven’t fished the streamborn yet. I guess it comes down to your priorities…portability of the pocket ninja vs lightness of the coco 290. In general, I prefer the casting characteristics and weight savings of having fewer and narrower sections, but I do a lot of backpacking so the portability of pocket rods is undeniable….and the Tanuki rods are unique and beautiful.
The Tanuki rods are very unique and I pretty much had my mind made up. But now I may be leaning toward the Oni because I don't do a lot of backpacking so portability isn't as important to me as casting and weight. Thanks for following up!!@@tenkaraonthetrail
What is the ordering process like from Japan for Oni rods?
oni-ten.onlinestores.jp/language/en
What is the hook release tool that you use?
It is the “Ketchum release tool”
Sounds like the "Coco" is like a tougher, more capable version of the Kurenai hm30r. Would that be a fair statement? Thanks for the great review Kris, very helpful as always.
That wouldn’t be far off, although it’s not as tip flex and the tip sections are thicker. The mid section flexes a bit more and the overall casting experience is smoother to me. Whereas I have to be careful not to overpower the kurenai tip when casting and cause bounce back, the oni is easier and more intuitive to me. I don’t know how Oni made it that light and yet instill that much confidence. I need to put them side by side with identical weights on the Lillian to show the difference.
Where is it available to order?
Straight from TENKARA ONI SHOP. oni-ten.onlinestores.jp/language/en
@@tenkaraonthetrail thank you
@@tenkaraonthetrail i wonder if its available to order, since it's not available on their website yet.
Yes. It’s on the website. oni-ten.onlinestores.jp/category/select/pid/8979
@@tenkaraonthetrail thank you.