Company: Blackfin Rods, LLC · Location: Hobe Sound, Florida · Categories: Deep drop rods, slow pitch jigging rods, and a full saltwater and freshwater lineup
Blackfin Rods is a Florida rod builder whose “expert craftsmen design and produce our fishing rods by hand in our Florida facility” in Hobe Sound. Blackfin covers almost every price point. Its deep drop range runs from a $189.99 E-Glass Offshore Elite to the $722.99 Fin Legacy Deep Drop built for daytime swordfishing. It also makes a slow pitch jigging rod, the Deep Stix, for the deep grouper and tilefish grounds.
This review covers every Blackfin rod aimed at deep drop anglers, what separates them, and which one suits your reel and your fishing.
Company overview
At a glance
| Address | 12972 SE Suzanne Dr, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 |
| Phone | 772-287-4723 |
| Made | By hand in Hobe Sound, Florida |
| Deep drop rods | Fin Legacy Deep Drop, Fin Legacy Deep Drop Big Game, Offshore Elite DD (50 & 80 lb) |
| Slow pitch rod | Deep Stix |
| Warranty | One year, with 30-day returns on unopened packages |
| Extras | Personalization available (+$19.99 on some rods) |
Blackfin’s full catalog also includes stand-up, pitch, planer, circle hook, spinning and trolling rods (the Fin Legacy family), snapper and grouper bottom rods, the Carbon Elite inshore rods, surf rods and freshwater rods. There’s even a kids’ rod.
Fin Legacy Deep Drop Rod: the swordfish rod
Blackfin describes the Fin Legacy Deep Drop as built for “Daytime Swordfishing/Deep Drop heavy current and weight with decent tip action,” targeting broadbill swordfish, golden tilefish and grouper at depths beyond 1,000 feet.
| Model | Length | Line class | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fin #153 | 6’10” | 50–80 lb | Medium-Heavy |
| Fin #154L | 7’5″ | 60–100 lb | Extra-Heavy |
Construction
– Ultra-thick composite blank built for sustained torque
– Parabolic bend that absorbs the shock of heavy leads and big fish
– Winthrop roller tops with Fuji silicon carbide guides
– EVA foregrips
– Blackfin #4 curved butts
Images: Blackfin Rods
Price: $722.99. At the time of writing it showed as sold out, with pre-orders available.
Why it stands out: A roller top combined with SiC guides handles heavy braid at the tip, where friction is highest, while keeping the guide train light and sensitive. The long lengths (6’10” and 7’5″) keep line clear of the hull on a daytime sword drop and give a parabolic rod room to work. That combination is less common among deep drop rods, which tend to be 5–6 ft.
Who it’s for: Daytime swordfishing and very deep tilefish drops in heavy current with a mid- to large-size electric reel.
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Fin Legacy Deep Drop Big Game Rod
Blackfin’s collection pages also list a Fin Legacy Deep Drop Big Game Rod:
– Length: 6’1″ · Line rating: 80–130 lb
– Guides: Fuji SiC with silicon carbide tops
– Grip / butt: EVA grips, #2 Aftco curved butt
– Aimed at: high-speed wahoo trolling and deep dropping
– Price: listed at $340.19 on sale (regular $485.99) in Blackfin’s deep drop collection
It’s a shorter, heavier-rated rod at a much lower price than the Fin Legacy Deep Drop. It’s a good option if you want an 80–130 lb rod that can also pull wahoo baits.
Images: Blackfin Rods
Offshore Elite: the budget deep drop rods
The Offshore Elite series is Blackfin’s value saltwater line. Every model uses a 100% E-Glass blank, Seaguide components and EVA grips, and all nine models list at $189.99 on the product page (the collection page shows them “from $169.99” on sale).
Two of the nine are deep drop rods:
| Model | Length | Line class | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OE61050DD | 6’10” | 50 lb | Deep drop |
| OE61080DD | 6’10” | 80 lb | Deep drop |
The rest of the series covers conventional (6’6″ and 7′), spinning (7′) and pitch (6’4″) rods in 12–50 lb classes.
Who it’s for: First-time deep droppers, charter boats outfitting several rods, and anyone who wants a tough E-Glass deep drop rod for under $200.
Deep Stix slow pitch jigging rod
More Florida deep droppers are adding slow pitch jigging to their trips, and Blackfin makes a dedicated rod for it:
Images: Blackfin Rods
- Configurations: 6′ conventional · 6’3″ spinning · 6′ spinning rod-and-reel combo
- Line: 50–100 lb · Power: PE 3–5
- Jig weight: 120–300 g
- Action: slow, with “extreme parabolic power”
- Blank: Toray carbon · Grip: EVA
- Target species: grouper, jacks, snapper, tilefish
- Price: $209.99 (all configurations showed sold out in September 2026)
- Handcrafted in Hobe Sound, Florida
At $209.99 the Deep Stix costs far less than Japanese slow pitch rods, many of which run $400 to $800 or more. It’s an affordable way to try the technique. Pair it with jigs from our Slow Pitch Jigs listings, such as Seafloor Control.
