How to Buy JDM Tackle Overseas: Proxy, Shipping & Import Guide
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マイボ！
Best JDM Area Trout Rods: Daiwa Presso, Iprimi and Shimano Trout One AS by Lure Weight and Price
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Japanese trout ponds run on their own class of rod. Most are 5’5″ to 6’6″ long, they weigh 40 to 94 g, and the lure rating starts as low as 0.4 g, because the lure most people tie on is a spoon smaller than a thumbnail. Pond fishing for stocked trout is called area trout (エリアトラウト) in Japan, and Daiwa and Shimano both build whole rod series for it. The six here cost ¥8,500 to ¥69,000.
The names cause the trouble. The Presso you can order from a US dealer is not the rod a Japanese pond angler means by Presso, and Daiwa uses the name on three rod lines in Japan and three different ones in the US. That gets its own section below. The rest of this article sorts the Japanese rods by where and how you’ll fish: pools and first rods, everyday spoons, big fish, and the three Presso tiers.
タップでとべる目次
- What an Area Rod Model Code Tells You
- For Pool Trout, Kids and a First Rod Under ¥13,000
- For Everyday Spoons from 0.6 to 3 g
- For Big Trout and Heavier Lures
- Moving Up to Presso: MX, AIR AGS or LTD AGS
- JDM Presso vs US Presso: Different Rods Under One Name
- Pairing a Reel
- Comparison Table: Six Series at a Glance
- Our Top Pick + Budget Pick
- Which Rod Should You Buy?
What an Area Rod Model Code Tells You
The model code tells you more than the series name. Read the lure weight range first, because that’s what decides which spoons and plugs the rod will cast and work. The digits at the front are length in feet and inches (61 is 6’1″, 510 is 5’10”), and the letters after them are power, from XXUL up to MH. Japanese area rods are rated in grams. If length, power and taper codes on JDM rods are new to you, our guide to Japanese rod specs covers the general system.
| Suffix | What the maker says it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -S | Solid tip. On most Presso -S models it’s MEGA TOP, Daiwa’s carbon solid | Presso AIR AGS 61L-S |
| -SMT / -MT | Titanium-alloy metal tip, built for feeling the bottom and bites on the drop | Presso LTD AGS 55M-SMT |
| F | Fast taper, aimed at low-stretch line and hooking on the bite | Presso MX 62MLF |
| -E | Tuned for ester line, with a smaller butt guide | Presso AIR AGS 510UL-E |
| B | Baitcasting model | Presso AIR AGS 61LB |
| -G | Glass blank (SVF Glass) | Presso LTD AGS 58L-G |
| -4 | Four-piece | Iprimi 60XUL-4 |
Ester line (エステル) is polyester monofilament. It barely stretches, so it carries a lot of feel, and Japanese pond anglers use it with small spoons. The -E rods exist because of it.
Solid or tubular is the choice that changes how a rod fishes. A solid tip bends into a soft bite and lets the fish keep the hook. A tubular tip, like the fast F models, transmits more and moves a lure more crisply. You notice the difference most on days when you can see the trout. In April 2023 I watched five or six of them holding in front of me, fresh stockers and a few that had been in the pond for a while, and I landed one. When fish are right in front of you and ignoring a steadily wound spoon, I change the action before I change the lure. A twitch to provoke a reaction bite has picked up fish for me, though it doesn’t work every time. If that’s how you like to fish, a very soft solid tip takes some of the snap out of the twitch, and Daiwa pitches its fast tubular F models for exactly this kind of lure work.
For Pool Trout, Kids and a First Rod Under ¥13,000
In winter some Japanese water parks stock trout in their swimming pools, and short rods sell for that. Daiwa’s cheapest area series covers that and the regular ponds too.
