Nissin Zerosum Oni Tenkara Honryu 395 tenkara rod -- review

As I stated in my last post, I picked up a Nissin Zerosum Oni Tenkara Honryu 395 Tenkara rod while attending the Tenkara Guides Oni School 2016. This rod is the little brother to the 450 version, but what it lacks in length it makes up in function.

Since I have previously described the 450 version, and that the 395 looks exactly like the 450 version, I'll forgo the usual detailed description. Please see the 450 review for description details.

Here are some of the measurements for the 395 however:

Collapsed length: 63.5 cm
Extended length: 398 cm
Weight (without tip cap): 82.1 g
CCS/RFI: 18 pennies/4.5
Rotational Moment: 6.
Tippet recommendations (per Nissin): 5X - 3X

RFI comparison chart -- click image to enlarge.

The rod casts very easily. It has a smooth arc and no tip oscillation. I used fluorocarbon level lines from #3 to #4 and they all cast equally well. Accuracy was very good as well. Even though this rod has a Rotational Moment of 6 it does have some increased startup inertia. It's a stout rod for designed for larger trout.

I fished the rod on a typical freestone mountain stream using a weighted #8 Utah Killer Bug. It threw this fly just fine. I caught trout ranging from 6 inches to 14 inches. The stream current was moderate to fast. Fighting any of these trout was easy, even the larger rainbows in faster water. The 378 cm length gave excellent reach and despite the 82 g weight I experienced no arm fatigue over my usual 2 hours of fishing.

Conclusion: I like this rod. It is really well balanced and a joy to cast. It feels quite a bit different from the Daiwa LT39SF that I have, and consider my "big" trout tenkara rod of choice. The Oni 395 has a softer tip and throws lighter lines easier. I like the Oni 395 better than the 450 version.

Update - July 18, 2016: Three Rivers Tenkara now has this rod on order. You can get one from Anthony HERE. 

Update - October 2023: I still love this rod, even more now than when I originally did the review. It's one of the only 395-400 cm rods that I prefer to fish. Next to the TB40, the Oni Honryu 395 is my favorite rod in this length category. 

Disclaimer:  My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ.  Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. 

I purchased this rod and have no formal affiliation with Nissin or Masami Sakakibara.