Slow Pitch Jigging Rods
Just like any other fishing, the tackle setting is important to make your game easy, fun, and productive. Like Sato Sensei says, 80% of fishing is done in the setup.
There are a lot of slow pitch rods on the market now, but it’s hard to get most of them outside Japan. I sell secondhand Slow Jerkers, and I can help you shop from Japanese retailers for 10% handling fee. But I do understand the shipping fee is a big issue.
A lot of people have sent me inquiries whether or not a certain rod works for them. But it’s really difficult to answer because it depends on what you expect but you don’t know what to expect when you are just starting this game.
The blanks is made of highly resilient, high carbon materials, and it takes craftsmanship to build such delicate, heavy duty productions at the consistent quality.
All the slow pitch rods should have all the properties. Yet, prices are different. I don’t think anyone will question why. But everyone wants to know what difference they make.
“Sensitivity” is one issue. Finesse and awareness is the key factor in this game.
The other issue is “adaptability”. Good rods cover wide range of jig weights and water conditions. Cheap ones find difficulties when the situation gets tough, like the strong current, multiple layers of currents, and deeper water. Good ones also work well with varieties of your tactics, from fast, punchy application to long, slow and soft application.
So if you are just fishing in the shallow water, like 30m to 60m, you may not feel much difference. So a lot of anglers have Slow Jerkers for 100m and deeper range, but save some money with a cheaper rod for the shallow.
For your reference, I have graded from Class A to C
Class A is most recommended. Designed and field tested for so many times by top slow pitch experts. It works in harder conditions, it gives you bigger range of tactics, and its high quality of production is consistent. All made in Japan.
Class B is OK. Designed or supervised by slow pitch experts. Mostly made in Japan. Class A is actually hard to get outside Japan. If you find Class B locally, you may as well grab it to start with.
Class C is not really recommended. It only works in limited conditions. And it lacks consistency in the production. There reasons why they are available at low price, mainly because they are not made by Japanese craftsmen. But it can be applied in the shallow, easy conditions.
Rod Power Rating
“Which power model should I get?”
That is the most frequent question people ask me.
The rod specs say which jig weight range the rod is the most suitable. But this is just a little indication of the action tone. You should not think this is specifically the jig weight you are supposed to use. In reality, jig weigh is not the only factor that the rod works against for actions. Let’s say you move a 300g jig at 3 meters deep. Any rod model can do that, you can imagine. The water resistance factors are very big and there’s no way to indicate that.
It’s a plain fact that Slow Jerker set the standard. We call 603-3 Power 3. 603-6 Power 6. And pretty much all the brands follow this standard. In the most frequent slow pitch jigging situation in Japan, from 50m to 150m deep, from the spankered boat that keeps you vertical, the jig weigh range from 100g to 300g, Power 3, 4, 5, 6 is the required range of rod power. Lower power model is for shallower waters or for special purposes with the soft action tone. higher power model is for deeper waters or for special purposes with the strong action tone.
When you are free-drifting, the verticality is totally different than spankered boat. So you would need to translate this into your condition. Send me an inquiry to see which power model is suitable for you.
- What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
- How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
- What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
Also see.
[fancy_link link=”http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/” variation=”orange”]ROD ACTION TONE[/fancy_link]
[fancy_link link=”http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/” variation=”orange”]STAYING VERTICAL[/fancy_link]
Class A
Poseidon Slow Jerker by Evergreen
Without doubts, No.1 slow pitch jigging rod that Sato Sensei developed in every possible refinements. It was the first slow pitch rod, and still is the best slow pitch rod. It was remodeled in 2012, but the main spec stays the same. A little change to the reel seat and to the guides because Fuji, the guide maker, stopped the production of the old model. That is how perfectly this rod is designed and how consistently it’s been produced at the finest quality.
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 603-2 | 191cm | 100g | JPY50,000 |
| 603-3 | 191cm | 150g | JPY50,000 |
| 603-4 | 191cm | 200g | JPY50,000 |
| 603-5 | 191cm | 250g | JPY52,000 |
| 603-6 | 191cm | 300g | JPY52,000 |
Logical by Deepliner
Captain Higashimura of Deepliner was inspired by Sato Sensei and now one of the legendary slow pitch masters. Logical is a slow pitch rod that he developed with severe perfection. The blanks has the least coating because it affects the rod action. All the guides are Torzite for the maximum sensitivity. In comparison with Slow Jerker, Logical feels a little softer in action.
Available is 3 lengths, 55 (170cm), 60 (180cm), 70 (210cm). 60 is the balanced versatile model. Longer 70 moves the jig more in one stroke, effective in falls, softer in action, not suitable in heavy water situation. Shorter 60 is easier to control, moves the jig in more details, faster in kickup action, more suitable in heavy water situation.
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55 #0 | 170cm | 60g | OPEN |
| 55 #1 | 170cm | 80g | OPEN |
| 55 #2 | 170cm | 120g | OPEN |
| 55 #3 | 170cm | 180g | OPEN |
| 55 #4 | 170cm | 220g | OPEN |
| 55 #5 | 170cm | 250g | OPEN |
| 55 #6 | 170cm | 300g | OPEN |
| 55 #7 | 170cm | 350g | OPEN |
| 55 #8 | 170cm | 400g | OPEN |
| 60 #0 | 180cm | 60g | OPEN |
| 60 #1 | 180cm | 80g | OPEN |
| 60 #2 | 180cm | 120g | OPEN |
| 60 #3 | 180cm | 180g | OPEN |
| 60 #4 | 180cm | 220g | OPEN |
| 60 #5 | 180cm | 250g | OPEN |
| 60 #6 | 180cm | 300g | OPEN |
| 60 #7 | 180cm | 350g | OPEN |
| 60 #8 | 180cm | 400g | OPEN |
| 70 #0 | 210cm | 60g | OPEN |
| 70 #1 | 210cm | 80g | OPEN |
| 70 #2 | 210cm | 120g | OPEN |
| 70 #3 | 210cm | 180g | OPEN |
| 70 #4 | 210cm | 220g | OPEN |
| 70 #5 | 210cm | 250g | OPEN |
| 70 #6 | 210cm | 300g | OPEN |
| 70 #7 | 210cm | 350g | OPEN |
| 70 #8 | 210cm | 400g | OPEN |
JAM rod by Seafloor Control
Kazuhiro Hirota of Seafloor Control is one the leading SPJ experts. This rod is designed and field-tested by Hirota and his team. When I describe this rod, “sharp response” is the word that comes to my mind. The rod is hyper-responsive that gives you a joy to dance your jig. The butt end is finished with BAVS which amplifies the vibrations from the line with the whole blanks. This system helps you to listen to the ocean.
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Force 1 | 191cm | 90g | JPY54,000 |
| Force 2 | 191cm | 130g | JPY55,000 |
| Force 3 | 191cm | 150g | JPY55,000 |
| Force 4 | 191cm | 200g | JPY55,000 |
| Force 5 | 191cm | 250g | JPY56,000 |
| Force 6 | 191cm | 300g | JPY57,000 |
Propagate by Beat
Beat was a private brand, specializing in slow pitch jigging, established in 2011 by Mr. Toshiya Ogai. He is a lure designer and studied slow pitch jigging with Sato Sensei.
Propagate is all made in Japan. A little longer than Slow Jerker. It has captured fans and very solid reputations. In comparison with Slow Jerker, Propagate feels a little harder in action.
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 606-1 | 198cm | 80g | JPY43,500 |
| 606-2 | 198cm | 100g | JPY43,500 |
| 606-3 | 198cm | 160g | JPY43,500 |
| 606-4 | 198cm | 200g | JPY44,000 |
| 606-5 | 198cm | 250g | JPY45,000 |
| 606-6 | 198cm | 300g | JPY47,400 |
Ocea Jigger Infiniti by Shimano
Shimano is finally releasing its flagship model for the slow pitch rod in June 2014. They are only producing only one model yet. More to come in 2015. Haven’t heard any feedback from the field yet, this is definitely going to be a top notch product.
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 653 | 183cm | 140g | JPY49,000 |
| 654 | 183cm | 180g | JPY49,500 |
| 655 | 183cm | 220g | JPY49,800 |
Class B
Galahad by Yamaga Blanks
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63/1 slow | 190cm | 80g | JPY36,000 |
| 63/2 slow | 190cm | 120g | JPY37,000 |
| 63/3 slow | 190cm | 160g | JPY38,000 |
| 62/3 slow | 188cm | 200g | JPY41,000 |
| 62/4 slow | 188cm | 250g | JPY42,000 |
Slow Emotion by Xesta
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| B681 | 204cm | 120g | JPY42,000 |
| B682 | 204cm | 150g | JPY42,000 |
| B683 | 204cm | 200g | JPY42,000 |
| B684 | 204cm | 250g | JPY42,000 |
| B685 | 204cm | 350g | JPY42,000 |
Horizon SL by Tenryu
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 66B-ML | 198cm | 100g | JPY38,000 |
| 66B-M | 198cm | 150g | JPY38,500 |
| 66B-MH | 198cm | 180g | JPY39,000 |
| 66B-H | 198cm | 250g | JPY40,000 |
Luxxe Ocean Almea by Gamakatsu
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| B67FL | 201cm | 60g | JPY41,500 |
| B67UL | 201cm | 70g | JPY41,500 |
| B67L | 201cm | 80g | JPY42,000 |
| B67ML | 201cm | 120g | JPY42,500 |
| B67M | 201cm | 150g | JPY43,000 |
| B67MH | 201cm | 200g | JPY43,500 |
| B67H | 201cm | 220g | JPY44,000 |
Stiletto SLOW STYLE by Hot’s
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSS63L | 191cm | 80g | JPY42,000 |
| SSS63M | 191cm | 100g | JPY42,000 |
| SSS63H | 191cm | 160g | JPY42,000 |
| SSS63XH | 191cm | 230g | JPY47,000 |
Game Type Slow by Shimano
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| B682 | 203cm | 100g | JPY34,000 |
| B683 | 203cm | 180g | JPY35,100 |
| B684 | 203cm | 230g | JPY36,100 |
| B685 | 203cm | 300g | JPY37,100 |
Class C
Metal Witch Slow fall by Palms Elua
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 631SF | 191cm | 80g | JPY24,000 |
| 632SF | 191cm | 120g | JPY24,300 |
| 633SF | 191cm | 160g | JPY24,500 |
| 634SF | 191cm | 180g | JPY24,800 |
| 635SF | 191cm | 220g | JPY25,500 |
| 636SF | 191cm | 250g | JPY25,800 |
Giant Killing by Major Craft
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| B64/2SP | 193cm | 80g | JPY18,000 |
| B64/3SP | 193cm | 120g | JPY18,500 |
| B64/4SP | 193cm | 150g | JPY19,000 |
| B64/5SP | 193cm | 180g | JPY19,500 |
Crostage by Major Craft
| Model | Length | Jig Weight average | Price without tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| B63/2SP | 191cm | 70g | JPY11,500 |
| B63/3SP | 191cm | 110g | JPY12,000 |
| B63/4SP | 191cm | 140g | JPY12,500 |
| B63/5SP | 191cm | 170g | JPY13,000 |
Hope the information helps you! Good luck!
Hey bro, I was wondering if you have tried Shimano’s slow pitch rods. I’m trying to get into slow pitch jigging, just so happens that this is the only rod that is available at my place. Is it any good?
Hi toto, thank you for your indispensable contribution.
I’m looking for a graphiteleader protone: 642-3 or 642-4.
I fish 50-100 mt. deep with 100-250 seaflor control jigs and ocea jigger 1501 hg full of pe 1.5.
What is the right choice?
And two pieces rod is a problem??
Thank you again.
Paolo.
Hi Paolo.
2-piece rod loses a lot of sensitivity. It’s not a problem, but 1-piece rod is always better.
I don’t know what you mean by “what is the right choice?” Are you asking me what jigs to use?
Your set up sounds about right. If you want to focus on deeper half of your field and if you are on a free-drifting boat, you want the reel to be OJ2000.
Hi Afran.
Thank you for your interest in slow pitch jigging! Welcome to the club!
Shimano rod, huh. Well. It’s not the best but it should work. I’ve never seen it myself. But some people told me that it doesn’t have the strong spring back actions, and that it’s moderate and economical.
My tone might sound low, partly because we had a lot of expectations when Shimano was finally releasing slow pitch rod. Many slow pitch jiggers were disappointed that Shimano released an economical model, not the high quality model that this game particularly depends on.
Hi Toto’s
I got my poseidon 603-4 i notice the spine of the blank is inverted, it’s that correct?
Hi Emerson.
I’m not a rod builder, and I don’t know much about such details. I just share what I understand.
In general, the spine runs on the bottom side for spinning rod, and the top side for overhead rod. A lot of recent rods have spiral spine to avoid disadvantages of having the spine on one side.
I think Slow Jerker has the same spine structure as other overhead rods.
Hi Totos, thank for your attention, the spine is inverted in my poseidon 603-4, this fact for sure change the action and how the rod pull the jig in the water, maybe we discovered ine of the secrets fot the poseidon? Lol love the rod, i have a few diferents rod for slow but the poseidon is far the best!
Hello totos,hope u r doing fine…tq for all the tips n tricks for slow pitch jigging…currently my setup is oj1501 with slow jerker #4..commonly fishing from 40-80mtr..i m looking to get my 2nd weapon..what do u think about temple reef levitate..68-1..rated for 100-300g jig..rod weight 145g..is it 100% made in japan rod?..tq in advance totos…
Hi Fikri,
I have both the 603-4 and the levitate #1. About the levitate, they are good rods but not as good as the poseidon for sure. Also they are over rated… it’s written 100-300gr but when you put a 200 grams jigs on it, the action tone is already soft… For a lighter setup it would be ok but If I were you, in that range of depth, I would go for the 603-2 to “complete” the 603-4.
Let see what Totos has to say…
Cheers
Hi Fikri.
Thank you for your inquiry and your compliments.
And, thank you, Raf, for your inputs.
Temple Reef is not a Japanese brand. Not even available in Japan market. I really don’t know.
Rod selection is hard to make by reviews. People say certain rod is firm or soft. But you never know how vertical they are. It depends greatly on how vertical you are and it is really a key factor for the success of slow pitch jigging. But you see a valuable info from someone like Raf, who has a point of reference. We don’t know how vertical he is, but he has a Slow Jerker as a point to reference, 603-4 is working for him, and he thinks the Levitate 68-1 is too soft.
I don’t know Temple Reef, so, let me make my points with Slow Jerker for example.
You are fishing 40m-80m with currently 603-4. And you want a second rod to expand your tactics and adjustability somehow.
What makes you think that you should get a lighter rod? I wonder. I assume you can stay pretty vertical mostly and you want a rod for shallow waters? What kind of jig weight do you currently use with 603-4? Do you want to use lighter jigs, or do you want to stay with the same jig weight range but play a softer action tone? These are the things that I would consider when I select the rod.
For a point of your reference, 603-2 is used in Japan mainly around 40m to 60m (max. 100m), with 80g to 150g (max. 180g, but in very soft action tone). It’s so light a rod and it’s such a fun rod to play if you are vertical and you have the direct control. But please note that this is based on Japan fishing, which is done on an spankered boat with a captain controlling the drift to keep you vertical. Personally I don’t think I can use 603-1.5 or 603-2 on a free-drifting boat or sea-anchor drifting no matter how deep. The water resistance will be too much for these light rods mostly, I assume. You have no control over the drift. It’s totally up to the wind by how strong and which way it’s blowing. And that is why you want to have different rods and different jig weights etc to adapt to different conditions in the first place.
Let’s start from scratch. Something is not working for you sometimes and you are not catching enough. And you want to improve the situation. That is the goal. I think we should analyze that more in details. Getting a second rod is not your goal. Using a lighter jig is not your goal. They are only means, not the purpose. And the most essential mean is to stay vertical. It’s far more important than the rod, the action, the line, the jig weight, or the jig colors. Every other means should be chosen in order to support that first priority before anything else.
So, are you staying vertical? (Can you feel the jig move and you have the direct control?)
If you are free-drifing or drifting with sea-anchor, you can’t be vertical all the time. What are your thoughts about it?
What kind of problems exactly do you see that you need to solve? Let’s look at your problems first. And tell me what you think about how vertical you are. How is your boat operating? What line do you use? What jig range do you use?
Solutions are only means. Means can be many options. Maybe the solution can be to use different jig weights or different line for example.
You can send me a PM thru contact form, or continue sharing this discussion here.
Sorry if I’m putting too much more on you than you are asking for. But this is a very common question, and I was hoping to deepen the discussion on this subject for the sake of all readers. Please reply only if you will.
If you want a simple answer to your question, my answer will be, “Sorry. I don’t know that rod.” “I think Slow Jerker 2.0 will be too light if you are free-drifting.”
Cheers.
Hi Totos,
Is it possible to get into slow jigging with lets say a 5’8 jig rod with a line rating of pe 3-6, with heavier jigs in the 200-300g range.
Regards,
John
Hi John.
Thank you for stopping by.
Your tackle setting sounds like the one for high-pitch jigging. But high-pitch and slow pitch are really based on the same principal. Sato Sensei emphasizes to look at them in continuity as they are just variations when you build up your tactics in different situations and targets. It’s just the different degrees of how much “punch” you give in each pitch.
So now you are doing hi-speed jigging with this tackle. Probably using jigs like Masamune and Nagamasa, no? Those center-balanced long jigs work fine with high pitch jigging. So you can just start doing high pitch with your present tackle based on the principles you see on this site. And if it works, you’ll know these principals work for you, and then you can think about getting the slow pitch tackles. High pitch attracts bigger fish. Slow pitch attracts more bites from more variety of fish. High pitch works in tougher or deeper conditions. Slow pitch works only in a vertical situation.
Whether or not this game works for you heavily relies on your boating. It works if you can keep it vertical. I realize that the spanker boat which is so popular here in Japan is not popular at all in any other places. But they are some people already starting slow pitch with a little private boat with sea-anchor in Australia and New Zealand and they confirm that it does work.
So start your high pitch and see how it goes!
Good luck!
Hi Totos,
Yes you are right this is set up for high speed jigging. From what I am normally jigging is drift jigging, not sea anchor. What sort of jigs should I start with, when trying high pitch jigging? Btw great web site you have!!
Thank you for your compliments John. They keep me going.
Any center-balanced long jigs work fine with high pitch jigging. I personally think SFC Messiah and Deepliner Spy 5 are the best, but it doesn’t have to be them.
It more important to have sea anchor than using specific jigs. See why in this article.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
Hi Totos,
I’m looking to get into slow pitch jigging. I have a SOM L50 which have a gear ration of 4.9:1 and wondering would it be too slow for slow pitch jigging and looking for a evergreen slow jerker or high pitch jerker to suit the reel which model do u recommend?
thanks,
phil
Hi Phil. Welcome to the club!
SOM L50 is a brilliant reel. Low gear model huh? The speed is 86cm per crank. Not very fast, but generally good enough for this game unless you go deeper than 130m. It sure has power. The high gear model is ideal for this game.
Go to the contact from to send me a message and tell me about the depth of your field, your targets, and your boating conditions, and I’ll make my suggestions.
Thank you!
HI Totos,
First thanck you for your very informative website and sorry for my English.
Want to try slow pitch in France targetting seabass , pollacks and snappers in 40 to 60 meters deep.
I’ve got a galahad 63/2 slow and hesitate for the reel : Ocea jigger 1001 HG VS Ryoga bay jigging C2025 SHL witch is 50 g less but has a slower retrieve speed i think.
Goods jigs are very hard to find in France , do you have somes in 120g approx and wich model will be better for me .
Thank you for your time and learning us your secrets
best regards
Titilea
Hi Titilea.
Thank you for your interest in this game and being so respectful.
A nice rod you have. If you can, go for OJ1500. It’s the best for your light game.
I’m laying out a simple chart of the jig type.
VB
SPY5
Spy
I think you should start with Rector category. And Cranky if possible.
Seabass and snappers change their baits to the seasons and they are very precise in their preferences. At least that’s the way they are here in Japan. There are seasons when they only bite on small baits. TG Bait from Daiwa has excellent reputation on these fish.
Hi Totos,
Thanks for your reply , just think before that the oj 1500 was too heavy for the rod (> 400 g) but i trust you and try to catch a 1500 . In France seabass are on small baits at the season ‘s begin from march to may then they bites biggers baits from sept to december approx , snappers are more versatile.
for the jigs i saw that the galahad 63/2 best is 120 g , do you agree ? and can you shop somes rector or cranky?
thank you
Titilea
Hi Titilea.
