Hard rock fish
10 rod series from 4 Japanese makers, 2.03 m (6'8") to 3.16 m (10'4").
Heavier tackle for pulling rockfish and grouper out of structure. Daiwa calls this "HRF" — hard rock fish.
The makers file these under Rockfish(ロックフィッシュ)、Hard rock fish(HRF(ハードロックフィッシュ))、Rockfish & seabass(ロックフィッシュ・シーバス)、Greenling, grouper & scorpionfish(アイナメ・キジハタ・カサゴ). We only group the makers’ own categories together — we do not decide what a rod is for.
How to choose
Rock fish need a rod with enough backbone to pull fish out of structure: look at the lure rating and choose the heavier end of what you can cast comfortably. Length around 7–8 ft (2.1–2.4 m) is typical for shore work. Match with a reel that holds PE 1–2 of line.
- Rods on this shelf (10 series)
- length 2.03 m (6'8") to 3.16 m (10'4") · weight 95–205 g (3.4–7.2 oz) · packed 96.1 cm (37.8 in) to 161.5 cm (63.6 in)
The ranges are the smallest and largest figures among the models listed below, taken from the maker’s specifications. The advice is ours, not the maker’s.
Hard rock fish rods at a glance
Compare specs
| Series | Sizes | Length | Lure / head | Japan list price | To US (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimano Hard Rocker SS | 16 | 2.03–3.00 m | 4–64 g | ¥29,500–32,800 | $245–269 |
| Shimano Hard Rocker XR | 10 | 2.03–3.00 m | 4–64 g | ¥43,600–48,800 | $346–384 |
| Daiwa HRF® SX | 8 | 2.06–3.00 m | 5–50 g | ¥51,500–57,500 | $403–447 |
| Shimano Hard Rocker Extune | 7 | 2.34–2.90 m | 8–80 g | ¥53,000–58,000 | $414–450 |
| Daiwa HRF® | 7 | 2.29–2.74 m | 5–40 g | ¥26,500–28,500 | $223–238 |
| Shimano Hard Rocker BB | 6 | 2.29–2.74 m | 5–40 g | ¥20,900–22,900 | $183–197 |
| Daiwa Hardrock X | 4 | 2.51–2.74 m | 5–45 g | ¥16,000–18,000 | $147–162 |
| Daiwa HRF® SX | 4 | 2.44–2.74 m | 5–60 g | ¥52,000–54,000 | $407–421 |
Showing 8 of 10 current series, most sizes first. Lure / head weight is the range of the makers' ratings across the sizes. Maker list prices in Japan, before tax — not the eBay price.
Rods · 10 series
More filters · length, packed length, weight, pieces, price
A series is shown when at least one of its sizes falls in the range you picked. Every figure is the maker’s published spec; unit conversions are ours.
No rod series match every filter. Try clearing one of them.
Other fishing styles
All fishing styles, including the Japan-only ones
Numbers at a glance
| Series | Sizes | Length / weight | Japan list price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockfish | 4 | 39 | 2.03–3.00 m | ¥20,900–¥58,000 |
| Hard rock fish | 4 | 23 | 2.06–3.00 m | ¥16,000–¥57,500 |
| Rockfish & seabass | 1 | 3 | 2.59–3.16 m | ¥36,000–¥40,500 |
| Greenling, grouper & scorpionfish | 1 | 3 | 2.29–2.59 m | — |
Total to your door (for the list price range above, with ¥5,000 shipping and estimated duty & tax): United States $144–$448 · United Kingdom £121–£372 · Germany €145–€432 · Australia A$204–A$622.
From the makers’ published specs and Japan list prices (before tax), converted at this month’s rates. Not eBay prices — the model pages show what is on eBay now.