Company: Gamakatsu Co., Ltd. · Founded: 1955 · Based: Nishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan · Category: Slow pitch rods and assist hooks
Most Florida anglers know Gamakatsu for hooks. In Japan it also builds rods under the Luxxe (ラグゼ) name. Our hub lists the Luxxe Ocean Almea, but that line is no longer in Gamakatsu’s current offshore catalog and the retailer listings we found show it sold out. The Gamakatsu rod that now covers slow pitch is the Luxxe Jigdrive R, which Gamakatsu says handles “スローピッチジギング” (slow pitch jigging) along with light and super-light jigging.
Two things matter for US buyers. First, Gamakatsu rods are made for the Japanese market and aren’t sold by Gamakatsu USA, so you have to import them. Second, Gamakatsu USA does sell assist hooks here, including a double rig it describes in slow pitch terms. This review covers both.
Company overview
Gamakatsu started making fish hooks in 1955. Its head office is in Nishiwaki, Hyogo. According to Gamakatsu USA, the company began building a rod factory “for the Japanese market” in 1976, and Gamakatsu USA Inc. was set up in 1992 “to provide Gamakatsu® brand hooks to the U.S. market.” The US office is in Tacoma, Washington ((253) 922-8373).
At a glance
| Brand | Gamakatsu (Luxxe rods) |
| Current slow pitch rod | Luxxe Jigdrive R: 15 models, 30–240 g |
| Older line on our hub | Luxxe Ocean Almea (sold out, not in current catalog) |
| Other jigging rods | Luxxe Jigrevo Spec N, Jigrevo Spec D, Top Gear X |
| Rod price | ¥37,500–¥39,500 list (Jigdrive R, before tax) |
| US rod availability | Import only. Gamakatsu USA sells hooks, not rods |
| US assist hooks | Assist 700 Double, 530, 510, Kinkai MS-Neo and more, from $5.89 |
Luxxe Jigdrive R
Images: Gamakatsu
Gamakatsu calls the Jigdrive R a wide-ranging jigging series for Japanese inshore and nearshore water, in regular and solid-tip versions. It says the light models are made for “軽量ジグのスロー系テクニック” (slow techniques with light jigs). All models are 2-piece and about 96% carbon, 4% glass. For slow pitch, the baitcasting (B) models are the ones to look at.
| Model | Length | Weight | Jig weight | PE | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B61FL-solid | 6’1″ | 125 g | 30–90 g | 0.4–1.2 | ¥38,000 |
| B61UL-solid | 6’1″ | 127 g | 40–110 g | 0.5–1.5 | ¥38,500 |
| B61L-solid | 6’1″ | 130 g | 50–130 g | 0.6–2.0 | ¥39,000 |
| B60UL | 6’0″ | 155 g | 60–140 g | 0.8–2.0 | ¥37,500 |
| B60L | 6’0″ | 157 g | 70–170 g | 1.0–2.0 | ¥38,000 |
| B60ML | 6’0″ | 160 g | 90–200 g | 1.2–2.5 | ¥38,500 |
| B60M | 6’0″ | 165 g | 110–230 g | 1.5–3.0 | ¥39,000 |
Specs and list prices (before tax) from gamakatsu.co.jp, September 2026. JDM Tackle Heaven listed the range at ¥41,250–¥43,450, with every model sold out.
There are also eight spinning models: the S64FL/UL/L-solid (6’4″, 20–100 g) and the S63UL to S63MH (6’3″, 50–240 g). The top of the range is 230–240 g, so the Jigdrive R is a light-to-medium slow pitch rod, not one for 300 g+ jigs in deep current.
Luxxe Ocean Almea (older line)
The Ocean Almea (オーシャン アルメーア) was a one-piece Luxxe jigging line. It isn’t on Gamakatsu’s current offshore jigging page, and the Japanese retailer listings we found were sold out. Only one model was described in slow jigging terms: the B67UL-RF, which Naturum says was built around “ジャークで誘いフォールで喰わせる” (jerk to entice, fall to feed).
| Model | Length | Weight | Jig weight | PE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B67UL-RF | 6’7″ | 120 g | 40–90 g | 0.6–1.5 |
| S62ML-F (spinning) | 6’2″ | 135 g | 60–110 g | 1–2 |
| B58MH-F | 5’8″ | 125 g | 180–300 g | 2–3 |
| B62H-F | 6’2″ | 283 g | 150–250 g | 4–6 |
From Naturum and Waterhouse (Yahoo! Shopping) listings, September 2026. The B62H-F was listed at ¥43,560. The B62H-F is a power jigging rod for big yellowtail, not a slow pitch rod.
If you find a used Ocean Almea, the B67UL-RF is the slow pitch model. For a new rod, buy the Jigdrive R.
Other Luxxe jigging rods
- Jigrevo Spec N: six 6’0″ 2-piece baitcasting models, 120–430 g, ¥52,000–¥54,500. Gamakatsu describes it as a series for “more technical jig control”. It doesn’t use the word slow, but the heavier ratings cover deep water.
