An introduction to big game fishing! 6 Recommended Rods for Offshore Jigging

This article is based on a Japanese article and has been machine translated

Offshore jigging is fishing from a boat or ship for large fish such as yellowtail, Spanish mackerel, and sea bream.

Offshore jigging is a fishing method that uses a lure called a metal jig, and is popular with many anglers because of its high gameplay. And the good thing about offshore jigging is that it is easy to catch even for beginners.

Compared to shore jigging, which also targets yellowtail and Spanish mackerel from the shore, the chances of catching them are much higher.

This article introduces the rods used in offshore jigging that are recommended for beginners to big game fishing.

How to choose a rod for offshore jigging for beginners

There are many different types of offshore jigging rods, and this section will explain how to choose the best rod for beginners.

Length: 5ft to 6ft

The recommended length of an offshore jigging rod is 5ft to 6ft.
The length of 5ft to 6ft is short for lure fishing, but for offshore jigging where casting is not important, a shorter rod is easier to use because it focuses on lure handling.

When you are jigging with a metal jig, you have to keep jerking the rod to move the jig.

A 5ft to 6ft rod is a good length for beginners to use when shaking.
When choosing a rod for offshore jigging, please focus on the length of 5ft to 6ft.

A rod that can handle a jig weighing up to 200g is recommended.

Next, I recommend a rod that can handle jigs of up to 200 grams in weight.
Some of the metal jigs used in offshore jigging weigh as much as 300 grams, but it is unlikely that beginners will use them.

Therefore, choose a rod that can comfortably handle the most frequently used weights of 100 to 200 grams.

If you can handle 100g to 200g metal jigs as you wish, you will be able to enjoy fishing for big fish.

The six rods I’m going to introduce later have also been picked up to be able to handle jigs of up to around 200g.

No problem with two-piece rods

Offshore jigging rods used to be mostly one-piece rods.
The reason for this was that two-piece rods were not durable enough to handle the strong pull of yellowtails and Spanish mackerel using heavy jigs weighing more than 100 grams.

In recent years, however, the durability of two-piece rods has improved, and many rods are now available that can be used for offshore jigging without any problems.

In fact, two-piece rods have many advantages such as being compact and easy to carry around.

If you are a beginner, it is safer to choose a two-piece rod considering the risk of damage when carrying it.

6 Recommended Rods for Offshore Jigging

Let’s take a look at six types of offshore jigging rods that we recommend for beginners.

Recommendation 1: Daiwa Vadel J60MS

 

Vadel is positioned as an entry model among the offshore jigging rods sold by Daiwa.

The price is affordable at about 20,000 yen, yet the rod bends like a top model.
Even if advanced anglers use it, it has enough performance to enjoy fishing without any complaints.

The J60MS can handle metal jigs weighing up to 180g, making it the perfect introduction to offshore jigging.

If you don’t know anything about offshore jigging yet, this model is a good choice for you.

It has the power to fight with large fish such as yellowtail and sunfish without worry.

Recommendation #2: Daiwa Blast J62MS

Blast is a rod for offshore jigging that is one rank higher than the Vadel introduced above.

It is one level higher in terms of performance such as lightness and power, and uses “high-density HVF carbon,” which is also used in higher-end models, as the rod material.

The rod material is made of “high density HVF carbon”, which is also used in the top models. Another feature is the use of Daiwa’s proud rod reinforcement technology called “Brading X”.

This helps to improve jig handling and to have a safe fight with big fish.
The J62MS is a model that can handle jigs up to 180g.
If you are looking for a serious challenge in offshore jigging, this is the model for you.

Recommendation 3: Daiwa Catalina J62MS

Catalina is a full-fledged offshore jigging rod that has many advanced users.
It uses “HVF Nano Plus”, one of Daiwa’s top class rod material technologies, which is light and has excellent rigidity.

In addition, technologies such as “X45” are used to reinforce the blanks themselves, so you can safely fight with record-class big fish.

The J62MS can handle jigs weighing up to 180g.
The J62MS can handle jigs up to 180g, making it easy to use all kinds of jigs in various ways, and it can also handle the advanced techniques of advanced anglers.

If you are a beginner and want to make serious progress in offshore jigging, you should definitely try it.

Recommendation 4: Shimano Grappler BB Type J S60-3

Grappler BB Type J is a rod sold by Shimano that is ideal for beginners to offshore jigging.

While the price is only about 20,000 yen, the specifications are attractive enough to satisfy even advanced anglers.

Shimano’s original rod reinforcement structure, “High Power X,” has been adopted to enable comfortable handling of heavy jigs.

In addition, this rod adopts a two-piece grip joint that splits into two parts at the grip.

The rod has a two-piece grip joint that splits into two parts at the grip, providing both smooth bending and strength approaching those of one-piece models.
The S60-3 can handle jigs up to 180g.

Both length and stiffness are suitable for beginners as their first lure.

Recommendation 5: Shimano Grappler Type LJ


Grappler Type LJ is a model that is one rank higher than Grappler BB in terms of performance such as lightness and sensitivity.

Blanks are made by combining the basic structure “Spiral X” with the reinforced structure “High Power X”.
Easy to handle and powerful enough to fight with big fish

In addition, the reel seat is made of carbon material “CI4+” and has the same specs as the top models.

The S63-3 is a model that can comfortably handle jigs from 50g to 180g.
It is not only an ideal model for beginners to offshore jigging, but also a technical edition for advanced anglers.

Recommendation 6: Shimano Ocea Jigger ∞ B65-1

Ocea Jigger ∞ is the rod for those who want to be able to enjoy high-level offshore jigging.

All models feature full 1-piece blanks, which are thinner than the 2-piece models.
This thinness makes jerking, the basic operation of a jig, much easier.

Of course, just because it is thin does not mean that it lacks power, but rather it is strong thanks to the Spiral X-Core and X-Guide.

The B65-1 is a bait model that can handle jigs up to 180g.
It is a must have for beginners as well as advanced anglers.

Offshore jigging is the best lure fishing for an introduction to big game fishing

Offshore jigging is one of the best ways to catch big fish.

It is recommended as a good introduction to fishing because even beginners have a good chance of catching them.

Once you have tasted the strong pull of hamachi or Spanish mackerel, you are sure to be hooked on fishing.

The six rods introduced here are recommended for such occasions.

All of these rods are easy for beginners to handle and enjoy offshore jigging, so please take a look at them.

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