Daiwa Trout X AT: ¥8,500 to ¥12,600
Trout X AT comes in two groups. The 4’0″, 4’6″ and 5’0″ models have a glass solid tip and red trim, and Daiwa built them for pool trout, small ponds and stream-fed fisheries. The 5’6″ to 6’6″ models are ordinary area rods with champagne-gold metal fittings and a carbon-look reel seat. The tech list has one item, Braiding X, a carbon tape wrapped in an X around the butt to stop the blank twisting.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Trout X AT; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| Braiding X | Carbon tape wound in an X over the butt section to cut twisting without thickening the blank |
| Glass solid tip (40XUL, 46XUL, 50XUL) | A soft glass tip on the short pool models |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40XUL | 4’0″ (1.22 m) | 74 g | 0.8–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥8,500 (~$54) |
| 46XUL | 4’6″ (1.38 m) | 78 g | 0.8–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥9,200 (~$59) |
| 50XUL | 5’0″ (1.52 m) | 82 g | 0.8–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥9,900 (~$63) |
| 56XUL | 5’6″ (1.68 m) | 76 g | 0.8–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥11,700 (~$75) |
| 56UL | 5’6″ (1.68 m) | 78 g | 0.8–7 g | 1.3 mm | ¥11,700 (~$75) |
| 60XUL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 80 g | 0.8–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥12,000 (~$76) |
| 60UL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 81 g | 0.8–7 g | 1.4 mm | ¥12,000 (~$76) |
| 60L | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 82 g | 1–10 g | 1.4 mm | ¥12,000 (~$76) |
| 63UL | 6’3″ (1.91 m) | 85 g | 0.8–7 g | 1.5 mm | ¥12,300 (~$78) |
| 66UL | 6’6″ (1.99 m) | 86 g | 0.8–7 g | 1.5 mm | ¥12,600 (~$80) |
At 74 to 86 g they’re the heaviest spinning rods in the article, about 15 g more than an Iprimi of the same length. The 60L is rated 1 to 10 g, the widest lure range of any rod in these tables, and it’s the cheap way into minnows and heavier spoons. For a child’s first rod, look at the 4’6″ and 5’0″ models.
For Everyday Spoons from 0.6 to 3 g
Most of an area day is spent winding small spoons at a steady speed. The two series in this band cost ¥16,500 to ¥21,600 and are where most people should start.
Daiwa Iprimi: Ten Rods from ¥16,500
Iprimi (イプリミ) shares its black-and-orange look with the Presso line and its name with a Daiwa area spinning reel. Daiwa lists Braiding X, stainless K guides with SiC rings, and a TVS reel seat. The all-round models are the 62UL and 62L, and the 66UL is a 6’6″ for reaching fish out in a big pond.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Iprimi rod; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| Braiding X | X-wrapped carbon tape over the butt to cut twisting |
| Stainless K guides, SiC rings | Fuji K-frame guides that shed loose line |
| TVS reel seat | A seat shape that sits comfortably when you grip around it |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56XXUL-S | 5’6″ (1.68 m) | 59 g | 0.4–2.5 g | 0.8 mm | ¥16,500 (~$105) |
| 60XUL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 64 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.4 mm | ¥17,000 (~$108) |
| 62XUL | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 67 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.4 mm | ¥17,000 (~$108) |
| 62UL | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 68 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.4 mm | ¥17,000 (~$108) |
| 62L | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 68 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.5 mm | ¥17,000 (~$108) |
| 62ML | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 70 g | 0.8–5 g | 1.5 mm | ¥17,000 (~$108) |
| 60XUL-4 | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 64 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.5 mm | ¥17,500 (~$111) |
| 64ML | 6’4″ (1.94 m) | 78 g | 1.5–7 g | 1.2 mm | ¥18,000 (~$115) |
| 65L-S | 6’5″ (1.96 m) | 69 g | 0.8–5 g | 0.8 mm | ¥18,500 (~$118) |
| 66UL | 6’6″ (1.99 m) | 70 g | 0.6–3 g | 1.5 mm | ¥18,700 (~$119) |
The 60XUL-4 breaks down to 50 cm, the only four-piece rod among the six series, and it costs ¥500 more than the two-piece 60XUL. The 64ML takes 1.5 to 7 g and is Daiwa’s minnow model in this series. At 78 g it is also the heaviest Iprimi.
