Tenkara Forum

[craigthor]

Curious if the Ito has gone through any refinements as to its' weight balance and casting. I had one in fall of 2012 and it felt tip heavy and was like a different animal in each length. The Rhodo has really brought TUSA back into my sights and I will probably look at a Sato shortly. That just leaves needing a longer rod for those few and far between times. I've cast the Shimano ZE and it is a wonderful rod light in hand and fishes almost the same at both lengths so I can always go that direction again.

[Tenkara Elevated]

I have not fished a Ito until recently and while it does have a different casting motion then the shorter rods from Tenkara USA, I've personally not found it tip heavy. John and TJ did mention that it was retooled recently giving it a stiffer action. I have no way to compare it with the old action of the Ito but can say this is my personal favorite rod. However I also love fishing the Sato for smaller waters, but if there is remotely enough space, I will have my Ito in hand.

[John @ Tenkara USA]

Daniel did some tweaks to the Ito about a year ago; it's a little stiffer than the first rods in the middle/lower sections. The tips are the same. It does make the rod a little less tip heavy than before, but still a more noticeable difference in the two lengths than you'll find with the Sato or Rhodo. I notice more difference when using a stiffer Ito while playing fish than casting. It has a little more backbone.

[craigthor]

Daniel did some tweaks to the Ito about a year ago; it's a little stiffer than the first rods in the middle/lower sections. The tips are the same. It does make the rod a little less tip heavy than before, but still a more noticeable difference in the two lengths than you'll find with the Sato or Rhodo. I notice more difference when using a stiffer Ito while playing fish than casting. It has a little more backbone.

Thanks!

[craigthor]

So I want to put this out there anyone have both and cast them side by side?

[John @ Tenkara USA]

If you mean the two Itos, I have. Pretty much just as I described. I just went outside to do it again and don't have anything got add to my earlier description, it's a little stiffer rod and a little crisper feel at both lengths. I think the difference is more noticeable at the longer length, where the stiffer rod feels a little less "noodley". For the record, I don't really mind casting either Ito at the longer length if that's the most appropriate for the situation. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to hear from someone that wasn't a TUSA employee.

[craigthor]

Thanks John, I figure few actually own both of them so I'll take whatever side to comparisons I can get.