The Dragger EX is a rod for anglers who target big fish such as amberjack from shore by casting. If unsure, the core 93XHF-3. Released Oct 2026 in Japan, list price JPY 112,000–115,000 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The heart of this series is that all three rods are built strong enough for big fish. Daiwa explains that it did not design rods by fish size but gave every model the same strength. So I narrow what I choose by to lure weight and casting distance rather than strength, and make the 93XHF-3 my pick.
Key points
- Released Oct 2026. JPY 112,000–115,000 (excl. tax)
- All 3 rods weigh about 400g. They differ in length and lure weight
- Lure limits: 120g for the 98HH, 160g for the 93XH, 280g for the 91XXH
When is the Dragger EX out, and what does it cost?
On Daiwa's official page, it is released in Oct 2026. The 3 models are the 98HHF-3, 93XHF-3 and 91XXHF-3, at a list price of JPY 112,000–115,000 (excl. tax).
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure | Jig | PE rating | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98HHF-3 | 2.95m | 400g | 50-120g | 60-160g | #4–6 | JPY 112,000 |
| 93XHF-3 | 2.82m | 400g | 60-160g | 80-200g | #6–8 | JPY 113,500 |
| 91XXHF-3 | 2.77m | 402g | 60-280g | Not supported | #6–10 | JPY 115,000 |
How I judged it
As someone who likes reading spec sheets side by side, the first thing I looked at was weight. All 3 are around 400g, and even the 402g 91XXH is only 2g apart. Length and lure weight differ completely, yet the weights are matched.
What I weighed was the 98HH and 93XH. The price gap is just JPY 1,500. For that difference, there is no reason not to take the 93XHF-3, which widens the lure limit to 160g.
Daiwa also writes that the 93XH is the all-rounder with the best balance of handling, fighting and casting distance, and the core of the series. That is why I make the 93XHF-3 my pick.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Dragger EX 93XHF-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 96,564 (as of Oct 15). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow do the 3 models differ, and which should I pick?
The difference is not strength. Daiwa explains that it did not design by target fish size as it used to, and that every model has the strength to stand up to big fish. What splits them is the weight of the lure you throw and the distance you aim for.
- 98HHF-3: a light, easy-to-handle technical long-cast model. A tip that handles small diving pencils well
- 93XHF-3: the core, covering plugs of 16–30cm. Daiwa writes that in testing it caught several 30kg-class amberjack
- 91XXHF-3: built for big baits, covering plugs of 18–24cm and also 30cm-class big plugs
In numbers, the lure limits spread out to 120g, 160g and 280g. The compatible reels differ too: the official guideline is #SW10000-14000 for the 98HH, #SW14000-18000 for the 93XH and #SW18000-20000 for the 91XXH.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Dragger EX 98HHF-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 94,864 (as of Oct 15). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanSee it on Rakuten IchibaPer gram, where do they differ?
I calculated how heavy a lure each rod can cast for its own weight. The formula is "lure maximum ÷ weight".
| Model | Formula | Per gram of rod |
|---|---|---|
| 98HHF-3 | 120g ÷ 400g | 0.30g |
| 93XHF-3 | 160g ÷ 400g | 0.40g |
| 91XXHF-3 | 280g ÷ 402g | 0.70g |
The 91XXH can throw more than double the weight of the 98HH from a rod of the same weight. For anglers who keep throwing big plugs, this gap counts.
Conversely, if you mostly throw lures of 60–100g, you will not use up the 91XXH's headroom. It is also 18cm shorter than the 98HH, so it suits anglers who put casting distance low on the priority list.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Dragger EX 91XXHF-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 97,405 (as of Oct 15). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow is the Dragger EX different from the earlier Dragger BT?
Daiwa explains what changed from the previous series, the Dragger BT. The biggest is stronger recovery, the force with which the rod tries to return to straight.
- Stronger recovery: aims to follow fish thrashing at the rock edge and reduce lost fish
- X45 Full Shield: tightens the outer layer with 45° carbon cloth from the tip, resisting twist
- All guides on titanium frames: Daiwa says the tip is lighter than the BT and handling improved
- ZERO SEAT Power Grip: reduces rattle of the reel foot
The less twist, the more easily the lure flies in the direction you want to throw. Cross-winding from the tip is the countermeasure.
Things to watch
This part is so-so. The price tops JPY 110,000. Daiwa's Dragger X 100M, a different rod for shore jigging, is JPY 24,000 (excl. tax), and its price is about 1/5 of this one. Expensive.
The other is length. Transport length is 106cm for the 98HH and 101cm for the 93XH and 91XXH, over a meter, and even at 3 pieces you have to take care carrying it. Take care loading it in a car too.
Shore fishing for big fish demands great care with footing and waves. Check your equipment against the guidance of the Japan Coast Guard and each maker.
Who is the Dragger EX for?
- Anglers who target big fish such as amberjack with plugs from shore
- Anglers who use large SW14000-and-up spinning reels and PE around #6
- Anglers who want to pick from 3 models to match the lures they throw
How to decide PE size is laid out in numbers in how to choose PE line sizes.
If you mostly use jigs around 50g, the price band in our ranking of shore jigging rods is enough. If you fish with a mid-size reel under SW10000, there is a different way to choose.
Release dates for other new gear are in the fishing gear release calendar.
FAQ
When is the Dragger EX released?
On Daiwa's official page, it is October 2026.
How do the Dragger EX 93XHF-3 and 98HHF-3 differ?
The lure limit is 160g for the 93XH and 120g for the 98HH. The compatible PE differs too: #6–8 for the 93XH and #4–6 for the 98HH.
Which reel should I pair with the Dragger EX?
By Daiwa's guideline, the 98HH takes a #SW10000-14000 spinning reel, the 93XH a #SW14000-18000 and the 91XXH a #SW18000-20000.