Shimano Trout One AS: Spinning and Baitcasting from ¥20,600
Shimano sells Trout One AS as its basic area series. The blank gets Hi-Power X, carbon tape wrapped in an X to stop it twisting, and the tip is a Soft Tube Top, a tubular tip made supple enough for short pecking bites. There are no solid-tip models in the series. The spinning models use an Airfect seat in CI4+ carbon resin, the same seat design Shimano uses on its World Shaula freestyle rods.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Shimano Trout One AS; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| Hi-Power X | Carbon tape wrapped in an X to stop the blank twisting, which cuts tip wobble on the cast and power loss in the fight |
| Soft Tube Top | A hollow tip made supple, so it stays light and sensitive but lets short bites stick |
| Airfect Seat CI4+ (spinning) | A light seat with almost no step between hood and grip |
| Perfection Seat XT (baitcasting) | A palming seat in CI4+ carbon-reinforced resin, skeletonised for weight |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60XUL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 68 g | 0.4–3.5 g | 1.3 mm | ¥20,600 (~$131) |
| S60SUL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 71 g | 0.5–4.5 g | 1.3 mm | ¥20,800 (~$132) |
| S60UL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 74 g | 0.7–6 g | 1.3 mm | ¥21,000 (~$134) |
| B60UL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 87 g | 1.5–6 g | 1.3 mm | ¥21,000 (~$134) |
| S63SUL | 6’3″ (1.91 m) | 74 g | 0.5–4.5 g | 1.3 mm | ¥21,000 (~$134) |
| S63UL | 6’3″ (1.91 m) | 77 g | 0.7–6 g | 1.3 mm | ¥21,300 (~$136) |
| B66L | 6’6″ (1.98 m) | 94 g | 1.5–8 g | 1.3 mm | ¥21,600 (~$138) |
The spinning rods weigh 68 to 77 g, which puts them level with the Iprimi for about ¥4,000 more. Lure range is where they part ways: the S60UL and S63UL take 0.7 to 6 g, and Shimano rates them for 5 g spoons. The B66L at 1.5 to 8 g and the B60UL are the only baitcasting rods in this article under ¥40,000.
For Big Trout and Heavier Lures
Many Japanese ponds now stock large brand-name trout, and Daiwa added power models for them in September 2026. Before choosing one, it helps to accept what a rod can’t do.
You can’t pick which fish eats. In January 2024 I went to a pond hoping for a brown trout and caught four coho salmon, which were feeding hard and easy to hook, and no browns. Picking off one species in a stocked pond? No way, lol. If someone knows how, tell me, lol. Sea fishing has at least some theory for sorting species. In area trout it’s still beyond me. So buy the big-fish rod for the lure weight and pond size you’ll actually fish, and expect whatever is hungry to take it.
For heavier spoons, minnows and bottom lures, the rods with a top rating of 6 g or more are the Iprimi 64ML (1.5 to 7 g), the Trout One AS S60UL and S63UL (0.7 to 6 g) and B66L (1.5 to 8 g), the Trout X AT 56UL, 60UL, 63UL and 66UL (0.8 to 7 g) and 60L (1 to 10 g), and the Presso LTD AGS 55M-SMT and AIR AGS 55M-MT (0.6 to 7 g). Two new Presso MX models go further: Daiwa lists the 62MHF at 2 to 10 g for jerking minnows at large trout, and a 6’6″ 66ML for long casts on big ponds. The Presso LTD AGS also gained a 66ML, with Daiwa’s 3DX reinforcement in the butt.
Moving Up to Presso: MX, AIR AGS or LTD AGS
Presso (プレッソ) is Daiwa’s area trout brand. Three rod series carry it, and the price steps are big: about ¥30,000, ¥48,000 and ¥63,000. The surprise is that the most expensive one isn’t the lightest.
