STEEZ REAL CONTROLSTEEZ REAL CONTROL

 The STEEZ Real Control, supervised by Kyoya Fujita, was ‘ultimately’ brought to fruition through the application of numerous DAIWA technologies.Fujita had a clear vision of the ideal bass rod, and development proceeded whilst carefully scrutinising, one by one, which technologies were necessary to bring this vision to life. For example, regarding the high-sensitivity AGS+CWS guide system—composed entirely of carbon except for the rings—Fujita himself conducted a fresh comparison with a prototype built on the same blank using a metal frame and thread wrap, before concluding that ‘the former is the only option’.
‘This S510XUL-SV·ST is such an incredible finesse rod that even I, having tested it extensively, am still moved every time I use it. Just holding it gets my heart racing. It’s been amazing ever since I first handled the prototype. It’s light and sharp, yet supple and bends beautifully; it even has the power to bring Fish to the surface with its rebound.
The sensitivity is truly breathtaking—and I’m not just saying that for effect (laughs). You can really feel the weight of the line. The weight of the slack line in the air, the weight of the water pressure on the line underwater; and with a downshot rig, you can clearly sense the presence of the worm just before the weight of the sinker. Because you can gauge the condition of the line, sinker and Lure, you can manoeuvre them exactly as you imagine.

　The moment he handled the prototype, Fujita sensed that his ideal was about to be realised. He set the goal for this Rod as ‘a Rod capable of freely controlling a 0.9g rig at depths of over 10 metres’ and brought it to fruition.
‘Normally, at a depth of 10 metres with a 0.9g rig, you wouldn’t have a clue what’s going on. This is especially true if there’s even the slightest breeze or if you’re on a boat. But with this Rod, you can tell. Naturally, you can sense the condition of the bottom. Even if it’s a Flat, sandy bottom with nothing to snag on, fishing becomes a joy. That’s because you can grasp everything and “maneuver” the rig precisely.’

Combines a delicate, highly manoeuvrable MEGA TOP Solid Tip—which provides exceptional hand-feel—with UL-class Rod Butt power

A finesse worming rod that combines, at the highest level, all the elements required of a spinning rod: unparalleled casting performance, sensitivity as if you were looking directly into the water, and the manoeuvrability to control lures at will. It offers all-round versatility, suitable for a wide range of finesse rigs such as the Nail Sinker, downshot rig and no-sinker rig. A landmark spinning rod for modern bass fishing has been completed.

 ‘A rod that Fujita was deeply committed to the “61L” specification and which was meticulously crafted through extensive testing’… that is not quite how it turned out. Through close collaboration between Fujita and the DAIWA Works engineers, as they shared their respective ideals and technical expertise, a ‘miracle rod’ emerged from among the several types of initial prototypes that were produced.
Fujita: ‘It was exactly as I’d imagined from the very beginning, so apart from the finish, we’ve hardly changed a thing, have we?’
Engineer A: “Yes. Mr Fujita has a very clear ‘ideal vision’. So, if something matches it perfectly, it’s approved straight away. Conversely, if there’s even the slightest discrepancy, he’ll keep saying, ‘That’s not quite right.’ In any case, the direction of development never wavers or backtracks. He has a keen sensibility for tools and can evaluate them on their own merits, regardless of the testing conditions. He never says, ‘Given the current situation, the previous sample was better…’”
Engineer B: “What really stuck with me was when we were going through the minor adjustments, Mr Fujita asked me, ‘What would you do, B?’ I thought he was both humble and ambitious in his drive to improve the product. Essentially, that line of questioning was asking, ‘What can DAIWA and I do?’ I felt slightly challenged by it, and it really fired me up (laughs).”
Fujita: “That wasn’t my intention at all (laughs). I just thought there must still be rod-making techniques at DAIWA that I’m not aware of.”

―― JB Top 50 victory and promotion to the B.A.S.S. Elite
The S61L-SV is a light-versatile rod that allows for the ‘manoeuvring’ of all kinds of lightweight rigs and is also suitable for plug fishing with lures such as Shads; however, when discussing its versatility, Fujita’s achievements in both Japan and the US are indispensable.
In 2022, Fujita entered both the JB Top 50 and the B.A.S.S. Open. In the Top 50, he won the opening round on the Onga River and finished fifth in the annual rankings, despite missing one event. In the Open Northern Division, he finished second overall, achieving the remarkable feat of securing his ticket to the Elite in his debut season.
In tournaments across both Japan and the US—where everything from the fishing environment and the size and behaviour of the fish to the choice of line and Lures is incredibly varied—Fujita landed his Bass using this S61L-SV.

