The 26 Soare Xtune is Shimano's high-end light game rod, reborn in Sep 2026. If unsure, take the S64UL-S: 60g, lures 0.4–12g, list price JPY 69,000 (excl. tax).
The Gear Nerd's Pick
The X-Guide Micro guides on the tip section are 40% lighter than 3D titanium guides of the same size, with an 8% wider inner diameter. A rod with a light tip settles quickly after the swing, so small jighead moves come through as you make them. So I choose the S64UL-S, the center of the fast, hook-setting aji range.
Key points
- Released Sep 2026. JPY 68,000–70,500 (excl. tax)
- 8 rods in all: 5 solid-tip and 3 tubular-tip
- The new X-Guide Micro is 40% lighter with an 8% wider inner diameter
When is the 26 Soare Xtune released? How much?
Released in Japan in Sep 2026. A new model. The top end of Shimano's "Soare" line, for aji (horse mackerel) and mebaru (rockfish) on light tackle with PE #0.8 or thinner, has been renewed: 8 rods, list price JPY 68,000–70,500 (excl. tax).
Swipe the table sideways →
| Model | Length | Weight | Lure | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S58UL-S | 1.73m | 55g | 0.4-12g | JPY 68,000 |
| S58UL-T | 1.73m | 55g | 0.5-15g | JPY 68,000 |
| S60SUL-S | 1.83m | 57g | 0.3-10g | JPY 68,000 |
| S64UL-S | 1.93m | 60g | 0.4-12g | JPY 69,000 |
| S64UL-T | 1.93m | 60g | 0.5-15g | JPY 69,000 |
| S610L-S | 2.08m | 65g | 0.5-15g | JPY 70,000 |
| S73UL-S | 2.21m | 63g | 0.4-12g | JPY 70,500 |
| S73UL-T | 2.21m | 63g | 0.5-15g | JPY 70,500 |
How I judged it
With the eye of someone with 30 years of fishing, light game included, the star this time is the guides. That is the key. The new "X-Guide Micro" is 40% lighter than an X-Guide 3D titanium of the same size, with an 8% wider inner diameter.
A light tip pays off. When the tip is light, the shake after a swing settles fast and does not get in the way of the rod's natural sensitivity. The wider inner diameter also lets line run out cleanly, so working light rigs is easier.
There are 8 models. The S64UL-S is the "center of the fast, hook-setting range", a model aimed at transmitting the faintest added weight even on dark nights. So my pick is the S64UL-S. A buy.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano 26 Soare Xtune S64UL-S
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 56,912 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaWhat changed from the previous model?
- Guides: new X-Guide Micro on the tip section, X-Guide Aero toward the butt
- Tip: tubular models were added to the aji action too (S58UL-T, S64UL-T)
- Base: Spiral X Core and Hi-Power X make a blank that resists bending, twisting and crushing
- Grip: a hollow Carbon Monocoque Grip and a Bridge-like Seat with little surface touching the hand
Tester Yoshitsugu Niwa says that with the lighter guides, the rod settles very quickly after the swing. The rig moves with more snap. He also says it is the change from the previous model you feel most easily.
Niwa's own picks are two: the tubular S58UL-T and the solid S60SUL-S. He says the S58UL-T, helped by its length, claims some of the best sensitivity in the series and is easy to use on charter boats that recommend jighead fishing. Makes sense.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano 26 Soare Xtune S58UL-T
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 57,720 (as of Oct 18). Some stores go up to JPY 77,138. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaSolid or tubular: which to choose?
Even on the same S64UL, the final S or T means a different tip build.
| Item | S64UL-S | S64UL-T | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tip diameter | 0.8mm | 1.3mm | 1.3 ÷ 0.8 = 1.6x |
| Lure maximum | 12g | 15g | 15 − 12 ＝ 3g |
| Nylon / fluorocarbon rating | 1-3lb | 1.5-4lb | Upper limit 1lb heavier |
| Weight / price | 60g / JPY 69,000 | 60g / JPY 69,000 | Same |
A solid tip, filled inside, is thin and soft and less likely to bounce off a bite. The S64UL-S uses a high-response solid tip that follows small, quick moves and lets you hook the fish as soon as it bites. An attacking tip.
A hollow tubular tip transmits more information, such as current direction, bottom type and depth. It is strong in deep water, with heavy rigs, and in daytime fishing. Solid for a first rod, tubular for a second. That is how I split them. No hesitation.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano 26 Soare Xtune S64UL-T
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 56,914 (as of Oct 18). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on NaturumSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow does it differ from the Soare SS Ajing?
The Soare SS Ajing S64UL-S, also 6'4", weighs 55g, takes lures of 0.4–8g and costs JPY 29,900 (excl. tax, as of Oct 18). The Xtune is 5g heavier. On the other hand, its lure maximum is 12g, 4g more. The price gap is "69,000 − 29,900 = JPY 39,100". Big.
The gap buys light guides, a Carbon Monocoque Grip and a stronger blank. This is not just a contest of lightness.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Shimano Soare SS Ajing S64UL-S
Lowest price on Rakuten: JPY 23,023 (as of Oct 14). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaSee it on Yahoo! Shopping JapanThings to watch
This part is so-so. List prices start at JPY 68,000 (excl. tax), the upper price band for aji rods. If you want to put together a full set first, or switch between several rods, another way to think about it is to choose the Soare SS and put the rest into the reel and line.
Who is the 26 Soare Xtune for?
- Anglers who want more bites in jighead aji fishing (S64UL-S)
- Anglers who want current and bottom information in deep water, from boats, or in daytime aji fishing (S64UL-T, S58UL-T)
- Anglers who want one rod for mebaru and a range of rigs (S73UL-S, S73UL-T)
Compare with other aji rods in the aji rod ranking. A new travel-friendly model is covered in the Gekkabijin MX MB review.
FAQ
When is the 26 Soare Xtune released?
Sep 2026. There are 8 rods, at a list price of JPY 68,000–70,500 (excl. tax).
What lure weights can the Soare Xtune S64UL-S handle?
0.4–12g. Rated PE #0.1–0.6, weight 60g.
What is the difference between S and T on the Soare Xtune?
S is a solid tip, T is a tubular tip. On the S64UL, the tip diameter is 0.8mm vs 1.3mm and the lure maximum 12g vs 15g; weight and price are the same.
