2026.10.28

Daiwa Gekkabijin RX AJING: A High-Modulus, Rear-Balanced Ajing Rod for Around ¥24,000

minagiman

Just in time for winter ajing (light-game fishing for Japanese horse mackerel), Daiwa has released a new ajing rod: the Gekkabijin RX AJING. Gekkabijin is Daiwa’s light saltwater brand, and RX is a new series focused on precision and response for controlling small rigs. It went on sale in Japan in September 2026, priced at ¥23,600–24,600 before tax. That brings technology from higher-end models to a more affordable price.

Contents

Key features
Specs for all five models
Which model?
Suggested tackle
Where RX sits in the Gekkabijin range
My take
Read next

Key features

1. A high-modulus blank designed from the mandrel up

The blank was designed from a new mandrel (the core the rod is built on). Daiwa aimed to bring out as much stiffness as possible, because stiffness is key to response, and says it now picks up short bites that used to slip past.

2. X45 and HVF Nanoplus

X45 reinforces the blank against twisting, and high-density HVF Nanoplus carbon improves response. Together they sharpen the direct feel that is central to working a jig head and setting the hook on a bite.

3. A rear-weighted grip end

A woven carbon cloth pipe in the rear section moves the balance point toward the butt. That makes rod-up shaking and quick hook sets easier.

4. Egg-shaped Fuji IPS reel seat

The reel seat is egg-shaped overall, so more of it sits in your palm for better contact and grip while you work the rod.

5. Other details

Megatop solid tips on the solid models: thin, flexible and fast-tapered, for bites you can both feel and see
Spigot-free put-in joint for a direct action
Carbon cloth rings that are light and help you touch the blank
Gold colour scheme for the ajing models
Rod sock included

Specs for all five models

Model	Length	Weight	Tip	Lure	PE	Price (ex. tax)
54UL-S	1.63 m	56 g	0.8 mm	0.3–5 g	0.1–0.3	¥23,600
510UL-S	1.78 m	62 g	0.8 mm	0.3–5 g	0.1–0.3	¥23,800
64UL-S	1.93 m	65 g	0.8 mm	0.3–5 g	0.1–0.3	¥24,000
64L-S	1.93 m	65 g	0.8 mm	0.5–8 g	0.1–0.4	¥24,200
710ML-T	2.39 m	90 g	1.0 mm	1.5–10 g	0.15–0.5	¥24,600

All are two-piece. “-S” means a solid tip and “-T” means a tubular tip. PE sizes use the Japanese number system.

Which model?

Model	Ideal jig head	Character
54UL-S	About 0.5 g	A short rod for precise control and actively hooking fish close in under lights
510UL-S	About 0.5 g	A soft tip that accepts bites naturally. A balance of hooking and letting fish load
64UL-S	About 1.0 g	The standard light model. Good balance of drifting and sensitivity
64L-S	About 1.5 g	A firmer blank for working rigs actively and hooking fish in current
710ML-T	Carolina and float rigs	A long, powerful rod for casting rigs to distant drop-offs

First ajing rod: 64UL-S
Close range under lights: 54UL-S
Fast current or heavier jig heads: 64L-S
Distant schools with Carolina or float rigs: 710ML-T

A short jig-head rod plus the 710ML-T for long casts is a good two-rod setup for winter ajing.

Suggested tackle

Item	Guide
Reel	A light 1000–2000 spinning reel
Line (jig head)	Ester 0.2–0.3, or PE 0.1–0.3
Line (distance rigs)	PE 0.3–0.5 (710ML-T)
Leader	Fluorocarbon 0.6–1.5
Jig heads	Mostly 0.5–1.5 g, matched to each model

Where RX sits in the Gekkabijin range

Series	Position
Gekkabijin MX	The upper series, with a mebaru (rockfish) model added in September 2026
Gekkabijin RX	New series focused on precision and response, with ajing and mebaru models
Gekkabijin (basic)	The standard for beginners to intermediates

The Gekkabijin brand first appeared in 2005 as Daiwa’s dedicated light saltwater line. RX suits anglers stepping up from an entry rod, or adding a second rod for a specific job.

My take

Higher-end ajing rods are lighter, stiffer and more sensitive, which lets you go after small bites and hook them. RX brings that “hook them yourself” style of ajing down to the low ¥20,000s, with a high-modulus blank and rear balance. The rear balance in particular should suit shaking the rod tip up and setting the hook fast around harbour lights.