Basically OJ1000HG and OJ1500HG are the same. OJ1500HG has a bigger load of line. We are facing the fish with a very thin line and you never know when a monster bites your jig. When it does, you need to give out the line to bring it home. We usually load 600m line. If PE line is too expensive, load fluoro or monofilament in the base and 300m PE on top of it. I’d recommend you PE1.5.
The lure weight indication is just approximation. You are not casting a jig. Slow Jerker 603-6 is for 170g, but it actually dances a 400g jig. The bottom line is that if the rod springs back up to be straight when you jerk and hold it up, the rod is working. It depends not only on the jig weight, but also on the depth, the current and the line (thicker line catches more currents).
Sometimes I drop a 210g jig with 603-6 from a spankered boat, but the current pulls the line so hard that the tip doesn’t come back up. Then I know the jig is not moving. I may switch to long fall jigging with a heavier jig or change the rod to high pitch jigging. That’s how it goes.
I don’t know how much elasticity your Yamaga rod has. But I would think that it can lift up a 180g. But you just need to put the jig in the water to see if it works.
For shopping SFC jigs, just send me an email at totos@anglers-secrets.com and tell me what you like.
Hi Totos San,
Firstly, many thanks for setting up such an informative website about this particular game, it’s only after chancing upon this website that i truly begin to understand slow jigging now, and the difference between slow/high pitch and slow fall.
Now im totally crazy about it, am intending to get Evergreen PSLJ 603-3, and the slow fall jigs I have are commonly 60g to 120 g range. Now thinking of going heavier, seems like heavier jigs loads up the PSLJ 603-3 pretty well and it dances really good, do you agree? just wanted to ask, whether 603-3 can actually do a good job slow pitching 60g or 80g jigs (as I have many in this range)..
Last but not least, I like your recommendation of OJ1500HG or OJ2000NRHG, personally, where I usually fish we dont jig more than 60-80metres of water.. you reckon the 1500HG would be a better fit?
Also, I actually have a shimano trinidad 16na, which reel profile wise is almost identical to OJ2000NRHG, you think the reel is a good match with PSLJ 603-3? and similiar to titlea above, I also have a Ryoga 2025, high is super high speed at 7.4, you think that will match well too?
Looking forward to your feedback on the above, because im mad about this game, and I only want to learn from one of the best around.. 😉
Cheers Totos san
Hi Jimbo.
Welcome to the club! I’m really happy that I’m getting you into this game.
First about the reel…
The speed of Ocea Jigger 2000HG, or Trinidad 16na, is 117cm per crank, while Ryoga 2025 is 87cm per crank. The gear ratio of Trinidad is 6.2, while Ryoga 7.4. That is how fast and powerful Trinidad is. Even though both reels are compatible for slow pitch jigging, Trinidad can work in deeper water, in stronger currents, with a heavier jig, and as high-pitch jigging as well. I don’t think Trinidad is too big or heavy for 603-3 either.
Now about the rod…
As I explained to Titilea above, the rod selection is your tactics in coordination of all the other settings.
The minimum requirement for this vertical game is that you need to be sea-anchored.
If you haven’t, check this out. http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
And now, the following is from my recent post on Fishy Forum for your references.
In answering what rod to use certain weight of jigs, I was giving my references in my vertical game from a spankered boat, which keeps you more vertical with your jig than sea-anchor.
=====
It depends on the jig and actions you want to make.
The following is my personal guidelines.
THE ACTION TONES:
603-3 with 80g – 130g > punchy setting
603-3 with 130g – 180g > standard setting
603-3 with 180g – 260g > soft setting
603-4 with 100g – 150g > punchy setting
603-4 with 150g – 210g > standard setting
603-4 with 210g – 300g > soft setting
603-6 with 120g – 180g > punchy setting
603-6 with 180g – 240g > standard setting
603-6 with 240g – 400g > soft setting
JIG MATCH:
Gawky works well with soft setting
Cranky works well from soft to standard setting
Rector works well from standard to punchy setting
Spunky works well with punchy setting (or soft high pitch setting)
Sea-anchor loosens the line than Spanker and your line will be catching more currents. That is why you need a little more power in the rod. In other words, if from a sea-anchored boat, the rod power becomes weaker than above references.
=====
Keep in mind that all the fragmentary information about slow pitch jigging you must hear from Japan is based on fishing from a spankered boat.
The key to this game is the vertical alignment with your jig, which creates direct and full control of your jig. I think you need heavier jigs to keep this alignment.
Let me know if you have further questions.
Hi Totos,
A friend of mine go to Singapore next month and try to buy me the OJ 1500 HG and bring it to me off duty wich are very expensive in France (Japan pricex2) then i’ll strart the game with some jigs i have : hots y2 & conkers , shout flash and blue blue sea ride in 100/120 g .
SPJ looks easy when it ´s well done but i need to practice and feel how my new rod react to know the weigh i need in SFC jigs
We keep in touch and as we say here ( lazy country …) a bad fishing trip is better than a good working day.
Thanks for all , Totos and hope Jimbo enjoy his 603.3
Titilea
You are very welcome Tutilea.
Your friend is getting you the OJ. Good for you!
Try to slow pitch some jigs and see how it goes.
Galahad 63/2, OJ1500HG, PE1.5, sea-anchoring at 40m to 60m of water….
I would try 100g and 130g sliding jigs like Rector and Spunky, and also 150g and 180g falling jigs like Cranky and Gawky.
Send me a mail when you are ready!
Ok Totos but not before end of september ..can’thave the reel before
Thank´s
Hi Totos
Great site mate, I’m from New Zealand. Keep up with the great work. Just wondering if you have any experiences with Majorcraft Slow pitch rods ? I’m new to slow jigging and don’t want to break the bank.
The majorcraft slow pitch jig rod is about 18,000Yen. Do you think it would be a good entry level rod ?
Hye can you give a rating.. For takami technos rod.. Which class for you?
Hi Sacen
Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your compliments.
Yes I know Major Craft rod. Unfortunately I don’t recommend it. It’s cheap. And that’s all it is.
Slow pitch jigging heavily relies on the tackle setting. Fine tuning the balance of the rod, reel, line, leader and jig along with your jerking application, the rhythm, speed, power, lifts and falls. Especially the rod got a lot to do with it.
There has been a lot of discussion about the rod in Fishy Forum. Check it out.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/fishyforum/#/20100210/currently-available-slow-jigging-sticks-2761601/
Thanks for your reply Totos, I guess I have to save up for a better rod.
Hi Totos San,
Recently I am going to try slow jigging, actually I have been fishing only one year for lure, I have never try hi pitch or slow pitch jigging, but I had already bought a set of reel and rod for hi pitch jigging. The things I wanna ask is, since I got a jigging master PE4 reel which gear ratio is 1:4.0 only, and the maximum retrieve is around 60cm for fully loaded, is it good for me to use it for slow jigging?? I decide to buy the metal witch rod which is made by PLAMS, or I should buy another reel with high gear ratio as I am a beginner of jigging??
Thank you for your sharing.
Hi Vergil.
Thank you for your comment. Welcome to the club.
Yea, 60cm is not exactly the ideal speed for slow pitch jigging. But the basic principles can by applied anyhow. I think you should keep practicing with what you have. If you have a better tackle, it just means that you have a wide range of tactics you can play. A better tackle doesn’t promise better result, you know?
There are lots you can learn with your tackle, I’m sure. Good luck!
Hi Totos,
Thank you for your explanation, I know how to choose now. Maybe I should try the tackle I have got first.
Thanks for your sharing again.
Hi Sir,
How are you..? My name is Andy Lee from Singapore.
I use to fish in Malaysir sea water deep 20 to 40 Meter.
Can I know from you, is Shimano Ocea Jigger Rod Baitcasting B633 with Ocea jigger reel 1500PG good for Slow jigging.. with 130g Stinger Buutterfly.
The B633 rod lure wgt 75-160g
Hi Andy. Welcome to slow pitch jigging!
Yes, in your situations, Shimano rod works the slow pitch. You will find it worthwhile if you are getting it locally. But if you’re importing from Japan, you might as well get a second hand Slow Jerker.
I think it works up to 180g jig under 50m deep.
Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Totos
I have read so many articles or reviews concerning the
blogger lovers except this paragraph is really a pleasant
article, keerp it up.
Hello Kitchen Islands.
Thank you very much for your compliments. They keep me going!
Hi Totos,
Have any experiences with Palms Metal Witch rod?
I’m looking this spec model to pair with OJ1501HG.
PALMS METAL WITCH MTGC-632SF
Length: 6’3″ (192cm)
Rod Weight: 130g
Power: 2
Jig/lure weight: 100-150g
Thanks for your sharing.
Hi Jimmy.
I think there is a clear boundary between made-in-Japan and others as far as the quality and also the price are concerned. In slow pitch rod, the difference is in the spring back ability and the sensitivity. There is also a boundary between Slow Jerker and the others.
So it’s categorized like this.
Grade A: Slow Jerker
Grade B: made in Japan.
Grade C: Not made in Japan, but marketing in Japan.
Grade D: Not marketing in Japan
Metal Witch is in Grade C.
I’ve used Metal Witch once. If you are fishing in a shallow like under 50m, using about 100g jig, I think this rod does fine.
But if deeper, this rod just only works in such a limited situation. Even though it’s cheaper than others, if you are buying a new one, I think you should get one in Grade B.
I don’t know what’s available in your country, but if in Japan, I would not recommend this rod unless you are specifically looking for a rod for shallow water.
Hi toto,
Im really interested with slow pitch jigging. Already bought tenryu hsl661b-mh for the rod. The jig gonna be around 100grm – 270grm. The depht of the sea are around 50-150m. I would like to know your advice about the reel that gonna be pair with my hsl rod ( weight around 141 gram ). The fish are aj, dogtooth tuna, also ruby snaper at the bottom. I need advice to choose oj1500hg or 2000nr hg. I like the small and light 1500hg, 2000nr hg seems a bit heavy… my friend told me that he once used the 1500hg to fish some tuna and ruby at 130m and he told me that the crank is really heavy at that deep for 1500hg. Because of the narrow spool on 2000nr hg, he think that 2000nr hg gonna be more heavy at that deep. I wanna know your opinion about which reel that i have to choose. Is oj1500hg cant be use at sea with depth more than 130m? Or maybe 2000nr hg have more crank power than 1500hg at that deep. Because i never use hg reels before for jigging. Always pg type reels.
Best regard,
Rocky
Hi Rocky.
I posted my opinion about OJ1500 and OJ2000
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/ocea-jigger-1500-or-2000/
Sounds like your choice would be OJ2000NR-HG. No worries. Go for it.
Hi Toto,
Thanks for the great articles and Explanation.
I wanna get 2 setup to cover jig range 80g to 300g. I currently own the Ocea jigger 2000HG and thought of getting another 1500HG. What rod from models from EG Poseidon or BEAT do u suggest and how will u separate the jig range on each rod.
Thanks
Hi J Ong.
Yes, having 2 tackles always help to adjust to different situations with a wide range of tactics.
I don’t know you’ve seen this post, but here’s the jig and rod match.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/jig-and-rod-match/
I have also made some changes to the original writing about the rod here.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/rods-and-reels/
It sounds to me that you have Slow Jerker 603-3 and 603-6 situation.
Greetings from Sebastian Inlet, Florida. Just bought a YO-Zuri Laser Designed plastic
slow crank Shrimp Design bait. I am after Flounder and Red Fish in an inlet with a rocky
bottom and tons of old rigs which are very easy to snag while bottom fishing.
At the cost of $ 12.50 for the bait, can’t afford to loose many and I am wondering if there
is a method or special treble hook cover I could attach TO ?? Thinking along the lines of a bass
plug designed to fish in water with weeds / logs etc.
Appreciate any advise and other baits designed to catch Snook … my favorite.
Bruce
Hi Bruce. Thank you for your inquiry.
To be straight, I don’t know what “Yo-Zuri Laser Designed plastic slow crank Shrimp Design bait”, and it seems like you are talking about the casting game, not the vertical game we talk about here.
I’m not specialized in casting game and I may be off the point. But I do enjoy my casting game here in Okinawa around coral reefs from 0m to 20m of water. A lot of complex structures. To approach the bottom, I sometimes use plugs with single assist hooks, and use jigheads with the kind of hook that hides the point in the plastic or the special kind of hooks that have guards at the point like this.
I think you are looking at this kind of idea.
But I try to avoid treble hooks as much as possible because it damages the fish pretty nasty and it’s easy to hook off or rip off.
Whether you are doing casting or vertical, I hope it helps you a bit. Maybe not much huh? Old rigs are really hard to avoid.
Hi Totos
So if the slow jerker#6 maxes out on a Gawky 300grm, and I wanted to fish much heavier slow pitch jigs like over 400grn SFC’s etc, in very deep water like over 250metres.
What rod /reel combo would you recommend?
Cheers
Daz
Hi Daz.
Oh, your Slow Jerker 603-6 can do 600g Gawky. No problem. It’s heavy, all right. The rod may not spring back up completely. But as much as spring-back action can lie the jig on the side, dropping your rod at the end of the lift can do the same too.
Lift slow.
Be patient with the rod slowly springs back.
Just when the rod has sprung back as much as it could, drop your hand about 20cm. With this, Gawky falls backward to lay flat on its side.
Then bring down the tip to let the jig free-fall.
If you want to see some spring back action, you might consider High Pitch Jerker 600. This rod has a nice punch. I use it as a slow pitch rod with heavy jigs or under the heavy water influence of currents or depth.
If you want to see the slide actions at this depth, high pitch jerk with a long jig is the only way. Either High Pitch Jerker 501 or 401.
Ok, thanks for the info.
I might have to be some heavier jigs now.
Cheers
Daz
Looking at the schematics, I suspect the Ocea Jigger 1500HG/PG and OJ2000NG-HG/PG handle are interchangeable. So putting a OJ2000NG handle onto a 1500HG body would give extra cranking power while keeping the factory look…..
Hi Eric.
Yes, OJ2000 handle is compatible with OJ1500. OJ2000 has 15mm longer handle, 85mm.
The present model is 2011 model. The handles of the old model are not compatible with the present model.
Hi,
I’m in Thailand and the Postside and slow jig rods are out of stock. I can get the Llamada slow, but I’m not sure how that compares. Do you have an opinion?
Thank you for the wonderful and highly informative site!
Dennis
Hi Dennis.
Thank you very much for your comment and compliment.
I don’t know these names. Can you send me the links?
Totos
Hi Toto,
Is the spool of OJ1000 interchangeable with OJ1500? I fish ard 20-60m most of the time and I often have the habit of removing my line after 2 fishing trips. Loading and unloading 600m of PE 1.5 is pretty tiring. I thought of getting the OJ1000 spool to use on the OJ1500.
Thanks
Hi James.
I think you can put OJ1000 spool on OJ1500. But I’m not sure. You should check with Shimano.
But can’t you just load some cheap mono line at the base of your OJ1500 spool? So that you can load 300m PE on top of it. When you change PE, the mono line base can stay the same, so that once you establish the appropriate base, you always have the maximum load.
Hi totos I am very interested in slow pitch jigging especially after reading your website. I was wondering how you do slow pitch jigging with OJ reel without the line guide. Another question what you think of the new ocea Calcutta 300HG. I heard it’s better to do slow pitch jigging with right hand crank reel ?
Please enlighten me thanks a lot !
Hi Jakeloy.
Enlighten you??? Thank you for being so respectful but you made me sound like a guru or something! LOL I’m not, even though I may look like a monk.
Well. I think you mean the level wider which OJ reel doesn’t have. You can use your thumb to level out when you retrieve. Any reel that can catch big ones does not have level winder. They want to be simple and tough. If the level winder does not function somehow, a big fish can snap it off or break the line.
OJ2000 has a narrow spool, which is easy to manage the line. I use Jigger LD too, which has wider spool and takes more line management. But I can still manage. When the fish is fighting back, you can’t pay attention to that, but there are times you can level out the line even during the fight.
Calcutta 300HG, which has the level winder, is a good reel. Sato Sensei uses it too in the shallow. It’s good for the light game.
I know a lot of anglers are used to the left handed reel in their casting games. Just because a lot of the off-shore overhead reel does not have the left-handed, a lot of anglers try to switch to the right-handed when they start jigging. Technically, there’s no advantage or disadvantage for which hand to reel.
Hi
To my frustration slow pitch jigging hasnt really caught on down here in New Zealand yet a small amount of jigs have become available in the last few months, but as of yet very little in the way of rods from the main stream suppliers, I did manage to get a hold of a NS Black Hole Hurrican slow pitch slow jerk rod, seamed to do the job well, but with zero to compare it with its hard to tell, how would you rate these rods.
Hi Ken.
I understand your frustrations. Slow pitch jigging was so quick to be spread and become so popular. And it is led by private manufacturers who are also the top anglers in the field. The effectiveness and the fun of the game has taken it out to the world, while other methods are usually led by the promotional campaign of the big name companies who are just catching up on this game.
NS Black Hole is basically Chinese and Korean. As far as I know, there’s no slow pitch experts outside Japan yet. Slow pitch jigging is a game of finesse. It should be hard for the manufacturers to build the rod without any experts to test it in the field. I’ve seen their video but that is not a slow pitch expert.
Some Japanese rod makers, like Grade C , have their blanks made in China. That is probably their source. It’s just my guess but it should be no better than Grade C.
But slow pitch jigging is easy and fun. It can be very deep, detailed, and technical. But it is basically very universal too. It can be enjoyed in multi-levels. I would say you should get what you can, go out there and have fun with it! Good luck!
Hello ken where in nz are you ?
there is few options if you in the north island
for rods jigs are a bit harder to come by.
I been playing this game for over a year in north island with great success
happy to show you if you around.
Hi Totos San,
I would like to begins to do Slow pich J in Sardina – Italy. I’ve found a good secondhands evergreen pslj 603-4. Is this the right rods for slow pich jigging on 100 meters seabed ?
Can you give me some advice?
Thanks in advance
Hi Jack.
Thank you for your interest in slow pitch jigging.
Usually 603-4 is a good choice to dance with 150g to 240g jigs in 100m deep. That’s based on the sea-anchored boat. Do you have it? If you have, don’t hesitate to grab that rod!
Is maxel transformer f30CH able to do the work of slow pitch jigging??cm per crank is abt 96cm..
Thanks:D
Hi Ray.
Actually I’ve never seen Maxel reel. But the specs look sufficient. I wish I could try this reel myself.
Good luck.
Totos
Hi Totos, I’m just wondering hows the review of the Xesta Slow Emotion slow pitch rods. I know their Slow Emotion Flap are good. I believe these rods are made in Japan judging from the prices. Thank you.
Hi Ericsan.
Oh, I forgot about Xesta. It’s a very good rod. Yes, it’s made in Japan.
But the field testers are not really slow pitch experts. Not yet, at least. There is a clear difference from the experts who developed or use Grade A rods.
Hi Totos
I have just bought a Black Hole Pioneer rod(model B66 H2 MF, rated to 300g jigs) to use for slow pitch jigging and it works jigs from 180-300g very well, i have an OJ 2001HG reel on it.
Just bought a second reel, the Maxel F30CH and it is more or less a JM reel, in size PE2, way smaller compared to a OJ2000 size reel but puts out 20kg of drag so lots more powerful than the OJ models. Holds approx 350m of 30lb(tests at 48lb) Tasline All White series braid, which i rate as one of the niciest braids i have ever jigged with.
Thanks for the jig package sent, i will send you some photos shortly
Regards
Kevin
I see that you have situated yourself for slow pitch jigging. Looking forward to your fishing reports!
Hey totos,
I would like to hear your advice given regarding using
Evergreen Poseidon 603-6 191cm 270g pairing it w oceanjigger2000, will it be able to effectively use regarding singapore west side slowpitch jigging and 150-200g madai ?
and like to know whats the effective jig weights used in southern waters, and any idea you can source the above rod for me?
Cheers
Hi Shawn.
Slow Jerker is definitely the best slow pitch rod. 603-6 is the heaviest model. But I think your coastal waters are shallow, right? To be frank with you, I don’t know what it’s like around Singapore waters, buddy. 603-6 should work with jigs like Spunky and Rector, maybe 130g to 180g, like high pitch setting in the shallow. But if you still have a choice, 603-3 or 603-4 would be more suitable. It depends on how your boat is operated to get you vertical with the jig too.
