Daiwa Vertice R 156F / 156S: The Biggest Vertice, and How It Differs From the 140 and 125

Daiwa’s Vertice is a byword for “a minnow that flies” on surf beaches and in seabass fishing – plenty of anglers have one in the box. Now the Shoreline Shiner Z Vertice R gets its largest size yet: 156 mm.

Autumn is when big sardine, gizzard shad and shad-type bait come close to shore, followed by pelagics and seabass. A 156 mm at this time of year is a size aimed squarely at that. Here is how I would use it alongside the 140.

The Vertice R is Daiwa’s moving-weight minnow for seabass and surf – the standard “flies far, and actually swims” minnow, thanks to its distance and stable swimming in any current. The new 156F and 156S were originally due in September but were delayed to October 2026.

Full Vertice R lineup

F = floating, SS = slow sinking. Every size has a “tight wobbling roll” action. The 156 also comes in Laser Impact versions (156F-LI, 156S-LI).

Note that the 156S’s 88.0 m maximum is the longest in the series, while the 156F, at 78.0 m, is shorter than the 140F. The two 156s have clearly different characters: S for distance, F for floating and slow presentations.

Features

1. Aero body and a large tungsten weight

A low-drag shape lets a large tungsten weight travel all the way to the back of the body. The further back the weight, the straighter and more stable a minnow flies.

2. Wire oscillate to stop it dying late in the cast

The rail the weight runs on extends to the very tail, with the kick-back spring halved. Daiwa says this reduces loss of speed in the second half of the cast, adding distance.

3. Mag Lock Ver.S+R – swims the moment it lands

The impact of landing throws the weight forward, where a magnet locks it. The lure starts quickly and holds its swimming in strong current. The weakness of moving-weight minnows is the weight not fully returning after landing, so the first few metres swim badly. On a surf edge or in an estuary current, I think this “swims immediately” performance translates directly into fish.

Why 156 mm, and why now

Autumn surf and estuaries fill with big sardine, shad and gizzard shad, and pelagics, big seabass and flounder follow them close in. When the bait is around 15 cm, a 125 or 140 mm can be too small and get refused. The 156 matches the bigger bait, and its larger silhouette is easier for distant fish to notice – perfect for the “big-bait season” from autumn into early winter.

The basic rule is to match lure size to the bait. But there is another idea too: using size to select the fish. A 156 mm is hard for small fish to eat and attracts big ones. On days you want “floor-cushion” flounder (zabuton), lunker seabass or full-size yellowtail, deliberately throwing a big lure makes sense.

Compared with similar lures

1. Vertice R 140F / 140S (same series)

On distance alone, the 156S and 140S are almost the same. The difference is weight and silhouette. At 38.2 g, the 156S loses less distance in a headwind or waves and gets down more easily. At 27-28.5 g, the 140 is easy to use on almost any rod. I would use the 140 day to day and the 156 on big-bait days and rough days.

2. DUO Tide Minnow Slim 178F

For big minnows on the surf, DUO’s Tide Minnow Slim is another standard. The new 178F, with DUO’s MLS mechanism, is a 178 mm / 32 g floater with an even bigger silhouette.

The Tide Minnow Slim’s slim profile also matches long, thin bait such as halfbeak and needlefish. The Vertice R has more body depth and suits bulkier bait such as sardine and gizzard shad. Choose by the shape of the bait.

3. Vertice R 125F (the standard size)

The most-used size in the series is the 125F: 20.5 g, easy to cast well on either a seabass rod or a surf rod. The 156 and 125 differ by about 15 g and 3 cm. Use the 125 on small-bait days and for harbour and river seabass, the 156 for big fish on the surf – treat them as completely different lures.

How to fish the 156F and 156S

1. Straight retrieve as the base

With a tight wobbling roll, a straight retrieve is enough. Thanks to Mag Lock’s quick start, it swims properly even at slow speed.

2. 156S for surf pelagics

When you need to reach distant boils, or in wind and waves, use the 156S. Let it sink a little after landing before winding, and it runs in the steadier layer under the waves.

3. 156F for flounder and seabass

On shallow beaches and estuary flats, use the 156F. Its buoyancy lifts it when you stop, avoiding snags while still showing itself. Wind slowly and pause now and then – that alone appeals strongly to big flounder and seabass.

Tactics by species

Yellowtail (inada, warasa, buri)

A fairly fast straight retrieve with the 156S. When there is a boil, cast ahead of the school and cross in front of it. Without boils, think about the distant drop-off: count it down 5-10 seconds before winding to reach pelagics cruising a little deeper.

Flounder and flathead

A slow straight retrieve with the occasional stop. The 156F floats up gently when stopped, giving a following flounder a moment to eat. Focus on places where bait collects – rip outlets and the drop-off at the water’s edge. (See how to read a surf beach.)

Seabass

In the autumn gizzard shad pattern, the 156’s big silhouette comes into its own. In estuary current, wind slowly with a bit of drift. Mag Lock keeps the swim stable in current – a big advantage here. (See Japanese seabass in autumn.)

By season

• Autumn (Oct-Nov) – big sardine, gizzard shad and shad come in. The 156’s best season.
• Early winter (Dec) – lunker seabass chasing spawning sweetfish and gizzard shad; big flounder.
• Spring to early summer – 125 or 140 on small-bait days; 156 when big sardine arrive.

Colours

Five colours each for the 156F and 156S.

My first pick would be Adel Fuyajo, then Adel Maiwashi for clear water.

Tackle

The 156S weighs 38.2 g – on a seabass rod, check the upper lure rating. A surf rod or light shore jigging rod casts it comfortably at full power. (Rods: surf rods by price range.)

Things to note

• The 156F’s 78.0 m maximum is shorter than the 140F’s 84.0 m – pick the 156S for distance.
• At 35 g and up, it is hard to cast on light seabass rods.
• Too big on days with small bait (whitebait, anchovy).
• Popular colours tend to sell out right after release.

Summary

• The series’ biggest size: 156F (35 g) and 156S (38.2 g).
• The 156S’s 88.0 m maximum is the longest in the series.
• Aero body, wire oscillate and Mag Lock Ver.S+R.
• Matches the big sardine, gizzard shad and shad of autumn.
• 140 day to day; 156 for big bait and rough days.

The Vertice R is the minnow that “flies, and properly swims”. Its biggest size, the 156, comes into its own in the big-fish season from autumn into winter. Big flounder, lunker seabass, full-size yellowtail – on days you want a big fish, try the 156.

Read next

• Daiwa Shoreline Shiner SL
• Japanese flounder (hirame) guide
• Japanese yellowtail from the beach
• Shimano Nessa Nina 120S
• Match the bait on a surf beach

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.