The Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE is a high-modulus spinning jigging rod released in September 2026. If unsure, take the 60S-3. It weighs 161g, handles jigs up to 250g and lists at JPY 62,000 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The heart of this rod is the combination of AGS from tip to belly and, deliberately, metal guides at the butt. Only the part you jerk with is made light, while the butt, where you fight the fish, leans toward security. That is why I pick the 60S-3 as the first rod for nearshore yellowtail.
Key points
- Released Sep 2026. JPY 61,000–65,000 (excl. tax)
- All 6 rods are one-piece, weighing 159–184g
- Jig limits run from 220g to 350g. If unsure, the 60S-3
When is the Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE out, and what does it cost?
It goes on sale in September 2026. Daiwa's offshore flagship Saltiga gains a spinning jigging rod that pushes jerk snap to the limit with high-modulus carbon. It is new. All 6 rods are one-piece, with a list price of JPY 61,000–65,000 (excl. tax).
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Length | Weight | Jig | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60S-2.5 | 1.83m | 159g | MAX220g | JPY 61,000 |
| 60S-3 | 1.83m | 161g | MAX250g | JPY 62,000 |
| 60S-4 | 1.83m | 170g | MAX300g | JPY 63,000 |
| 60S-5 | 1.83m | 184g | MAX350g | JPY 65,000 |
| 64S-3 | 1.93m | 164g | MAX250g | JPY 63,000 |
| 64S-4 | 1.93m | 173g | MAX300g | JPY 64,000 |
How I judged it
With 30 years of fishing, including jigging, what caught my attention first was how the guides are laid out. AGS, a carbon-framed guide, from tip to belly, and metal guides at the butt. It makes sense. The material is split between the tip, where lightness counts, and the butt, where the load comes on. That is well done.
Laying the numbers of the 6 rods side by side, the 60S-3 handles jigs up to 250g at 161g. Against the 60S-2.5 below it, the gap is just 2g and JPY 1,000, and it takes jigs 30g heavier. At that difference, there is no reason not to pick the 60S-3. There is little left to agonize over.
Tester Kazuki Nakajima, who took part in development, also calls the 3 the "baseline rod" and recommends it if you are unsure. My pick is the 60S-3. A buy.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE 60S-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 52,514 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 57,970. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaWhat is new? The blank and guide build
The blank is high-density HVF Nano Plus, a material that aims to combine toughness and strength by using less resin and packing more carbon fiber. The outside is tightened with X45 Full Shield to hold down twist when you jerk. Little wobble.
The reel seat is the Zero Seat, which hurts the hand less however you grip it. Jigging repeats the same motion hundreds of times, so comfort here is a big plus. Plain, but it works.
A high-modulus rod recovers fast. Fast recovery makes it easy to build a jerk rhythm, and the jig jumps even with light force. It ties directly to being less tiring. Unlike a rod that is merely stiff, it is tuned so the part just above the middle does the work. That is the selling point.
Divide the jig limit by rod weight: which is most efficient?
I calculated how many grams of jig each gram of rod can handle. The formula is "jig limit ÷ rod weight." The results are in the table below.
| Model | Formula | Per gram of rod |
|---|---|---|
| 60S-2.5 | 220g ÷ 159g | 1.38g |
| 60S-3 | 250g ÷ 161g | 1.55g |
| 64S-3 | 250g ÷ 164g | 1.52g |
| 60S-4 | 300g ÷ 170g | 1.76g |
| 60S-5 | 350g ÷ 184g | 1.90g |
Efficiency rises as the number goes up. But the 60S-5 at 184g will tire your arms if you keep jerking all day. To be honest about it, the shortcut is to decide the number you need first from depth and current. If unsure, take the 3.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE 60S-4
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 53,361 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 58,905. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow do 6.0ft and 6.4ft differ?
- 6.0ft (60S): a direct feel is its strength. For anglers who want to work it briskly even when drifting
- 6.4ft (64S): for combination jerks that use the length, and for presentations that make the jig swim
The difference is small. The gap between the 60S-3 and 64S-3 is 10cm of length, 3g of weight and JPY 1,000. The weight gap is slight, so choose by how you like to present. The default is 6.0ft.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Daiwa Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE 64S-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 53,361 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 58,905. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow does it differ from a bait slow-jigging rod?
Shimano's Ocea Jigger ∞ B65-3, released in August 2026, is a bait slow-jigging rod. It weighs 137g, takes jigs of 120–280g and lists at JPY 72,000 (excl. tax). It is a rod that makes the jig swim on a slow taper. The character is the opposite.
The Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE is a spinning rod for working fast jerks to make yellowtail chase. The fishing style is clearly different. So for high-pitch fishing for yellowtail, this one fits. Choose by purpose and you will not waver.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano 26 Ocea Jigger ∞ (Infinity) B65-3
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 60,058 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 71,280. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaThings to watch
With high modulus and strong tension, if you mainly slow-swim the jig, a slow-type rod is easier in some situations. On a boat, check your equipment, including a life jacket, against Japan Coast Guard guidance.
Who is the Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE for?
- Anglers who want to jerk for yellowtail and amberjack with a one-piece spinning rod
- Anglers who want one rod to cover depths around 100m (60S-3)
- Traveling anglers who go after big amberjack and kanpachi with heavy jigs (60S-5)
To compare with a bait slow-type rod, see the Ocea Jigger ∞ review and the Saltiga SJ TG review. For jigs to pair with it, the Saltiga Bull Chopper review, another new Daiwa release, compares 8 weights. Release dates of other new gear are in the fishing gear release calendar.
FAQ
When is the Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE released?
Sep 2026. List price is JPY 61,000–65,000 (excl. tax), and there are 6 rods.
How heavy a jig can the Saltiga J HIGHRESPONSE 60S-3 use?
MAX 250g. It is designed for depths of 100m and a bit more, is rated for PE up to #3 and weighs 161g.
Which is better, the 60S-3 or the 64S-3?
For a direct feel, the 60S-3; for varied jerks that use the length, the 64S-3. The weight gap is 3g.