Features a taper that maintains tension in the tip whilst allowing the rod to bend from the tip, smoothly transferring the bend from the belly to the Rod Butt in response to the load

A rod that opens up a new world of power finesse. Power finesse has now become a standard method. Whilst using spinning tackle, manoeuvrability had previously been sacrificed to maintain the rod’s power. However, this RC S68MH allows you to pinpoint spots deep within cover with precision and manoeuvre your rig as if you were using a finesse rod. Once a bite is detected, its Rod Butt power ensures you take control of the fish and land it without letting it gain the upper hand.A rod that takes Power Finesse to a whole new level has been perfected.

 Regarding the development of the STEEZ Real Control, Fujita and the DAIWA Works engineers are in agreement: ‘Our priority was to “create what didn’t exist”.’
‘With previous power finesse rods, whilst fishing, I couldn’t get a sensation beyond simply “casting into the cover”. Unless I snagged the line on the cover, the manoeuvrability of the Lure itself was virtually zero.’
For Fujita, the ‘power finesse’ rod may have been nothing more than a concept. What was missing was finesse (technical) manoeuvrability. ‘Power is essential, and a longer length is also indispensable. As you’re setting the hook over branches, the taper needs to be closer to regular so the tip doesn’t bend too much. A rod that’s simply stiff won’t do; I want to fight the Bass using the rod’s rebound. On top of that, I demanded that it be a finesse rod.’

―― Graceful yet ferocious
For example, if you were to attach a guide and a reel seat to an iron bar, would you feel that the rod had ‘power’? You might feel it was ‘stiff’, but that is not the same as being powerful. The power of a rod lies in its ‘resilience (restorative force)’, and for this to be exerted, it must first ‘bend’. All the rods crafted by Fujita share a common characteristic: from tip to Rod Butt, they work in unison to form a beautiful arc.
The S68MH-SV is not merely a stiff rod. Yet its power is ferocious. Designed to achieve Fujita’s ideal action using SVF Compile X Nano Plus—a material with an extremely high carbon fibre density—the finished rod bent Fujita’s hooks three times in a row. ‘It’s such a tremendous amount of power that you need to be careful about the hooks you use.I’ve started using hooks that are one or two sizes thicker than before. Despite having that much power, it offers the same manoeuvrability and lightness as a conventional, shorter L-power rod. Let’s say you’re out on a boat and there are standing trees or cover between you and the bank. With this Rod, you can cast the Lure towards the bank to entice the fish, probe the cover along the way, and then retrieve it downhill further out to open water—you can control the Lure throughout the entire process to elicit a bite. It’s not just as I’d hoped; it’s surpassed my expectations!”

Features a taper that maintains tension throughout the rod whilst allowing it to bend smoothly from tip to Rod Butt in response to the load

Thanks to its light weight, this rod allows for nimble rod work, almost as if handling a short rod, completely redefining the concept of a heavy rod. Equipped with a solid tip, it boasts remarkable versatility, handling everything from swimming Jigs to Texas rigs and high-density no-sinker rigs. Once a fish is hooked, its overflowing Rod Butt power ensures you never relinquish control to the Bass, guiding it safely to the landing net.A new heavy rod that combines power and manoeuvrability has been perfected.

‘A 7ft 3in heavy-power rod with a solid tip… I’d hate it if people were put off just by looking at the size and thinking, “That’s not a rod for me”… I’d really like them to give it a go, even just once.’
It is said that upon hearing these words from Fujita, the DAIWA Works engineer couldn’t help but think to himself, ‘Wait a minute…’ This was because, when development of the C73H-SV・ST first began, Fujita had said the following:
‘I often use casting lures (such as jigs and heavier leaderless downshots), so I want to master that style of fishing. I want a niche Rod suited to that kind of niche fishing—one that, although the rig is heavy, feels delicate to handle.’
The engineer’s mental retort was that, since it’s such a niche Rod, wouldn’t it actually be just what he wanted if people thought, ‘That’s not for me’? Let’s hear Fujita’s explanation in response.
‘I originally started developing it for fishing in cover and jigging. In particular, I wanted to minimise the line noise when working the rod during jigging. I really hate that loud, snapping sound—it makes the jig’s action feel too abrupt. I worked on the design whilst conveying detailed requests to the design team, such as wanting the line to blend smoothly with the jig and the water, and for the tip to dip just slightly in time with the jig’s trajectory.’
This rod’s characteristics are best demonstrated when rigged with 20lb Fluoro line.‘The C73H-SV・ST is a powerful rod designed for casting, so we’ve ensured it delivers the best possible feel when utilising the weight and slack of 20lb Fluoro,’ says Fujita. ‘It also offers excellent hooking performance; whilst it’s strong, it isn’t too stiff, so it’s less prone to missed hooks.’ However, he adds that just because it’s a well-made rod doesn’t mean he wants everyone to pick one up.