Daiwa Presso MX: ¥29,300 to ¥30,800
The MX is the Presso LTD AGS retuned to be easier to fish. Daiwa had tournament angler Koki Wada set the actions, gave it what Daiwa says is the same Air Sensor reel seat as the LTD AGS, and added a carbon monocoque rear grip. It has X45 bias carbon and V-Joint ferrules. AGS guides aren’t in its tech list. At 63 to 67 g it weighs about the same as the LTD AGS for less than half the price.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Presso MX; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| HVF carbon | High-density carbon with less resin, chosen for strength |
| X45 | Bias-wrapped carbon at 45 degrees that stops the blank twisting |
| V-Joint | Bias carbon at the ferrule so the two pieces bend like one |
| Air Sensor Seat | Carbon-fibre reel seat built for this use |
| MEGA TOP (55XUL-S, 62L-S only) | Carbon solid tip that bends evenly in any direction |
| Carbon monocoque rear grip | A hollow carbon rear grip for feel and balance |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60UL | 6’0″ (1.83 m) | 63 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.3 mm | ¥29,300 (~$187) |
| 62UL+-E | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 66 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.2 mm | ¥29,800 (~$190) |
| 62L | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 67 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.2 mm | ¥29,800 (~$190) |
| 62ML | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 67 g | 0.6–5 g | 1.4 mm | ¥30,300 (~$193) |
| 62MLF | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 67 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.1 mm | ¥30,300 (~$193) |
| 62L-S | 6’2″ (1.88 m) | 67 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.8 mm | ¥30,800 (~$196) |
The 62L has what Daiwa calls a regular-fast tip for low-stretch lines and covers mid-weight spoons, crankbaits and plugs you work with the rod. The 62UL+-E is the ester-line model, with a smaller guide setting.
Daiwa Presso AIR AGS: The 40 g Presso
AGS is Air Guide System, Daiwa’s carbon-framed guides, which are lighter and stiffer than titanium frames. The AIR AGS uses them on an SVF carbon blank with a ZERO_SEAT reel seat and no rear grip at all, just an aluminium end cap. Every spinning model is under 50 g, and Daiwa built the series so the rod and a light area reel together come in under 200 g.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Presso AIR AGS; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| AGS | Carbon guide frames with thin C and N rings; light, stiff and quick to settle after the cast |
| SVF carbon | Denser carbon with even less resin than HVF, for a lighter, slimmer blank |
| ZERO_SEAT | Compact Fit seat on the spinning rods, Cavity Trigger on the baitcaster |
| X45 / V-Joint | Anti-twist bias carbon and bias-wrapped ferrules |
| MEGA TOP (55L-S, 61L-S, 61ML-S) | Carbon solid tip |
| Metal Top (55M-MT only) | Titanium-alloy tip for feeling the bottom and bites on the drop |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61L-S | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 44 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.7 mm | ¥46,500 (~$296) |
| 510XUL | 5’10” (1.78 m) | 41 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.2 mm | ¥47,500 (~$303) |
| 510UL | 5’10” (1.78 m) | 42 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.3 mm | ¥47,500 (~$303) |
| 510UL-E | 5’10” (1.78 m) | 40 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.1 mm | ¥47,500 (~$303) |
| 55L-S | 5’5″ (1.65 m) | 41 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.7 mm | ¥48,500 (~$309) |
| 61L | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 44 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.2 mm | ¥48,500 (~$309) |
| 61ML | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 45 g | 0.6–5 g | 1.4 mm | ¥48,500 (~$309) |
| 61LB | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 52 g | 1.5–5 g | 1.2 mm | ¥48,500 (~$309) |
| 61ML-S | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 45 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.8 mm | ¥49,500 (~$315) |
| 55M-MT | 5’5″ (1.65 m) | 46 g | 0.6–7 g | 0.6 mm | ¥54,000 (~$344) |
The 510UL at 42 g is Daiwa’s all-round model for spoons around 1.5 g. No rear grip means the butt has nothing to rest against your forearm, which some anglers like and some don’t, so hold one before you import it.
Daiwa Presso LTD AGS: The Flagship
LTD AGS is the third generation of Daiwa’s top area rod. It uses SVF Nanoplus carbon (SVF with Toray’s Nanoalloy resin), AGS guides and a hollow carbon grip that Daiwa says resonates with vibration. Daiwa claims a 48% gain in sensitivity over the previous LTD AGS, from the grip, blank, guides and seat together. Model for model it’s about 20 g heavier than the AIR AGS. Daiwa sells the AIR AGS on weight and the LTD AGS on sensitivity.
