SALTIGA SLJ EXSALTIGA SLJ EX

　The development of the SALTIGA SLJ EX began because the SALTIGA LJ EX, which we had produced earlier, turned out so exceptionally well. Ever since we were developing the LJ, I had felt that ‘I’d like to create an SLJ using the same materials and concepts’, and as the project manager shared this view, things progressed very smoothly. To be honest, I was initially concerned that it might end up too powerful and too similar to the LJ, but once the LJ was complete, I was convinced that ‘even if we pushed the boundaries further, we could create something truly outstanding with the SLJ’, and so development began. What I sought in the tubular model equipped with the ‘SMT (Super Metal Top)’—which I was in charge of—was ‘comfortable jigging action’ and ‘manoeuvrability’. I dislike the sharp, jarring sensation—like a ‘clang, clang’—that resonates in my hands when jigging, so I prioritise a smooth feel above all else. However, until now, there had been a trade-off: prioritising comfort would make the jig’s movement sluggish, whilst prioritising manoeuvrability would sacrifice comfort.　This time, however, elements such as ‘AGS’, ‘CWS’ and new blank materials have been integrated as a trinity, making it possible to achieve a balance between manoeuvrability and comfort. To put it in numerical terms, if the current SALTIGA were rated at 70 for comfort and 30 for manoeuvrability, the new SLJ EX could be described as 90 for comfort and 80 for manoeuvrability – an evolution that effortlessly exceeds a total of 100.
　The reason I prefer tubular rods is, first and foremost, that they make it ‘easy to manoeuvre Jigs’. Secondly, it’s because they’re ‘easy to tailor’—with a strong Rod Butt and a supple belly, for example. I believe tubular rods are overwhelmingly superior when it comes to working Jigs.　Development proceeded smoothly thanks to the incorporation of SMT into the tip of this tubular blank. As SMT offers exceptionally high responsiveness to the Jig’s movements, it makes it easy to control the intensity—moving the Jig exactly as intended without causing it to bounce excessively. Furthermore, it offers excellent sensitivity and is, in my view, an indispensable technology for an SLJ Rod. With the arrival of this SALTIGA SLJ EX, my fishing has become even more technical. Particularly when targeting black seabream, for instance, when the fish are reluctant to bite, I can now visualise exactly ‘the action I need to use here to trigger a bite’ and reproduce it very precisely and faithfully. Furthermore, I now have a greater sense of confidence than ever before that I can land even a Big One! The limitations imposed by Jig weight, water depth and Area have been significantly reduced; with just one of these Rods, you can cover almost every situation in the SLJ scene – it is a truly superb Rod with an exceptionally wide range of adaptability.

　The development of the SALTIGA SLJ EX began with the aim of creating what we believed to be the world’s finest SLJ rod. I was in charge of the Thrill Game (TG·Full Solid) model, whilst Mr Sumizawa and I collaborated on the Bait model. As far as the TG model is concerned, I believe it is a rod that incorporates a great deal of my input. The reason I am so committed to full-solid rods, in the first place, is that I experienced an extremely high number of fish coming off the hook whilst SLJ fishing, particularly when targeting Spanish mackerel. I firmly believe that full-solid rods are absolutely superior to tubular rods in terms of the suppleness that allows the entire rod to follow the fish’s movements smoothly. The core feature of the SLJ EX TG model is that the blank material is completely different from anything used before. It is a full-solid blank made from a material called ‘MEGA TOP R (T1100G Solid)’. This is entirely distinct from existing materials. It’s a little confusing, as ‘MEGA TOP’ is normally the name of the material used for the Rod Tip, but ‘MEGA TOP R’ refers to a completely new material: TORAYCA’s ‘TORAYCA® T1100G’, transformed into a high-modulus carbon solid blank using DAIWA’s proprietary technology. The adoption of this material as a full-solid blank is the greatest feature of this TG model.
　There was, of course, some trial and error, but the finished product turned out so superbly that you might well find yourself wondering, ‘Is this really a full-solid rod?’ If handed to you without any explanation, many people would probably not even realise it was a full-solid rod. I believe this is largely down to the blank itself being so slender and crisp, combined with the fact that the guides are AGS and secured using CWS rather than line-reeling. Compared to metal guides, the overwhelming lightness of the carbon fibre has resulted in excellent casting performance.　Compared to the previous SALTIGA SLJ, the performance of this new SALTIGA SLJ EX has improved dramatically. It’s an evolution so significant that existing users will immediately realise, ‘It’s completely different,’ the moment they pick it up. You might have had the impression that previous full-solid rods were ‘good at bending and following the fish’s movements, but lacked the power to bring the fish to the surface’; this rod is entirely different. After bending it to its limit, its resilience kicks in, and it actively works to bring the fish to the surface on its own. During testing, I managed to land an 11kg yellowtail. This wasn’t down to luck; it was a fish I landed by bending the rod properly and using that power to bring it to the surface. It has that much power, so you can use it with confidence in any SLJ situation.