―― The gap between enthusiasts and the mainstream
“Thanks to the STEEZ RC blank—which is sharp yet bends well and offers good rebound—it’s become not just specialised but also highly versatile. From jigs and various rigs to manoeuvrable big plugs and swimbaits, it’s not just ‘usable for a start’ but a medium- to heavy-class versatile rod that’s ‘more than easy to handle’.Honestly, that’s just how it turned out. It’s a Rod that subverts the impression you’d get from its size in the best possible way, so I really wanted as many people as possible to give it a go.”

Despite being a solid-tip rod, it features a stiff tip to belly section, and a taper that bends all the way to the Rod Butt—this is what governs its versatility

The 610M- is a classic versatile model in the bass rod range, but the Real Control 610M is more than just a versatile rod. With lures within its recommended weight range, it delivers a near-perfect casting experience; in particular, when using lures that require line slack management, those that are reeling whilst creating slack, or those with low drag, you’ll experience unprecedented manoeuvrability.The moment you pick it up, you’ll be amazed by its lightness and balance; the moment you cast, you’ll be astonished by its accuracy and the feel of the catch-and-cast. A true all-rounder has been created, allowing you to experience the ‘manoeuvrability’ of a Bait Rod.

This 610M is unique
The 610M is a model number that symbolises the versatile bait rod, and its positioning remains unchanged in the STEEZ RealControl series. However, Kyoya Fujita’s perspective on versatile rods differs slightly from the conventional view.
‘A versatile rod is one that offers high versatility for the lures that are most commonly used and catch the most fish in Japan.It excels with all rigs typically used within the M-power range, and with plugs such as topwater lures and jerkbaits – in short, any style of fishing that involves ‘controlling line slack’ where line tension fluctuates between ‘on’ and ‘off’. Whilst I do occasionally use spinnerbaits, this rod is not fundamentally designed for lures that require continuous reeling (*such as Crank baits*). It is a 610M that is rich in manoeuvrability, true to the RC series.”
Precisely because this rod was so essential to Fujita, it was the first in the RC series to enter development.
The DAIWA Works engineer in charge of the design commented: ‘This is just a rough idea, but we received positive feedback from Mr Fujita on a prototype that was essentially a longer, stiffer version of the S61L-SV spinning rod, so as a designer, I was able to get this rod into the sweet spot relatively easily.’

Development began simultaneously with the four items released last year, and progress initially seemed to be going smoothly. However, a series of minor adjustments—slightly increasing the hooking power and making slight tweaks to the casting feel—led to the development of the C610M-SV hitting a snag in its final stages. Fujita explains:
“In the early stages of development, it felt like a ‘conventional 610M’. As it utilised RC materials and manufacturing methods, it was certainly a superior version of its predecessor, but it was within the realm of expectation—it wasn’t a Rod that really surprised me. It was a perfectly good Rod, mind you. But I’m glad we didn’t stop there.
In particular, the casting feel—which we fine-tuned right up to the very end—is superb. It’s unique. After flexing the blank during the take-back, the power with which it propels the Lure is exceptional.There’s a very strong sense that ‘the rod is propelling the Lure’. A cast that would have required 10 units of effort with a conventional rod feels like it can be achieved with just 7 units using this C610M-SV. As the remaining 3 units can be channelled into accuracy, it gives you more leeway in your casting. Naturally, the sensitivity and manoeuvrability are impeccable. We’ve managed to create a highly practical 610M.”