Ships internationally from Amazon Japan: check availability and shipping cost at checkout.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Presso LTD AGS; listings come from independent sellers.
| Technology | What it does |
|---|---|
| SVF Nanoplus | SVF carbon combined with Toray Nanoalloy resin for strength at low weight (all but 58L-G) |
| AGS | Carbon-framed guides, R frame with C and N rings |
| ESS | Daiwa’s design system that maps how the blank stores and releases bend energy |
| SMT (55M-SMT) | Superelastic titanium-alloy tip |
| MEGA TOP (55XUL-S, 58ML-S, 510UL-S, 61L-S) | Carbon solid tip; the 58ML-S has a two-step taper |
| SVF Glass (58L-G) | Dense glass blank |
| X45 / V-Joint | Anti-twist bias carbon and bias-wrapped ferrules |
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure weight | Tip dia. | JDM RRP (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58L-G | 5’8″ (1.73 m) | 70 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.6 mm | ¥61,000 (~$389) |
| 61UL+-E | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 65 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.1 mm | ¥61,000 (~$389) |
| 55XUL-S | 5’5″ (1.65 m) | 62 g | 0.4–3 g | 0.8 mm | ¥62,000 (~$395) |
| 58L | 5’8″ (1.73 m) | 65 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.3 mm | ¥62,000 (~$395) |
| 510UL | 5’10” (1.78 m) | 64 g | 0.4–3 g | 1.3 mm | ¥62,000 (~$395) |
| 61ML-S | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 67 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.8 mm | ¥62,000 (~$395) |
| 58ML-S | 5’8″ (1.73 m) | 67 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.7 mm | ¥63,000 (~$401) |
| 510UL-S | 5’10” (1.78 m) | 65 g | 0.4–3 g | 0.8 mm | ¥63,000 (~$401) |
| 61ML | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 67 g | 0.6–5 g | 1.3 mm | ¥63,000 (~$401) |
| 61L | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 66 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.2 mm | ¥63,000 (~$401) |
| 61MLF | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 65 g | 0.6–4 g | 1.1 mm | ¥63,000 (~$401) |
| 61L-S | 6’1″ (1.85 m) | 66 g | 0.6–4 g | 0.8 mm | ¥64,000 (~$408) |
| 55M-SMT | 5’5″ (1.65 m) | 68 g | 0.6–7 g | 0.8 mm | ¥69,000 (~$439) |
Thirteen models make it the widest Presso range. The 58L is a slow-taper bottom-lure rod that Daiwa designed to bend deep so lightly hooked fish stay on, and the 55M-SMT at ¥69,000 is for bottom lures and lift-and-fall work on PE.
JDM Presso vs US Presso: Different Rods Under One Name
Daiwa US sells three Presso rod lines. None of them is one of the JDM area rods above, and the cheapest of them is a different kind of rod altogether.
Opens eBay search results for the Daiwa Presso Ultralight; listings come from independent sellers.
| US model line | Lengths | Pieces | Lure rating | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presso Ultralight | 4′ to 11′ | 1, 2, or 4 (pack rods 5’6″ to 7′) | 1/32 to 3/8 oz (0.9 to 10.6 g) | $79.99 to $109.99 |
| Presso Air | 5’10” to 8’6″ | 1, 2, or telescopic | 1/64 to 3/8 oz (0.4 to 10.6 g) | $239.99 |
| Presso Air AGS | 6’6″ to 8′ | 1 (8′ model 2) | 1/32 to 3/8 oz (0.9 to 10.6 g) | $399.99 |
The US Presso Ultralight is that cheap line, at $79.99 to $109.99. Its four-piece -TR models are sold as pack rods, with Dynaflo guides and an MSRP of $109.99. Daiwa US describes the range in general ultralight terms, and it goes up to 11 feet. It shares the Presso name and nothing else with the Japanese area rods.
The closer case is the US Presso Air AGS. It has AGS guides like the JDM AIR AGS and sits in a similar price class, and Daiwa US lists SVF Nanoplus graphite and a wood and carbon MQ grip. The lengths don’t overlap:
| US Presso Air AGS | JDM Presso AIR AGS | |
|---|---|---|
| Lengths | 6’6″, 6’8″ (casting), 7′, 7’6″, 8′ | 5’5″, 5’10”, 6’1″ |
| Pieces | One-piece, except the 8′ | Two-piece |
| Blank as listed | SVF Nanoplus | SVF carbon |
| Weight published | No | 40 to 52 g |
| Price | $399.99 MSRP | ¥46,500 to ¥54,000 (~$296 to ~$344) |
So if you want a Presso for a Japanese-style pond, the short two-piece rods are only sold through Japan. If you want a long ultralight for creeks, panfish or travel, the US lines are built for that and come with a US warranty. Our guide on how to buy JDM tackle from overseas covers shipping, duties and warranty for the Japanese rods, which are 50 to 102 cm long when broken down.
