AJN 5ft6 Solid Carbon - Improved version

All Japan Network (AJN) have just released a new batch of their extremely popular 5ft6 Stealth Solid carbon rod.

Just weeks after I have just lay my hand on their first batch of rods, they now released a new batch..... I think I am damn slow on the previous review.

I didn't have the physical rod with me, my observations are based on the information released by AJN and the pictures of the new batch of rods. 

The blanks used are the same design as the previous batch, but with some minor but important changes to the accessories used. Boy do they take the feedback receive seriously.

First up, my major complaint the top guide. Now it have been changed to a different style, not too sure if the ring diameter have been increased, I sure hope it has.

Next is the stripper guide, for layman like me, that's the guide closest to the butt. It is now have a bigger diameter. Personally I do not have any issue with the previous size, but maybe if matched with a bigger reel, the casting distance could be compromised if the stripper guide have a smaller diameter.

Last change is purely a cosmetic or if you like a vanity change, the butt cap have the company's name printed on it instead of being just a plain design.

Stock is already available and is selling at SGD65.


Disclaimer - No Payment is received for this write up.
Photos are property of All Japan Network

New toy - Shimano Aernos 2500 FA

Fresh Out of Tackle Shop

Frankly I cannot remember when is the last time I walk into a tackle shop to buy a reel. Those budget Shimano reels have serve me very well indeed over the years, of course I do give them some care like giving them a shower after each trip and service them once in a while.

When the Shimano Aernos FA series is launched in our sunny island, I didn't pay too much attention to it as I thought this is the previous version of Aernos getting a color facelift. I do have an older generation AernosXT C3000 reel, and am not too impressed by it.

Comes with Reel Package

While doing some research and downloading schematic drawings for some reels, I chance upon this reel again and study it more in detail, oh boy the specs does look impressive. After getting some help from local anglers to check the pricing, I did ever declare that at this reel is one of the Best Value for Money reel at present.

So what prompt me to buy this reel? First off, as you can see from the picture, it comes with a spare spool with the reel, and the impressive bearing count. More importantly, this reel have Ball bearings where you wanted it most, namely two for the Drive gear, one for Pinion gear, one on the roller, and one on the Eva handle. It would prefect if they can just add one more for the oscillating gear. And of course to put my money where my mouth is, since it is such good value for money, I just have to buy it.

AJN Stealth Carbon 5ft6

Rod Specs, this is a used rod thus all the marks and scuff marks

Finally lay my hand on this rod, but this is not my rod, it is a rod I borrowed on one fishing trip. This model sold out so fast that before I even have the chance to say 'I wanna buy', every single piece is sold already.

First off, the specs
Mfg - AJN
Model - SCS561UL
Length - 5ft6; Single piece
Guide - SIC, not Fuji though
Line rating - 8 to 16lbs

From what I have understand this rod uses a one-piece solid carbon blank, attached to a graphite butt which house the reel seat. This is constructed this way instead having the blank all the way down to the reel seat is to prevent flex at the reel seat.

So how does this rod perform? I can't really tell since I didn't have the chance to use this rod to catch anything else other then tamban. However when I did a rod loading test at home the rod perform very nicely, the rod flex nicely at the front and the rear section feel like it have a reasonable amount of backbone.

Personally I think this rod should should perform well in these application, pay pond fishing and off-shore micro jigging. A thin rod tip to impart lures / jigs action and a fair amount of backbone to fight a decent sized fish.

And for the price it is retailed, I would say that this is really good value for money. I do like the rod action and overall feel and it comes with SIC guides, a minor complaint I have is the top guide, I would prefer it to have bigger diameter ring. I would pair this with a Shimano 1000 or C2000 sized reel, think it would achieve a nice balance.

Bad news if that there is zero stock at the moment, no idea when the new stock would arrived. On the plus side, AJN will be launching their Jigging Jack and Jigging Jazel, it will be having 2 different handle for jigging and luring. If the blank is based on the similar blank design as this rod, it should do well for light jigging applications.

Disclaimer - No payment is received for this write up. Rod is not writer's rod, it is a borrowed rod

Roller Bushing to Bearing - Version 2; Shimano Reel

Reference - Version 1

Parts of the roller bushing

For a long time I have been using the first version for my Shimano Alivio reel, really dun feel the need to do anything to it as it works well and basically there is only reel that needed for the modification then. Then disaster struck and the bearing got busted and I need to change it, moreover after gotten 2 more budget reels at a Shimano event, I need to find a new way as one of the part in version one is hard to find.

The problem with version one are
1. Ball Bearing needed work, the outer race have to be grind to a smaller diameter to fit into the roller.
2. That means that for every bearing that got busted, I need to work on the replacement bearing.
3. One part is close to impossible to find, I need something that is easily available since I have 2 more reels to receive the roller bearing upgrade.