VERDICT on Coco 290 vs Nissin Oni 295!

[@MostlyTenkara]

Great set of 3 videos, Kris! I want to echo your findings--I LOVE both of these rods, and while the Coco is tip flexy and the 295 is more full flex--the biggest, most notable difference is definitely the grip. I've ordered some cork and am going to try to fashion a cork grip for the Coco and see what I think.

[@VicBranker]

Kris very thorough analyses. Factored down to the essence of your review, I opine you basically concur with Masami Sakakibara Oni's thought process. The introduction of the ONI 295 & 345 filled the vacuum amidst the pre-existent Oni rod product line. Within the 3 meter class rods, the Oni 295 is a Tenkara rod proper, it's earlier released "older sibling" 290 Coco (blue or pink) a Seiryu rod. Tenkara vs. Seiryu rod both Oni 100% Classic in design and reputation. No play on words here; Oni rods!!! Are you kidding? Arguably the finest Japanese Tenkara rods made. Final rod selection will be made solely upon the obsessive compulsive mental state aka subjective taste of the angler. ( Buyer beware, either one, you can't lose). My 2 cents worth anyway, thanks.

[@neilfromtexas-vn1dv]

Thanks Chris! I’ve got the Oni Style Coco rod. Big fan of everything except the baby blue color! Great smaller stream rod. Keep em coming, Neil.

[@tenkaraonthetrail]

Thanks Neil!

[@david-marynoll5699]

"I knew I had to have them". 😅🤣😂

[@tenkaraonthetrail]

Shocker I know

[@michaelcapurso]

Love your informational videos, great service to your viewers, thank you! With regard to the 295, would it be an appropriate choice for bead head nymphs in smaller fairly fast water? Also, knowing the lengths are not the same how would you rate the 295 to the Traveler 27 with regard to capability. The Oni seems like a great little rod, however I can't get past the colors, strange choices unless it's geared to children.

[@tenkaraonthetrail]

That’s a good question regarding the traveler 27. As a Keiryu Rod, it feels like it has more backbone but it is shorter like you noted. The 295 has a higher tippet rating but I don’t put too much stock in those. I would only be hazarding a guess and I think it would be splitting hairs to say which one is more capable. I don’t have a penny reading for the 295. I’ve caught or seen fish caught in the mid teens with both of those rods. They just do it in a different way. The 295 has a deep smooth bend and the 27 feels like it has stronger mid and lower sections. As far as bead heads yes the 295 handled them fine for me.

[@resoluteretreat1532]

I have the Coco Blue 290 but had trouble deciding on which Nissin Oni to buy - the Nissin Oni 295 or the Nissin Oni 345 - so I'm thinking the Nissin Oni 345. What are your thoughts? Comparing the 295 with the 345, what are your thoughts? You have both. Tom Davis only reviewed the 345. Fred

[@tenkaraonthetrail]

Well there is a lot of overlap between the Coco 290 and the Oni 295 if you’re looking to spread things out a little bit the 345 is a wonderful Rod. I did a lot of fishing with that recently and I love that length. If you are completely happy with the Coco 290 then I would go with the longer 345.