Pairing a Reel
The rod is half the outfit. We compared five JDM area reels and the US Iprimi LT, from ¥19,500 to ¥69,800, in our JDM area trout reel guide. Those reels weigh 135 to 180 g. Daiwa’s target for the AIR AGS is under 200 g for rod and reel together, and only the lightest of them get a 42 g rod there.
Comparison Table: Six Series at a Glance
| Series | Models | Lengths | Weight | Lure weight | JDM RRP (excl. tax) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daiwa Trout X AT | 10 | 4’0″ to 6’6″ | 74 to 86 g | 0.8 to 10 g | ¥8,500 to ¥12,600 | Glass solid tip on the short pool models |
| Daiwa Iprimi | 10 | 5’6″ to 6’6″ | 59 to 78 g | 0.4 to 7 g | ¥16,500 to ¥18,700 | Only four-piece model (60XUL-4) |
| Shimano Trout One AS | 7 | 6’0″ to 6’6″ | 68 to 94 g | 0.4 to 8 g | ¥20,600 to ¥21,600 | Soft tubular tip; two baitcasting models |
| Daiwa Presso MX | 6 | 6’0″ to 6’2″ | 63 to 67 g | 0.4 to 5 g | ¥29,300 to ¥30,800 | LTD AGS base, tuned easier; no AGS |
| Daiwa Presso AIR AGS | 10 | 5’5″ to 6’1″ | 40 to 52 g | 0.4 to 7 g | ¥46,500 to ¥54,000 | Under 50 g except the 61LB |
| Daiwa Presso LTD AGS | 13 | 5’5″ to 6’1″ | 62 to 70 g | 0.4 to 7 g | ¥61,000 to ¥69,000 | Hollow carbon grip, SMT and glass options |
Weight doesn’t climb with price. The ¥8,500 Trout X AT and the ¥69,000 LTD AGS 55M-SMT sit at 74 and 68 g, and the lightest rods in the article are the AIR AGS at about three quarters of the LTD AGS price.
Our Top Pick + Budget Pick
Top pick
Daiwa Presso MX 62L: ¥29,800 (~$190)
6’2″, 67 g, 0.6 to 4 g. It covers spoons, crankbaits and light plugs on one rod, it’s based on the LTD AGS, and it costs less than half as much. Buy the 62L-S instead if you mostly wind micro spoons and want a solid tip.
Budget pick
Daiwa Iprimi 62UL: ¥17,000 (~$108)
6’2″, 68 g, 0.6 to 3 g. The plain all-round spoon rod, and the 60XUL-4 is there if it has to fit in a suitcase. Pick the Trout One AS S60SUL instead if you want a tubular tip and up to 4.5 g.
Which Rod Should You Buy?
For a first area rod, buy an Iprimi 62UL or a Trout One AS S60SUL and spend the difference on spoons. For a child or a winter pool, the Trout X AT 4’6″ or 5’0″. If you already fish ponds and want a better rod, the Presso MX is the step that changes the most per yen. Go to the AIR AGS if weight is what you notice, and to the LTD AGS if you want the most feel and the specialist SMT, glass or two-step solid models.
If you also fish small lures in salt water, our JDM ajing and LRF tackle guide covers rods built for that job.
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マイボートで海に出るボートアングラー（釣り歴20年・ボート歴10年）。タイラバ・ひとつテンヤ・ライトジギングが主戦場で、エリアトラウトや堤防のライトゲームものんびり楽しむ雑食派。
実際に使った道具の「正直どうだったか」を、公式スペックと実釣の両面から書いています。
Boat angler based in Japan, sharing first-hand reviews of JDM tackle.
実際に使った道具の「正直どうだったか」を、公式スペックと実釣の両面から書いています。
Boat angler based in Japan, sharing first-hand reviews of JDM tackle.
