GROOVE – Supervised by Makoto Kato
A New-Concept Tai Rubber Rod
Supervised by Makoto Kato, captain of the charter boat “GROOVE” operating in the Kanmon area, this new-concept Tai Rubber rod was born from the need to catch fish in fast-current, special environments that traditional styles couldn’t fully target. By breaking away from conventional approaches and rethinking Tai Rubber fishing, the GRAVITATION series emerged—delivering a rod that overturns previous design concepts.
Specifications
■Grip-joint 2-piece construction (blank section is 1-piece)
■Blank material:
GRVC-LCT60ML – tubular blank (24t graphite)
GRVC-TRS69M, GRVS-VAS64M – full solid carbon blank (24t graphite)
■Guides: Fuji K guides (SiC rings)
Top guide: T-KTSG (titanium frame)
From tip to belly: titanium frame SiC-S
Butt section: stainless steel frame SiC-S
Baitcasting Tubular Model
GRVC-LCT60ML
Specialized for a swimming-fall style that incorporates long casts, this model excels during low-activity periods such as slack tide. Its short 6-foot length allows for immediate hook sets even on short, nibbling bites at the skirt, and its action favors an active hooking style with enough power for precise hook-ups. The blank is tuned to load the lure’s weight evenly across the rod, enabling smooth and stable long casts—primarily underhand—with excellent comfort.
Recommended Reel
Low-profile baitcasting reel, preferably high-gear models with excellent spool rotation.
Baitcasting Full Solid Model
GRVC-TRS69M
A high-power retrieval-focused rod with significantly reinforced strength from the belly to the butt section. Leveraging the suspension effect unique to full solid blanks, it maintains stable reeling even under high loads, such as in fast currents. With exceptional sensitivity, it detects bites as clearly as modern high-sensitivity ajing rods, while enabling deep hook penetration by wrapping the blank around the fish.
The solid blank’s combination of resilience and rigidity allows quick response to fierce runs, denying fish the upper hand. Versatile for both shallow and deep waters.
Recommended Reel
Best paired with a smooth, high-torque reel. When matched with a rigid, retrieval-focused reel, the balance point sits in the grip, enhancing handling comfort.
Spinning Full Solid Model
GRVS-VAS64M
In Tai Rubber fishing, spinning setups are often used to long-cast light heads into shallow areas, targeting wide zones at an angle.
The “Vertical Angle” concept of this spinning model takes advantage of spinning reels to achieve a pure free-fall without thumbing, enabling a highly efficient approach to low-activity red seabream. Supports weights up to 250g, with a deliberate recommendation to use either very heavy or very light heads to maximize the unique fall action of spinning setups.
Depending on the weight, the fall can be a high-speed straight drop or a fluttering, flashing descent. The vertical drop, combined with a quick side flash, can trigger reaction bites from seabream that ignore horizontal movement.
This rod enables a style that minimizes lure travel distance while mixing reaction strikes with vertical drops to target inactive fish. Keep the rod at a “Vertical Angle” during both the fall and retrieval, with the tip pointing directly toward the lure to provoke reaction bites.
Specifications
Blank:
GRVC-LCT60ML – Tubular blank made from 24t graphite, designed for exceptional sensitivity during the fall.
GRVC-TRS69M, GRVS-VAS64M – Full solid blank made from 24t graphite, focusing on resilience and rigidity.
Grip:
Baitcasting models feature a lightweight SKTS skeleton reel seat.
Spinning models feature an SKSS skeleton reel seat.
Both use a glossy black finish, grip joint construction, and separated grip design for enhanced maneuverability and optimal length balance.
GRVC-LCT60ML
Top guide: T-KGST (titanium frame)
Tip to belly: T-KTSG (titanium frame)
Butt section: PKWSG double-foot guide for reduced line tangling
GRVC-TRS69M
Top guide: T-KGST (titanium frame)
Tip to belly: T-KTSG (titanium frame) & T-KBSG (titanium frame)
Butt section: PKWSG double-foot guide for anti-tangling performance
Guides are arranged in a left-hand spiral (counterclockwise), with the top guide facing downward to reduce tip wobble during retrieval on long rods, improving stability.
GRVS-VAS64M
Top guide: T-KGST (titanium frame)
Tip to belly: T-KBSG (titanium frame)
Butt section: PKLSG guide
Butt Plate: Sturdy and durable, designed for both function and aesthetics.
