My brother’s neighbour invited us out onto the boat for a day out fishing. With the rig sorted, and a pile of theory in the head, an opportunity to test it all out came up. Realistically though – the line ‘breaking weight’ of the PE 1.5 is still around 30lb – so it’s not like we are talking super light tackle here. I opted for the 1500 over the 2000 size – as was keen to keep things light. I have already realised a lot of this is going to be a bit of personal preference – and can certainly see the ‘built like a tank’ aesthetic of the Accurate Reels – but – maybe it’s the years of martial art training – but I have a weakness for certain Japanese sensibilities. Of course, then it actually dawned on me – the Ocea Jigger wasn’t actually a Lever Drag anyhow! It’s the one reel that had come up time and time again online – and handling all the above three reels – the Shimano certainly seemed to have a much smoother feel and operation.

Maybe it’s due to not using them as much, but I am still a little wary of the lever drags – I knew I would be dropping the line back down quite regularly – and really liked the idea of the Hybrid’s Thumb bar spool release meaning I could essentially operate the reel one-handed. It was originally a toss-up between the Accurate and Maxel – with the Maxel Hybrid actually catching my eye. I went back and forth quite a few times between reels. I finally settled on a combination of the Shimano Ocea Jigger 1500 HG Jigging Reel, sitting on a Jig Star Slow Jerk Acid OH Slow Pitch Jigging Rod – loaded up with Daiwa Saltiga EX 12 Braid in PE 1.5 diameter. So, I knew I was going to need a rod and reel, and slowly worked through all the reviews online, videos, forums and so on. And while I don’t get the opportunity (yet!) to be out regularly trying every option back to back (not many people really get to do that) – I do have the luxury of being able to grab multiple items, and set them on the desk to ponder, play and generally ruminate over. Yes, of course, there is specialist gear. Like in many things the Japanese took an idea and refined and refined it until mastery. While it’s fair to say it’s only just starting to properly take off in NZ, it isn’t new, either here, or, in the home of it – Japan.

What appeals to me in regards to Slow Pitch Jigging is both the apparent success, but also the slower, much more peaceful workout at the angler’s end! That fast pitch jigging looks like too much work! The idea is to mimic the actions of an injured or dying fish – i.e. The lures and designed to maximise flutter down, rather than dropping fast through the water. I have also seen it referred to as Slow Jerk as well.Įssentially though, as I understand it, the focus is on the drop of the lure and the way it flutters back down, rather than the fast erratic movement as it is pulled up through the water. From what I understand, what is being called Slow Pitch Jigging (or Slow Pitch) in NZ, is the same as what the Japanese sometimes simply call Slow Jigging. Like many things, the terminology can get a little confusing, depending on who you talk you. It’s something I had been reading about online and devouring videos on.

Specifically, I was keen to give Slow Pitch Jigging a go.

Since my trip out with the lads from Okuma, my eyes had been properly opened to fishing without bait – using lures instead.

Maxel hybrid review