I don’t know what you mean by “Madai”, but I assume it’s Kabura or Tenya. Either game prefers low-resilient blank because it follows better to the half-hearted bites. Slow Jerker is super high resilient blank which may flick off those bites.
Hey Totos
Read many write ups about slowpitch jigging, currenly myself i been dd inchiku madai fishing with oceajigger 2000pg, would really like to take up slowpitch jigging in singapore. However, any suggestions regarding my usuage of madai and slowpitch fishing with :
POSEIDON SLOW JERKER BY EVERGREEN 603-4 or 603-6 , kinda troubled not knowing which specs would be a better ideal for it. Strongly need your advice
cheers!
Inchiku works OK with super high-resilient blank of Slow Jerker, even though lower-resilient is preferable.
Tell me the depth of your field, and whether or not your boat is capable of keeping you vertical with the jig.
Hello!
What better advise?
Palms Metall Witch MTGC-634SF or EVERGREEN PSLJ 603-4 .
fishing depth up to 100 m
Oh no, Aleksandr.
No comparison there. Slow Jerker is the top of the line. It’s razor sharp. Every slow pitch experts rate it No.1. Palms is Grade C, made in China.
Hi Totos,
I am new to slow pitch jigging and have only just started looking into it. My previous understanding is you use much smaller jigs of say from 40g up to 150g and much lighter lines from PE 1-2 targetting smaller fish and jig much slower. I have noticed some of the rods you recommended in fact goes all the way up to 300g. So, how do I differentiate a slow pitch jigging rod at 300g to fast pitch jigging rod at 300g ?
Also, I noticed you didn’t mention anything about Smith’s rods. So, I wonder how would you rate their HSJ, SLJ and SLP series ?
Lastly, what should be an ideal slow pitch jigging reel ? I have seen a lot of people using Shimano Conquest and modifying their gear ratio to high gear. Does the reel have to be that fast ? And will a small-sized normal jigging reel such as an Accurate DPX2 400N or the single-geared FX-400N be applicable or an overkill for slow pitch jigging ? Or may be you can recommend some brands and models perhaps ?
Will look forward to your reply.
Hi Alex.
> how do I differentiate a slow pitch jigging rod at 300g to fast pitch jigging rod at 300g ?
I’m not quite sure what you are asking. But it’s indeed difficult to understand or explain the rod to jig weight balance. But it’s easy to differentiate slow pitch jigging rod from other rods. Because of this characteristics of the rod and the application of slow pitch, the jig weight range can be very wide to the rod.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/seafloor-control-jigs/
> I noticed you didn’t mention anything about Smith’s rods.
Because Smith is not considered a slow pitch rod. SLJ model may be the one that’s the closest to slow pitch rod. But it’s not quite.
But if you don’t have other choices, I’d say you should start your slow pitch with it.
> what should be an ideal slow pitch jigging reel?
I’d say the best slow pitch jigging reel should be;
– Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NR-HG
– Studio Ocean Mark Blue Heaven L50
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/reels-for-slow-pitch-jigging/#comment-20544
Shimano Conquest is a good handy reel for the shallow water.
The best slow pitch jigging reel should be;
– The speed of 100cm per crank or more
– The power of 6.3 or less gear ratio.
– Precise engagement of gears.
– Completely smooth drag.
– The solid compact body that doesn’t twist.
– 85cm or longer handle.
Hi Totos, tks for this wondeful write up.
I am wondering, can a slow pitch rod be use for long fall as well? What I understand is, long fall require a longer rod, about 2 meter? So if we use a slow pitch rod about 1.9 meter, will it actually lose the action on the jig or is there any disadvantage?
Hi Seb2016
Thank you for your interest in slow pitch jigging.
Yes, a slow pitch rod can do long fall techniques. Long fall is really a variation of slow pitch techniques. Slow pitch rod is easy to handle and can perform all kinds of actions, speed, rhythm and action tones. I strongly recommend slow pitch rod when you start this game because you learn more with it. Long fall rod is specialized to long fall. I’d say it should be the 3rd or 4th rod to buy for most people.
Hi Totos,
Thank you for your very informative web site, could you plese give me your thoughts on the Xzoga Taka S1 5715 jigging rod
Thanks
Ken
Hi Totos,
Been a great pleasure to read through your blog from Singapore. Yes, don’t be surprised you have quite a fan base here!
Have to say slow jigging is really starting to pick off. I myself have been rather confused regarding slow jigging and light jigging few months ago. And some how or rather, i picked up light jigging, thinking that it was also slow jigging. The result was great and wonderful i have to say the least as the kick you get from jigging can be so unexpected and…orgasmic 😀
(Been using Storm Gomoku Koika 40g-200g for jigging. Does the shape of these equates to a slow fall jig?)
Until i hit base on your website.
Problem is, till now, i have been a spinning reel fan. (Or that i have already invested a crazy amount on my spinning outfits that i don’t have the guts to think of how much i would need to spend on an overhead outfit now..) And an overhead outfit is really new to me. I don’t even know how to handle it.
Questions:
1) I will be heading to japan in Feb 2015. You were mentioning so much about the Slow jerker that i got fascinated. I do go on trips which target 70 meters respectively. So this first question would be, is there one Slow jerker rod which will suit my need? (Because they are expensive, it’s tough for me to get 2 or 3 for different setups unfortunately..)
2) You mentioned about getting 2nd hand Slow Jerker. And since i will be in Tokyo mainly in Feb next year, can you recommend me a reputable shop in Tokyo which carries 2nd hand Slow Jerker?
3) What’s the price difference between a 2nd hand and a brand new SJ? I do hope it would be relatively significant if not i would have a hard time deciding!
I’m sure i missed out a few queries and all as im in a TGIF mood. Will shoot again real soon!
In the meantime, thank you in advance for the replies and also this wonderful blog of yours!!
Regards,
Kotaro
Oh a quick add, since i have the spinning outfits, would it be wise to get the SJ for spinning reels?
Is there a spinning version of SJ to begin with…?
Thanks!
Hi Kotaro.
Thank you for your enthusiasm for slow pitch jigging. I understand how you feel about your investment.
But now that you’ve come this far, get one Slow Jerker. Once you know the basic principles and applications, it becomes easier to adapt with your spinning tackles. But learning slow pitch with the spinning is like learning to pat on the green with a driver.
If you need my help, i can buy the rod and send it to your hotel in Tokyo. Then you don’t have to worry about the hardest part of packing it to check into your flight. But check beforehand with your airline if they let you check in a 2m long luggage.
It sounds like 603-3 or 603-4 will fit you, but send me a message to tell me the depth range of your field and how your boat is operating while fishing. Anchored, free-drifting, or drifting with a sea-anchor?
Hello Totos,
May I know when it is suitable to use a 603-2? I haven’t seen this rod recommended too many times in the posts in this website. What reel and jig weights can you suggest for this light jigging slow pitch tackle setup?
Hi Jp.
Right, 603-2. Well, it’s a great fun to dance with 60g to 130g jig with this rod in the shallow water. It’s light and super sensitive. Tiny little actions you make will bend this rod deep and jump like a living thing. It’s really fun.
But the time and conditions for this rod is limited. And we are on the spankered boat. It’s more limited from a drifting boat with a sea-anchor. But if you like longfall with 150g jig in the shallow water, this rod would be suitable.
Hi totos,
Im in singapore. Wonder how do I get a poseidon slow jerker 603-2 or 603-3 from u if I’m interested.
What would the cost be including shipping?
Hi Adrian.
Thank you very much for your interest.
Check out this post and send me an email at totos@anglers-secrets.com
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/fishyforum/#/20140725/share-the-rod-shipping-4105501/
Hello Totos,
I’m just a beginner in this kind of fishing and I fish from kayak. What is your opinion on Tailwalk rods? I have opportunity to buy Tailwalk on a very food price, but I’m wondering about rod length, because you can’t stand in the kayak and when you sit on a board of the kayak you can’t use all your body. I’m planning to buy this rod http://tailwalk.jp/salt/sallty_shape/s_jig/s_jig.html size C67 / 150, but it is always better to ask someone who have more experience than you before spending money. I’m very happy that I found your blog, because information I found here helps me to avoid some expensive mistakes. I’ll fish around Greece in most cases on a places that are no more than 80 m deep.
Hi Hristofor.
Yes, Tailwalk, an economical rod builder in Tokyo, now has a slow pitch rod. It’s falls in Class C with Majorcaft and Palms. I think it’s a good start for your expansion on kayak.
In the sitting position on the kayak, your rod action range is about 90 degrees, while standing position has 180 degrees.
The rod length is never to be a big issue for the rod actions. 6’3″ should not be a problem.
You just need to be really careful when you bring your catch onto your kayak. These sensitive rods are easy to break. Try not to lift up your tip with all the weight of the fighting fish. Take extra time. Wait until the fish is dead tired and, if you must, hold the line with your hand, put down the rod, bring the fish close with your hands on the line, and net or gaff the fish.
Thank you for the response.
Landing of fish in the kayak with light tackle was always the tricky part. I’ll try to explain my question other way. Seven years ago I discovered the miracle of sea fishing with artificial baits. I started with middle level all round american rods, than I found that this rods cannot give you all that you need, than I passed over middle level Japanese rods, and every time when I bought new rod I was thinking – yes this was the rod that I really needed. Now I’m fishing with Zenaq and I have big collection of very good in measuring of value for quality rods, that I did not use. It is amazing to rediscover better and better quality tackle every year, but it is a little bit expensive.
For me kayak fishing is way of life, in fact I can say that I’m living for it. And jigging is the whole new universe that I’m currently discovering.
I thing that I wrote too much words. So the question is, in your opinion is it reasonable to spent money for Tailwalk or it will be better to find a way to get Poseidon rod? The only reason that I mention Tailwalk is that we have local importer here. In fact the only thing that stops me from buying Evergreen is inhumane shipping tax.
Hi Hristofor
I think you sound like you already have your answer sir. Without doubt, Slow Jerker is #1 slow pitch rod in the market. But it’s up to you if it’s worth the difference in the actual spending. Plus, since you are fishing on kayak, your rod action range is limited to 50% of that in standing on a boat, therefore, the advantage of Slow Jerker would be 50% less.
Hi Totos,
I am planning to get Poseidon Slow Jerker 603-3 or a Yamaga 63/3 slow. Which Shimano Ocea Jigger would nicely match my rod? Size 1500 or 2000?
Hi Jae.
Either reels will match the rod. It’s up to what depth mainly, what jig weight and what tone of actions you are going to play. If you are fishing under, I’d say, 70m, 1500HG will be fine. But if you fish in deeper water, I would go for 2000HG.
Thank you for sharing. I’ll be fishing in 70m and below. I’ll probably get OJ Limited 1500HG. Thanks again.
You are welcome Jae.
OJ Limited has longer handle. That would be perfect for you.
Good luck!
Totos…boss,
could you please help me in the selection i am fishing in the red sea my target is grouper family.
fishing spots from 40-100m depth.
what shall be the best for such condition ocea jigger limitted 1500hg + rod(type and size).
shimano ocea infiniti is (230gm max) is suitable or heavy and i can’t find evergreen products online. i’m based on saudi arabia and normally dealing with takledirect and plat.co.jp…you are supply rods or jigs only..could you please tell how will we collaborate.. it is a must to purchase you products if any because of your very nice site and these secrets…wish u the best all the time.
Hi Ahmed.
Thank you very much for your compliments and trust. I’ll happily help you set up for slow pitch jigging. We’ll discuss the matter by emails.
Thank you very much.
TOTO SAN i am free to ship u Maxel F Series jigging reel.
I wanna see it perform in JAPAN
Hi NAZA.
Are you giving me the reel to test it in Japan?
If you want to sell it in Japan market, I’m not the one you want to talk to. I may be able to introduce someone in the future, though. But you shouldn’t count on it now.
If you just want me to use it and send you photos and my feedback, I can do that.
Send me a message through contact form.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/about-japanese-anglers-secrets/
Hi Totos San
Can the smith SLJ-C61M with RYOGA C2025 PE-SHL use for slow pitch jigging?
Hi Ws.
Sure it can.
Ryoga has higher gear ratio, 7.4, = less powerful, less retrieve per crank, 87cm, = slower speed, and more expensive than Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NR-HG. So if you have a choice, I would recommend Ocea Jigger. But if you don’t, Ryoga would do fine, I’m sure. Especially light jigs in shallow water.
Hi Toto,
Great sites and great information. especially fro a new guy like me into slow jigging. I ordered 2 rods 603-6 and 603-4. I like to hear yr professional opinion if it will be wiser to get 603-6 and 603-3. I will make them with a Shimano 200NR-HG n a EG Oceanus respectively. Love to hear yr wise opinion. Thks. Parry
It’s always nice to have 2 different power models on board, yes. It expands your tactics and adaptability to different conditions and different fish modes. The rod selection is determined by several factors. I don’t know which combination is better for you. But I don’t think there’s huge difference as having 2 different models makes a huge difference.
Just for a rough reference, if you include 50 or 60m of depth in your usual field, get 603-3. If deeper, 603-4.
You would not regret it if you get the third rod in the future and have #3, #4, and #6. So, take it easy on your first 2 rods.
if you haven’t read it, check this out too.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
Hi, any review of thi rod SALTIGA BJ（SPECIAL） 711B-6, is it for Long Fall Jerk ?
http://www.plat.co.jp/shop/catalog/product_info/language/en/manufacturers_id/10/products_id/21605/daiwa.html
Hi Paulus.
Apparently, yes. Daiwa finally started releasing slow pitch jigging line-up. But we don’t know much about it. They don’t have a slow pitch expert in their field instructors and testers. They don’t even talk about slow pitch jigging much either. The market is not paying much attention to it. It’s Daiwa and I’m sure the rod is in a supreme condition. But supreme for slow pitch jigging? We don’t know.
hi totos
any idea about Jigstar Slow Jerk 603-2 (OH) – 6`3″, 1pc – PE 0.8-2.0 – Lure 30-120g ? not japanese i think though.
Jigstar. New Zealand rod maker.
Sorry. I don’t know. The specs don’t tell much.
Would a Poseidon 603-6 be suitable for 200 to 350g slow fall jig on free drifting boat. fishing from 30m to 80m?
Hi CY.
Yes, the jig weight and the water influence sound about right for 603-6.
But you may also want to think about 603-4 with a little lighter jigs.
Hi, Totos
This is Michael from LA, If you could please give me some help here, I’m think of getting 2 setting to start with, just ordered my15ocea conquest, is there any good rod beside jerker to match with it?? (perhaps little cheaper ^.^)
for the 2nd setting (Tuna/White sea bass/Big Yellow),
I’m picking between OCEA jigger 300PG and Marfix N4, which one will u prefer?
and which jerker will u match with it??
Thank you for your time!
Hi Michael.
Starting with 2 settings is a very good idea. In slow pitch jigging, the targets are not really the factor to determine what power models (rods) to use. I need to know a little more about your fields to make my suggestions. Give me a PM to discuss.
Hi Totos!
I am John from Greece.You have the most detailed fishing site I have ever seen!That is not a copliment just to please you, it’s just the truth.Vertical jigging moves were just a mystery for me, nobody would describe in details the moves and tactics.Your site is so decent that eliminates the risk of buying equipment and not catching fish due to lack of technique.
Enough with the introduction.Understanding the importance of correct equipment, I decided to invest in a good rod.My no1 options are Evergreen Poseidon and Xesta Slow Emotion.I know that your suggestion would be the first, but it is a rod that is famous for its finesse and working the jigs but not very strong to fight with a fish directly and having to drop down the rod to take advantage of OJ reel’s power to take the fish.
Unfortunately I cannot afford this reel and as an alternative I will pair the rod with an Avet Sx Raptor I own.
On the other hand Xesta has a very good reputation as a rod, and it can catch a fish as a normal rod, due to its power, very important for me and my reel.I prefer such a rod for sure.Here many people fish with it and they praise its action.
What do you think?The difference is only 5 Euros between them…
Hi Dentex79.
Well, let me tell you my honest opinion. There’s a big difference if it’s a slow jerker or not.
I’ve personally used Xesta. It’s a good rod. But as long as you have slow jerker on the other hand, I wouldn’t agree to take Xesta over it.
You have a great understanding of the game. You got the whole picture.
As far as the spec is concerned, Avet is not bad with 6.3 gear ratio and 99cm max retrieve per crank. You can fight the fish somehow. Any slow pitch rods should not be brought up more than 90 degrees with the fish on the line anyway.
A lot of people get confused with this. When you hold a heavy luggage, do you spread your arm out? No. It’s so much easier if you bring down your arm. You need less power. So when you bring up the rod to fight, you can work out a lot more power, but you “need” more power by holding up the rod too. To catch a big fish that Avet could not bring in, whatever it is, you need a lot more than a stiffer rod. The line, the knots, the hook settings, how the line is maintained…
I encourage you to take the best rod. If Avet is not good enough, you’ll be able to buy a better reel a couple of years later, don’t you think? But imagine using a Xesta as you think that you could have had a slow jerker.
Thank you for your reply!I understand what you mean. Xesta has more power but that means it loses in sensitivity and sensitivity is what this game is all about…Now the bad news.The store I found Poseidon has brought only the 603-6 model, the strongest one.My target depths are 50-90 meters,is this model ok or it’s for deeper?Off course I don’t mind trying to fish deeper but many beautiful fishes are in the zone I mentioned,50-90 m.I will call them tomorrow to see if they plan to bring a lighter model, in case the 603-6 is too heavy for me.
603-6 is fine, I think, incorporating with 180g to 300g jigs. 603-4 would be ideal with 130g to 260g jigs. It depends on the currents and how your boat operates too. If you have hard time staying vertical, 603-6 may work even better. It’s better to have 2 different models anyway. I would start with 603-6 if you can get it. Then consider getting 603-4 when it becomes available.
Hi
i’m zul from malaysia. I’m beginner in slow pitch technique. Recently i’ve bought pslj 603-2 pairing with OJ1001 hg. next month i’ll try this setup with jig range 60g to 120g at 30m to 60m. Do you think my setup is ok?
I more think ,i plan to change handle to longer one. What your suggestion..tq in advance..:-)
I think you are set up OK.
For the longer handle, SOM is the best. But it’s kind of expensive. I’ve seen some inexpensive handles, made in somewhere in Asia, and the one that’s made in US probably. I forgot who make them. Sorry.
Hi totos,
Really interesting to read and learn all your reviews.
I’m interested to get the new Deepliner logical 60 #4. But hardly read any review of this rod. Can u Pls advise is this a good rod to get? Cos is new in the market.
Mel
Thanks
Hi Mel.
the new Deepliner rods. Yes. 3 different length models with 2 power each for Logical (slow pitch rod). 4 different length and power for Mania Fellows (high pitch and super deep) that handles up to 1500g.
This is truly an act of maniac. (I’m saying this with my deepest respect.)
Even though the rods doesn’t have any fancy cosmetics, the rods carry determinations of Captain Higashimura in every details. Of course it’s a Class A rod.
Logical 60 is a good pick for a starter. #3 (jig weight: 100g – 250g) and #4 (jig weight: 130g – 300g)
Thks Totos.
Already got the Logical 60#4. With 2000nrhg. This rod is more flexible then the slow jerker. And very light. Hope to share the result when I have use it
Melvyn,
Is it possible you share your review or experience with Logical 60#4? I am interested in this rod as well. Let me know how gear you use to pair it (reel, line, jig weight) and the depth of water where you tested the rod. Appreciated.
Hi Mr.Totos,
Im a new fan of slow jigging and i am planning to buy a rod which would give the best joy pf slow jigging, so i am confused between Zinnaq whippy and poseidon slow jerker. So i need your opinion in which will be better for shallow salt water (30 to 60 feet) , i would appreciate your recommendation and which reel suits the rod you recommend.
Kind regards
Hi Ali.
Slow Jerker is the best slow pitch rod ever built. Of course. Sato Sensei has developed slow pitch jigging on this rod. I don’t even consider Zenaq Whippy a slow pitch rod. It’s missing certain key elements that slow pitch rod is supposed to have.
I don’t know how much your boat can manage to stay vertical. If you are just free-drifting, power 4 class. If you use sea-anchor or you have a captain who tries to maneuver and stay vertical, power 3 would probably do. Expect jig weight to be 150g to 260g.
Mr. Totos i realy appreciate your reply and thank you for your advice.
Hi Totos.
I have tried last weekend Graphiteleader Protone gsoprc-642-5. I’m actually using palms metal Witch 634 and i like the slow pitch actions 40m to 100m But it doesn’t make me trust it’s strength.