The ‘C70MH-LM’ is a rod that utilises ‘Low Modulus’ carbon, enabling the use of a wide range of moving lures that offer significant drag. Despite incorporating low-modulus carbon, the lightweight blank delivers both high casting accuracy and Long Casting capabilities.It offers excellent hooking performance on the bite and superb follow-through once hooked, ensuring a reliable catch. It is suitable not only for wire baits such as spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, but also for crankbaits, crawler baits and large topwater plugs, which offer significant reeling resistance. The result is a truly unique rod that allows you to experience exceptional manoeuvrability when using moving lure tackle.

Reeling in lures becomes a whole new experience
‘A rod with a firm, glass-like feel, paired with No. 3 PE line, that’s perfectly suited to buzzbaits.’ This request from Kyoya Fujita was the starting point for the C70MH-LM.‘LM’ stands for Low Modulus (low-modulus carbon). Behind this development lies the fact that DAIWA Works engineers maintained thorough communication with Fujita and fully understood his preferences. An engineer explains:
‘After hearing Mr Fujita’s requirements, we first produced several samples.To achieve the ‘stiffer glass-like feel’ he described, we produced composites using glass as the main material with a high carbon content; however, as this is the Real Control series, we wanted to maximise manoeuvrability and sensitivity even for a rod designed for reeling. So, we included just one sample among the batch we gave to Mr Fujita: a rod made entirely without glass, blending low-modulus carbon with medium-modulus carbon, and further composite with high-modulus SVF.”

From among those sample rods, Fujita chose the ‘LM’ based solely on how it felt in his hands, without regard to the materials used.
‘At first, I used it thinking it was a glass composite,’ says Fujita. ‘I’m quite fond of the REBELLION 701MFB-G for lighter chatterbaits, so the C70MH-LM handles buzzbaits, heavier chatterbaits, spinnerbaits of 1/2 oz or more, magnum-class Crankbaits, and large topwater lures.
“Although this rod is essentially designed for single-hook reeling of lures, it’s very supple and responsive whilst still offering plenty of hooking power, so it also works well with lures fitted with large Treble hooks. Furthermore, whilst it’s well-suited to reeling in lures with heavy drag, it’s incredibly light, so it feels really good even when using more manoeuvrable lures.”
When Fujita finished runner-up in the 2022 JB Top 50 Lake Hinohara tournament, he used a sample of the C70MH-LM to catch a 2kg-class largemouth bass measuring over 50cm whilst fishing with a jointed big topwater lure.Now, in 2023, he’s using it in the B.A.S.S. Elite not only for buzzbaits but also for magnum Crank baits. It has already proven itself thoroughly in both Japan and the US. “It offers plenty of sensitivity when reeling—something that’s often compromised with rods of this type. It tracks the lure well, gives a clear bite indication, and yet still allows for a solid hookset. It’s a rod that makes fishing with reeling lures a real pleasure.”

The S63UL-SV is a model designed to use PE line to target fish from the surface down to 1 metre below the surface, and to reliably land fish whilst sight fishing. The blank is lightweight yet has tension, bending naturally in response to load. It offers unparalleled casting accuracy and lure control, whilst at the moment of the strike, it absorbs the powerful impact generated by fighting fish at close range with low-stretch line, ensuring the fish is landed without line breakage.The adoption of a responsive taper ensures it performs exceptionally well with a wide range of techniques, including weightless rigs and surface lures, as well as small plugs such as Shads, and mid-water and hovering techniques.

An irreplaceable sight-fishing specialist
Given that this is a 6ft 3in ultra-light power spinning rod from the RC series, constructed from ‘SVF Compile X Nano Plus’, you might expect a level of sensitivity that makes it feel as though you can sense changes in the water with your fingertips. However, this S63UL-SV differs from the 2023 models, such as the S510XUL-ST and S61L-SV.
Although the material is SVF Compile X Nano Plus—a low-resin, high-density carbon fibre—the rod has been finished with an overall flexible taper. Within this UL blank, however, the tip alone is set closer to the S61L-SV, which has a power rating one grade higher.With its firm tip and highly flexible Rod Butt, smoothly connected by the belly, the S63UL-SV is classified as having a ‘Regular’ taper; yet, to some observers, its curve is so gentle that it might be described as ‘Slow’.
One should not expect too much in terms of sensitivity on the bottom. When using the S63UL-SV, it is the angler’s ‘eyes’ that provide the sensitivity, as this rod is Kyoya Fujita’s ‘The Site Special’.

