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!