Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F - 17ft.
Made in Japan.
Keiryu Refined
The Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F is Suntech’s replacement for the now discontinued, but highly regarded, Sawanobori 53. The 53 is not a rod that we previously carried, so we cannot compare the rods, other than to say Suntech felt this was a worthy successor to it. With that, this rod simply excels. It is a highly refined, lightweight, and precision Keiryu rod. Along with the Keikyokugi, it is one of the best Keiryu rods we have tested.
Light as a Feather
The Sawanobori is light, coming in at only 3.01 ounces. The weight really defines the whole experience of this rod - it feels more like a Tenkara rod than a Keiryu rod. For perspective, the Nissin Keikyokugi is 4.06 ounces (to be fair the Keiki is a bit longer at 17.4’ vs 17’), while most 5.4 Keiryu rods land in the 5ish oz range. The lightweight makes handling the Sawanobori almost effortless and really, really enjoyable. If you are one to get fatigued by longer Keiryu rods, then the Sawanobori is your ticket.
Action & Casting
The 5.2 meter Sawanobori has an RFI of 5.96 and a CCS rating of 31 pennies, making it squarely a medium action rod. In Tenkara speak, the rod is a 7:3. The action is tight and clean. The tip oscillates smoothly and straight. Overall, casting the Sawanobori is smooth and precise, aided by its lightweight.
We tested rod with the Daiwa PVC line and 4.0 m Kevlar line, using dry flies and were able to make very precise casts. We used the Orbit cast method and a one-handed traditional Tenkara cast method. One handed Tenkara casting is typically not something we do much with Keiryu rods, but with the Sawanobori, its quite doable!
For nymphing, we used a 3.5 level line and the 13 Ft. Euro Nymph line casting 1 and 2 nymph rigs. Again, the Sawanobori delivered great results, using a Lob cast and the Orbit cast. The Orbit cast will get you out a little farther, while the lob cast brings the fly down like a dive bomber, aiding in getting that fly deep and fast.
Use Case
As a Keiryu rod, the Sawanabori is going to deliver reach (17 ft.) for bigger water and will excel at delivering drag free drifts with sinking lines. All Keiryu rods can cast floating lines for dry nymph applications, but the Sawanobori’s lightweight and action give it an edge in this regard, as well.
The Sawanobori comes with a rotating metal lillian. The metal lillians are stronger and more resistant to damage. TIP - when attaching the line, wet the loop end before synching it and make sure one of the lines of the loop is nestled into the groove in the lillian.
The light weight of the Sawanobori is driven by the carbon, which also helps deliver great sensitivity. This is a big plus for getting positive hooksets with smaller, spooky trout. The Sawanobori can handle 5X tippet and fish according to that spec (up to 4.5 - 5 lb.). With that said, I do think the lightness of the rod will challenge it when it comes to larger fish. The Sawanobori would not be my first Keiryu rod choice for bringing in 22+” trout, but it is without a doubt one of the best Keiryu rods for fish in the 8 - 20” range.
Final Thoughts
The Sawanobori II 52 F delivers elite premium Keiryu performance, combining light weight, sensitivity, and precise casting.
Made in Japan.
Keiryu Refined
The Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F is Suntech’s replacement for the now discontinued, but highly regarded, Sawanobori 53. The 53 is not a rod that we previously carried, so we cannot compare the rods, other than to say Suntech felt this was a worthy successor to it. With that, this rod simply excels. It is a highly refined, lightweight, and precision Keiryu rod. Along with the Keikyokugi, it is one of the best Keiryu rods we have tested.
Light as a Feather
The Sawanobori is light, coming in at only 3.01 ounces. The weight really defines the whole experience of this rod - it feels more like a Tenkara rod than a Keiryu rod. For perspective, the Nissin Keikyokugi is 4.06 ounces (to be fair the Keiki is a bit longer at 17.4’ vs 17’), while most 5.4 Keiryu rods land in the 5ish oz range. The lightweight makes handling the Sawanobori almost effortless and really, really enjoyable. If you are one to get fatigued by longer Keiryu rods, then the Sawanobori is your ticket.
Action & Casting
The 5.2 meter Sawanobori has an RFI of 5.96 and a CCS rating of 31 pennies, making it squarely a medium action rod. In Tenkara speak, the rod is a 7:3. The action is tight and clean. The tip oscillates smoothly and straight. Overall, casting the Sawanobori is smooth and precise, aided by its lightweight.
We tested rod with the Daiwa PVC line and 4.0 m Kevlar line, using dry flies and were able to make very precise casts. We used the Orbit cast method and a one-handed traditional Tenkara cast method. One handed Tenkara casting is typically not something we do much with Keiryu rods, but with the Sawanobori, its quite doable!
For nymphing, we used a 3.5 level line and the 13 Ft. Euro Nymph line casting 1 and 2 nymph rigs. Again, the Sawanobori delivered great results, using a Lob cast and the Orbit cast. The Orbit cast will get you out a little farther, while the lob cast brings the fly down like a dive bomber, aiding in getting that fly deep and fast.