Graphiteleader makes me feel more safety if i fight with big one i think it wont break. Also i like the high pitch and slow pitch actions.
Now i want to ask, did you try it or do you know who is the tester. Finally, if rate this rod which grade it take place.
Best regards.
Hi Dentex. Graphiteleader Protone. It’s a 2-piece rod. It loses a lot of sensitivity.
If you feel insecure about the rod during the fight, you may want to look once again at how we fight with the light rod. We don’t use the rod to fight. The rod is there to get contacts, not to lift the fish.
No, Protone is not a slow pitch rod.
hi Totos,
may i know slowfall rod like 603-2 can be use for fast pitch jigging?
Hi Js.
High pitch jigging requires strong action tone in rod to jig weight match. 603-2 can play 50g or 60g jig in strong action tone.
But in reality, there is always water influence which decreases the action tone. You need certain jig weight against the water, and for the spring back action of the rod.
So unless you have a condition when the water is really calm and shallow, no wind, it’s difficult to do high pitch jigging with 603-2.
Hi totos I have 2 rods the one is shimano tescata lucanus 150 200gr and the other is shimano jigrex 100 200 and the reels are shimano spheros8000pg and shimano torium16 is there any chance to start slow pitch jigging with those set?
Hi Manos.
They are inchiku and tai-rubber rods, fast action.
In the strict definition of slow pitch jigging, these rods are not even close to slow pitch rods, highly resilient parabolic action blanks. We highly rely on the rod for jig actions, and it’s hard to do the same with non-slowpitch rods.
In the permissive definition, the slow pitch principles can be applied to any styles of vertical game. The fish tendency that it takes advantage of. The physics of the line system. How to control the jig movements. Learning these things can be a great benefit.
Slow pitch can be enjoyed in many levels.
Hi Totos, recently I just bought a new Daiwa slow pitch jigging rod and setup with RELEASE SG reels. The reels seems not strong enough even I just use 150gm lures. Really felt disappointed after bought the reel even it’s brand new but without warranty. Any good reels that you can recommended for slow pitch jigging? But not the spinning type,hope to hear from you soon. TQ
Hi Joe. Basically you need an overhead reel that retrieves about 75cm per crank or more “at the depth” you are fishing. The max should be 80cm, 85cm or more.
To calculate the max retrieve length per crank:
The spool diameter (max line load) x 3.14 x gear ratio (how much the spool turns per crank.)
The lowest gear ratio to maintain that speed is the good reel.
Of course, there are other considerations like drag quality, gear precision and the handle length.
Ocea Jigger has been the most popular reel for slow pitch jiggers in Japan because it’s well balanced on above factors, and it’s affordable.
Hi Totos-san,
I will be in Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka come October 2015 and will be looking mainly for Class A & B rods.
What shops do recommend around these areas?
Thanks!
Shibuya Tokyo has a lot of different shops around the train station.
But slow pitch rods are not kept much in stock. And you have to think about how to check it in on your flight back. You don’t want to run around town looking for the rod and the 2-meter long package while you are visiting Japan for other purposes.
The best way I can recommend is to order the rods with me. I will pack it in a solid cardboard tube and send it to your hotel. You can check it right onto your flight. But please do check with your airline beforehand. Some low cost carrier will not take such a long package.
Hi Totos-san,
I am aiming for either tenryu sl66b-m or shimano slow type j 683. Problem is, many rods of this spec (average jig weight 150g – 170g) are hard to come by. I have searched EVERYWHERE on japanese tackle websites.
That being said i usually play 180g jigs in less than 50m depth. Pretty shallow. Would the Tenryu sl66b-ml or slow type j 682 work? Or is it too light?
Thanks alot and really appreciate the good work you’re doing.
Hi totos I just bought avet jx 6.1reel is good for slow pitch?and now I want to choose the rod in the Greek market I found maxel, black hole, palms and majorcraft.which one to choose the depth I usually go fishing is from30metre to 120 Metre!
Hi Manos.
Sorry, I’m not familiar with Avet reel. The slow pitch reels are required to have 75cm per crank speed “at the depth you are fishing”. That is the only requirement. The power (gear ratio) helps you dance against the heavy jig weight and the water resistance, but this is not a requirement.
For rods, I don’t know maxel and black hole, as they are not in Japan market. I don’t recommend palms and majorcraft even though you CAN do slow pitch.
See my facebook post in the past.
https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseAnglersSecrets/posts/825163594238160
Hi Totos
What do you think is xesta slow jerk and long fall rods? Are they good? In which category do you think they belong into?
Thank you.
Hi Yu.
Xesta Slow Emotion is a good rod. Class B. I would say it’s a good entry model.
Hi Totos, thanks for your comments
SHIMANO OCEA JIGGER B604(Baitcast) is it a category A rod for show jigging?
Hi Juan.
No, Ocea Jigger Bait is not a Class A rod. I don’t know why they released this model when they have Ocea Jigger Infiniti (Class A) rod. The reel seat and the butt grip is too big. They interfere the whole length action of the highly-resilient blanks.
Hi totos what is ur opinion about majorcraft np jack slow jigging rod?
It’s a Tai Rubber rod. I think the tip is too soft.
And what about daiwa saltist Bay slow jigging?they are b or c class?
We don’t have this rod in Japan market. I’m surprised because it seemed that Daiwa really hates to call their products “slow jigging” or “slow pitch jigging”. I see the description, “Designed specifically for jigging with Daiwa’s inshore jigs – Bay Rubber, Pirates and Shorerifle –” These jigs are inchiku, tai rubber, and a casting jig… It doesn’t sound like slow jigging to me.
But you know, if you ask me if this is a slow pitch rod, I’d say it’s not. But in the wide interpretation of slow pitch jigging, you can certainly practice slow pitch principles with any tackles.
Hello Totos, good morning. Finally “talking” with you… 🙂
First of all, thank you so much for sharing your culture and your experience on this art that is slow pitch jigging, a big thank you for that, you are very generous!
My name is Paulo and I live in Portugal and want to start the slow pitch jigging, my current rod is a Yuki Kyoto 1.75 20-160gr, do you know this rod? Can I use it to start on shallow deep to around 50 meters?
I’m waiting for the new reel from Daiwa to come out, the 15HL, is it a good choice to start this game until the 50 meters deep?
What combination of jigs do you recommend to star?
Thank you so much, Paulo.
Hi Paulo.
Thank you very much for your compliments!
Yuki Kyoto…. Definitely a Japanese name, but I’ve never heard of it. We don’t see it in Japanese market.
Daiwa 15HL should work great in the shallow waters such as yours.
I got your email too. I will reply on jigs by emails.
Talk to you later!
Hi Greg from Oz here, I have the diawa 15H it is a very good reel having adjustable handle length and easy dismantle Very easy to clean after a long day in the salt .Just undo three screws and the reel is in two parts
When you first purchase it the reel is dry inside I brushed on a coating of grease to protect the internals.
I have 300m ocea 1.2 on the reel with 200m diawa 30lb J braid as backing. The backing fills 2/3 of the reel with the last 3rd the ocea braid this helps keep the line retrieve at its max.
I also have shimano ocea jiggers that are harder to maintain because you have to dismantle the handle from the body first to pull apart.
Would I buy another one YES I will buy the 10H next I like the narrow reel and will probable run Ocea 1.0 on it
Hope this helps
Greg
Hi Toto, I am wondering if the Shimano Trevala S line is appropiate for slow jigging. The rod blank is of C4S construction and has resiliency but don’t know how comparable it is to the Saito sensei rods. Any feedback is much appreciated! Arigato!
Hi Fred.
Sato Seisei would never call a spinning rod “slow pitch jigging rod”.
Looks like it’s a well built rod, but it’s hard for me to give you advise if it is suitable for slow pitch jigging. Because we have all the reasonings to choose overhead tackle.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/what-is-slow-pitch-jigging/#
But still, in the wide interpretation of slow pitch jigging, you can certainly practice slow pitch principles with any tackles.
Hi Totos, I’ve been visiting your site for so many times and what can I say? Very informative, indeed! Thank you very much.
I’m from Malaysia and slow pitch or slow style jigging have been a phenomena lately. I’ve been researching this method of fishing for quite sometimes. I’m nobody, to begin with. So, I just called this as an opinion (if you don’t mind) from years of fishing using different kind of techniques.
Slow pitch jigging is a type of discipline that conveys slow in motion jigs play. Rather than making a slow drops and retrieves method, it is a natural way that mostly done by your preferences (rods, lines, reels and jigs). Oneself, alone, without specific equipment and knowledge will be a nearly none impact to the situation itself.
There are many kind of slow pitch jigs, without a proper presentation and “know how”, it’ll be a waste, as properly presenting these jigs accordingly is crucial.
The great Poseidon is a benchmark. Very agile and distinguish. I’ve bought several, but in the end the great god of the sea doesn’t quite suits me (no offence, as this is just an example). But, that’s just me. From my point of view, every single brand have their own strength and uniqueness. Expensive rods are mostly great in performance and consistency. What you have written is very true in nature. Now, I’m using Xesta Slow emotion and Patriot Design Grand Renaissance AK-V rods.
Japanese products are very intriguing! They’re very good in aesthetic and quality. I’ve never bought any fishing tackles and accessories other than MADE IN JAPAN. They’re quite expensive though. But what the heck.
Best regards.
Hi Hafiz.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. Very interesting.
Keep exploring. I think what’s best about this game is that we never know what is really happening down there.
Hello Hafiz!
I want to start using the technique of the slow pitch.
And I’m thinking about getting a first rod.
I can buy Xesta Slow Emotions are much cheaper any other manufacturer. And it attracts me.
But I do not know anyone who use this rod.
I will use jigs from 80 to 150 grams
My friends use the Evergreen 603-3
But about Xest I do not understand
Totos advised B603, but support of Xesta recommends B601
This is a very big gap between the models
I’m at a loss
Which Xesta model is right for me – B601, B602 or B602?
Thank you!
Hi Totos,
I’m trying to choose between the Tenryu 66B-ML and the 66B-M. I normally fish 80 -114 gram jigs in water no deeper than 50m. From the specs, it would seem the ML is perfect for me. But I also want a versatile rod, something that can also do some high pitch jigging. Would the 66B-M be better? Which would you choose? Thank you for running this website. It has given me so much information!
Hi Darrin.
It depends on the water resistance you can be in too. 66B-M would be better in tougher situations. So it’s a safer choice. But when you are vertical, 66B-ML will play the best for you. Tough call. I would start with 66B-M. When you decide you like this game, get 66B-ML too.
Hi i m safuan from malaysia. It is storm gomoku kaiten is consider a slow pitch rod?
The concept for Storm Gomoku is a versatile rod for any vertical game. Baits or lures. Small or big. I like it. Very easy to handle.
It is a parabolic action rod like slow pitch rod, but I would not say this is a slow pitch rod. To be strict, I would expect in slow pitch rod the high-resilient thin-walled blanks with sensitive guide settings and reel seats.
But those Class C rods don’t have much of that either. They are just called “slow pitch rod.”
So, if you are open-minded, you don’t have to care about what the rod is designed to do. If Gomoku is within your reach and Class A or B rods are not, grab Gomoku and see what it can do in the field!
Good luck!
Thanks a lot for your answer. Now i know the difference..
Hi Totos. I want to buy Sea Falcon Z Slow Shaft with jig 200-300grm. What is yor opinion for Sea Falcon?Have you tested it? What class you think it is? A,B,C?Thank you!
Hi Jim13.
Sea Falcon Slow Shaft, huh?
Never tested in the field. My impression is that it’s a little softer and more flexible. I don’t know how strong and slowly the blanks springs back unless I use it in the field. When you bend it to certain degree, the blanks suddenly starts resisting hard and tries to kick back. It’s not linear like Slow Jerker. I don’t know if it’s good or bad, or how it behaves in the field.
They got some authentic slow pitch principles built into the design. I think it’s a good rod. It’s all made in Japan. Class B, I’d say.
Hello totos you believe the graphitleader protone ex is a good cheap rod to make and light jigging and slow pitch?thanks
Hi Gofo.
It’s a 2-piece rod, right? I don’t recommend 2-piece rod as it loses the sensitivity.
Hi Totos, I have been following your posts for a long time and caught lots of fishes applying the concepts and setups. But I never owned a class A/B real slow jigging rod. I have a MC Crostage SPJ rod. It’s great rod for shallow water to experience slow jigging, but it’s still limited. I want to feel the amazing rod tip rebound of real JP made slow jigging rod.
Will you recommend Tenryu Horizon SL for me? It’s much easier to get this rod than the EG Poseidon Slow Jerker in the market. Which model of the Horizon SL will you recommend? I was thinking maybe the M model can cover all the fishing depth, since rockfish mostly bite on drop, so I don’t need very good rebound at that depth. My fishing condition and targets are as followed:
Target: Bottom rockfish/rockcod Max weight: 2-3kg
Depth: 80-120m
Boat(no spanker)/current: Free drifting under low wind, but boat control when drift is fast. Sea current is usually weak in my fishing area. Mostly the boat drift causes line not vertical. From my experience with PE1.5, 200g bottom weighted fast sinking long jig(not slow jig) can always hit the 120m bottom pretty fast.
Target: Bonito/Tuna(max 3-5kg), Yellowtail(max 13kg),
Depth: 10-50m
Boat(no spanker)/current: Same as mentioned above.
Thanks for your advice!
Hello TK.
I can tell that you already have a very good understanding of the game.
I think Tenryu is a good rod to start with.
But there’s no only one rod to cover all range. The water resistance is a substantial factor for the rod action, along with the jig weight. Water resistance can be so different at 50m and at 100m. But it can be almost the same when the condition is friendly. That’s why it’s nice to have several different power rods.
I think MH model is good for you. It will probably be medium action tone to the jig weight and the water resistance around 100m. It will be strong action tone at 50m. But your targets there are mainly the kind of fish that like energetic movements, and I think you will find MH model to be most versatile.
Hello Toto,
I am looking at Jigstar Slow Jerk 603-2. Its a rod from New Zealand. I read in a forum that it has capabilities to bring up a 20 Kg Kingfish.
What do you think of the rod or better have you had any experience with it?
Slow Jerk 603-2 Specs:
Length: 6’3”
Pieces: 1pc
PE Rating : PE0.8 – 2.0
Lure Weight Range: 30-120g
Max Lure Weight: 120g
Physical Weight: 142g
Hi Azmy.
To be honest, there’s nothing I can tell by the rod specs. Sorry.
Hi Totos,
I was looking at purchasing Yamaga Galahad, either 62/3 or 62/4. Which will you recommend if i’m using with the following conditions?
Free Drifting
60-100m water
Jig weight 180-300g
PE2.0 line
Hi Ixrone.
Go for 62/4. You are free-drifting and under more water resistance. You would want power in your rod.
Thanks for the prompt reply!
Just one more question. Does the tenryu horizon sl 66bh have the same feel as the galahad slow 62/4 ?
Hi totos. Im a big fan of yours..
Ive read your blog everyday to continously update my knowledge on slow pitch jigging.. I have bought OJ 2001nrHG, and 1500hg limited..
But i still cant decide on the rod.. I only want the best which im aiming for eg slow jerker.. Will be mainly fishing <50m in singapore.. Free drifting.. I prefer light setup than heavy.. What would be a good rod to pair up with my OJ 1500hg ? Im thinking 603-3 but ive also read that u mention when free drifting the rod needs more power. Can u roughly guide me which rod to pair with 1500 using mainly jigs on the lighter side 100-150 maybe sometimes 200g and maybe it will come to use when i go overseas to fish deeper next time. Thanks !!!
Thank you Max.
I think 603-3 is fine. Reason #1, your field is shallow. #2, you are mainly targeting groupers, right? You should be using a lot of fall tactics. Fall tactics requires soft action tone. As conclusion, 603-3 is not a bad choice at all, even under a lot of water influence by free-drifting.
But when you talk about going deeper overseas, you may consider 603-4 or 603-6 too. Even on the controlled drift by the captain, 603-3 will be soft action tone and your workable tactics will be limited.
What you really should do, I think, is to get 603-3 and practice in your waters, and if you really like it, get the second rod, 603-4 or 603-6. With 2 different power rods, your tactics will be expanded both in your local waters and overseas. Stop thinking to do everything with 1 rod. Makes sense?
Hi Toto,
I see PSJ 603-5 is now available and I could not find any comments about it. Have you tested it?
Yes, I have tried Slow Jerker 603-5 once in the field.
No particular feedback on it, though. It’s the razor-sharp stick as dandy as it has always been!
The rod model selection depends mainly on the following factors.
– Your main depth range. If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
OK, I should have given more details, I have already 603-3, usually drifting when fishing and I can now see 603-3 limits with depths of 100 meters with heavier jigs. I was heading for the 603-4 because 603-6 would be far too ‘heavy’, I guess for around 100meters and jigs below 150. Now when I see 603-5 in between 4 and 6 ounces the question is which on 603-4 or 603-5?
Hi Kevin.
I understand you are free-drifting around 100m. You are under a lot of water resistance and it totally depends on the ocean conditions. But I think you need at least 200g at 100m. Remember slow pitch jigs are slow to fall.
603-3 can play 200g and over. It will just be soft action tone. 603-3 at 100m should be hard when you are way out of vertical alignment, but it can work under good conditions.
I don’t think 603-6 is too heavy. Especially when you are not aligned at 100m.
But yes, 603-5 will be good as a team with your 603-3. I just encourage you to focus on shallower water. And when you are not aligned and the water feels too heavy, switch to high-speed jigging or something else.
It’s not about which rod model fits which jig weight. Pay attention to the water resistance. And determine what action tone you are in with the rod and with the jig weight you are using.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
I think you should restructure your rod and jig selection.
If you are vertical and the ocean is calm, you can play 300g jig with 603-3 at 200m deep.
I know it is confusing first. Rod rating is very irrelevant in the vertical game.
Hi Totos, I’m actually looking to get the poisedon 603-4, but as i know, there are older versions and newer versions to the series (current model). How can you tell which is older and newer? how many variations are there over the years since initial production? Which blank is better?
Hi Jo.
Slow Jerker was remodeled in 2012 – 2013.
Guides are different. The old had Fuji. Fuji stopped the production.
Reel seat is different. New model has shorter, thicker grip. More sensitive. Generates more rod actions.
Blanks is the same.
Personally, I think it’s very hard to tell the difference is usage, even though I’ve never compared them in the same model in the field. I have both in different models and I can hardly feel the difference in terms of actual practice. They are both crispy sharp!
Hafa Adai Mr. Totos!
I’ve finally gotten my hands on a slow jerker 6-04. Love it! Just wanted to know if you know what kind of guides and size it uses, in case i need to replace one of them.
Hafa Adai Gary.
Congrats on your best slow pitch rod ever built!
They are titanium frame SiC ring guides. Evergreen lets someone make them specially for the rod, but not much is known.
Sorry. Can’t help you much there.
But good luck! Hope you don’t need repairs!
Hello Totos San,
I’m very glad that I came across your website and with your intuitive and informative info on slow jigging really assures me that this is the game I want to get into. I live in California and the jigging game here is very slow as if it doesn’t even exist because almost all fisherman here are bait fisherman. I’ve tried Shimano Butterfly Jigging system and everyone on the boats either laugh at me or give me weird looks and comments. I’ve saved up money with my best friend and we’ve bought a boat this winter and we really want to get into the jigging game so I was wondering if you can help me on selecting the ideal start up rod and reel in the slow jigging game.
I’ve looked around for the Poseidon Slow Jerker and so far we only found two models that are available right now, Model PSLJ 603-2 and Model PSLJ 603-1.5 and the reels that we are looking at is the new Daiwa Saltiga 10 & 15. The water depth we are looking to spend most of the time at are between 60m-100m and the fish that we normally find are the rockfish, salmon, seabass, and albacore. Please let us know if these 2 models of the Slow Jerker are ok for these depths and species of fish and if the reels that we are thinking will be ok with it, if not can you please advise me of which model and where we may find them. Thank you so much Totos San and we look forward to hearing back from you soon. Arigato.
Tyler
Hi Tyler.
Wow… That is a very touching story for me. I will help you in any way I can. We’ll show what we can do to those anglers who laughed at you.
Slow Jerker 603-1.5 and 603-2 can only be used when you are vertical. Don’t rush to it. Don’t rush to Saltiga either.
