The new Ikari jigging rod tested around Madeira Island by Alban Choinier for Fishing & Travel magazine.

"In designing its Fokeeto Ikari rods launched in 2019, Japanese company Zenaq employed a new blank technology known as “Super High Elastic Carbon”, the interior of which comprises a “built-in carbon core”. Unlike hollow blanks, this blank made of two different types of carbon does not deform under pressure, retains all its power and restores it better, making it practically unbreakable. It boasts two particularly striking features: its magnificent finish, a blend of simplicity and Japanese know-how (typical of Zenaq), and its weight, which gives one the impression of holding a twig! 

Once my Ikari was paired with a Shimano Ocea Jigger 2001 spooled with 0.24 mm/17 kg Sufix 832 multicoloured braid and a 6 m fluorocarbon 60 lb leader, this matching formed a perfectly balanced combo. Surprised by the finesse and lightness of the Ikari, I started fishing with a short jig weighing 120 g which turned out to be too light: at a depth of 120 m, the rod – with a parabolic action – does not load enough to produce the desired “rebond” action. A short jig of 150 g proved to be more effective: the blank bends when the angler reels in and then immediately regains its original shape when the angler make a stop. Then, fishing with a 180 g jig 150 m under the boat, the Ikari blank works on its own and allows the angler to fish for hours without ever tiring out!

The power stored in this blank of only 8 mm in diameter is amazing. We landed large pink dentex and amberjacks in 150 m of water with the drag set at 5 kilos (sometimes a bit more, thumb on the spool…) without ever seeing the end of this power reserve. The long handle (51 cm from the butt to the reel foot) fits easily under the armpit even with a fishing jacket on.

During our tests in Madeira, this 64-5 Ikari was mainly equipped with short jigs during our slow-pitch jigging sessions, but it proved to be just as effective with longer jigs when speed jigging. Considering its finesse and effectiveness, our excellent guides (Madeira Sightcasting Charter) were quite wary at first, but after reeling in dozens of gorgeous specimens they were amazed and were certainly keen to keep this beautiful rod on board!"

 

 

Technical specifications

Length: 6'4'' (1m93)

Offset handle; high modulus carbon with “carbon core structure”. Fuji Torzite Titanium rings. Reel seat: Fuji. Duplon handle with mixed cork/rubber knob.

Overall size: 1m36

Weight: 185g

Recommended line size: PE2.5 (30/40 lb)

Jig weight: short jig 210g max/long jig 280g max.

Also available in spinning version, the FS64-5.5: 6’4”/jig max 280g, line PE#1.5 to PE#3.

€1020