The Search for One : Shimano/Jackall's Biwako Versatile X

Total Score: 8.2 - GREAT

Introduction: One of the very special souvenirs I brought back with me on our trip to Japan during the Fall of 2013 with Megabass of America was a fishing rod from one of their rivals. It is one among many from a line that's been gaining interest here in the States simply for the story behind the line's origins - it's the result of the recent partnership between Shimano and Jackall. There were actually one or two sticks from this lineup that might have better suited my long term fishing applications back in the States, but this one won out simply for its name and the location of the store where I made the purchase - on the shores of Lake Biwa. Introducing our first look at the new joint venture Poison Glorious like from Shimano and Jackall. Here's our look at the 173MH Biwako (Lake Biwa) Versatile X.

Shimano & Jackall team up to give us the Poison Glorious Biwako Versatile X.

Quality/Construction: The Biwako Versatile X is a two piece stick from Shimano/Jackall. Typical of JDM two-piece bass rods, the separation of each piece is at the handle. The blank is finished with a very fine gloss coat, the grip features a two piece design made from a mix of cork, compressed cork and the standard aluminum accent pieces. Alignment of all these materials and accent pieces appears spot on in our test model.

Paired with a new Antares and ready to go.

Epoxy application over the guide wraps is light and very clean, with no signs of excess material. The blank itself appears straight and the standard sized guides are perfectly aligned. There's no tag or label on the rod indicating point of origin, so we're assuming it's somewhere other than Japan else that'd pedigree would be proudly displayed. Nonetheless this rod is a super clean build.