2026.10.21

Major Craft First Cast (2026): Every Model and Which Beginner Rod to Buy

minagiman

Ask Japanese anglers which rod to buy first and Major Craft’s First Cast comes up again and again. For 2026 the series has been renewed: the price stays under 10,000 yen, but the lineup has been rebuilt around how people actually fish today. Here is the whole range, sorted by fishing style, with the model I would pick for each.

Release: October 2026 (bass models March 2027). Weights have not been announced yet; specs are from Major Craft’s announcement.

Contents

What is the new First Cast?
Full lineup and prices
Which model for which fishing
Things to keep in mind
Minagiman’s take
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What is the new First Cast?

Entry-level lure rods at 6,600–9,900 yen (incl. tax)
Blanks that borrow design ideas from Major Craft’s higher-end series
Dedicated models for each style, not one do-everything rod
Seven series: eging, aji (horse mackerel), light game, seabass, shore jigging, trout area and bass
All two-piece for easy transport

Full lineup and prices

Eging (squid)

Model	Length	Egi size	PE	Price
FCE-792ML	7’9”	1.5–3.5	0.4–1.0	7,150 yen
FCE-832ML	8’3”	1.5–3.5	0.4–1.0	7,480 yen
FCE-862ML	8’6”	1.5–3.5	0.4–1.0	7,700 yen
FCE-832M	8’3”	2.0–4.0	0.4–1.2	7,480 yen
FCE-862M	8’6”	2.0–4.0	0.4–1.2	7,700 yen

Seabass

Model	Length	Lure	PE	Price
FCSB-902ML	9’0”	7–35 g	0.6–1.5	8,030 yen
FCSB-962ML	9’6”	7–35 g	0.6–1.5	8,250 yen
FCSB-962M	9’6”	10–45 g	0.8–2.0	8,580 yen

Light shore jigging / shore jigging

Model	Length	Lure	PE	Price
FCSJ-962M/LSJ	9’6”	15–50 g	0.8–2	8,250 yen
FCSJ-1002M/LSJ	10’0”	15–50 g	0.8–2	8,580 yen
FCSJ-962M	9’6”	max 60 g	1–2.5	8,800 yen
FCSJ-1002M	10’0”	max 60 g	1–2.5	9,130 yen
FCSJ-1002MH	10’0”	max 80 g	2–3	9,350 yen
FCSJ-1002H	10’0”	max 100 g	2.5–4	9,900 yen

Aji / light game

Model	Length	Lure	PE	Price
FCAJ-612L/S	6’1”	0.2–3 g	0.1–0.4	6,600 yen
FCAJ-652L/S	6’5”	0.2–3 g	0.1–0.4	6,930 yen
FCLG-732L/S	7’3”	0.5–10 g	0.3–0.6	7,150 yen
FCLG-762L/T	7’6”	0.5–10 g	0.3–0.6	7,480 yen

Trout area (managed ponds)

Model	Length	Lure	PE	Price
FCAT-602UL	6’0”	0.9–4 g	0.2–0.4	6,600 yen
FCAT-602L	6’0”	0.9–5 g	0.2–0.6	6,600 yen

Even the most expensive model, the FCSJ-1002H, is 9,900 yen. With a reel you can be fully set up for around 20,000 yen.

Which model for which fishing

Eging: FCE-832ML. Handles the 2.5–3 egi used for autumn squid; 8’3” balances casting and handling. For spring and 3.5+ egi, choose an M model.
Seabass: FCSB-962ML. Rivers, estuaries, harbours and beaches with minnows, sinking pencils and vibes. For surf and bigger lures, the FCSB-962M.
Pier pelagics: FCSJ-962M/LSJ. 20–40 g jigs for young yellowtail, mackerel and sagoshi. Go 10 ft (FCSJ-1002M) for 40–60 g surf casting, MH or H for buri-class fish.
Aji / mebaru: FCAJ-612L/S or FCLG-762L/T. The aji rod for jighead-only fishing; the light game rod if you also throw small plugs and metals.

For an eging reel, Shimano’s new 26 Sephia BB launched at the same time; otherwise a 2500–C3000 spinning reel fits.

Things to keep in mind

Weights are not out yet; expect some gap in weight and sensitivity versus premium rods.
There is no dedicated flatfish surf rod — for serious surf fishing, a 10 ft+ surf rod is more comfortable.
Never cast lures heavier than the rated weight.

Minagiman’s take

Being able to buy a dedicated lure rod for under 10,000 yen is a big deal for beginners. Autumn is prime time for both squid and pelagics in Japan, so this is a great first rod — or a gift for a friend starting out.

Major Craft rods are sold in many countries; model codes and availability outside Japan may differ.