Use Case
As a Keiryu rod, the Sawanabori is going to deliver reach (17 ft.) for bigger water and will excel at delivering drag free drifts with sinking lines. All Keiryu rods can cast floating lines for dry nymph applications, but the Sawanobori’s lightweight and action give it an edge in this regard, as well.
The Sawanobori comes with a rotating metal lillian. The metal lillians are stronger and more resistant to damage. TIP - when attaching the line, wet the loop end before synching it and make sure one of the lines of the loop is nestled into the groove in the lillian.
The light weight of the Sawanobori is driven by the carbon, which also helps deliver great sensitivity. This is a big plus for getting positive hooksets with smaller, spooky trout. The Sawanobori can handle 5X tippet and fish according to that spec (up to 4.5 - 5 lb.). With that said, I do think the lightness of the rod will challenge it when it comes to larger fish. The Sawanobori would not be my first Keiryu rod choice for bringing in 22+” trout, but it is without a doubt one of the best Keiryu rods for fish in the 8 - 20” range.
Final Thoughts
The Sawanobori II 52 F delivers elite premium Keiryu performance, combining light weight, sensitivity, and precise casting.
Made in Japan.
Keiryu Refined
The Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F is Suntech’s replacement for the now discontinued, but highly regarded, Sawanobori 53. The 53 is not a rod that we previously carried, so we cannot compare the rods, other than to say Suntech felt this was a worthy successor to it. With that, this rod simply excels. It is a highly refined, lightweight, and precision Keiryu rod. Along with the Keikyokugi, it is one of the best Keiryu rods we have tested.
Light as a Feather
The Sawanobori is light, coming in at only 3.01 ounces. The weight really defines the whole experience of this rod - it feels more like a Tenkara rod than a Keiryu rod. For perspective, the Nissin Keikyokugi is 4.06 ounces (to be fair the Keiki is a bit longer at 17.4’ vs 17’), while most 5.4 Keiryu rods land in the 5ish oz range. The lightweight makes handling the Sawanobori almost effortless and really, really enjoyable. If you are one to get fatigued by longer Keiryu rods, then the Sawanobori is your ticket.
Action & Casting
The 5.2 meter Sawanobori has an RFI of 5.96 and a CCS rating of 31 pennies, making it squarely a medium action rod. In Tenkara speak, the rod is a 7:3. The action is tight and clean. The tip oscillates smoothly and straight. Overall, casting the Sawanobori is smooth and precise, aided by its lightweight.
We tested rod with the Daiwa PVC line and 4.0 m Kevlar line, using dry flies and were able to make very precise casts. We used the Orbit cast method and a one-handed traditional Tenkara cast method. One handed Tenkara casting is typically not something we do much with Keiryu rods, but with the Sawanobori, its quite doable!
For nymphing, we used a 3.5 level line and the 13 Ft. Euro Nymph line casting 1 and 2 nymph rigs. Again, the Sawanobori delivered great results, using a Lob cast and the Orbit cast. The Orbit cast will get you out a little farther, while the lob cast brings the fly down like a dive bomber, aiding in getting that fly deep and fast.
Use Case
As a Keiryu rod, the Sawanabori is going to deliver reach (17 ft.) for bigger water and will excel at delivering drag free drifts with sinking lines. All Keiryu rods can cast floating lines for dry nymph applications, but the Sawanobori’s lightweight and action give it an edge in this regard, as well.
The Sawanobori comes with a rotating metal lillian. The metal lillians are stronger and more resistant to damage. TIP - when attaching the line, wet the loop end before synching it and make sure one of the lines of the loop is nestled into the groove in the lillian.
The light weight of the Sawanobori is driven by the carbon, which also helps deliver great sensitivity. This is a big plus for getting positive hooksets with smaller, spooky trout. The Sawanobori can handle 5X tippet and fish according to that spec (up to 4.5 - 5 lb.). With that said, I do think the lightness of the rod will challenge it when it comes to larger fish. The Sawanobori would not be my first Keiryu rod choice for bringing in 22+” trout, but it is without a doubt one of the best Keiryu rods for fish in the 8 - 20” range.
Final Thoughts
The Sawanobori II 52 F delivers elite premium Keiryu performance, combining light weight, sensitivity, and precise casting.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Suntech Sawanobori II 52 F - 17 ft.
Soft material sock
ROD SPECS
SECTIONS: 11
EXTENDED LENGTH: 5.2 meters / 17 feet
COLLAPSED LENGTH: 22 inches collapsed
WEIGHT: 3.01 oz (3.5 oz with plug)
ACTION: Medium Action
TIPPET: 6X - 5X (recommended)
ROD FLEX INDEX(RFI): 5.96 / CCS of 31 Pennies. Find out more.
SPECIES: Trout, Bluegill
FISHING APPLICATIONS
Dry flies / Kebari
Nymphing
Wet Flies
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Sawanobori H 52 F delivers premium keiryu performance, combining light weight, sensitivity, and precise casting.
CASTING GUIDE:
A Lob or Orbit cast work well with weighted rigs, while an Orbit cast or traditional Tenkara cast can be employed with dry and wet flies.