2026.10.27 2026.10.29

Shimano 26 Poison Glorious: The Fourth-Generation Flagship Bass Rod Brings Back Cork

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Shimano and Jackall’s collaboration bass rod, the Poison Glorious, has reached its fourth generation with the 26 Poison Glorious. It is the flagship of the Poison line and packs in Shimano’s latest rod technology.

The headline change is the grip. Cork is back for the first time since the second generation, laid over a full carbon monocoque grip to combine grip, comfort and sensitivity. The guides on the spinning models are new too.

Contents

Key features
Specs and prices
Which one to start with?
My take
Read next

Key features

1. Carbon monocoque grip with a thin cork layer

The 26 Poison Glorious puts a thin layer of cork over a carbon monocoque grip. The hollow carbon structure keeps the sensitivity, while the cork adds a non-slip feel and comfort in the hand. Cork also ages nicely as you use it, which many bass anglers like.

2. Spiral X Core blank

The blank uses Shimano’s Spiral X Core. Carbon tape is combined with a high-strength resin made with Nano Alloy technology. Shimano says this gives 1.4 times the torsional strength and 2.5 times the crush strength of a conventional blank structure.

3. New X Guide “Touch-Free Titanium Single” on spinning models

The spinning models get the newly designed X Guide Touch-Free Titanium Single. Guide weight is down by up to 31.3% compared with the previous model. The guides are small (20 mm), but the frame shape gathers the spiralling line from the spool smoothly, so even stiff fluorocarbon or springy braid is less likely to slap the guides and blank. That means fewer tangles and a wider choice of line.

Specs and prices

Model numbers starting with 1 are baitcasting models and those starting with 2 are spinning models. Prices are Japanese list prices before tax.

Model	Length	Pieces	Weight (g)	Lure (g)	Line nylon/fluoro (lb)	Price
162L-BFS	6’2″	1	75	3.5–10	6–12	¥62,500
165ML/H	6’5″	1	92	5–42	7–14	¥63,500
166L+-S	6’6″	1	85	3–10	5–10	¥63,000
166ML+-BFS	6’6″	1	87	5–21	7–14	¥63,500
168MH	6’8″	2 (grip joint)	92	10–30	10–20	¥63,500
1610M	6’10”	2 (grip joint)	95	7–21	8–16	¥63,000
1611H	6’11”	2 (grip joint)	102	14–42	12–25	¥64,000
174MH+	7’4″	2 (grip joint)	100	10–42	10–20	¥64,500
258XUL-S	5’8″	1	72	0.6–4	1–2.5	¥62,500
259UL	5’9″	1	75	2–7	2.5–5	¥62,500
261UL-S	6’1″	1	77	1.5–6	2–4	¥63,000
263L	6’3″	1	80	3–10	3–6	¥63,000
264UL	6’4″	1	77	2–7	2.5–5	¥63,000
265ML	6’5″	1	80	4–12	4–8	¥63,500
268MH-S	6’8″	2 (grip joint)	95	5–15	5–10	¥64,500

Carbon content is 95.5–100% depending on the model.

Which one to start with?

If you just want to try the 26 Poison Glorious, the versatile 2 63L spinning model is a good first choice. It handles light rigs and small hard baits from 3 to 10 g. For a casting all-rounder, the 1 68MH and 1 610M cover a wide range of moving baits and rigs, and their grip-joint design makes them easier to carry.

My take

The 26 Poison Glorious is a flagship bass rod built around grip technology (carbon monocoque plus cork) and the Spiral X Core blank. The return of cork will please a lot of anglers who missed it, and the lighter guides on the spinning models are a practical upgrade, not just a cosmetic one.