The Saltiga LJ’s for me are the highlight of the new product release from Daiwa for 2024, they’re very light, strong and on the cutting edge of technology mirroring the JDM versions of these rods. Light jigging is a popular style in Japan more closely related to speed jigging than slow pitch, with more aggressive winding and pulling that gets you a reaction bite on smaller jigs in the 60-200g range. These are especially effective with tungsten jigs since you can cover a much broader range of depths from 50-300 feet.

Daiwa already has jigging rods so what makes these unique? The main selling feature of these rods, besides the beautiful aesthetics matching the rest of the Saltiga lineup, is the “MEGATOP” blank. I’ve dug through everything on Daiwa’s website and there’s not much clear information about what that actually means. These Megatop blanks are solid pultruded carbon fiber with a carbon fiber wrap over the entire blank, making them much more durable than conventional tubular blanks since they do not oval as much which is often times the cause of broken rods. On all other rods labeled Megatop in the US only the tip is solid. In Japan these are also called the TG or thrill game models in the Saltiga LJ, SJ and R series since you’re able to put a much bigger bend in them.

With all that said who are these rods for and what reels should they be paired with? These are very soft and bendy rods that most people here would be afraid to fish but they provide a ton of performance and versatility for jigging. They’d be excellent for the local bottom fish species and bass, sheepshead, yellowtail and even smaller tuna. So if you’re looking for a fun style of fishing in the 50-300ft range I would definitely recommend giving this style a try. These rods can accept a wide range of reels like the Daiwa Saltiga 15, Okuma Tesoro 5N, Accurate Valiant 300 as well as larger 300 size round baitcasters and low profiles since they’re easier to use. For the spinning model a 4000-6000 Daiwa size is perfect depending on line capacity and retrieve needs, I recommend the Certate or Saltist MQ, in the Okuma lineup the Salina is also an awesome choice.

These rods use the Fuji PULS palming reel seat for the baitcasting and a custom Daiwa seat for the spinning. Unlike the JDM models these do not use the carbon fiber AGS guides but instead switch to Fuji stainless steel SiC guides which to me is a welcome change.

From the Manufacturer: “The Daiwa Saltiga Light Jigging Rods set a new standard for lightweight performance in jigging rods, equipped with top-of-the-line features for the most demanding anglers. The entire length of the rod is enhanced with MEGATOP technology, providing an exceptionally sensitive tip that ensures you feel even the slightest nibble. The X45 carbon fiber construction ensures a robust backbone with reduced twisting, giving you the power to fight and land the toughest fish.

The rod’s handle is fitted with the innovative Air Sensor Reel Seat for SPIN models, which is remarkably lightweight yet sturdy, allowing for a direct feel of the blank. Fuji K Guides with ALL SIC rings lead the line smoothly, reducing friction and heat for optimal casting and reeling under heavy loads. These elements combine to create a rod that not only performs in deep water scenarios but also caters to the finesse needed for light jigging, promising an unparalleled angling experience with the reliability and quality that Daiwa is known for.”