Stand up rod and fight the monster class SAKURA LURE DIVISION Tuna casting rod, Ocean Trophy

Tuna rods that bring together the know-how and technology of Sakurai Fishing Gear

Sakurai Fishing Gear is a long-established brand established in 1888. The company has produced a wide range of products from traditional fishing rods such as Edo Japanese rods to modern carbon rods. The lure fishing division is called “SAKURA LURE DIVISION,” and offers a diverse lineup of rods for salt fishing, including light game, casting, jigging, tie-laba, and rock-shore fishing.
In June 2024, Sakurai Fishing & Gear announced two rods for tuna, the “Ocean Trophy” series, the “Ocean Trophy 7512” and the “Ocean Trophy 7015.

These two models have already proven themselves in the past season, with fish weighing in excess of 200 kg. In recent years, with the evolution of reels, lines, and hooks, the bluefin tuna game has exceeded 100 kg, and competition with tuna over 200 kg has become a reality. This rod is Sakurai Fishing Tackle’s answer to the challenge of fighting such huge tuna head-on.

The most important feature of the Ocean Trophy is its design to bend the rod firmly even against large tuna, putting pressure on the fish and keeping it afloat. If a rod for tuna casting is too stiff, the angler will not be able to withstand a prolonged fight, even if the opponent is a big fish. Therefore, it is essential to have both power and casting performance.
To address this issue, the company has pursued performance that “bends the rod supplely but has a core, producing more power and resilience as it bends.
Currently, these two models are out of stock on Sakurai Fishing Gear’s official website, but anglers targeting tuna should definitely check these models out.

Combining long-distance casting performance, lure retrieval, and ease of fighting
OCEAN TROPHY 7512

First, the 7512 model. At 7 feet 5 inches in length, it can reach tuna schools with long-distance casting. It is also suitable for covering a wide area with lures. It can handle plugs weighing 60–200g with ease and is designed to accommodate delicate lure manipulation.
It features robust butt power capable of handling monster-class tuna over 100kg, bending the rod significantly while using its rebound force to lift the fish, thereby greatly reducing the angler’s burden during the fight. Compatible line: PE8–12. Tax-included price: 90,200 yen.

Making the fight easier
OCEAN TROPHY 7015

On the other hand, the 7015 model is a short-length model developed with 200kg-class tuna in mind. It is designed with the intention of allowing not only anglers with physical strength but all passionate anglers to take on monster-class fish head-on, reflecting the philosophy of Sakurai Fishing Tackle.
While its casting performance is inferior to the 7512, its taper design allows the rod to bend firmly from the handle during the fight, reducing the burden on the angler and making it easier to handle the rod in an upright position.
Additionally, when the tuna approaches the boat’s edge, anglers typically hold the rod between their arms for the final battle. However, this rod allows anglers to maintain constant pressure with the butt section, enabling a quicker catch. The casting weight is 80–250g, and it supports PE 10–15 line. The tax-included price is 88,000 yen.

Bluefin tuna fishing is a “real battle” against an opponent far larger than humans. Its power far exceeds imagination. However, despite recent catch regulations limiting the number of days available for fishing, opportunities for hits have increased alongside resource recovery, and with advancements in tackle, it is becoming a more accessible target than ever before.
Nevertheless, to capitalize on these limited opportunities, you need the equipment and physical strength to face the tuna head-on alone. This requires maintaining a posture that can withstand the pressure while keeping the fish under constant pressure.
In such situations, effectively utilizing the rod’s rebound force to reduce the angler’s burden while bringing the fish to the surface is essential. The OCEAN TROPHY introduced here is precisely the rod that meets this need.

Product Information
https://www.sakura-rod.co.jp/sakura-lure-division/ocean-trophy/

Summary: Anglers Time Editorial Department