Staying vertical is the key to the success of slow pitch jigging and it should be very hard for you to stay vertical on a free-drifting boat unless the ocean and the wind is dead calm.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/light-line-for-the-vertical-game/
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
First you need to learn how to drift with a sea-anchor. You need to gather information on fish locations. You will learn to drift over those locations according to the wind and current at the time. Boating is more important than fishing tech first.
I think you should get Slow Jerker 603-4. With jig range from 150g to 300g. I will make a list of jigs of my recommendations if you want. I can get a secondhand rod and ship to you.
Please send me an email and we’ll discuss further.
Tatos San,
First of Thank you very much for responding to me and secondly thank you for helping me getting comfortable in getting into this Slow Pitch game, I will email you or if you can just email me and I will seek your advise on technic, jigs, and rods. I will be more than happy to buy them from you or who you can recommend to me, My sister just gave me the Saltiga 15H for Christmas as a gift so I can try use that if not suitable then I can buy the Ocean Jippger like you have stated in the column, I look forward to hearing from you, thank you.
Best Regards,
Tyler
Congrats on your new reel! I do prefer Ocea Jigger but Saltiga 15 got efficient specs I think you should start with it.
Will be more than happy to help you set up for slow pitch jigging!
Hi Totos san,
i came from Indonesia and start interested in Slow Jigging.
usually me and some friends rent a fisherman traditional boat for fishing trip.
the fisherman stopped in some points using a GPS device where he made his own artificial fish nest in the water. the boat was always being anchored to sea bed during fishing and sea depth is around 60 m-80 m. right now i want to buy a Poseidon slow jigging rod from a store in my country. they have PSLJ 603-3, 603-5 and 603-6.
i want to pick up 603-3 but i am not sure since the the sea current of 60-80 m here some time
too strong for jig 120 gr.
i need your advice for selecting a rod under the situation i face.
many thanks for your attention
Is that the only fishing boat you can get on?
Honestly, a vertical game is not possible from an anchored boat. Maybe possible only for a couple of hours in a day when the tide stops, and you have a 300g jig.
If this boat is your only option, get a 300g Gawky before you invest on Slow Jerker. This jig is a fall specialist. You just need to lift slowly and fall. You can try out this jig with whatever rod you have. Just reel and lift slowly, and free fall without reeling. Repeat that. If you get something, you may consider getting slow pitch tackle.
Hi Totos,
Thanks alot for your respond and advice.
I think i will take 603-3 as a beginner in slow jigging and next time maybe ask the captain (a fisherman) to drift the boat instead of using sea anchor.
Well… Thanks again for your advice, it really help me.
Wait a minute. Are you drifting with a sea anchor? I thought you said you were anchored. Sea-anchor is better than free-drifting.
The boat usually anchored to the sea bed. I thought drifting is better than sea achore
As have chance to fish in various area when drifting.
I think we need to share definitions first. When you drop the metal anchor to sea floor, that’s “anchoring”. You are stationary.
When I say sea-anchor, I mean a drogue, or a underwater parachute. The boat is always drifting by the wind and the current. This sea-anchor slows down the wind drift by opening the parachute underwater that puts brake on the drift. The boat is not stationary, it’s still drifting.
Hi Totos san,
I am curios on the difference on the old PSLJ with fuji reel seat compared to the new PSLJ with Matagi Seat. Is there a popularity to the new Matagi Reel seat and why the rod fetch a higer price?
Rgds
Hi Trowachin.
Yes, the reel seat was one of the remodels in Slow Jerker 2012.
It has Matagi arbor now, which has a solid reputation that it is one of the most sensitive arbor.
The Fuji reel seat is now thicker and shorter. Thicker so that it’s easier to grip with a light touch. Shorter so that the whole length of blanks can engage more in spring back action.
The price stayed the same before and after the remodel. I don’t know where you got the idea that it’s more expensive.
Hai Toto, Iam Daniel from Indonesia
Before i reas ur web i do high. Pitch jigging with jigging master ocean devil ros, now after read ur site I very interest to do slow pitch jigging..i already have ocea jigger 2000nrpg.after i read at your website i want to change to ocea jigger 2000nrhg, can i change only part of my ocea jigger 2000nrpg with part of ocea jigger 2000nrhg (gear and bras pinion).
Now my oj fill with j-bridge pe2.5 and i want to buy slow jerker which one U recomended.. 603-3 or 603-5???.
Thank you for your inquiry Daniel.
But this will become personal. Please send me an email and tell me more about your field.
Let me just point out the followings here.
The rod model selection depends mainly on the following factors.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
It depends on these situations but your OJ2000NR-PG may as well work in your situations.
If you are in a shallow area and your boat is free-drifting, which is not a good way to stay vertical, you may want to use heavy weight jig. For that you will like the power of PG reel. But you are in the shallow so that you don’t need as much speed as HG.
Hi Mr Totos thank U for replay and Sory before for double post….
I fishing at Offshore Rig…depth maybe 50-100m.and fish @boat drifting with sea-anchor…
What U recomended for me?? 603-3,603-5,603-6…main target is macrael,GT,grouper…. (Pelagic Fish and Demersal Fish)
Thank U Before Mr Totos
Hi Daniel.
Sea-anchoring at 50m to 100m, huh?
603-3 would be too soft for deeper end. 603-4 would be the most versatile with 130g to 300g weight jigs in your waters. But that’s when the conditions are friendly to stay vertical. If you want to play safe, 603-5. If you can afford 2 rods, 603-5 and 603-6.
Good luck!
Hai Mr Totos I’am Daniel From Indonesia
Before I read Ur web i do high pitch jigging with jigging master ocean devil rod,now after read ur site i very interest to do slow pitch jigging.I already have ocea jigger 2000nrpg .after i read at your website,i want to change to ocea jigger 2000nrhg. Can I change only part of my ocea jigger 2000nrpg with part of ocea jigger 2000nrhg(gear and brass pinion).Can U help me to buy that part???
Now my oj fill with j-bride pe2.5,will change to pe 1.5 after i learn from ur site..and i want to buy slow jerker..Which one U recomended 603-3 or 603-5 at my country 603-4 not avaiable..
Thanks For Ur answer.
Hi Totos,
I’m Raphael from France, but I currently live in the United Arabs Emirates, where I go fishing in the Oman sea (100-150m depth).
I just become crazy with slow jigging and your website is helping me a lot to find my way in this new fishing technic. Thanks a lot for all these helpfull informations and this amazing website.
I was hesitating to buy either a poseidon 603-4 or a temple reef levitate 100-300gr. After talking with some of anglers here doing slow jigging, they told me to go for the levitate which is in their opinion as good and for some of them better than the poseidon.
Do you know those rods? Do you think I made a good move buying this one instead of the poseidon?
Thanks again,
Raph
Hi Raph.
I don’t know Levitate. It’s no available in Japan. So I can’t compare.
Slow Jerker is designed by the founder of slow pitch jigging. 10 years in production, all made in Japan, still considered best by all the slow pitch experts and the most popular for slow pitch anglers in Japan. I’m not saying Slow Jerker is the best choice for you, as it’s just hard to get one overseas, and private import comes with quite a cost.
Hi Totos,
Thanks for your quick reply.
In any case, the poseidon will be one of my future rod. I can find them locally.
With the depth that I told in my previous mail, which poseidon would you recommend?
100-150m, drifting controlled by the captain, sometimes flat sea and no wind, current most of the time are not so strong but sometimes can be. Currently, I’m using slow jigs from 150 to 300gr (only with strong current).
I was thinking 603-4 but maybe 603-3 is enough. Which one would you recommend?
Thanks again for your help.
Raph
I think 603-5 is the one which can play the widest range of action tones in your condition. 603-4 will be fine too. Anyway, you will soon be wanting the second rod, I’m pretty sure. If you want to play different tactics, one rod can do so little. And 100m to 150m is the best field to play different tactics.
Hai mr toto
I already have an oj 1500pg and want to pair it with a slow jerker. I usually fishing in 30 to 80m deep in bali with moderate current flow…usually use 60 to 100gr jigs…mostly 80gr (lots of contacts with it). But that was using simano saragosa 6000sw and tenryu deep rider pe3.
i would like to ask your opinion to match my oj 1500pg with poseidon slow jerker rods…which one would you recommended.
My email Dewakesuma82@gmail.com
bbm pin 757cfa18
ph 082147464387
I really expect ur reply…
hopefully wee can meet if u come to bali and we can go fishing together hehehe
Hi Dewa.
Thank you very much for your warm invitation to Bali. Sounds really nice.
How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/light-line-for-the-vertical-game/
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
At 30m to 80m, I would use 100g to 240g weight jigs. That’s when I am on a spankered boat which keeps me vertical. If you are free-drifting, you would need to use 1.5 or 2 times heavier jigs.
Send me a message from contact form. Tell me about your boating situation.
Thank you for your reply
the boat is controlled drift by the captain. So the line will mostly vertical..cos the current is not strog…thats why i use 80gr mostly. Sometimes 60gr.
do you think slow jerker 603-2 or 3 would be best?
Oh yes..i already seny message via your contact form…
im looking forward for your reply
Thanks
Dewa kesuma – bali
Hello Totos-San,
Again, I thank you for your website and such great information.
I was at the Fred Hall show In Long Beach last week. It was overwhelming!
Black Hole Rods had a booth. They sell slow pitch jigging rods made in Korea from Japanese materials.
Do you have an opinion of these rods?
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Stephen.
Thank you very much for your compliment.
I don’t know about the tackles which are not available in Japan.
Let me just say all the rods I classified as Grade A and B are designed or supervised by one of Japanese slow pitch experts. Their knowledge and skills based on years of field experience are being realized in these rods (within the limit of production budget).
Other rods don’t have it. Especially non-Japanese brands. I do not mean that they are bad. They may as well be good. I just don’t know.
Hi Totos …i am alex from italy
I would like ask you what about the new zenaq slow jigging ikari..?
Have you tried it before. .?
Is it class A,B or C…?
Many thank
Hi Ale.
OK. It’s the new one.
Even though it seems to be made by top level parts, I don’t know the potential. Personally, I am skeptical about it. No slow pitch expert is supervising this rod. Zenaq is not selling this rod in Japan. Not yet, at least. Probably because they decided that they won’t expect to sell much in the competitive market.
Hi Totos,
The water here in Bahrain is very shallow water. most of the times we are talking about from 10 – 15 meters and rarely (only in some places) it reaches 25 meters. can i do the slow pitch jigging in 10 meters or less ?
Hi Sherief.
Usually in such shallow waters, we find it more efficient to cast the jig a little with a spinning rod. Not a vertical game (slow pitch jigging), but a diagonal game.
[…] PDF File Name: Slow pitch jigging rods – japanese anglers secrets Source: http://www.anglers-secrets.com » DOWNLOAD « […]
Hi guys, really enjoy all the info in here.
On the matter of rods I have just invested in two Synit Matanza’s covering a jig range of 45g to 300g.
Hi Totos,
Great blog! I’m about to dive into the slow jig fishing in Greece. I expect depths up to 100m and fishing from drifting boat. The rods I can buy locally designed for slow jig are SALTYSHAPE
SlowJigging and OLYMPIC PROTONE. Which one would you recommend?
I will drop an e-mail for jig recommendation and quote.
Hi Toros,
I’m fishing at depth 40-70m, Boat drifting with sea-anchor, which rod would you recommend? PSLJ 603-2 or PSLJ 603-2.
Thank you so much.
I’m sorry, PSLJ 603-2 or PSLJ 603-3.
Hi Gabriel.
Slow Jerker 603-3. Definitely.
Sea-anchor is not controlled drift. The verticality is totally up to the oceanic conditions. Just better than free-drift.
It makes you still use heavier jigs like 130g to 230g in your depth range. 603-3 is it.
Hi Toto San,
What do you think of Takamitechnos MOZ rod and deepliner, are they in the A class rods?
Deepliner is definitely Class A rod. In every details it’s got all the knowledge of one the top slow pitch experts.
Takamitechnos produces quality rods with very innovative ideas. But because of its unique marketing, very little is known about their products. They don’t deal with wholesalers, only direct sales. But they don’t come out to public so often. It’s a kind of brand that very few people who know it love. They customize rods for customers. The kind of anglers who dare to choose this rod most certainly customizes the rod, so the standard model is really not known.
I can’t arrange the purchase of this rod. It’s just too complicating and too risky for me in terms of meeting my customers expectations.
What do you think of the Temple reef levitate 68-2 rod.
Hi Lynn.
I don’t know this rod. It’s not Japanese and not available in Japan.
Hi Totos, This site is a great introduction for the emerging slow jigger in all of us- Thank you so much! My question is as the rod choice is so important, is it possible for you to shed some light on some more reputable brands to go with your class 1 and 2 list? Your last update in this area was a few years ago and the landscape is changing. More more rods are available now and we would love your opinion on them.
Hi Ash.
I know. So many slow pitch rods have come out now. I can’t catch up. Sorry.
Let me just say, if you want top-notch, talk to me. Consider importing the rod from Japan. If you look for a descent budget rod, try to find one locally. Whatever rod if you are just starting. You will learn with this rod. You will build your skills on this rod. There’s no better or worse.
I think you will learn the most with a top notch rod. But you still can learn a lot and catch a lot with an average rod. That is your decision to make. Once you did, a rod is no better or worse than the other rod in the class. You know what I mean? Just don’t go too cheap for Class C rod.
Hi toto,
I want to try slowjigging in new caledonia on reef species.
I need to buy a set.
What do you think about black hole cape code slow pitch jigging and black hole pionneer?
Which poseidon will be the good rod for reef species with shark….?
Hi Cedric.
Welcome to slow pitch jigging.
I don’t know the new zealand rod since it’s not available here in Japan.
The setup greatly depends on the following factors.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
It will become very personal. Send me an email at info, followed by this domain name. Or use contact form please.
Hi toto,
I contacted you 2 weeks ago for the choice of my slow jigging rod.
The probleme was that i want a heavy slow rod for small and big reef species.
I want to buy a black hole cape code slow pitch b66mh, pe 1.5 4, jig up to 350 g.
I want to put on it ocea jigger pe 3 to have some powerfull if i have to block the fish.
Wich reel on it? I think oj 2001 is the better choice. What do you think about it?
My fishing spot are 40 to 100 meters depth sometinme with current and windy. I have a sea anchor. The target fishes are reef species. You have to move back the fishes fast because of the sharks.
Thank you.
Cedric
Hi Cedric.
Yes. It would be OJ2000s, not OJ1500s.
Hı Toto.. First I Want to say this is a perfect way to give back to the community. I found “metal witch 685 sf” rod in my country.. I will be fishing at 100 m , and Deeper…
What do you think about this rod? Thank you for your contribution..
Hi. I am vey thankful to have come across your site. It has increased my knowledge of slow pitch jigging tremendously. Your vast knowledge has definitely helped many aspiring slow pitch jiggers. I am curious to know what you think of deepliner Logical range of slow pitch rods and their different models and how you feel they match up against the Evergreen Slow jerker series. Your input is appreciated. Thanks.
Hi Eugene.
Thank you very much for your compliments.
Deepliner rods are designed by the charismatic slow pitch angler, Capt. Higashimura of Deepliner. It’s definitely a class A rod. It’s a bit more flexible than Slow Jerker.
Hi totos I have the horizon sl rods and was wondering if you have any reports on the new progressive rods
Hi Greg.
The Tenryu’s new model tries to balance high resiliency and suppleness at the highest level with a new technology. It also uses Torzite rings. Personally I think it’s very close to Class A rod. I’ve just never used it in the field and can’t tell you more.
hi totos
i already have the slow jerker 603-6 and hpj 504 3oz
but only had a 1500pg with pe 2 braid line for now, can it use to do slow pitch paired with 603-6? if yes, what jig type and weight you recommed? (fishing at 50 to 100 meters with medium current flow)
well for me it seems like i need 2000hg for sure to pair it with 603-6 to perform slow pitch on more than 200gr jigs, is it right?
a litle bit out of topics
what reel could be match my 504 3oz rod to perform high pitch with 50 – 150 depth an the jig type / weight?
thanks
warm greet from BALI
Dewa Kesuma
Hi Dewa.
I don’t know how vertical you can stay. How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
The verticality really matters because you can be in a lot of water resistance if you are not.
OJ1500PG should be a bit too slow anyway. OJ1500HG will do fine if you are vertical at 50m to 100m with a 200g jig. But you should probably get OJ2000HG.
High pitch reel is required to have much more power, and the same speed. SOM L120Hi or Marfix N4.
the boat is operated drifting controlled by captain
and yes…i am managing my budget for a 2000HG
thanks for advice
This article will help you select seafloor control jigs to play with your 603-6
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
already purchase 2000HG a week ago….perfect match with my 603-6 at 80 to 100 meters and 250gr jig 🙂
Good for you Dewa! Good luck in the field!
Hi Totos, thank you very much for your valuable feedback and courtesy to answer our questions.
I am fishing in Greece in a island where depths range from 40-120 meters on a small boat drifting with a sea anchor, very difficult to practice slow jigging as the speed of the boat, even with the sea anchor, is most of the times around 0.8-1.2 knots. Is there any hope for me? Can you recommend a rod for this situation and suitable jigs?
I would really appreciate your kind feedback.
Kind Regards,
George
I don’t know your water but I know a lot of anglers being successful in your water. I think you have a hope!
I think 603-4 and 603-6 will help you adjust to most conditions. When the wind or current is strong, stay shallow as possible, which is easier to stay vertical. Use heavy jigs on light line. i would start with Arc, Abyss and Cranky.
Good luck!
Hi Totos,am Kostas from Greece,thank you for all the things you are sharing with us!
My finances keeps me low,so i have to go to Class C,i am fishing from 40 to 80 metres
mostly for snappers.I am between these two GIANT KILLING BY MAJOR CRAFT or METAL WITCH SLOW & FALL BY PALMS?
Which rod and which model it would be better me?
Hi Kostas.
There isn’t much difference between those rods as far as I can see.
Just grab one and learn from the field!
Good luck.
Hello again!!I am between storm gomoku adajo 200 gr and metal witch slow & fall by palms 603 or 604.Does palms worth the diference in money,and,weach one should be better for me 603 or 604?I also like the shimano talica 8 single speed,is it a good reel for slow jigging?Thanks!
Hi Kostas.
Like I said, I would not make any difference between these rods. Power 4 is probably better for the depth if you are not so vertical.
Talica is a good reel for jigging.
Gominasa mr totos as i know uve got to answer so many question and i still dont know where else to ask. How does the length of the rod matter to the action of the jig? Please elaborate more about the size of 7′ rod. Take a certain weight of the jig as a constant variable to compare between length to length of the rod please. Is it more breakable to compare with shorter rod and so. Thank you so much in advance.
Hi Schfq.
The heart of slow pitch rod is the slow but strong spring back on parabolic action. Generally speaking, the shorter the length is, the harder to bend, the shorter, quicker, and stronger to spring back. But the physics works with the properties of the blanks. Slow Jerker found its balance with 6’3″. Beat found it with 6’6″.
U’re the man. Thanks so much gangster fisher Totos San!
Hi Totos,
I am Andy from Indonesia. I just bought Poseidon SLJ 603-5 thats is the only one available that I can find in my country.
I will pair it with the OJ2000 NRHG like your suggestion, I didnt see any jig recomendation to use optimally with this type of rod
I am planning to put Ocea EX8 pe2.5, my boat usually free drifting with no anchor at all.
Im totally new with this concept, can you enlightened me with some suggestion ?
I’m also intrested on SFC jigs, I cant find it anywhere in my country
Thanks alot
OK Andy.
I’m sending you an email. Tell me your depth range and I will make my suggestions.
Cheers.
Hi Totos,
Mu regular depth would be around 50m up to 225 lm but my main target around 150m – 200m
Hi Andy.
This will be a personalized suggestion for you. Please reply to my email to you. Did you receive it? Let’s discuss over emails.
Hi Totos, Thank you for this forum, very interesting and informative. I have recently started slow jigging and at the moment I am using a Brazer Rod (slow jigging model) and a Penn Squall 40 reel (with gear ratio 6:1). I am currently looking to upgrade the setup and haven’t decided on the rod between the evergreen and the deep liner. What do you recommend?
Hi Matt.
They are both top notch. No pros and cons. You will be learning slow pitch on this rod, and building your senses on this rod, but you don’t have preference now. Just any one of these.
The rod model selection depends mainly on the following factors.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? 5:5 on them? Or 7:3?
