Popular Casting Rods Yamaga Blanks Blue Sniper Now available in a renewed version for the first time in 10 years!

The offshore casting game continues to evolve year by year due to changes in the environment and fishing methods. In response to such changes, tackle must also change. Yamaga Blanks Blue Sniper, a popular offshore casting rod, has been renewed in response to such changes. It allows anglers to enjoy casting game more comfortably and to take more advanced strategies. All models are introduced.

INDEX

Renewed with three different types of performance
“FLX-Flex” model
“RGD-Rigid” model
“TRQ – Torqueful” model

Renewed with three different types of performance

The popular offshore casting rod, Blue Sniper by Yamaga Blanks, has been renewed and all models will be introduced in spring 2025. As mentioned above, the offshore casting game is evolving year by year. Bluefin tuna, which used to be difficult to catch, have become a familiar target in many areas due to resource recovery, and yellowtail amberjack have expanded their area due to environmental changes as they move north. In some areas, warming seawater, changing tides, decreasing baitfish, and high-pressure conditions have made it impossible to catch fish using the old strategies, and new strategies have emerged. In response to these trends and angler demand, the new Blue Sniper has been redesigned.

The new Blue Sniper has been designed in three different models to meet the needs of the recent boat casting game. They are “FLX Flex,” “TRG Torqueful,” and “RGD Rigid. In total, there are seven models in the lineup.

“FLX-Flex” model

The FLX type is based on the concept of “bend,” which Yamaga Blanks has been focusing on for many years. The flexible tip and belly provide excellent handling of plugs with low drag, such as diving pencils. The rod is designed to move lures naturally, so that anglers can move lures without causing discomfort to targets. Furthermore, by making the blank resilient, the rod can be cast far with light force by the resilience of the bent rod when casting, and after a fish hits the rod, the rod can be kept under constant pressure by bending while having strong resilience. The performance is said to dramatically improve the catch rate in shallow areas.

83/2 FLX” for small plugs and bait ball shooting

When targeting schools of skipjack and medium-sized yellowtail amberjack, there are situations where they are feeding on anchovies and smaller baits. This model is useful in such situations. It is designed for light casting with high casting accuracy, long casting distance, and excellent manipulation of small lures, and its supple tip can produce a natural action with good water entanglement of small plugs. The blank is bent while applying firm pressure, which reduces burden on the angler as well as fish’s bite.

Lure: 14-50g, Line: MAX PE #2 Price: ¥46,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: Bonito (~3 kg), Spanish mackerel (~5 kg), yellowtail (~10 kg)

High long casting performance and maneuverability “83/6 FLX

Casting for yellowtail amberjack requires continuous throwing. The “83/6 FLX” was designed to allow anglers to cast all day long and never miss a golden opportunity. The flexible tip and belly reduce action errors of diving pencil, and enable anglers to control the lure with a natural motion with a good water-tangling effect. With its straightforward bending, fast convergence, and strong restoring power, it delivers stable casting distance with less effort. The more the rod is bent, the more the butt power is demonstrated, enabling the rod to suppress the target’s movement after a hit. The YAMAGA Blanks philosophy of “bend to catch” makes this the model of choice for targeting yellowfin tuna and yellowtail amberjack.

Lure: 45-140g, Line: MAX PE #6 Price: ¥53,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: yellowtail amberjack weighing approximately 20 kg, yellowfin tuna weighing approximately 30 kg

“81/8FLX” bending to catch large yellowtail amberjack and tuna

High-power model for catching large yellowtail amberjack and tuna, with comfortable throwing of medium and large lures and high maneuverability. This model is ideal for targeting sunfish with large bait patterns such as dolphinfish, and for individuals lurking in rapids, shallows, and rough roots. Also ideal for targeting large yellowfin tuna in summer. Equipped with power to suppress running by high drag tension after a hit, while providing comfortable long castability and maneuverability for large plugs and small-diameter poppers with large resistance. Equipped with power to peel off from the roots after a hit and withstand standing up the rod in shallow water for yellowtail amberjack. Flexible bending performance can respond to sudden plunges.

