Samurai Kestrel

[Brams]

Hi guys,

Has anyone had any experience with the samurai kestrel, particularly the lightest three models? 302 3-6 kg, 351 5-8 kg and 402 5-10 kg? What are they like for casting metals, stickbait etc?

Also, I'm thinking about building a bream rod, and was wondering how they got that cool grey pattern on the blank on the kestrel? A wrap, sticker or paint?

Cheers,
Nick

[Gofishing]

I own a krestal 402 10-20lb...they are light and great for throwing metal for bonito and tailor...I match it with certate 3012 and it a great weapon and lots of fun to play with.

[Alex]

I borrowed a 3-6kg Kestrel fitted with Branzino once and it felt great.

Very light to hold and quite easy to cast bream lures (yes, I used it for bream )

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
Cheers

[Brams]

Thanks guys, bonnies, tailor tuna etc are what id be gunning for, with a 3012 Morethan.. They sound good, whats their warranty/replacement like?

Gofishing, were they overpowering the smaller stuff?

Cheers,

Nick

[Gofishing]

Originally Posted by Brams

Thanks guys, bonnies, tailor tuna etc are what id be gunning for, with a 3012 Morethan.. They sound good, whats their warranty/replacement like?

Gofishing, were they overpowering the smaller stuff?

Cheers,

Nick

Nick, I love samurai rods, owned Reaction 101, 201, 203, 302, 402, 502, Squid M, krestal 302, 402. So depending what I target on the day...I used krestal 302 for structure breaming, and tailor as well. 402 for bonnies, jews, and fantastic soft plastic for snappers...with these many samurai rods the only thing i would complaint about is the warranty policy. I broke the 101 and 302 once and both have dramatic when i claim the insurance. I bought the rod at local store which do not have computer system to record sell item like Mo-Tack...they give us a printed dockets...I lost this after 2 years...so I have no prove...my local store back me up to claim the warranty...and the rep doesnt accept it...so much dramas the local store dont even stock samurai rod anymore after my claim...I wish Frogley offdshore would be more generous giving the high rod price that we angler invested in...I stop buying samurai now...Krestal 402 was the last of it. Switching to Nirtro rod which have a better warranty policy...no question ask. Hope it help...

[lukereneeseth]

anyone know what the difference would be between the new Reaction 6-12lb and Kestrel 6-12lb?

[spanito]

Originally Posted by lukereneeseth

anyone know what the difference would be between the new Reaction 6-12lb and Kestrel 6-12lb?

Similar blank, same componentry except the reaction model is a little more finesse with a skeleton grip setup. Feels a little lighter in the hand also.

[Paz]

Originally Posted by Gofishing

Nick, I love samurai rods, owned Reaction 101, 201, 203, 302, 402, 502, Squid M, krestal 302, 402. So depending what I target on the day...I used krestal 302 for structure breaming, and tailor as well. 402 for bonnies, jews, and fantastic soft plastic for snappers...with these many samurai rods the only thing i would complaint about is the warranty policy. I broke the 101 and 302 once and both have dramatic when i claim the insurance. I bought the rod at local store which do not have computer system to record sell item like Mo-Tack...they give us a printed dockets...I lost this after 2 years...so I have no prove...my local store back me up to claim the warranty...and the rep doesnt accept it...so much dramas the local store dont even stock samurai rod anymore after my claim...I wish Frogley offdshore would be more generous giving the high rod price that we angler invested in...I stop buying samurai now...Krestal 402 was the last of it. Switching to Nirtro rod which have a better warranty policy...no question ask. Hope it help...

You made a warranty claim on a 2 year old rod? In 2 years a rod can take a fair few knocks without you noticing...I'd say 2 years of use means there was no manufacturing fault.

[lukereneeseth]

still not good enough for a $400 + rod where they can re-use the guides on a blank that probably cost them $50 each.

