JDM Tackle Guide

Tairaba (red seabream)

18 rod series from 4 Japanese makers, 1.68 m (5'6") to 2.185 m (7'2").

A Japanese boat method for red seabream using a weighted head with a rubber skirt, dropped to the bottom and wound up slowly.

18 rod series 129 sizes with full specs Red seabream

The makers file these under Tai rubber (sea bream)(鯛ラバ)、Tairaba & tai jigging(タイラバ・タイジギング)、Tai game (sea bream)、Red seabream (madai)(マダイ). We only group the makers’ own categories together — we do not decide what a rod is for.

How to choose

Tairaba rods are chosen by the head weight you fish (often 45–150 g) and by the boat depth. Softer, slower rods are the norm for this style, so compare the weight ratings rather than length. Pair with a small baitcasting reel; the reel pages list the PE capacity you need for deeper water.

Rods on this shelf (18 series)
length 1.68 m (5'6") to 2.185 m (7'2") · weight 76–179 g (2.7–6.3 oz) · packed 93 cm (36.6 in) to 168.2 cm (66.2 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.

Tairaba rods at a glance

Compare specs
SeriesSizesLengthLure / headJapan list priceTo US (approx.)
Shimano Engetsu Extune171.78–2.13 m20–250 g¥55,700–59,300$434–460
Daiwa Kohga MX151.73–2.11 m20–350 g¥39,700–42,000$318–335
Daiwa Kohga AIR111.83–2.18 m15–350 g¥57,500–60,500$447–468
Shimano Engetsu Limited101.78–2.08 m30–150 g¥77,700–79,800$592–608
Shimano Engetsu SS101.93–2.03 m20–200 g¥31,000–34,700$256–282
Daiwa Kohga101.78–2.08 m20–350 g¥25,000–25,900$212–219
Shimano Engetsu XR91.98–2.18 m20–250 g¥44,500–49,000$353–385
Shimano Engetsu BB82.06–2.08 m20–200 g¥19,100–21,500$170–187

Showing 8 of 18 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 · 18 series

0 series
Maker
More filters · length, packed length, weight, pieces, price
Length
Packed length · decides what it costs to ship abroad
Rod weight
Pieces
Japan list 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.

Engetsu BB · Shimano · 8 sizes
Japan list price
¥19,100
from
Length 2.06–2.08 m (6.8–6.8 ft) Packed 106–168 cm (41.8–66.2 in) Weight 116–148 g (4.1–5.2 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu Limited · Shimano · 10 sizes
Japan list price
¥77,700
from
Length 1.78–2.08 m (5.8–6.8 ft) Packed 132–159 cm (51.9–62.8 in) Weight 131–149 g (4.6–5.3 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu SS · Shimano · 10 sizes
Japan list price
¥31,000
from
Length 1.93–2.03 m (6.3–6.7 ft) Packed 105–155 cm (41.3–60.8 in) Weight 128–162 g (4.5–5.7 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu XR · Shimano · 9 sizes
Japan list price
¥44,500
from
Length 1.98–2.18 m (6.5–7.2 ft) Packed 133–153 cm (52.3–60.0 in) Weight 100–136 g (3.5–4.8 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu XR Finesse Model · Shimano · 2 sizes
Japan list price
¥45,000
(all sizes)
Length 1.96 m (6.4 ft) Packed 149–149 cm (58.6–58.7 in) Weight 85–87 g (3.0–3.1 oz) Pieces 2
Kohga · Daiwa · 10 sizes
Japan list price
¥25,000
from
Length 1.78–2.08 m (5.8–6.8 ft) Packed 94–109 cm (37.0–42.9 in) Weight 97–115 g (3.4–4.1 oz) Pieces 2
Kohga AIR · Daiwa · 11 sizes
Japan list price
¥57,500
from
Length 1.83–2.18 m (6.0–7.2 ft) Packed 107–159 cm (42.1–62.6 in) Weight 76–120 g (2.7–4.2 oz) Pieces 2
Kohga EX · Daiwa · 6 sizes
Japan list price
¥77,000
from
Length 1.68–2.08 m (5.5–6.8 ft) Packed 126–165 cm (49.6–65.0 in) Weight 85–125 g (3.0–4.4 oz) Pieces 2
Seawalk Tairubber · YAMAGA Blanks · 4 sizes
Japan list price
¥33,500
from
Length 1.853–2.185 m (6.1–7.2 ft) Packed 95–162 cm (37.4–63.9 in) Weight 100–179 g (3.5–6.3 oz) Pieces 2
TAI GAME BM · Tailwalk · 2 sizes
Japan list price
¥16,000
from
Length 1.956 m (6.4 ft) Packed 102 cm (40.2 in) Weight 106–108 g (3.7–3.8 oz) Pieces 2
TAI GAME SD · Tailwalk · 6 sizes
Japan list price
¥22,000
(all sizes)
Length 1.778–2.007 m (5.8–6.6 ft) Packed 93–105 cm (36.6–41.3 in) Weight 135–162 g (4.8–5.7 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu Extune · Shimano · 17 sizes
Japan list price
¥55,700
from
Length 1.78–2.13 m (5.8–7.0 ft) Packed 103–167 cm (40.4–65.7 in) Weight 103–162 g (3.6–5.7 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu Extune Finesse Model · Shimano · 2 sizes
Japan list price
¥55,700
(all sizes)
Length 1.96 m (6.4 ft) Packed 149–149 cm (58.5–58.7 in) Weight 84–87 g (3.0–3.1 oz) Pieces 2
Engetsu TT · Shimano · 5 sizes
Japan list price
¥22,500
from
Length 2.06–2.08 m (6.8–6.8 ft) Packed 138–140 cm (54.3–55.1 in) Weight 117–132 g (4.1–4.7 oz) Pieces 2
Kohga MX · Daiwa · 15 sizes
Japan list price
¥39,700
from
Length 1.73–2.11 m (5.7–6.9 ft) Packed 98–138 cm (38.6–54.3 in) Weight 87–128 g (3.1–4.5 oz) Pieces 2
Kohga X · Daiwa · 5 sizes
Japan list price
¥16,500
(all sizes)
Length 2.06 m (6.8 ft) Packed 108 cm (42.5 in) Weight 100–113 g (3.5–4.0 oz) Pieces 2
TAI GAME TZ [New Gen] · Tailwalk · 6 sizes
Japan list price
¥52,000
from
Length 1.829–2.159 m (6.0–7.1 ft) Packed 115–148 cm (45.3–58.3 in) Weight 115–130 g (4.1–4.6 oz) Pieces 1
TAI GAME TZ 20th Anniversary Limited · Tailwalk · 1 size
Japan list price
¥55,000
(all sizes)
Length 1.956 m (6.4 ft) Packed 128 cm (50.4 in) Weight 135 g (4.8 oz) Pieces 1

Other fishing styles

All fishing styles, including the Japan-only ones

Numbers at a glance
SeriesSizesLength / weightJapan list price
Tai rubber (sea bream)8631.78–2.18 m¥19,100–¥79,800
Tairaba & tai jigging5471.68–2.18 m¥16,500–¥78,000
Tai game (sea bream)4151.78–2.16 m¥16,000–¥55,000
Red seabream (madai)141.85–2.19 m¥33,500–¥35,500

Total to your door (for the list price range above, with ¥5,000 shipping and estimated duty & tax): United States $144–$606 · United Kingdom £121–£494 · Germany €145–€592 · Australia A$204–A$842.

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.