ZENAQ Fokeeto Ikari DBL Jigging Rods
With the success of the existing Fokeeto Ikari Rods, in 2024 ZENAQ developed the DBL iteration of the Ikari to provide a world-class rods for anglers chasing ultimate big games.
A Rod Built to Catch Monsters
When designing a rod to capture truly monstrous fish, it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing solely on adding power. However, this approach leads to a rod that is simply too stiff, requiring the angler to possess extreme strength and stamina. Such a powerful rod becomes difficult to handle, making it a "rod beyond the angler's capabilities," ultimately preventing effective battles with monsters.
In big-game fishing, the key is not just power, but creating a rod that allows the angler to handle long fights comfortably, while continuously applying pressure to the fish and lifting it. The answer to this challenge led to the development of the DBL Structure.
DBL Structure (Deep Bias Layered Construction)
This new blank construction, created through a more intricate and complex bias design, generates unprecedented fight power. The elements that influence blank molding—such as carbon material elasticity, thickness, resin content, fiber angles, and mandrel (mold) taper design—offer an infinite range of combinations.
From these countless possibilities, multiple carbon materials are layered in a deep structure (DBL), with fibers oriented in intricate bias angles to create a highly durable and responsive blank. The ability to design precise torque and power with this structure allows for the ideal rebound, durability, and flexibility for each rod, optimizing the response needed to handle monster fish.
Achieving such a blank requires not only advanced carbon composite molding techniques but also the perseverance to conduct exhaustive development and testing, carefully selecting the optimal combination from the infinite options available. This process ensures the rod's superior performance in the most demanding conditions.
The new blank structure, created through a more intricate and complex bias design, generates an unprecedented level of fight power. The key elements involved in blank molding, such as the elasticity, thickness, resin content, fiber angles, and mandrel (mold) taper design, allow for an infinite number of blank molding patterns.
From these endless combinations, multiple carbon materials are layered in a deep, multi-layered structure (DBL Structure) with intricate fiber orientations (bias), creating a highly complex and durable blank.
This approach is entirely different from designing rods focused on delicacy or lightness; it’s akin to designing the body of a finely-tuned heavyweight athlete. This blank design technique allows for precise control over the necessary torque and power, meeting the required rebound, durability, and flexibility for each rod.
The high-level molding technology required to composite the carbon materials is essential, but equally important is the painstaking development process of testing and finding the optimal combination from the infinite possibilities. This effort is crucial in creating a blank that meets the extreme demands of big-game fishing.
The power and torque needed to lift a monster fish can be compared to the difference between a plain iron rod and a precisely layered spring. A simple powerful blank would be like an iron rod, requiring immense force to bend. However, a meticulously layered spring allows for bending with minimal effort, utilizing the spring's rebound power.
This is the key advantage of the DBL structure in big game rod design—allowing anglers to comfortably bend the rod while lifting the monster fish. In big-game fishing, it's not just about having lightweight tackle; it's about having the right balance of power and leverage to manage huge fish effectively.
Furthermore, by layering the carbon fibers in a bias orientation, the rod becomes highly durable, resisting wear and maintaining its performance over time without losing its strength. This design ensures a blank that doesn't "sag" with use, offering long-lasting reliability even through countless battles with big-game fish.
The DBL structure expands the usable lure range of the rod. In conventional molding methods, adding the necessary power to the rod can result in a very limited bending range from the belly to the butt section, which narrows the effective lure range. However, with the DBL structure, the belly and butt sections can flex according to the load, enabling a wide range of casts and lure manipulation, from light to heavy lures, making the rod highly adaptable to various sea conditions.
To cast lightweight lures effectively, it’s not enough to rely solely on a "soft tip" for sufficient casting distance and accuracy. The flexible strength from the belly to the butt is essential. Just like a baseball player can't achieve ball speed and accuracy with just their arm swing, a successful lure cast requires the strength and coordination of the lower body and torso. Similarly, with the DBL structure, the belly to butt section adjusts to the load, stabilizing both casting distance and directional accuracy. This dynamic flex provides the necessary control and power to handle a wide range of lures effectively. Versaitility of the original Ikari series has not been lost however, as the Ikari DBL rods can still impart meaningful action to all manner of jigs in varying conditions: heavy jigs in deep waters, lightweight jigs in shallow areas, long jigs, slow jigs, and more.
All conventional rods are spiral wrapped for right hand retrieve reels.
| Model | Reel Configuration | Length (ft) | Pieces | Jig Max Rating (g) | PE Rating | Avg. Weight (oz) | Guide | Butt Type |
| FS60-J7 | Spinning | 6'-0" | 1 | Short 280 / Long 350 | 2 - 4 | 9.3 | Titanium KWSG | EVA Soft |
| FB56-J10 | Baitcasting | 5'-6 " | 1 | 150 - 400 | 4 - 8 | 11.0 | Titanium RVSG / MNSG | Aluminium Gimbal w/ Cap |
| FS56-J10 | Spinning | 5'-6" | 1 | 150 - 400 | 4 - 8 | 11.2 | MNSG | Aluminium Gimbal w/ Cap |
| FB53-J15 | Baitcasting | 5'-3" | 1 | 180 - 500 | 8 - 12 | 11.5 | Titanium RVSG / MNSG | Aluminium Gimbal w/ Cap |
| FS53-J15 | Spinning | 5'-3" | 1 | 180 - 500 | 8 - 12 | 11.4 | MNSG | Aluminium Gimbal w/ Cap |
Reel Recommendation (Spinning)
| Model | 6000 | 8000 | 10000 | 14000 | 18000 | 20000 | 30000 |
| FS60-J7 | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | |||
| FS56-J10 | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ | |||
| FS53-J15 | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ | ○ |
Reel Recommendation (Baitcasting)
| Model | Shimano 2500 | Shimano 3000 | Shimano 4000 | Shimano Talica 20 | Shimano Talica 25 |
| FB56-J10 | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ||
| FB53-J15 | ○ | ◎ | ◎ | ◎ |
About ZENAQ-
Beginning in the 1960s, ZENAQ has been producing rods that embody the Japanese people. Being committed to the angler, they take feedback from customers seriously and use it to develop their products. These products go through various, strenuous field tests to be perfected. All of the steps towards making the rods happens in the same factory so that ZENAQ can refine their skills and create superior rods. As anglers themselves, ZENAQ continues to make rods that inspire the soul.
***Due to our distribution agreement with ZENAQ, we are unable to supply their rods outside of the 50 U.S. States, U.S. Territories and Canada. We apologize for any inconvenience.***
