Daiwa's Blackline Rod Series Makes a Splash at Saltwater Fishing Expo

Published: Saturday, March 16, 2024 12:00 pm

DAIWA introduces the new Blackline Surf and Trolling Rod Series to great fanfare from the squid hound crowd.

From the Jersey Shore to the Delmarva Peninsula and the Outer Banks, and up to Long Island, Cape Cod, and New England waters, DAIWA is placing significant emphasis on its new Blackline Surf and Trolling/Mojo striper series. These series will be officially unveiled at the Saltwater Fishing Expo in Edison, N.J., from March 15-17, 2024.

The new lineup features ten models, consisting of four Blackline rods tailored for trolling/mojo techniques, and six surf spinning rods crafted with input from prominent East Coast surf anglers.

Ready for any surf fishing situation and location, the Blackline surf rod lineup includes a 9’ medium power, extra-fast action model (BL902MXS) with DAIWA’s MEGATOP tip for added superior bite sensitivity. It’s primarily designed for surfcasting open sandy beaches “where you can walk up and down the beach and cast thousands of times without tiring yourself out,” Bob Hryszko with Grumpy’s Tackle in Seaside, N.J., an area expert DAIWA’s who contributed to the development of the Blackline series said. Hryszko added, “it’s an ideal rod when you don’t have to reach halfway to Spain with your casts, plus it’s also perfect for use when fishing waist-deep water.”

Hryszko said the powers and actions are perfect throughout the entire Blackline surf lineup, “plus they easily load and recover quickly and have the backbone to fight big fish. The DAIWA crew spent the time on these rods to get it right with features like a DAIWA Air Sensor reel seat the fits all reels – like those anglers use when they swim out to a bar.” He notes that “rods like the 9’6” heavy power (BL962HFS) are ideal for big plugs where more distance and larger capacity reels are needed, especially when the current is ripping, and the 11’ heavy power (BL1102HFS) for use by surf anglers who travel to places like Montauk or to use in restricted casting areas like the Cape Cod Canal.”

The two-piece Blackline surf rods are fortified with DAIWA’s X45 bias carbon technology construction method, designed to withstand twisting and uphold rod integrity under intense pressure. Additionally, they are bolstered with SVF (Super High Volume Fiber) Nanoplus Technology to enhance blank strength and reduce weight. DAIWA’s innovative V-Joint Technology ensures that the ferrules bend to prevent any flatness in the rod blank, promoting longer casting distances and consistent flex, resulting in a rod that feels like a single piece construction.

BLACKLINE ON THE TROLL

Featuring a carbon slick butt for effortless handling and a gimbal for enhanced rod control and leverage during fish fighting, the one-piece Blackline boat rods revolutionize the trolling experience for striper enthusiasts. Available in both 6 '6'' and 7’ lengths, with medium-heavy (rated for 30- to 80-pound braid) and heavy power options (suitable for 50- to 100-pound braid), these rods are tailored to establish a perfect inside/outside trolling pattern. The new Blackline trolling rods are ideal for mojo rig setups, pulling plugs, live-lining bunker and eels, as well as working large plastic swim jigs along sandy beaches.

According to DAIWA field marketing specialist Chris Martin, “the Blackline trolling rods offer plenty of backbone with the right amount of tip for multi-situational use, plus the carbon slick and shrink rubber foregrip offer not only modern aesthetics but also durability and comfort – crucial features anglers will appreciate.”

The Blackline trolling rods are equipped with a robust FUJI reel seat and durable guides, engineered to endure the challenges of trolling across diverse conditions.

Martin adds that East Coast anglers can expect to see even more DAIWA gear for popular saltwater fishing action. “We have anglers up and down the Atlantic seaboard already putting our proven Saltiga and Saltist conventional and spinning reels and recently new reels like our Free Swimmer bite n’ run style reels to use. And you’ll be seeing even greater focus to produce the right saltwater rods to match up with these reels.”

All Blackline trolling rods retail for $179.99 (USD), while Blackline surf rods range from $399.99 to $419.99. Check them out at the DAIWA booth (#159) at the Saltwater Fishing Expo, where the rods will also be available from Grumpy’s Tackle (booth #409) and Bernie’s Bait & Tackle (booth #445), who along with other select retailers will offer a full assortment of DAIWA saltwater rods, reels, J-Braid and accessories.

Blackline Surf FEATURES: