Yesterday, the video below appeared on YouTube. It’s a video of Tenkara no Oni testing the casting action and fish fighting ability of the two new rods he’s launching soon. Please note: that’s not a real fish in the video.
From this post on his blog, we know that the new rod will be offered in two lengths: 3.5m (11 1/2 feet) and 4m (13 feet) and that the tips are thicker than the current version for added strength. In his own words, the rods are “unbelievable”.
As an owner of the current Oni rod (read my reviews here and here), it’s hard to imagine what he could have improved upon. How could he possibly make it lighter, stronger, or better? The Oni rod is the best tenkara rod I’ve ever fished so if these claims are accurate, then I will have to start saving my pennies now.
I suppose we just won’t truly know until the rods are released. Until then, I say we all speculate wildly…
Update: Oni rods are now available for purchase in the U.S. here.
I can’t wait to test-cast yours when you get it.
Looks interesting. Rod is definitely active down to the “cork”.
Rick, speaking of cork, I’m hoping he uses cork rather than foam on these new models.
Perhaps it is a rubber lure. However, the text says
木片をラインの先につけて (literally – wood strip line of tip is attached. or flipping it round to be more English like sentence structure – attached to tip of line a wood strip)
(木片を a piece of wood or a wood strip)
Indeed, if you watch the video in HD at 2:25, when he holds it for a moment behind his knee, it looks like a rectangular piece of wood with a groove cut down the center.
From the text:
強度もあり、しなやかで軽い。
良い竿だよ。
It is stronger, it is light and supple.
It is a good rod.
And from his statements in the comments:
前の竿と同様にやわらかいのですよ。6：4、7：3
It’s soft similar to ( same way as) the previous pole. 6:4,7:3
長さは、4ｍと3.4ｍ（正確ではないです、まだ）
length, 3.4m and 4m (is not accurate/not exact, yet)
たぶん３月にはそちらの方へ行く予定ですが、
まだ日時が決まっていないようです。
Although it is expected to go towards March maybe,
Date and time is not yet been determined.
2¢
Thanks David. I’ve updated the post.
Opps, a typo, sorry – it is at 1:00 mark when he holds the piece behind his knee that you can see it the clearest. Although you can see it fairly well also at 40 seconds.
Well, here ya go. Blog post dated 1/27/2014.
http://www.oni-tenkara.com/oni-blog/2775.html
３月には、 新しい鬼竿も紹介できると思います。
3.4ｍと4ｍの２タイプあります。
I think in March, new demon rod also able to introduce.
There are two types of 4m and 3.4m.
できた！ Complete, Made. 2/13/2014
Oni rod,
TYPE Ⅰ 4m, Same as before.
TYPE Ⅱ 4ｍ, New version. Good for big game, beginners.
TYPE Ⅲ 3.4m , Same as TYPE Ⅱ, only 3.4m. Small stream friendly.
Sales from late February , early March.
http://www.oni-tenkara.com/oni-blog/2801.html
Forgot to mention. For you stealthy types. The TYPE Ⅲ 3.4m rod is shown with a camouflage grip. I would guess it might be selectable for any model.
Thanks for the extra info David!
Ordering and other information for the new Oni Rods were posted 2/24/2014.
http://www.oni-tenkara.com/oni-blog/2839.html
Type I , 6:4, 88ｇ, 28000円
Type II, 5:5. 87g. 28000円
Type III, 5:5. 57.6g, 25000円
Contact email on the webpage. If you have about $300 to spare and paypal, you’re all set. I don’t – so I’ll just have to read your reviews.