- Jigrevo Spec D: five 6’2″ one-piece spinning models, 50–220 g, for drift jigging, ¥63,500–¥66,000.
Gamakatsu assist hooks in the US
This is the part of Gamakatsu most Florida slow pitch anglers will actually buy. Gamakatsu USA says the Assist 700 Double “doubles up on the standard slow pitch assist hooks to maximize hookups.”
| Hook | Sizes | Cord | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assist 700 Double (2 pk) | 3/0–5/0 | 1″, 110 lb PE (3/0–4/0), 160 lb (5/0) | $12.89 |
| Assist 530 Double Short (2 pk) | 1/0–3/0 | 1″, 110 lb PE with fluorocarbon core | $12.89 |
| Assist 510 | 1–4/0 | Not stated | $11.49 |
| Assist Kinkai MS-Neo Double Short (2 pk) | 6/0–7/0 | 1″, 100–120 lb PE | $12.89 |
From gamakatsu.com, September 2026. Gamakatsu USA also lists the Assist 540, 550, 560, 720 Heavy Duty, Vertical Limit and Tsuranuki.
The Assist 510’s outbarb is designed so it “will not nick the leader.” The 530’s stiff fluorocarbon-core cord cuts down on tangles with the jig, which helps on the long falls of slow pitch.
Setting up a Jigdrive R for Florida
- B60ML or B60M for 100–230 g jigs over Gulf and Atlantic reefs in 100–250 ft on PE 1.5–2.5
- B61L-solid for light jigs and slow tide days when the soft tip helps show bites
- Match with a compact lever drag or star drag reel. See our slow pitch reels hub
- Rig the Assist 700 Double front and back for amberjack and grouper
These pairings are our suggestions. Gamakatsu doesn’t publish a depth or species chart for US waters.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Jigdrive R is a current rod that names slow pitch jigging as a use
- 2-piece build (137–140.5 cm closed) is easy to travel with
- Solid-tip versions for light jigs and soft bites
- Assist hooks are easy to buy in the US
Cons
- Rods aren’t sold through Gamakatsu USA
- Ocean Almea is out of the catalog
- Jigdrive R tops out around 230–240 g
- Japanese retailers showed most models sold out
Gamakatsu vs. other slow pitch rods
| Brand | Rod | Jig range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamakatsu | Luxxe Jigdrive R (B models) | 30–230 g | ¥37,500–¥39,000 list |
| Palms | Metal Witch Quest α (SF) | 60–230 g | €166.60–€186.60 |
| Smith Ltd. | Offshore Stick HSJ-CS66/M | Ave. 200 g | $490 |
| Temple Reef | Elevate 3.0 | See review | $249 |
| Shimano | Game Type Slow J | See review | $499.99 |
Where to buy Gamakatsu slow pitch gear
Manufacturer
- Gamakatsu Japan · Luxxe Jigdrive R · Jigrevo Spec N · Jigrevo Spec D
- Gamakatsu USA · (253) 922-8373 · Assist hooks · Assist 700 Double
Rods (import)
- JDM Tackle Heaven · Jigdrive R: ships from Japan, pre-order
- Naturum (Japan) · Ocean Almea B67UL-RF (sold out)
Verdict
Gamakatsu is a hook company first. For slow pitch rods, skip the discontinued Ocean Almea and look at the Luxxe Jigdrive R. It’s a 2-piece Japanese rod with solid-tip options that covers jigs up to about 230 g, which suits much of Florida’s reef-depth slow pitch. You’ll have to import it, and stock was thin in September 2026. Gamakatsu’s assist hooks, especially the Assist 700 Double, are easy to buy in the US and worth a place in any slow pitch box.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Rod quality 4/5 · Range 3.5/5 · Assist hooks 4.5/5 · Spec transparency 4/5 · US availability 2/5
FAQ
Does Gamakatsu make a slow pitch rod?
Yes. The Luxxe Jigdrive R is described by Gamakatsu as covering slow pitch jigging. The older Ocean Almea B67UL-RF was also a slow jigging model.
Is the Luxxe Ocean Almea still made?
It’s not on Gamakatsu’s current offshore jigging page, and the listings we found were sold out.
Can I buy Gamakatsu rods in the US?
Not from Gamakatsu USA, which sells hooks. Luxxe rods have to be imported from Japanese shops such as JDM Tackle Heaven.
Which Gamakatsu assist hook is best for slow pitch?
Gamakatsu USA describes the Assist 700 Double (3/0–5/0, from $12.89) in slow pitch terms. The Assist 530 Double Short is a lighter option.
Specifications and prices were checked against gamakatsu.co.jp, gamakatsu.com, JDM Tackle Heaven, Naturum and Waterhouse (Yahoo! Shopping) on September 28, 2026.