‘This rod is designed for use with PE line. For its intended purpose—site fishing—it’s paired with 0.3 or 0.4-gauge line. In site fishing, you want to keep your casting motion compact and deliver the Lure smoothly to your target spot at the precise moment you intend. Of course, there are also situations where you need to achieve maximum casting distance. Furthermore, Lure manoeuvrability is crucial in site fishing. To move the Lure with quick, sharp twitches, the tip needs a certain degree of stiffness.Alongside these casting performance and manoeuvrability requirements, I wanted to ensure the rod delivered a solid hookset whilst preventing line breaks. In sight fishing, you’re dealing with highly wary fish, so there are many short bites. Even with a sharp hookset the moment the lure enters the fish’s mouth, I didn’t want to snap the thin PE line. ‘Is there any way to achieve this?’ I asked DAIWA Works, and after organising a test camp, we brought this rod to fruition.”
Within the RC spinning rod range, which features an array of ‘ultra’ high-sensitivity models, the feel of the S63UL-SV is exceptional. It could be described as the weapon of choice for Kyoya Fujita, the most cutting-edge angler in the STEEZ RC line-up.
When this rod was completed, Fujita remarked, “Whether in Japan or the US, I can’t imagine using any other rod for sight fishing.” It was this very S63UL-SV that secured Fujita his first podium finish (runner-up) at the second round of the B.A.S.S. Elite Series on Lake Seminole.

A versatile model that utilises PE line to allow you to manoeuvre medium-weight lures—which can be difficult to handle with the S61L-SV—with ease, from surface worm fishing through to mid-water and bottom fishing.It inherits the fundamental performance of the S61L-SV: casting performance, sensitivity to the Lure’s condition, and a stiffer tip for manoeuvring the Lure during the cast, which then bends all the way down to the Rod Butt once a Fish is hooked. The length has been set at 6ft 5in to ensure this bend upon hooking, as well as to improve manoeuvrability when entangling the line in branches to entice Fish and to enhance hooking performance.In short, a rod that takes light-power finesse to the extreme has been perfected.

The more you use it, the more you trust it
This S65ML-SV is, so to speak, the ‘big brother’ of the S61L-SV. Both Fujita and the DAIWA Works engineers describe the rod’s characteristics in just two phrases: ‘Longer than the 61L and stronger than the 61L’.As for its intended use, they explain: ‘It’s designed for lures that are a bit too heavy for the 61L to handle, and it pairs well with slightly thicker lines, such as PE 0.8–1.’
‘It handles all the lures that are difficult to use with the S61L-SV. Whilst it’s essentially a light rig rod, it’s also the younger sibling of the S68MH-SV (a power finesse rod). In other words, the S65ML-SV is also a light power finesse rod.It’s really just a slightly longer and slightly more powerful version of the S61L-SV, but as the base Rod is miraculously brilliant, the S65ML-SV is also incredibly well-crafted. I’m really fond of it,” says Fujita.
Unlike the S63UL-SV, this S65ML-SV offers a feel that’s quintessentially RC, brimming with sensitivity and manoeuvrability.The taper is a fast action leaning towards regular; whilst it has tension, it bends deeply and smoothly. Thanks to these responsive characteristics, it’s highly versatile, and for Fujita, it sees just as much action as the S61L-SV. In fact, in 2023, the S65ML-SV stood head and shoulders above the rest in terms of both frequency of use and contribution to competitions.

‘This is 100 per cent the rod for power mid-water fishing. Whether it’s elastomer frogs or light-power finesse, this is the rod. The S65ML-SV isn’t just suited to specific Lures or techniques; it’s perfect for any fishing done with PE line around No. 1. It was this rod that won me the Big Fish Award at Lake Murray, and it was also my winning rod for mid-water fishing at Lake Champlain.’
During the live broadcast of that Lake Champlain tournament, Fujita’s astonishing speed from the moment he hooked a bass to landing it became a talking point. When facing a smallmouth bass weighing around 1,500g, once hooked, he would forcefully bring it to the surface without hesitation, land it, and release it immediately. His line setup consisted of a 0.8-gauge PE main line and a 3-gauge Fluoro Leader (≈12lb.).Whilst this setup is standard for smallmouth bass fishing in the northern US, thanks to the smooth drag of the 22 EXIST and the power of the S65ML-SV, it is no exaggeration to say that Fujita’s fighting time was reduced to about half that of other competitors. Fujita was personally involved in the development of both pieces of tackle.
“I didn’t make a single mistake worth mentioning. It’s a wonderful combination of Rod and reel that grows more reliable the more I use it.”