A lot of other companies have a lifetime no reason replacement. At worst all companies should have a lifetime half price replacement at a minimum. Typical 2nd hand car dealership mentality. Get em out, sold and forgotten.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by lukereneeseth

still not good enough for a $400 + rod where they can re-use the guides on a blank that probably cost them $50 each.

A lot of other companies have a lifetime no reason replacement. At worst all companies should have a lifetime half price replacement at a minimum. Typical 2nd hand car dealership mentality. Get em out, sold and forgotten.

I you were in business of selling rods, what would you say?

From your own words re-using guides from the 2 year old plus rod? You must be joking.

Gofishing did't even say it was a manufacturer's fault. He broke both rods! Without a receipt? I'd say bad luck.

Care to list "A lot of other companies have a lifetime no reason replacement"? Just interested.

[lukereneeseth]

only problem is the no paper receipt. If a tackle store verifies they sold the rod to a person making the claim there shouldn't be a problem under the circumstance, as the company would have on file the amount of X rods that have been distributed to X shops.

Under their own warranty you can get a new rod for 45% of the original price. If your in the "business of selling rods" like any other business you throw leniency in the way of minor terms and condition for regular customers/supporters ie. someone that has/had over 10 Samaurai rods.

So, if I were in business of selling rods and someone came to me with a claim that had previously bought half a dozen + rods off me who didn't still have the receipt after 2 years; tackle store I supply to backed up the rod had been sold to him I say no worries, 45% and here's another one. That's how you keep customers, that's called good business. That's why I turn over $2 mil a year in my businesses.

Joking? maybe shoot an email to Samurai/Frogley's and ask if they have any used Ti guides to sell for a rod build I picked a set up 2 years ago at a fishing comp the day after talking to the rep's.

Maybe not a lot but the ones that are of concern to me - Nordic Stage life time brake it how u want free replacement, 13 - Oops program, there is a fee but you don't even have to send the rod back and Samurai who have the 45% replacement rod. Also lifetime on JS rods whom my next lot of rods will be coming from.

[Gofishing]

Originally Posted by Paz

You made a warranty claim on a 2 year old rod? In 2 years a rod can take a fair few knocks without you noticing...I'd say 2 years of use means there was no manufacturing fault.

When I broke the reaction 302 it was broke while I fighting a snapper...35-40 degree angle rod...light drag as I like to have a longer fight with it...it clearly manufacture fault that one...we all owned very high end and expensive gears...I am sure everyone on this forum would handle a decent rod probably. Also we all love our gears right...I take pride in owning high end rods and reels...and all the rods and reels get clean up, oil, grease probably after every fishing trip...some of you know me on here for a while...if you see my travel reel case then you would guess I do taken care of the rods...

[Gofishing]

Originally Posted by Alex

I you were in business of selling rods, what would you say?

From your own words re-using guides from the 2 year old plus rod? You must be joking.

Gofishing did't even say it was a manufacturer's fault. He broke both rods! Without a receipt? I'd say bad luck.

Care to list "A lot of other companies have a lifetime no reason replacement"? Just interested.

Alex...after i broke the rod to my local tackle store...they all agreed that the rod broke with manufacture fault...even the store owned came in for inspection before he call the rep up for a claim...OK I admitted losing the receipt doesnt help but if my tackle store honour the sale as I been with them for more than 10 years...wouldnt the rep look up their distribution record and see how many samurai rods sold at my local store...

Long story short...I do understand rod selling business need to have butter and bread...I myself ran a company for more than 15 years and still going...i always honor my products cause it a moral thing to do...I like nitro rod...when they say lifetime warranty they really mean it...I bought my Nitro Distance Spin in NSW, when to Adelaide for snapper fishing...broke it on the first trip. Took it to Nitro reseller in the city...no question ask, no reciept required...I happy paid $80 and two days later I got a new blank and back in the snapper season...wonderful...that how I like to invest into expensive rod...so as much as I love samurai rods...I steer away from them...