Which Blackfin rod?
| Your fishing | Blackfin pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime swordfish, very deep tilefish, heavy current | Fin Legacy Deep Drop (Fin #153 / #154L) | $722.99 |
| 80–130 lb deep drop, plus wahoo trolling | Fin Legacy Deep Drop Big Game | $340.19 (sale) |
| Budget 50 or 80 lb deep drop rod | Offshore Elite OE61050DD / OE61080DD | $189.99 |
| Slow pitch jigging for grouper and tilefish | Deep Stix | $209.99 |
Setting up a Blackfin deep drop rod
Match the line class to your reel. Put a compact electric such as a Daiwa Seaborg 500J, PENN Fathom Electric 50 or Banax Kaigen 1000 on a 50 lb class rod: the Offshore Elite OE61050DD or the Fin #153. Bigger reels and heavier braid belong on the 80–130 lb class rods, such as the OE61080DD, the Deep Drop Big Game or the Fin #154L.
Check the reel seat fit. Electric reels often use rod clamps rather than conventional reel feet. Fit the reel at home, before you’re offshore, and make sure the clamp bites on the seat and doesn’t slip under load.
Think about the rod holder. The curved butts on the Fin Legacy (Blackfin #4) and Big Game (Aftco #2) rods drop the reel lower and closer to the gunwale. That reduces leverage on the rod holder when a big fish loads the rod at the surface.
Care for the roller top. A Winthrop roller top needs a freshwater rinse after every trip and an occasional drop of reel oil so it keeps turning. A seized roller wears a groove in the roller and damages braid.
Use the long rods for daytime swords. The 6’10” and 7’5″ Fin Legacy Deep Drop rods keep line away from the hull while a sword circles under the boat. That length is why they cost more than the shorter deep drop rods.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handmade in Hobe Sound, Florida
- The Fin Legacy Deep Drop’s long parabolic blank with a roller top and SiC guides suits daytime swordfishing
- Offshore Elite deep drop rods cost $189.99 with E-Glass blanks
- An affordable Toray carbon slow pitch rod (Deep Stix, $209.99)
- One-year warranty and personalization options
Cons
- The Fin Legacy Deep Drop and Deep Stix were sold out in September 2026 (pre-orders open for the Fin Legacy)
- Specs and prices differ between Blackfin’s collection pages and product pages, so confirm before ordering
- A one-year warranty is shorter than some premium builders offer
Blackfin vs. other Florida deep drop rod builders
| Builder | Location | Deep drop range |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfin Rods | Hobe Sound, FL | $189.99 (Offshore Elite) to $722.99 (Fin Legacy Deep Drop) |
| Crowder Rods | Jensen Beach / Stuart, FL | 14 models, $329.99 to $949.99 |
| Kristal Fishing | Miami, FL | Complete reel, rod and mount systems |
Blackfin and Crowder are both on Florida’s Treasure Coast. Crowder has the wider traditional roller-guide range, while Blackfin offers the cheapest entry point and the longer parabolic swordfish rods.
Where to buy Blackfin rods
Factory
– Blackfin Rods: 12972 SE Suzanne Dr, Hobe Sound, FL 33455 · 772-287-4723 · blackfinrods.com
– Deep drop collection
– Deep Stix slow pitch rod
Blackfin sells direct online with a one-year warranty and 30-day returns on unopened packages. Call the factory about stock and pre-orders on sold-out models.
Buy online (Amazon)
Verdict
Blackfin gives deep droppers a Florida-made rod at almost every budget. The Offshore Elite deep drop rods at $189.99 are some of the best-value E-Glass rods you can buy. The Fin Legacy Deep Drop, with its long parabolic composite blank, Winthrop roller top and Fuji SiC guides, is a purpose-built daytime swordfish rod. The Deep Stix makes slow pitch jigging affordable. Check stock before you plan around the premium models.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Value 5/5 · Range 4.5/5 · Build quality 4.5/5 · Availability 3.5/5
FAQ
Where are Blackfin rods made?
By hand in Blackfin’s facility at 12972 SE Suzanne Dr, Hobe Sound, Florida.
What is the best Blackfin rod for daytime swordfishing?
The Fin Legacy Deep Drop, in the 6’10” Fin #153 (50–80 lb) or 7’5″ Fin #154L (60–100 lb). Blackfin built it for “Daytime Swordfishing/Deep Drop heavy current and weight.”
What is the cheapest Blackfin deep drop rod?
The Offshore Elite OE61050DD (50 lb) and OE61080DD (80 lb), both 6’10” E-Glass rods at $189.99.
Does Blackfin make a slow pitch jigging rod?
Yes, the Deep Stix: Toray carbon, PE 3–5, 120–300 g jigs, $209.99.
Models, specifications and prices were checked against blackfinrods.com on September 25, 2026.