Hi Totos
Thank you for your reply. I usally fish in between 90 to 120m on a boat that would be free drifting by the current and my main target is bottom fish like red snappers, groupers etc. I would say 8 on bottom and 2 on peagic. Which rod would you recomend? Also can you please recomend a good reel? I am looking to the Ocea Jigger. Are there any other reels I should consider? and one last thing I am right handed and usually jig with a right handed reel, however a couple of people have told me that i would be better if I had to jig with the right and use the reel with the left. What do you recommend?
Hi Totos,
Thanks for the information your provide , I learnt a lot from your web.
Most of time I fish around 100m ~ 200m water with strong current. I am planing to have two models of rods as below
Shimano Ocea Jigger ∞ B636 and B634
http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/rod/3531
My question is if the Rod’s Power(4 and 6) will be same as Evergreen 603-4 and 603-6.
For the reels , what do you think about daiwa Saltiga 35N-SJ and 15H-SJ?
Hi Terry.
Yes, they are the same gradings. You can say Shimano power 4 is about 603-4.
I would choose 35N-SJ.
I’m more concerned about your verticality. Please read this article and try to stay as much vertical as possible. Use heavy jigs too.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/light-line-for-the-vertical-game/
Hi Totos,
Thanks a lot for your information.
Terry
Hi Toto, what do you think about the guides tied ” spiral”? Here in Italy they have a fair success expecially for the VJ and trolling with live bait.
I have notice that only the Xzoga BlackBuster is made in that way.
Many thanks for your kindeness and for the tips and tricks that I learned reading your site.
Alberto
Hi Alberto.
Thank you for your enthusiasm.
Spiral guides helps you to make all the rod actions without having your line catch guides.
Hi Totos, many thanks for your reply, so it is a good thing right? The spiral guides doesn’t affect the rod action? Remain it the same?
Gratefully
Alberto
Hi Totos greetings from Indonesia.
My current setup:
Poseidon 603-5 + Ocea Jigger Limited 3000HG + PE 2
Depth 60m-120m . Jig Weight used min 100g max 200g. Water current little to average.
Targets : Amberjack, Dogtooth, Yellowfin, Bigeye Trevally, Giant Trevally, Bluefin Trevally and such 5-15kg.
What do you think? Please comment =) I would love to hear from you soon.
Hi Leonardo.
Your setup sounds good to me. Maybe a little heavier jigs. 150g to 300g.
You are asking for my comments because this setup is not working for you? If it’s not working, it’s probably about staying vertical.
Hi Totos
There is a new “light” high pitch jerker. How does this fit into the range of Poseidon rods? I am a bit confused.
http://mareble.com/?pid=108741485
Hi Chiaro.
Yes. I just put up a fb post about this rod.
https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseAnglersSecrets/photos/a.402598946494629.99896.378629468891577/1135879886499861/?type=3&theater
Thanks! It looks really good!
Hi Totos ,
new Metal Witch, model 2016,” Quest”, is already in the market.
How about this blank , compared to previus model ?
any news ?
Best regards,
Theodore
Hi Theodore.
It does look better than the previous model, doesn’t it. It looks they are very much focused on each modality after years of field experience. I think it’s a nice entry model.
Hello Mr. Totos
Would you say that Metal Witch Quest is now Class B?
Thanks
Hi Ulises.
I doubt that. It’s better than the old one, though.
Dear Totos,
Have you tried ocea jigger infinity on field ? What’s your impression compared to slowjerker at the same PE rating ?
Both are available now in my country. I watched infinity action on youtube and personally I think the rod does its job very well.
You wrote above that slowjerker price’s a bit cheaper than infinity (some web put the same price for both of them). Unfortunately, here, the slowjerker price labeled 25% higher than infinity. It looks like the market here listen seriously to your point… haha..
Just need another opinion before deciding one.
Hi Boeds.
No I haven’t tried Shimano Infiniti in the field. But it’s definitely Class A rod.
Whatever the rod is, you will learn the techniques on this first rod. And as long as it’s a Class A rod, there’s nothing better or worse than the other. I would just buy what is easier for you to get.
OK then…
one thing I forget to mention before, you wrote that all Class A rod made in Japan.
In fact, Shimano Infinity made in Indonesia. Is this something to be concerned ?
The rod is designed and supervised by one of the slow pitch experts. And my trusted sources in the industry tell me that it’s a good rod. I know no more than that unfortunately.
Hi Totos,
After I asked you about fighting with big fish on rocky area, under your “Why so expensive when max drag is so little?” page, I listen your advise and I took a “dinasaur” grouper last weekend. I am enjoying and taking result from spj with my old speed jigging set up but I belive that it will be more fun to play with proper toys. So, I decided to buy a spj rod and an overhead reel. After checking every seller here (in turkey) I found out that your A and B classified rods are not in the market. If I order from japan rod+shipping+custom tax being unresonable. After eliminating not japanese brends, I can eighter buy MAJOR CRAFT NP-JACK NJB-65/5SP or Tailwalk Salty Shape Dash SPJ 633. They are more or less same price. Which one would you take? Or its better if I dont spend my money to them? Please emai me if you dont want to answer here (I know you dont want to hurt anybody =)
Thanks in advance, and thanks for being a guru to us.
Hi Atila.
I’m really happy that you are enjoying your successful fishing and coming into slow pitch jigging. Thank you very much for your considerate manner to ask your question. I’m an amateur angler. I don’t belong to anyone.
I wouldn’t go to those Class C rods. Is there any way you can get Class A or B from Europe? I would look more before settling with the last option.
Hello again Toto San,
As mentioned by one of the anglers we would really appreciate ypur updated graded/ranked list of slow pitch rods now that alot of rods have already come out in the market. Thanks again and more power!
Hello Totos-san,
I made some inquiries and found out that the Shimano Ocea Jigger Infinity B652 / B653 rods (http://fishing.shimano.co.jp/product/rod/3531) are made in Indonesia. I know the brand has strict quality control, but what are your thoughts on this matter?
Hi James.
I don’t hear any bad reputations about this Shimano rod. Not particularly better reputations than slow jerker, beat or deepliner either. I’ve never used it in the field, so I’m in no place to evaluate it either. Shimano has invited one of the slow pitch experts in their team to design this rod, field test it for so many times, and supervise the production and promotion. It will all come down to the trust in the end.
Hello totos,
Thanks for the efforts you put into your site, Its the best slow pitch jigging encyclopedia!
I just wanted to ask if you heard about or tried the abu garcia salty stage krx jigging rods. Thats the only slow pitch rod availble in my country at the moment. I need a rod for my trinidad tn16na, but I’m hesitating over it as I cant find proper reviews/videos online. The model Im interested in is the SJC63 / 250g jig weight. I have sunline pe3 on my reel. I fish with drift chute, 40m-150m depth.
Thanks for any advice, cheers and keep up the great work!
Hi Chris.
I see some people say it’s pretty good for such a low price.
I would encourage to just start hitting water with it. I understand you use sea-anchor, which is good. But stay in the shallow half of your field. 40m to 80m. It’s much more easier to stay vertical. Jig weight range from 150g to 260g. Power 4 rod would do.
Good luck!
Hi totos I am fishing know with hots Gen 3 stilleto 64M and the rod max says 270gr max. I use know for 4months and I see that the rod in 70meters depth is max 180gr jigs and in 130meters the best jig is 130gr to 150grmaximum why the company writes 270gr max. The braid I use is berkley superfireline pe2.5
I start slow pitch jigging with majorcraft giant killing and I’m very happy of the rod catch many fish but know with hots I’m better but in fact giant killing looks more fat rod and it’s 100- 180gr and hots witch is max 270gr is much thinner what is your opinion about that? Should I keep hots for shallow water and fish with giant killing deeper?
Hi Monos.
Slow pitch rods are supposed to be highly-resilient, thin-walled, and hyper-sensitive. So it’s easy to bent, and strong to kick back up. Also the sensitivity picks up a lot of information about the jig moves and the current situations.
Major Craft does not suit these criteria. That is why it’s class C. Hot’s is much better slow pitch rod.
But, hell, if it’s working for you, you should go with it. You don’t have to be limited to what slow pitch jigging is supposed to be done. If it’s working, that is your answer. When it’s not working, change something and see what happens.
I’m not quite sure what you mean.
You find 180g the most effective at 70m, and 130g at 130m?
It all depends on how vertical you are. The jig weight is just one factor of being vertical.
And the rod spec has nothing to do with what jig is the most effective. The spec just indicates how light / heavy the rod is anyway. You should not be limited by the spec. The rod designer found this model effective at the softest action tone with a 270g jig under a certain condition. In the same condition, (we don’t know what condition that is), he found other models effective in the softest action tone with lighter or heavier jig. That’s how he rates a series of his rod models. The spec does not tell you what jig weight you should use.
Please rephrase your question if I’m not answering what you want a reply to.
Hi Totos, thank you very much for all your information, I currently have a Major Craft Crostage Slow Pitch B63 / 4 of 80 lures up to 150 gr. I have found a good offer to buy a Shimano Game Type J B681 and B684, my doubt is that model buy, the lures I use as a maximum of 150 gr. And the maximum depth of up to 60 meters, I am aware that the rod can not lower it much more than 90 degrees, and would need not be very fragile, is to use in the kayak so I thank you for all your help. The braid used is a Duel X Wire 8 – PE 2.
I would like to know if with the B681 I could use lures that have 150 gr. And if the weight that could withstand with inclination of 90 gr. Or if with the model B684 could move lures of 60 gr. onwards.
Can you help me choose between these two models of Shimano Game type J? Many thanks and a hug from Spain
Hi Carcharinus.
The rod selection is supposed to be based on the water resistance and jig weight range.
I understand you are fishing in the shallow waters up to 60 meters. The water resistance you will get in this depth greatly depends on how your boat is operated too. If you are free-drifting, you have no control how vertical you are, and the water resistance can be substantial.
Now, the rod spec tells you what jig weight range the rod can handle. But you do not have to follow this at all. It just gives you an idea how heavy the rod is.
If you use B681, at 60m, with 100g, and the drift is controlled by a captain, the rod will probably be in medium action tone.
If you use 150g, and you are vertical, the rod will probably be in soft action tone.
If you use 150g, and you are not vertical, the rod will probably be in very very soft action tone. Probably too soft to move the jig.
So it’s like this. I don’t have the answer, but if you are free-drifting, B681 should be too soft to use in any depth.
Thank you very much for your quick reply, so I’ll decide on the B684 model. On the other hand, a XZOGA Black Buster XREVO BBX SFC 6612 has just been released, which looks fantastic, but being so new, there is not much information. Can you take a look at the features and give me your opinion of this rod?
Thank you very much and sorry for the inconvenience.
Xzoga always makes it look like it’s a Japanese brand, but it’s not. And it’s not in Japan market.
There’s very little I can tell about the rod from the specs. Sorry, but I can’t help you there.
Thank you for your answer, I will definitely buy the shimano game type J B684.
Thanks for everything
I mean if I put a 130gr jig in 130meters with hots I see the tip coming back more aggressive than if I put a 180gr jig in the same deapth. in shallow water for example I use 180 gr.i see on Malta tackle site that with seafloor control jigs they use jigs heavier than the rod dance.is it better for the rod to work it as soft setting or hard setting?
Hi Manos.
so, the rod kicks better with 130g than 180g??? It seems impossible if all other conditions are really the same. Current can be different. Wind, line, jig type, or something should have been different.
Have you checked out this article?
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
Knowing the action tone is one of the key factors for the success of slow pitch jigging. Jig type should match the action tone.
my friend toto hi
i need your help and opinion. i wanna buy a rod and i am between evergreen poseidon slow jerker
and ZENAQ Fokeeto FB62-4 IKARI.what do you recomend????????
Fokeeto is not even considered as a slow pitch jigging rod. It’s not that one is better or worse. But if you are planning to start slow pitch jigging, Fokeeto is no comparison to Slow Jerker, which the founder of slow pitch jigging designed and uses.
Hi I would like to know if the shimano game type J B684 would serve me to move well lures from 100 to 150 gr in depths of approx. 40 m. Thank you
Hi Luis.
Yes, I think this power 4 rod is good for your condition.
Good luck.
Hi Totos
wish you are doing well , some rods in their websites wrote jig weight from to for example 40g to 120g , but you write average 120g . as my understanding I am don’t have to go with a jig our of the range written on the rod , but what I understand from you that I can go higher or lower , did it affect the performance ?
thanks
Hi Ahmed.
Yes, you can use any jig weight with any rod model. And the jig weight is only one of the water resistance factors that the rod works against. You just want to be able to judge what kind of action tone you are in with your rod. This is the key to the success of slow pitch jigging.
Here’s another post for your reading.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
Hi Toto,
Thanks for this great website…you are the one.
I would like to ask your opinion about the combination i plan to buy. Black hole max 350 gr & boss vailant accurate 300. Hope to hear from you.
Thanks and best regards,
Hi Cenk.
I don’t know either Black Hole rod or Accurate reel since they are not available in Japan.
You will be fishing at 40m – 90m depth on a sea-anchored boat. My recommend is power 4 rod, slow jerker 603-4 equivalent. The reel looks sufficient as far as I see in the specs.
If you seek more assistant for your personal situations, you can always send me an email.
Good luck.
Hello Sir
I was wondering if I can use 200 g jigs withe the majorcraft crostage 5sp 180g rod is it ok or should I stick to the max weight recommended?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Michael.
No you don’t have to follow the max weight.
Jig weight is just one of the factors that the rod works against. Depending on the balance on both sides, you will have different degrees of what I call ‘action tone’
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
I wouldn’t say “Ignore what the rod says”, but knowing what action tone your rod is in is one of the key factors to successful slow pitch jigging.
Good luck.
Really thanks for your efforts and knowledge
Really appreciated
Thanks again
Hi Toto,
thank you for your great support for our sport. i am a guide and an avid angler in Colombia south america fishing the eastern pacific. i have done very much popping and live bait as well as speed jigging and want to get into slow pitch for fooling more species and numbers of fish. I have hopes this will be great for rooster fish, grouper, snapper, almaco and amberjack.
What slow jerker model is appropriate for catching big fish in 20-70 meters (40 pound amberjacks or 50 pound roosterfish). thinking i want to pair with ocea 1500hg??
really i have no idea about slow jigging. all advice is veryyy welcome. please if you can give me some idea of best jig sizes i need for different situations and what is the best rod for me (can handle more different situations). My plan is to catch big strong fish, what is the heaviest i can go with line?
i understand 4 rods is ideal, but what is the best rod for me given can only purchase one.
thank you very much for your time i greatly admire you!
take care,
Alberto Mejia
Hi Alberto.
I’m sure slow pitch jigging will be a jewell in your recipes.
It depends on how your boat operates while fishing too, (you are probably free-drifing) but I will recommend Power 4 rod. It’s important for you to understand these.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
Jig weight from 150g to 240g. Rod selection is not based on the catch size. In our mind, it should be based on the action tones you want to play.
If you are after big fish, PE3.0 is recommended. The heavier line you use, the more big catch rate you will get. The lighter line you use, the more contact rate you will get. It’s your game and your gamble. Start with PE3.0 and you will decide you size down or up once you get used to it. Because you need to get contacts to learn too.
The reel. It should be OJ2000NR-HG if you are after big fish. 1500 is too small.
Send me an email at info@anglers-secrets.com if you want to buy slow pitch tackles with me.
Good luck.
Hi Totos,
I’m Kamrul from Malaysia. I must congratulate u for this informative website.
Lately, I’d come across Deepliner Logical rods which are quite similar in looks with the Slow Jerker. These rods are more expensive than the Slow Jerker in Malaysia. How do u compare the Deepliner with the Slow Jerker?
Additionally, I would like to hear your opinion on Takamitechnos jigging rods. Are they good?
Currently I have PSLJ 603-4 & 603-6 in my arsenal. I fish in the range of 40m – 70m of water.
Thanks and regards,
Kamrul
Malaysia
Hi Kamrul.
Deepliner is definitely the top of the line, but it feels a little different than Slow Jerker. it’s hard to describe, but when you lift the rod and put the weight on it, these 2 rods bear the weight and spring differently. It’s not which is better or worse. Just different. If you already have Slow Jerker, I would add another Slow Jerker.
I’ve only had Takamitechnos in a shop. Of course it feels different but I can’t say much about that.
Sorry, but I can’t make much suggestions on this kind of questions, because it’s really up to your preferences.
Totos,
Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate your insights.
Thanks & regards,
Kamrul Anuar
Malaysia
Hi Totos and everybody,
what about the Tenryu progressive compare it with the Tenryu SL,
is anyone know the differences?
Thanks
Progressive is made with more expensive parts. Basically it’s an upgraded version of SL. I liked the feel of the blanks. Crisp but tenacious. But I’ve never tested it in the field and I don’t remember what SL felt like, so no comparison.
Hey Totos,
I am looking for a rod to fishing in 200m to 400m of water using 300g to 800g jigs. Would the Poseidon long fall Jerker PLFJ 77 XH or the PHPJ 410 be good options for this application? What are your recommendations
Thanks
Christian
Trinidad & Tobago
Hi Christian.
It really depends on how vertical you are.
But for that depth, without the spanker sail, I assume you are not so vertical. And if you are not, longfall rod would not work. Using a highpitch rod in big slow pitch actions will work better.
Totos,
Thank you for your reply.
I’m either going to go with the PHPJ 410 or the PHPJ 501
Hi! Please advise me 2-pieces baitcasting rods for the slow pitch of class B with test up to 150 grams. Thank you
Hi Serje.
Well… no… I don’t recommend 2-piece rod. It loses too much sensitivity.
I know what you mean, though.
Thank you, Totos!
Then help me, please choose a one-piece spinning, Yamaga and Evergreen.
I catching at a depth from 20 to 40 meters.
What a specific models of Yamaga and Evergreen suit me?
Thanks!
I like Yamaga. It’s affordable and solid built. Evergreen can be really specified for certain games and not very versatile. Any light boat jigging rod will do. Yamaga has a micro jigging rod you may be interested in. Sea Walk series.
Thank you, Totos!
Thank you for your answers!
Let me ask you some more questions?
As I wrote above, I to catch fish at depths of 20 to 40 meters. (Maybe I’ll change the captain, and then the maximum depth will be 60 meters)
I bought a fishing reel Shimano 2017 Ocea Jigger 1501hg
But I still have not decided about rod.
Tell me, please, for my conditions, what kind of best to buy
If Yamaga is 63/2 or 63/3?
If Evergreen is 603-3 or 603-4?
I would not want to buy very light set, because I will be have to buy a new rod when changing a fishing conditions. I would like to buy something than I could catch and at a depth of 20-30 meters and 40-60 meters simultaneously.
I understand that this is not so simple.
But I need to choose something compromise.
Also, I will be very thank if you advise me the good line.
I know that I need braided line of 1.5PE 300m
Daiwa J-Braid multicolor 1.5PE 300m – a good choice?
or I found an inexpensive option
Shimano Ocea Jigger Mx4 PE 1.5 300m PL-O74P / 47628
My friend catches on
Duel Hardcore X8 1.5 300m Multicolor, but that is strange for me becouse this is not jigging line.
Or will you advise me something else?
Thank you for your help!
Hi Serje.
It depends on how vertical you can stay vertical too, but it sounds like you should get a power 3 rod. 603-3 equivalent. Yamaga is a good slow pitch rod too. 63/3 is a power 3 rod. With 120g to 230g jigs.
As far as I know, Shimano EX8 is the best. It’s strong. And it’s braided in a way that it catches little water influence. The rest is about the same. I would choose what’s made in Japan, though.
Thank you, Totos!
If I want to buy from you used A grade Evergreen Poseidon Slow Jerker 603-3
Do you have delivery to Israel?
What postal service do you use for delivering?
What will be final price with a shipment?
Hi Serje.
Unfortunately I don’t have an used rod in stock right now. I have my rod builder friend check on every used rods I sell, but he’s taking a long leave. I won’t have used rods for a while, I’m afraid.
It’s a 2-meter long, 1-piece rod. An oversized package. EMS (post service) can’t take anything longer than 150cm. I ship with FedEx
with which I have a better rate available for you. Still, the rod shipping is a headache for every private importers. If you ship
several rods in one package (possibly you can share shipping with your friends?), the shipping fee per rod will be much cheaper.
FedEx Economy for 1 rod to Israel, JPY15,600
FedEx Economy for 2 or 3 rods to Israel, JPY20,000
Hi, Totos!
What can you say something about Xesta Slow Emotions?
Do you recommend them?
If so, what of their rods fits me for the jig to 150 grams?
Thank you very much for your help for beginners.
