Sephia recommended casting range is 1.8 - 3.8 gou and the Solpara is 2.0 - 3.5 gou. This gou is the rate of squid jig with all its sinking per second meaning, etc. Google it if you want.
Was going to wait until I could try it on the water, but with the current situation, it would take a while. Hence this 'dry' review. As in, the closest to water the rod has ever seen is a water bottle in my car when I bought it.
My reason for giving a personal review (I'm not lucky enough to be sponsored), is because I do some research before purchasing something and often there isn't enough info out there, especially from personal use review. Or the review just isn't enough (yes, I'm quite detailed and OCD).
Plus I got bored during this lockdown.
Plus, being in lockdown, this is kinda fun and keep me amused with fishing related stuff. Some of this stuff also applicable to non-egi rods.
And please correct me or add anything, always love to have a good discussion and learn something new.
So here it is.
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First Impression
Very light! Not super light, but very light! Lighter towards the butt section, almost too light.
When I was at the store, I also held Emeraldas X and MX, they're light as well, but the Sephia had that wow lighter feeling. I did hold Emeraldas AGS too, but not gonna compare that.
A lot of people use 3000 reel or 2500 reel, I tried this Sephia BB rod with Freams LT 2000 at the store and it balanced. I have it paired with Stradic ci4 3000 since it's light and matches the rod's weight.
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On the downside, personal opinion that is, the handle section feels 'cheap', has that plastic-y light feeling to it, while the Emeraldas got that 'expensive' toy feeling. Again, it's personal opinion. Maybe just the fancy cosmetics that got me thinking like that.
I wrote a review about Solpara when I bought it, so not gonna say much about the Solpara's first impression.
The rod blank
Sephia BB is the lowest model of the Sephia rod family in Japan, however it has enough stuff to make a good egi rod. At least it's enough for what I do as a rec angler, plus definitely an upgrade from Solpara.
Sephia BB has the X wrapping thing. Google it if you want to know more about what it is, I don't want to explain technicalities, just the simple practical stuff for those who wishes to buy (or not). This x wrap thing makes the rod very responsive. The rod bounces back to it's original position (from bending to straight) very quickly, gives that crisps feeling. Solpara doesn't have it.
Considering that, Sephia BB is still quite whippy compared to Emeraldas. More regular action, while Emeraldas are very stiff and fast. Solpara is even slower, whippy and wobbly.
What does that mean?
Wobbly means the rod kicks to the side while casting, causing it less accurate and can affect the distance too. But also means, the rod is very shock absorbing. Which is perfect for squid fishing to absorb that pull from the squid and gentle enough not to rip the tentacles. I know this from when I was learning fly fishing years ago.
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Faster stiffer rod can still have parabolic action/bend for egi fishing, but a lot more resistance and pressure, this is when you use less drag on the reel.
Faster stiffer rod has more punch and more accurate in casting.
Here is the Solpara, not the best video but you kinda can see the kicks to the sides.
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https://youtube.com/shorts/qGV0axRd-uA?feature=share
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And here is the Sephia BB, still has some kick to the sides but less than the Solpara.
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https://youtube.com/shorts/byNkKKC6w1k?feature=share
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Sephia BB is in between Solpara and Emeraldas in terms of stiffness.
The handle grip / reel seat
Eva on the grip is always nice and soft on the hand. The eva on the Sephia is softer and squishy compared to Solpara.
The lower part to screw in the reel is a lot nicer on the Sephia. I don't like this bit on any rods, it's hard, not nice on the hand and leaves a mark on my hand. Personal choice of course.
Here is the Solpara.
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Here is the Sephia.
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May not matter much for many people, but small stuff like that is the one that gives me the 'wow' feeling.
After few use, I get red marks on my hand from the Solpara and sore a bit (yes, I have soft hands
![Very Happy :-D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
The ring guides
I believe Sephia is using Fuji K silicone guides and Solpara is Fuji O. Micro guides for the tip section. However, Sephia BB has 9 guides and Solpara has only 8 guides. Although there is blank nya o guide ratio etc, and considering the Solpara is a longer rod, I think this makes Sephia BB the better rod.
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Why do you ask? Here is why.
The guides are to hold the line close to the rod blank, the line and the rod blank be generally aligned and paralel, makes the rod to absorb all those tensions on the line.
More guides is better because the line will be more aligned with the rod blank.
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Imagine this below. There is more tension on the line, less shock absorbing on the rod. More tension on the rings too. The rod blank isn't utilised enough.
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The Sephia BB rod is not a Ferrari, but it's not a Toyota Yaris either.
Of course there is more to this (and more complexity), but I hope this helps people to have some info before purchasing (or not).
For $220 (sale price when I bought it), I think this rod is worth the value.
I'll write some more after I get to try it.