What new rod.

[CM_Stewart]

Thanks Chris for your reply, I am looking for a rod to fish for warmwater panfish, maybe trout once or twice a year. Been thinking about a Shimano or Daiwa.

One of my absolute favorite rods is the Daiwa Enshou LL41SF http://www.tenkarabum.com/daiwa-tenkara-rods.html. It is 13.5' long, weighs 2.9 ounces and is one of the smoothest casting rods I've ever found. Although it would be ideal with panfish, it would also be able to handle modest sized bass. If you fish streams where a 13.5' rod would be too long, the same model also comes in a 12' length (LL36SF). Shimano has two nice 12' rods as well. The LLS36NX is a premium rod that is as good an "all around" rod as you'll be able to find http://www.tenkarabum.com/shimano-lls36nx.html, and their LLS36NB is probably the nicest rod you could find for under $200http://www.tenkarabum.com/shimano-lls36-nb.html .

I wouldn't rule out Nissin and Suntech, though. I really like the Nissin Air Stage 390 http://www.tenkarabum.com/nissin-air-stage-390.html (which I don't currently have in stock) and also the Suntech Kurenai HM39R http://www.tenkarabum.com/suntech-kurenai.html, which I do. Both of these rods are seiryu rods, designed specifically for smaller fish. They are wonderfully light and responsive, and are both made in Japan.

Of course, there are always the Nissin SP rods, which I only half jokingly call the Special Panfish rods. http://www.tenkarabum.com/nissin-sp.html