Hi Serje.
Xesta is good. If you can source it locally, you should get it.
Sounds like Power 3 case.
But I’m not so sure how you came up with 150g jig.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
Give me these info and I’ll be more sure with my suggestion.
Yes, I can buy locally a Xesta one third cheaper than any other option. If this is a good rod for a slow pitch I would prefer to save this money.
But I do not understand what kind of test suits me.
Evergreen I wanted to buy 603-3
Constantly I fishing at a depth of 20-30 meters, but sometimes I go out to a depth of 40-60 meters
And I do not have a plan go deeper.
Hi Serje.
Yea, Power 3 rod should be OK for you.
With Xesta, B683 is Power 3 rod.
Good luck.
Hi Totos!
I’m at a loss.
I asked the same question on the official site of Xesta and they claim that for jigs from 80 to 150 grams I need a model B601 (or B691 for a long fall)
What do you think about this?
Hi Serje.
The confusion comes from just looking at the rod spec.
You have to understand the action tone.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-how-should-i-match-the-rod-to-the-jig/
All Japanese makers rate the rods with an assumption that you are fishing from spankered boat and staying vertical. If you are vertical, any rods can play any weights. If you are free-drifting and not vertical, you need more power rod, at least power 4. And of course you need heavier jigs too.
Hi Totos,
Thanks for the awesome and informative site.
I recently saw the Deepliner Logical series of rods.
How would you rate them in terms of grading against the ones you stated above.
Regards
Aaron
Deepliner rods are definitely Class A!
hi totos, have u use jigging master slow jigging rod and deepliner rod. my friends said this two brand are good and even better than evergreen slow jigging rods. what you think? thank you.
I don’t know Jigging Master as it’s not available here.
Deepliner rod is definitely Class A rod.
It should be your preference that determines which you like better. Sato Sensei, Hirota of SFC and many other experts love Slow Jerker and it’s what they have always used. It’s a preference, just like your friend has.
I recommend to get any Class A rod. And the rod you learned slow pitch with is the one you will love. Don’t worry too much.
Hi Toto can you please help me how do I purchase a posiden evergreen slow jig rod . I don’t know we’re to buy one from
Hi Michael.
I will send you an email to discuss that.
Hi, Toto
Thank you for your website and such great information.
I just want to ask you, how much for delivery cost to sydney if i buy the rod from you?
I interested with Slow Jerker 603-4 or 603-6 which is on the list in your shopping store.
Thanks.
Hi Chris.
It’s a 2-meter long, 1-piece rod. An oversized package. EMS (post service) can’t take anything longer than 150cm. I ship with FedEx
with which I have a better rate available for you. Still, the rod shipping is a headache for every private importers. If you ship
several rods in one package (possibly you can share shipping with your friends?), the shipping fee per rod will be much cheaper.
FedEx Economy for 1 rod to Australia, JPY13,400
FedEx Economy for 2 or 3 rods to Australia, JPY16,000
Let me know when you need my help. Cheers!
I’ve found a freight forwader that charge by actual weight to my country upto 250cm in length. Can i get an estimated weight (actual weight not volumetric weight) of Slow Jerker 603-4 after packaging for shipping.
Hi Toleri.
The package size will be 6cm x 6cm x 200cm, and weights 1.5kg.
Let me know if you need my help.
Comments may take time to reply from time to time. Please send me an email to info@anglers-secrets.com
Thank you.
Hi Totos, I love your website. I write from spain and the betters slow jigging rod must be imported directly from Japan and including transport and taxes are very much expensive. I am looking for the domestical market.
I am going to fish in 50-60 meters and interested in three models:
Daiwa Saltiga Slow Jig Baitcast 64B4,
Graphiteleader protone 642-4
Palms Metal Witch Quest Slow Jigging 633SR
I know all they are C class, can you said which is your election between this three?
HI Luis.
We are already communicating with emails, so I won’t discuss much here.
But I would not buy Palms or Protone.
Hi totos, thank you for your answer, I send you a email
Hi Totos!
I’m Oleg from Russia, Vladivostok and I want to start the slow pitch jigging. Thank you very much for your informative web site. Have you ever heard about “Uzaki Nissin rod Leopard SLOW JIGGING” or ”ZEN ZAGAN ZERO GRAVITY ZZSP661B2A-ZG HIGH POWER”. Your opinion is very important for me.The depth is from 30 to 90 meters. in most cases it will be cod and hiramasa.
Thanks!
Hi Oleg.
These are the rods you can get locally?
Nissin is a Japanese brand. A blanks manufacturer. But not much good reputations in general. I don’t know anything about it, though.
Zen Zagan is not a Japanese brand. As far as I can see in the website and movies, it doesn’t look appealing to me.
But if these are the only rods you can get locally, I encourage you to go out in the field with either of them and start learning in the field. If you like the game, you can always upgrade your tackles.
Hi Totos,
How does the rod length affect jigging actions ? Take for example, Deepliner have 3 ranges, the 55, 60 and 70 series.
Why have different lengths for each ratings, this make the rod selection complicated for me.
After going through many Japanese websites and google search, I still couldn’t find any sites that could explain to me on what situations where the deepliner Logical 55 is better than the Logical 60.
The Logical 55 is a shorter rod but for slow pitch jigging, I would like to know how a shorter rod affects the jig actions under different circumstances (wind, current) etc. The closest explanation I could find on the website (using Google translation) for the Japanese blog site is the shorter Logical 55 “is a trump card for challenging situations.” But I couldn’t understand what it means by challenging situations. So generally speaking, how does length of the rod affects slow pitch jigging ? I am really confused and undecided whether to go for Logical 60 or 55 ? I have spent hours searching for comparison reviews but wasn’t successful. And really appreciate you or any readers can share your thoughts and reviews.
Thank you very much.
Hi SPJ.
I updated this page and added Deepliner rod. Please refer to the article.
It is indeed confusing. They have too many models. 3 lengths of all the different rod power models. That simply shows the perfectionism of Captain Higashimura.
But to be honest, I think in the marketing point of view, it was a failure. The market is not big enough for such diversity. As a result, there have been only a few models in the market in Japan. Even if you can pin spot a specific model of a specific length, you can’t expect to see it in stock.
The rod is great if you can find it. 60 is the versatile recommended rod. If you are free-drifting and under a lot of water resistance, 55 may be better. If this is your first rod, #4 or #5 is recommended and I encourage to explore 50m to 80m of water to start with.
What would you recomend for my area in the mediterranean?? I do Free-drifting main targets Demersal fish and around 40 meters deep sometimes less. max jigs weight 200 gram.
You are specially in shallow waters, and I recommend Power 3 rod. By saying max jig weight 200g at such shallow waters, you are probably right in choosing such heavy weight to stay vertical. You may need Power 4 rod in some tough conditions but mostly Power 3 should be fun to play with.
Dear Totos, what do you think about the brand tailwalk I have one tailwalk but the lure weight is for max 150 gram and with a Zoka of 200 gram is just too much I think (while I have live cuttlefish is how I fish here, also I see some use Bait casting rod Prohunter Kaido 682MH, of an action of 150-300 and it looks very soft … and to be honest I don’t know what a Bait casting rod is…. they sell here in Spain also the Xzoga 6313 until max weight 200 Gram.
Please read one of my facebook posts.
https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseAnglersSecrets/posts/1569035683184277
Sorry I was walking while I wrote and after reading myself I realize I don’t make much sense sorry for this.
Basically what I want is a good Jigging rod that I can use with a zoka for around 3 months a year here and the rest of the year with a regular slow jig. I don’t want to have lot’s of rods and I prefer 1 good one than 3 bad ones.
Thanks again for your time and sorry for trouble.
Hi Rafa.
I’m not sure what you are asking.
The rod model selection depends mainly on the following factors.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
Hi Totos, I’m new with this that’s why I explain so badly sorry for this.
I was fishing now at 40 meter, and usually free drifting. But lately I was anchoring myself.
I just got a new boat license and finally can go further will go to new places 80 meter deep and also free drifting and as I go sometimes alone but it’s a small boat of 6,20 meter I control it myself.
In winter I fish Demersal fish and in summer include Pelagic.
Hi Rafa.
Congratulations for your new boat.
Have you read this article?
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/faq-why-does-it-have-to-be-so-vertical-for-slow-pitch-jigging/
Staying vertical is the key. Reversing the boat toward the wind is another way. It works well in some conditions.
I would suggest to explore from 50m to 80m of water with Power 4 rod. If you can stay vertical, I would recommend Power 3 rod, but I think Power 4 rod is a safe choice because you need more rod power when you are not vertical and under a lot of water resistance.
Don’t count on the jig weight rating in the rod specs. It differs by how the rod designer looks at slow pitch jigging. You should consider that it’s just one way to rate how light or heavy the model is in comparison in their lineup.
Xzoga is not a Japan brand. They always try to look like a Japanese brand but they are not. They are not selling in Japan market at all. I don’t know how good their rods are and how they rate the rods. I would doubt the quality anyway just for their attitude of faking to be a Japanese brand. They wouldn’t do that if they are proud of their products.
If you look more, I’m sure you can find other rods in Europe now.
Hi Toto, thank you for your information. I brought jigging rod two year ago to do some jigging in the Dry Tortugas where there is a lot of big fish. This was before I came across your website. The rod is a Shimano Game Type J ( 14GTYPJS586 5’8″ Extra Extra Heavy 65lb Line Wt) I also paired it with a Talica 16 2-speed, but I am open to change out the reel for a different setup for this rod. I would appreciate any advice you can give on reels and jigs that would make this setup great!!
Thanks
Mah0sxu
Hi Mah0sxu.
OK. It seems your tackle is over heavy. I need to know more about your fishing conditions.
Please send me an email through contact form and tell more the followings.
– What is your main depth range? If you narrow it to a 30 meter range, what would that be?
– How is your boat operating while fishing? Free-drifting? Drifting with sea-anchor? Or controlled drift by the captain?
– What are your main targets? Pelagic fish? Demersal fish? Or both?
Toto, Thanks for your response,
To be more specific, I started going to the Dry Tortugas 5 year ago on the Yankee Capt. Out of Key West, Florida. My trips target Mutton Sapper and grouper, but anything can hit your line, Pelagic, and Demersal. The boat anchors in 180 to 250 feet. The first jigging I bought was a Shimano Game Type J ( 14GTYPJB605).with a Shimano Twin Power 10,000. I hooked up with an Amber Jack, and the rod broke into two. Shimano replaced it with a heavier rod a Shimano Game Type J (14GTYPJS586). I would like to start from the beginning and find the reel and jigs to complement the rod. Thanks again for your help.
Mah0sxu
Hi Michale.
So you are on an anchored boat around 60 meters deep. I assume it’s a party boat?
Well there is no way to do slow pitch jigging from an anchored boat. If you want to do slow pitch jigging, you should find another boat who at least tries to keep you somehow vertical.
But slow pitch jigging is your goal? Or a mean? If catching fish from that anchored boat is your goal, it does not have to be, or it should not be, spj. Spinning would work better. And you did hook an AJ. That is great. I am sorry the rod broke, but it means that your method worked. I think you should build up from there. Micro jigging with tiny tungsten jigs would be interesting, I think.
Greetings Totos
What it mean max jig weight on a rod for example Shimano game type b682 is 160g .? Is it mean 160g it’s soft settings or normal slow pitch
Thanks
Hi Ahmed.
I recently wrote an article on Facebook about that.
https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseAnglersSecrets/posts/1569035683184277
Know that jig weight spec is just a little indication of how light or heavy that rod is, compared with other models n the lineup.
HiToto….I’m going to buy the xesta slow pitch emotion jerk B-682 150gr for the discounted price.The depth of action reaches a maximum of 80 meters …. what do you think? Would it fit or is undersized? thanks and congratulations for the kindness and competence of your answers
Hi Fischer.
No, don’t! Power 2 would be too light for you. You are free-drifting, right?
You should know all the Japanese slow pitch rod specs are based on spankered boat which keeps you vertical. And usually you are not that vertical. You need at least Power 4 rod if you are fishing at 80 meters deep.
See more in my facebook post.
https://www.facebook.com/JapaneseAnglersSecrets/posts/1569035683184277
Hi Totos,
Shimano Ocea Jigger Infinity Motive Rods (for slow pitch jigging)
I am looking at the Shimano Ocea Jigger Infinity Motive Rod, B610-5. This rod has a beautiful cork grip. They have recently released new models B610-0, B610-1 and B610-2. I am quite impressed with the rod, and wondered are they considered Class A rods in your opinions. I read from translation that these are 2 piece butt-joint rods. I can’t seem to find any information and reviews on this rod. I love its cork grip(just like Beats propagate).
Can you shed some light ? Below is the specs in Japanese and I don’t understand Japanese, sorry.
Specs below:
B610-5
ジグMAX：MAX450g+α
中深海狙い : 水深～350m+α
青物狙い : 水深～160m+α
大型魚も想定した5番パワー。450gクラスのジグまで対応し、青物狙いで160m+α、中深海では水深350m+αも視野に入る。
推奨リールは1500番～3000番。
Hi SPJ.
Yes, I would say it’s Class A rod.
I have talked to a Shimano engineer and he told me all the ideas of developing this rod. It makes sense to me. I wish I could test the rod in the field and confirm on those ideas.
Hi Totos,
i have a evergreen rod PSLJ with dark blue color.
currently i noticed some PSLJ product come with red color. is it fake or originally made by evergreen?
many thanks,
Hi Nasution06
I don’t know. I’m very surprised to see red slow jerker on the web. No, I’ve never heard of it in Japan.
But it looks too real for a fake model, like the logo, the tag, the reel seats, the guides. They must have come from somewhere inside. Everything looks so real except the blanks. Evergreen is a very stylish brand, and I think this red blanks is too ugly to be Evergreen. Hahaha. I don’t know.
I just don’t understand why they only sell it in Thailand and Indonesia.
I was told these are special editions by Evergreen and they are not fake. The price tag is higher. So I bought the usual color, since I was told performance wise they are the same. Anyway color is a personal thing. Above is what I heard. I am not sure if it’s true.
Of course they would say that. It’s all hearsay. You have to use your own judgement.
The fact that there is no such thing in Japan, the way it is popping out in Southeast Asia, I would say it is very fishy. I was not being personal about the color. If you look at Evergreen website, you would think this show-off red color is not their style. I don’t think it is made by Evergreen in Japan, at least.
i could not find evegreen fishing contact email address.
i wish they can clarify the red PSLJ rod
hi, this is Dave of Lure Haven
i would like the clarify that the Red Limited slow jerker is indeed bulit by Evergreen.
we are the distributor for Evergeen in S.E Asia. Evergreen have been part our us since a decade ago. Why u dont see in the catalogue, coz its a special order by Lure Haven. we have lots of lure & jigs from all the top japanese brands in colors that differs from the catalogue, that doesnt mean that they are fakes. coz they are custom to suit the local needs & design. hope that the above will clear some misunderstanding.
thank you for your support of evergreen products.
Regards
Dave
Hi Totos..how about OJ 1501HG pair with Horizon SL?
Hi AFS.
The reel should be selected for your depth and your jig weight range mainly. The reel can be matched up with any rod model if that matches. OJ1501HG is a very good jigging reel. If you are free-drifting, it’s probably good shallow waters under 70 meters. I would recommend OJ2001NR-HG if you fish deeper than that.
Thank Totos for your advice..i will catch it soon
Hi Toto-san
Thanks for the great articles!
Beat has 2 new model: Propagate TORZITE and Propagate BLX.
Did you try them?
How are them if compare with Poseidon slow jerker?
Thanks!
Hi Kogo.
Beat is definitely A class rod. Excellent models. A little softer than Slow Jerker, I think.
Hi Totos and Everyone..
I have used the Deepliner 6 Logical heaviest rating rod at #8 with the following setup..
* CX 600 grams jig with Shimano Ocea Jigger (the current was quite strong and boat captain is struggling to spanker)
* Shimano EX8 coloured metered line PE2.0 600m
* Shimano Ocea Jigger NRHG 2000 reel
* Depth of Ocean between 150-180 meters
The whole experience was a very challenging and tiring. I am an experienced angler but jigging 600 grams for hours is a different story altogether. I was told that Deepliner Mania Fellows would make it easier to take very heavy jig.
I am concerned with the action of Deepliner Mania Fellows as the rod is rather short although some models can take more than 1kg weight jigs.
Appreciate your advice or anyone advice who have used a Deepliner Mania Fellows rod.
Thank you.
P.S: I currently own Deepliner, Ocea Jigger Infinity rods all in their heaviest rating to take heavy jigs.
Hi SPJ.
It sounds like a tough exercise indeed!
I just posted a related facebook post that I would like you to check out.
Only generally speaking, if the heaviest slow pitch rod doesn’t work, use a high-pitch rod. Captain Higashimura of Deepliner uses Mania Fellows for giant groupers in the deep, Logical for smaller and less active fish like blackthroat perch at 200m+
But I don’t know a Mania Fellows would have helped your situation. It sounds like your captain was trying to keep you vertical, but without the spanker sail, sometimes it’s very difficult. Japanese captains used to have difficult times before the innovation of spanker sail.
A high-pitch rod would help you move the jig more in the deep. But depending on the ocean condition and the verticality, any rod may not allow slow pitch jigging. Hi-speed jigging may work better because it will reel in the line fast and at least move the jig.
Also you should consider upgrading your reel. In the heavy water situation, you need a power in your reel. I’m not talking about you, but a lot of times I see anglers, when they make actions, reeling when the line is not tensioned. So they don’t see the need for the reel torque. They are just pumping the rod, in which the jig is just slowly being pulled up. You are supposed to reel when the line is tensioned to lift up the jig. When the line is not tensioned by your rod actions, you are supposed to not reel and let the jig fall.
Anyway, I think you need more power reel when you fish in the deep.
Or, just think it was a bad day. Due to all the factors to make the water heavy, some days are just not for slow pitch jigging.
Thank you Totos for your reply.
For me, I only reel in when the line is tensioned. And I also watched a lot of DVDs on slow pitch jigging from Japan (all the instructions on the DVD are in Japanese, LOL) but my passion in slow pitch jigging keeps me going.
I have since bought a SOM L120 Narrow Spool for this purpose. The power of the crank is stronger. Having said that, lifting a Deepliner CX 600 grams is a very strenuous exercise. My hands have painful blister after that. I also realised #8 can hardly handle a 600 grams jig. The recovery action of the stroke (bounce) was weak with a 600 grams. The feeling is like fishing with a dumb-bell.
Ever since that trip, I know my physical limits, 450 grams is OK, but 600 grams is physically very challenging to fish for hours. By the way, the Deepliner #8 handle 450 grams very well, and I think it is a perfect match for me. I saw your post on SFC Spunky 300 grams and wonder if Jig design could be the answer to the water resistance I am facing in each upstroke.
My new setup for the next strong current trip for depth up to 180m would likely be:
Rod: Deepliner Logical 60 #8
Reel: SOM L120N
Line: Shimano EX8 PE2.5 600meters
Leader: Shimano Ocea FC 40 -50 lb (8m Long)
Jig: Deepliner CX 450 and 550 grams, SFC Spunky 390grams.
So let’s see how it goes. I will limit the jig weight to below 500grams.
I don’t think my rod can recover that well in my pitching stroke if I go above that.
And I am not sure if the reel SOM L120N which is much heavier than Ocea Jigger 2000 NRHG is making it better or worse for fatigue using heavy jigs.
hi, what class A rod you recommend for jigging in 70-150 m from a big “free drifting” party boat in Florida and Gulf of Mexico using 200-500 gm jigs? the boat is at least 3-4 meters high above the sea level. Most of the jigging (80%) will be done around 80 m using 200-300 gm jigs but occasionally we go deeper to 130-150 m and use 400-500 gm jigs. Thanks
Hi Nasser.
Did you check out this post?
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/slow-pitch-jigging-on-a-free-drifting-boat/
The rod model should be power 4 rod or heavier.
Hello Totos,
I would firstly like to thank you for this amazing website, before this page i had many questions and very little knowledge about slow jigging. Your page is very informative and answers majority of question a beginner is seeking.
Now its time for me to put your theories into practice, before i do i need to select the right outfit for the job. Could you please help?
i will be free drifting majority of the time, fishing roughly about 50-100 meters, the main targets will be snapper, coral species (groupers) and the occasional kingfish. Reading your website i have selected from your class a rods Poseidon, i just don’t know whether i should go for the power #4 or #5.
Thank you
Hi John.
