The Megathis R Long Cast is a rock-shore rod for cage float casting released in Oct 2026. If unsure, the 3-53 Long Cast is the pick. At 350g it has a sinker rating of No. 5–15, and the list price is JPY 83,500 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The change in the Megathis R Long Cast is one added guide each on the #4 on the tip side and above the butt. With more guides, the swing of line thrashing right after the cast gets smaller and it pays out cleanly. That is why I pick the 3-53 Long Cast, the lightest of the long-cast models, as the first rod for cage float fishing.
Key points
- Released Oct 2026. JPY 83,500–86,500 (excl. tax)
- Three rods, class 3, 4 and 5, weighing 350–440g
- One guide added each at the #4 and above the butt
When is the Megathis R Long Cast out, and what does it cost?
It goes on sale in October 2026. Along with the Megathis R rock-shore rod for gure, three rods built for casting far come out. The models are the 3-53 Long Cast, 4-53 Long Cast and 5-53 Long Cast, at a list price of JPY 83,500–86,500 (excl. tax).
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Weight | Tip diameter | Sinker rating | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-53 Long Cast | 350g | 1.9mm | No. 5–15 | JPY 83,500 |
| 4-53 Long Cast | 395g | 2.3mm | No. 10–20 | JPY 84,500 |
| 5-53 Long Cast | 440g | 2.6mm | No. 12–25 | JPY 86,500 |
| (Reference) R 3-53T | 290g | 1.4mm | No. 5–10 | JPY 83,500 |
| (Reference) R 4-53T | 314g | 1.4mm | No. 10–15 | JPY 84,500 |
How I judged it
As someone who likes reading spec sheets side by side, the first thing I looked at was the gap to the "T" of the same class in the Megathis R. At class 3, the price is the same JPY 83,500 for both. Even so, the Long Cast raises the sinker limit from No. 10 to No. 15.
This is where I wavered. The trade-off is weight, up 60g from 290g to 350g. But if you keep casting cages and bait, a rod with headroom at the limit does not strain.
I decided. Among the three Long Cast rods, the 3-53 Long Cast is the lightest and works from the low end of No. 5. At the same price, anglers who cast far should choose the Long Cast. My pick is the 3-53 Long Cast. A buy.
For a first rod, this one.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Megathis R 3-53 Long Cast
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 61,539 (as of Oct 17). Some stores go up to JPY 91,850. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaWhat changed from the previous model?
The biggest change is the guides. Compared with the previous model, one guide is added at the #4 and another above the butt, and the position of the whole set is reworked.
With wide gaps between guides, the line right after the cast lifts away from the rod and sags widely; with the gaps tightened, the line pays out along the rod, which reduces tangling at the tip and drag in flight. That is why the number of guides matters on a long-cast rod.
It looks plain, but this is a fine piece of reworking. For anglers who cast dozens of times a day in cage float fishing, line coming out the same way every time counts for more than distance itself. Fewer tip tangles to untie after each cast means the rig spends more time in the sea.
In addition, the floating K guide holds down line tangles, and the tip guides are stopped from loosening and spinning by Fine Pitch Guide Lock. The blank, as in the Megathis R, is built to resist twist with V-JOINT α and X45.
Class 3, 4 or 5: which should I pick?
I calculated the difference at each step up in class. The answer is simple: the only thing to choose by is the weight of the cage and sinker you use.
- Class 3 → class 4: 45g heavier, JPY 1,000 more. The sinker limit goes from No. 15 to No. 20
- Class 4 → class 5: 45g heavier, JPY 2,000 more. The sinker limit goes from No. 20 to No. 25
The gaps are neatly even. Every step adds 45g. Plain and straightforward. If cages up to No. 15 are enough, the 3-53 Long Cast; for offshore-rock cage fishing with around No. 20, the 4-53 Long Cast. Choose plainly by the sinker weight you use and you will not go wrong. The 5-53 Long Cast weighs 440g and is a rod narrowed to anglers who throw up to No. 25 for big fish.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Megathis R 4-53 Long Cast
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 62,276 (as of Oct 17). Some stores go up to JPY 92,950. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow many grams can it cast per gram of rod?
This part is arithmetic. One sinker number is about 3.75g. I converted the sinker limit to grams and calculated "limit ÷ weight."
- 3-53 Long Cast: No. 15 = 56.3g ÷ 350g = 0.16
- 4-53 Long Cast: No. 20 = 75g ÷ 395g = 0.19
- R 3-53T: No. 10 = 37.5g ÷ 290g = 0.13
Even at the same class 3, the Long Cast takes a heavier rig for its rod weight. It makes up for the 60g of extra weight with the weight it can throw.
That convinces me. The 4-53 Long Cast rises further to 0.19, and the heavier the cage you throw, the more the Long Cast build counts.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Megathis R 5-53 Long Cast
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 63,750 (as of Oct 17). Some stores go up to JPY 95,150. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaThings to watch
This part is so-so. The 3-53 Long Cast is 350g, 115g heavier than the Megathis R 1.5-53 (235g). But that weight is there to throw a heavy cage all the way.
Transport length is 123–124cm, a little longer than the Megathis R 3-53T (117cm).
Before casting a heavy rig, check that nobody is behind or around you. On the rocks, wear a life jacket and follow the guidance of the Japan Coast Guard and each maker. A vest to wear over thick winter layers is compared in the DF-6326 review.
Who is the Megathis R Long Cast for?
- Anglers who want to target sea bream and yellowtail offshore with cage float on the rocks (3-53 Long Cast, 4-53 Long Cast)
- Anglers who feel a gure rod does not handle enough rig weight
- Anglers who want to throw up to No. 25 and prepare for big fish (5-53 Long Cast)
If you fish gure from your feet, the Megathis R review covers how to choose among 10 rods. What to wear on the rocks is collected in our life jacket ranking. The reel is new too. For the lever-brake reel from the same autumn, see the 26 Tournament ISO LBD review.
If float fishing for gure is your main fishing, you could also start with the light Megathis R around class 1.5.
Release dates for other new gear are in the fishing gear release calendar.
FAQ
When is the Megathis R Long Cast released?
Oct 2026. List price JPY 83,500–86,500 (excl. tax).
What sinker size can the Megathis R Long Cast 3-53 use?
The sinker rating is No. 5–15. Compatible leader is nylon #3–8, and the weight is 350g.
Which is better, the Megathis R 3-53T or the 3-53 Long Cast?
For rigs with sinkers up to No. 10 where you want light weight, the 3-53T; to cast sinkers up to No. 15, the 3-53 Long Cast. The price is the same JPY 83,500 (excl. tax) for both.
