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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.
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.
Read next
- Shimano 26 Calcutta Conquest DC
- Shimano 26 Vanquish CE
- Shimano Ocellus Pencil
- Jackall Joins the Shimano Group
ABOUT ME
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.