Thank you very much for your compliment. I’m happy that my website helped you start SPJ.
Yes, you are right about the rod model. Power 4 or 5.
Please check out this post if you haven’t.
http://anglers-secrets.com/v2020/slow-pitch-jigging-on-a-free-drifting-boat/
Hi Totos!
Wondering if you’ve had any experience with Poseidon’s Long Fall Jerker lineup? I’m interested in doing light kinmedai slow jigging in Minami Izu, and they are recommending 300-400 gram jigs on pe 1-1.5. I was thinking of a PLFJ 710H-5 on an Ocea Jigger 1500H or a SOM L30Hi. Thanks again for all the help!
Mark
Hi Totos,
XESTA Slow Emotion Rods
How would you rate the Xesta Slow Emotion Rod ? I am using Deepliner and Evergreen Poisedon currently but is also curious about whether Xesta are Class A in your category ? Specifically I am interested in the B685 model. Their series seems very light and does not cover heavy jig weights above 400g.
Xesta Slow Emotion Rod B683 – For Slow Pitch Jerk
Length : 6’8″ (2.04m)
Section : One
Own Weight : 124gm
Jig Weight : 60 – 180gm
Recommended Line : PE2.0
Carbon Content : 99%
Xesta Slow Emotion Rod B684 – For Slow Pitch Jerk
Length : 6’8″ (2.04m)
Section : One
Own Weight : 127gm
Jig Weight : 80 – 250gm
Recommended Line : PE2.0
Carbon Content : 99%
Xesta Slow Emotion Rod B685 – For Slow Pitch Jerk
Length : 6’8″ (2.04m)
Section : One
Own Weight : 139gm
Jig Weight : 80 – 350gm
Recommended Line : PE2.0
Carbon Content : 99%
Hi SPJ.
Xesta is Class B. I like the rods. And I know Xesta staffs who are all very good slow pitch jigging anglers.
In my categorization, Class A is the top-notch, but Class B is still very sufficient and recommended.
Do not focus on the jig weight spec. B684 is Power 4 rod, Slow Jerker 603-4 equivalent. B685 is Power 5 rod, Slow Jerker 603-5 equivalent. Use your sense of action tone to balance the rod, the jig weight, and the ocean. And choose your action to match the action tone. If your action is too soft or too strong for the actual action tone, it doesn’t feel right.
If the water is light, Power 3 rod can do 400g. If the water is heavy, you may need a high pitch jerker to move a 400g jig.
The difference from Slow Jerker is very slight. But Slow Jerker feels more crisp and sensitive, more like a strong whip. Slow Jerker flexes more, and springs back more. But like I said, Class B can cover what you need in the field.
Good luck.
Hi tonto..want to as..which one is good rod…xzoga bbx(which i have one)or black hole cape cod from USA or should i get slow jerker rod
Hi Abu Hatim.
Sorry, these brands you are inquiring is not Japanese brands and I can’t say much about them. But I know there are many readers who use black hole and they seem to be happy with it.
Hello, it is almost 2019 now. Can you do a review on the newer products in the market if you know? Shimano Ocea infinity motive? Beat Propagate BLX? Thanks
Hi HY.
Infinity Motive is an interesting rod. Semi-long blanks with butt-joint 2 piece. Also firm blanks because it is designed to target deep waters. Can be very useful for your free-drifting situation.
Propagate BLX is designed to be the highest sensitivity for finesse game. But honestly, if you are free-drifting, I don’t think it’s worth the money.
Dear Totos,
I have interest in looking at the A.S.S Restoring Force, either the RF63M (up to 600gm) or MH (up to 700gm), pair with either SOM L50/120 or the Captcha 50/60HG sizes. Targeted fishing area would be Lucornia shoals/ Burma Banks at depths of up to 200-300m at max, 500-700gm jigs. However, i’m hesitating as the rods are relatively new in the market and there isn’t much info/ review done to date on the net. Would appreciate if you could share some light on these rods. Or if there was any other rod you would recommend?
Hi Totos,
Pls dont give this a miss, am waiting for your invaluable input on these rods.
Sorry. I missed this one. But I can’t help you much. This rod is new and has no reviews. I’ve seen it in an event, but you really have to use it in the field to really know the rod. And I’m still not sure, but ASS seems to be going out of business. They may sell the brand for someone to bring it back up, but for now, no promises. Right now the website has been down and CEO has been out of reach for months. It’s pretty natural that no one wants to mention it because they want to sell what they have in stock.
Good to know. Will KIV for now unless i can get it really cheap just for fun. Sad that such brand is going out of business. what a waste. I use ASS hooks mainly for my slow jigging application.
Hi Totos,
i read all the posts and i think i came up with the set i want to have for slow pitch between 50-120 meters bottom fish Grouper, Striper, Dentex etc,
So what your opinion about a rod Evergreen Poseidon slow jerker 603-4 with a reel Oj2001NR-HG?
Hi Spiros.
Yes, right on the money. Start with PE2.0 with 150g to 300g jig weight.
for the Oj2001NR-HG Shimano says PE3/400M so for PE2 how many meters?
600m of PE2.0
This is how you can calculate.
OJ1500 spec says, 300m of PE2.0, 200m of PE3.0.
OJ2000 spec says, ???m of PE2.0, 400m of PE3.0.
Therefore…?
…i forget to mention what size of PE line do you suggest? 1.5 or 2 or???
Hi Toto’s,
This site is becoming the standard for information and appreciate the hard work. I recently ended up with a couple choices in rods as there are no class A rods available around me but I would like to know what you think about black hole rods? I’m looking at a rod rated from 90-350g and it seems a very wide range. The rod I am having custom built with titanium guides and custom grips and wrapping. I am pairing it with a saltiga 35hn also I recently purchased a silver bullet from a state side company called jigging world. The rods seems nice. Did I waste my money? I’ll be jigging from a kayak in 100-250m for small dogtooth and yellowfin under 15kilos let me know. Thanks
Hi Cris. I can’t say much about the products that are not available here in Japan.
If you already purchased this setup, don’t just question your settings. I’m sure you have tried it already and maybe you didn’t have much luck. That’s why you started questioning, yes? It’s so easy to blame it on the rod, reel and the jigs. But the first question you should ask in most cases when your SPJ is not working is, are you vertical enough?
I encourage you to explore more and more with this setup, keep learning from the field (and this website!), be a good detective, and keep your mind open and flexible.
Good luck.
Hi Totos,
I haven’t tried the setup yet and although I have been studying and watching thousands of hours of videos I still have not put it to practice. The weather in my area is still to cold to SPJ unless for cod which is far from my reach in a kayak. I feel I have confidence in my setups I have chosen but the question of class A class B and C rods has me worrying whether I will have the sensitivity needed. Thanks for your input I greatly appreciate the rapid response.
Is there some way to get an accurate feel for slow pitch without spending 600.00 to 1000.00
Thanks
Tom B
Tito, Is there a way to get into an accurate feel for slow pitch without spending $600.00 to $1000.00 for equipment.
Great site.
Thanks
Tom B
Hi Tom.
Accurate is not a Japanese brand. They sell it in Japan too but it’s not so popular. It means there’s little chance to get it new or used for cheap price.
Rborkowskijr I think this was lost in translation. By accurate you probably mean the actual word and not the brand. Toto’s I think he’s asking is it possible to get a good setup for under 1000$
Chris Correct, Thank you
Chris Thanks, that’s exactly what I meant, I’m a 30/40M drift boat guy, love to jig would like to try this, but $700.00 is a lot to start with.
Hi Tom. Thank you Cris for your help.
It depends on what is available in your area. Maybe you can import a reel and a line from Japan for a descent price, but not the rod. You can send me an email and tell me what brands are available in your area for SPJ rods. Also reels.
If you just want to get the game going and see how it feels like, I would get a descent reel if I have to compromise on the rod.
Thanks for your info, I will send you an email for the equipment I’m looking at.
Thanks again.
Hi Totos,
Congratulations for the useful reference, and the effort of updating your page to keep to the new products in market.
Recently I notice a product in the Internet known as Skylla by Ocean Freaks. The slow jigging rods come in quite a wide range. It seems like a Japanese brand as the official site is in Japanese, and the reviews on the rods (as well as the reels), at least in English language, are extremely scarce.
It would be interesting to listen to your opinions, or even test review, on Skylla, Ocean Freaks. Thank you in advance.
Yes, Ocean Freaks is a Japanese brand, led by a SPJ expert who used to be a field tester for Deepliner. I’ve seen Skylla in a fishing event, but never used it in the field. I’ve heard many people say it’s nice. It’s nice. “Yea, sure, it should nice…” I can only say.
I don’t know. If you are looking for a rod, and it’s available in your area, this rod should be an option. It’s made of the finest materials and parts. It’s designed in details by the expert. Japan is a super competitive market for a new comer and this rod is just as expensive as other Class A rods. I would say he is very confident with his products.
But if you are looking for reputation, there you go, “it’s nice.”
Hi Totos,
Recently I notice a slow pitch rod that I’m not familiar with, the SKYLLA series by Ocean Freaks, with a wide range that covers from 50g – 1000g jigs. The website is mainly in Japanese, which naturally makes me think that it’s a Japanese brand.
It would be good if you could provide your opinion/experience on this rod. Thank you.
Hi Totos,
Thank you very for creating this website. I am learning alot from you.
I recently bought an ocea jigger 1001 hg reel.
I fish in a free drifting kayak from 30m-50m deep waters here in the Philippines.
I’m planning to buy a new rod. The only available choice for me now are
a. Poseidon Slow Jerker PSLJ 603-4 or 603-6;
b. Ocea Jigger Infinity B636 B653;
c. Ocea jigger infinity motive B610-0;
Which one can you recommend?
Thanks!
Power 3 would be good. Power 4 also.
Your choices are all nice rods. But Motive may be a little too long to handle on kayak.
I do kayak fishing. Totos is right. A shorter rod is easier to manage on a kayak. Because you are sitting in a fixed position, it would be easier to handle a rod no longer than 6 feet. I have Poseidon, Motive Infinity and Deepliner Rods but I won’t choose a Motive for kayak fishing.
Hello Toto,
maybe my question is a little bit out off topic, but I would like to known if an Evergreen Long Fall power 1 could be a good rod for Tenya fishing with tenya lures of about 100-200 g. In other words, the tip is enough flexible? And the rest of the rod has a good power reserve in order to lift 6-10 kg weighty fishes ?
Many thanks for your answer.
Ciao nAlberto
Hi Alberto.
No it’s a good question. I actually spent a lot of time looking for an overhead rod for deep squid eging. All the deep squid eging rod is spinning, but because we fish deeper in Okinawa here, the overhead has so many advantages. I tried my longfall jerker 3. It was good. But I ended up with a Tai Rubber rod from Daiwa, called Kohga.
I know all Tenya rod is spinning. The main reason is that they want to perform the natural falling actions. The spinning reel doesn’t give any tension to the free-spool falling, but the overhead does. Have you thought about that? Longfall Jerker should do fine, but it doesn’t make sense to me to buy it for Tenya. If you already have it, use it, of course. If you buy, I recommend Kohga overhead for the very sensitive and flexible tip. (Kohga also has Tenya series but they are all spinning). But I do think it’s important to have the no-tension fall of the spinning tackles in Tenya game. If you have trouble feeling the bottom with the spinning tackle, go lighter with the line.
Hello Totos,
many thanks for your kind and quick answer. The heart of the matter for me is the chance to leave the tenya in contact with the seabed irrespective the swell and for this I need a very flexible tip but also a conventional reel that allow to release the line in a more progressive way than spinning reel. Actually I found that I have had more bites when the tanya is resting on the seabed instead of moving it. Of course I move it sometimes only to give it the chance to be seen by the fishes. I have two Evergreen Long Fall ( 5 and 6 power) and I used them with 200g tenya. I was able to catch with them many fishes between 1 and 2 kg,and a 5 kg grouper but I find that the tip is too rigid while the rest of the rod have the right power reserve so I thought it would be better a Long Fall Action 1.5.
I try to find the Kohga rod.
Ciao
Alberto
Hi Totos,
(and all fellow anglers)
Greetings!
It has been a while since I posted any comments here.
I would like to share my experience with Tailwalk Slow Bump Tz rod that I happened to try it on a offshore trip side by side with my Deepliner rods and Shimano flagship rods. All 3 of us were using the same jigs and weight and same reels and same line. Only difference is the rod.
When I tried the Tailwalk I was pleasantly surprised by how well the rod load a 350grams slow fall jig and how little efforts from the angler to lift the rod. In contrast more efforts were needed on the other rods. To confirm my experience, I asked another angler to test them side by side and they have the same conclusion as me. What a surprise indeed. I love how well it lift as the bend trace further back to the rod handle instead of a faster taper bend. The bend on the rod were more and more curve and bend all the way nearer to the rod handle.
That’s my above review to share and purely based on my experience. We were all rather tired from a hard day of jigging when we compare the rods towards the end of the fishing day. Not sure whether they makes the feeling more obvious.
Next I would like to ask your opinion on SOM L30 S2T reel Low Gear. I hear a mix bag of good and bad things about it. Bad stuff about the quality control was getting worse. I intended to use it for slow jigging and this time I am not sure if low gear is the right choice because I find it tiring to jig a 350-450 grams jig from 120-150 meters depth on a high gear Ocea Jigger NRHG2000 for a whole day.What’s your thoughts on this choice of reel ?
Hi SPJ
Could you please tell us which Shimano rod you used? Infinity Motive? Plain old Infinity? the New plain 2019 Infinity?
Thank you
Infinity Motive 4 and Infinity Motive 5 rated rods.
Hi SPJ.
It’s always nice to see you at comments. Interesting review on Tailwalk.
I don’t hear much bad things about SOM product quality here, but if you want to replace OJ2000NRHG with L30Pw because it’s tiring, I don’t think it would make much difference. There should be a balance of speed and power in the reel, but when it comes to SPJ where one-crank action is the key factor, I don’t think you want to put low gear ahead of high gear just because it’s tiring.
I don’t know how you fish and what the conditions are, but what part of jigging all day is tiring? Lifting rods to make actions can be tiring, I understand, but when it comes to the reel, is it about retrieving back to the surface? During actions in the heavy water situation, you swing out the rod big and you can retrieve the reel while you bring down the rod and there’s no tension on the line. When you are retrieving back to the surface, have you tried this? You put your “rod-side foot” on the railing of the boat, put your “rod-side elbow” on the knee, point the rod down with the rod butt in your armpit, and retrieve. Arch your back when you do this, as it would make your effort more efficient. This is how we all do at the deep water here.
I don’t know if you already do this or if it helps you at all, but I would use OJ2000NRHG in that situation. Of course, it’s not easy. But there are ways to make it easy and you would want to make sure you try them all before you give up on your trusted equipments.
Hi SPJ
another question. Do you know if Tailwalk use Suzuki rod blanks? If so, they usually have excellents blanks !!
Thank you again
Hi Toto san,
I am looking to get a Evergreen Poseidon Long Fall PLFJ 710 M-3. Looking at the spec 80-600gm jig weight range is quite astonishing. Can I assume that it has a ultra sensitive tip to spring a 80gm and tapered as such to do the same for a 600gm given a constant depth of between 80-100m as a measure?
Thank you
Mel
Hi Mel
That wide range of the jig weight comes from how the longfall game is done. Long fall doesn’t expect the rod to kick up the jig. What it wants is to let the jig fall for as long as possible in each action.
If you are free-drifting, longfall game is not recommended, especially when you are a beginner. Because you don’t learn as much. Longfall is slow to develop, lots of time you lose line tension during your actions, and it gives time to your boat to drift further and further from your jig. You need more lifting actions to keep your jig as close to you as possible.
Hi Totto san, Your input has been most valuable. I shall follow your insights religiously. Thank you
Mel
hello everyone,
i am new here. i am looking for slow pitch rod. i currently have Jigging World Ghost Hunter 150. I see alot of nice rods on this side, where can I buy them? i am from U.S.
thank you
Olivier
I don’t know what is available in US, but I’m sure you can find some things online because I do see people getting rods from Japan. Sometimes I help people import from Japan but private import of one-piece 2-meter rods is not cheap. More than USD100 by FedEx Economy, but it can ship 2 or 3 rods. It would be good if you find some people to share the shipping.
Hi Toto,
I absolutely love that I found your site and have learnt so much from your articles about slow pitch jigging. I am very new to slow pitch jigging and would like to know your opinions on a setup that im thinking of getting (based on availability). I fish here in max 50-60m water on a drifting boat. Which setup would be ideal in these conditions?
Ocea Jigger Infinity Motive or Evergreen Posoidon. Thinking either power 3or4 (which one would you suggest?).
I came across the new ocea jigger f custom reel wanted to know your thoughts on that one. Also which size would be better for either of those rods the 1500HG or 2000HG.
Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to reply to all the messages and putting up articles. You are definitely appreciated in the community 🙂
Hi SAR.
Thank you very much for your compliments. It is my pleasure.
I suggest power 4 rod, to be safe. But rather than just sitting on a free-drifting, can you use backing up against the wind? If you have an outboard engine, your boat is likely to turn the back to the wind. Then you can control backing up to stay a little more vertical. If you can do this, power 3 will be sufficient at 50-60m water.
I recommend OJ2000NRHG. Some people prefer to use 1500 as much as possible because it’s light and small. And in your situation, 1500 should probably be sufficient. But I still recommend 2000 because 2000 is never too big a reel to handle and it’s got the power and speed in tougher or deeper situations. Custom F is the same reel with additional functions.
Good luck.
Hi Totos, thank you for your reply I really appreciate your feedback. I have made purchases of the SJ P4 and the 2000NRHG. I will let you know how it goes once I get them. While I wait for them ive been going through your articles on jig setup. So informative. Thank you.
Hi Toto San,
Any feedback on the new Ocea Jigger F Custom?
Thanks!
Hi, yes, it’s a Ocea Jigger. Of course it’s good. I’ve tried in the field once. The fall lever is pretty nice, but I don’t know how much effective it is to invite contacts.
Hi Totos,
Thank you very much for the informed article, defiantly on point with all the Japanese brands of Slow pitch rods. I understand that SPJ has come to life through Japanese development but feel like its has now grown to new avenues and new SPJ niches. For example Japanese SPJ style is to work the rod for the jig action and then fight the fish with reel drag and 180 degree of rod in the water where the point of rod is directed at fish which is the conservative way, and then came out other brands suck as Hearty Rise with the Slow Jig III (SJ3) Rod that has become a big game changer that allows to both have amazing action to the jig and also fish the fish with the rod at 60 and 90 degree angel which allows you to put force and pump the fish, even the assist hooks are different only two on the jig.
I have used the evergreen Poseidon rod slow jerker 603-4 and now i’m using the hearty rise slow Jig III power 1 and 2 and as much as i love the action on the evergreen rod catching big Dog tooth tuna and 40 lb AJ’s on the Hearty rise rod is absolutely thrilling.
This way of SPJ opens up so many new methods such as high pitch with out even reeling the jig.
Also i found the The Hearty Rise Setinkba III jig has an outstanding strike ration on the way down.
I learned a lot of and found all these products from http://www.oceandevil.com i think that the Hearty rise (HR) Rods defiantly have room in this article, and that you should reach out to oceandevil.com and maybe get from them a few rods to compare.
I look forwards to your reply and if you would like ill be happy to make the connection.
Check out how the HR rod is use to catch a 44kg dog tooth tuna on SPJ.
Thanks and all the best,
Chris
Ive been reading your blog ever since, and gaining more and more information, what im understand is that slow pitch is more about “listen”, exactly like what you described, knowing the environment and situation, even your tackle, mind and body,we must adapt, that’s pretty different with speed jigging, where fewer factors affecting our jigs action, and using tackle more like tools, while slow pitch is like using them as our hands, eyes and ears.
Im from Indonesia, java island, and most of the situation here is shallower water but with strong current, wind, and sometimes it is fast changing situation underneath. 100-150meters depth on average, So what i decided is buying small-medium power rod, with fast action in hope to be more flexible in changing the jigs i use, i bought shimano grappler type slow j pe 2.5 with max 260G jigs, but actually still has pretty good soft tone with 350g or more, pair it with OJ 1500 with PE 1,5, i need to cut as much weight on my tackle as the wind, temp, sunlight and surface current for me is too rough,and worn me fast., still need to understand more on my tackle, their limits and mine, and im still find what is best for my situation here, learning a lot from you mr. Toto and i hope i get the best result.
Have a nice day sir, stay safe there