Lure: 60-180g, Line: MAX PE #8 Price: ¥55,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: yellowtail amberjack over 20 kg, yellowfin tuna over 40 kg

“RGD-Rigid” model

When fish are not showing up in top water, chopping the range can sometimes lead to better results. RGD Rigid” is a model with increased flexibility for such fishing. The blank has high resilience and bounce, enabling anglers to manipulate small lures and make sharp casts. The performance is compatible with poppers and diving pencils, as well as minnows, swimbaits, and jigs, and the bouncy blank allows anglers to feel what is going on underwater. This model allows anglers to use their imagination to change lures and attack the situation at hand.

All-rounder “74/3RGD” for 2-3 class

An all-rounder model that further expands the possibilities of casting games with PE No. 2-3 class lures. The greatest feature of this model is its versatility, with light swinging and maneuverability and strong power packed into a short length. The light handling and maneuverability of this model allows anglers to control the lure as they wish in top water, while its excellent sensitivity challenges targets in underwater where minnows, jigs, and sometimes soft lures are used. It can be used for a wide range of fish, including skipjack, medium-sized yellowtail amberjack, snapper, and root fish (grouper).

Lure: 30-60g, Line: PE #2-3 Price: ¥43,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: yellowtail amberjack weighing less than 10 kg, snapper, grouper

“76/4RGD” for light yellowtail amberjack and small trevally

Flexible tip, plus strong resilience of the belly and butt, provide sharp casting and reassuring fighting performance. It can be used for topwater fishing with diving pencils and small-diameter poppers, as well as underwater fishing with large minnows, swimbaits, jig heads, etc., which have strong pulling resistance. The short length of the lure makes it easy to use in a wide range of situations and targets, regardless of boat size.

Lure: 30-60g, Line: MAX PE #4 Price: ¥46,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: yellowtail amberjack over 10 kg, trevally, groupers

“79/5 RGD” for Severe Situations with Lure Control

This model enables sharp casting from overcasting to undercasting, thanks to a blank that has high restoring power throughout the blank and converts low input into high output. Blanks focused on high response and high power, and can be used with any kind of lures such as diving pencils, poppers, sinking plugs, etc. The main feature of this model is quick lure manipulation. It is also equipped with fight performance to support speedy lifting. This model is useful in tough situations such as selective seasonal patterns and calm conditions with no wind, where lure control and lure manipulation are required to break through the situation. It will also work well in severe conditions such as yellowtail amberjack.

Lure: 45-115g, Line: PE #4-5 Price: ¥47,000 (excluding tax)
Recommended targets: yellowtail amberjack weighing 10 kg or more, yellowfin tuna, trevally, grouper

“TRQ – Torqueful” model

The “TRQ Torqueful” model is designed for large fish with a tenacious blank and high restoring power. Designed to take the initiative even when targeting monster-sized fish. Designed to make it easy to stand up the rod, with a secure bend curve even when the rod is in an upright position. The rod is designed to support anglers even during long fights. This model is designed for anglers who are determined to “catch it” when they hook a large fish.

The “81/10 TRQ” goes head-to-head with large tuna

The TRQ is designed to fight large fish, and the “81/10 TRQ” is the only model on the market at this time. This model is focused on large tuna and features strong tenacity and high lifting power; it is a high-power model compatible with PE No. 10, has a torquey butt power, bends smoothly, and can keep up the pressure with less physical strain even when the rod is set up with high drag tension. It is also very comfortable to use. The rod is also designed to cast a wide range of lures accurately with small motions when shooting at bait ball, and to cast and manipulate pencils and small-diameter poppers long distances with little effort when luring out fish. This model is the culmination of Yamaga Blanks’ experience and know-how in order to take on large fish.