Company: Ocean Tackle International (OTI) · Founded: 2006 · Location: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey · Category: Slow pitch and jigging rods
Ocean Tackle International is a New Jersey brand built on Japanese-style jigging and popping gear. Its slow pitch line is the Pitch Black Slow Pitch Jigging series: six one-piece rods in two lengths, 6’3″ (80–400 g) and 6’6″ (60–350 g), each in conventional, spinning and acid-wrap versions. All six cost $169.99, a low price for a slow pitch rod with Fuji guides and a Fuji seat.
OTI also makes the heavier Fathom Blade jigging rods, which we cover here for context. This review covers both, how they fit Florida ledges, and where to buy.
Company overview
OTI says it was founded in 2006 by three offshore anglers. They had been using Japanese jigging and popping tackle, which they say “often had to be sourced from Japan and were usually overpriced and difficult to get serviced.” Its aim is to “develop advanced products of uncompromising quality with the best components at a price that makes them available to more anglers.” It sells through independent dealers and makes rods, jigs, poppers, line and accessories.
Address: 6825 Tilton Rd, Bldg C, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 · [email protected] · Monday–Friday 9am–5pm ET. For OTI’s heavier rods, see our OTI deep drop rods review.
At a glance
| Founded | 2006, New Jersey |
| Slow pitch line | Pitch Black Slow Pitch Jigging (6 models) |
| Lengths | 6’3″ and 6’6″, 1 piece |
| Jig range | 80–400 g (6’3″) · 60–350 g (6’6″) |
| Blank | Graphite core, Toray carbon wrapped |
| Hardware | Fuji Alconite K-frame guides · Fuji ECSM16 (conventional) or TVSM16 (spinning) seat |
| Price | $169.99 (OTI and TackleDirect, September 2026) |
| Heavier jigging rods | Fathom Blade, 100–500 g, $219.99–$279.99 |
Pitch Black Slow Pitch Jigging rods
Images: Ocean Tackle International
OTI calls Pitch Black “a revolutionary series inspired by the renowned Japanese technique of slow pitch jigging.” The blank has a graphite core wrapped in Toray carbon. Guides are Fuji Alconite K-frame with gray stainless frames. The rods have EVA split grips and a split grip butt. TackleDirect describes an “incredibly lightweight feel,” and OTI lists every model at 5.6–5.9 oz.
| Model | Type | Length | Line / PE | Jig weight | Rod weight | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTI-PB63C | Conventional | 6’3″ | 30–50 lb · PE 2–5 | 80–400 g | 5.9 oz | 9 + tip |
| OTI-PB63A | Acid-wrap | 6’3″ | 30–50 lb · PE 2–5 | 80–400 g | 5.9 oz | 8 + tip |
| OTI-PB63S | Spinning | 6’3″ | 30–50 lb · PE 2–5 | 80–400 g | 5.6 oz | 7 + tip |
| OTI-PB66C | Conventional | 6’6″ | 25–40 lb · PE 1.5–4 | 60–350 g | 5.9 oz | 10 + tip |
| OTI-PB66A | Acid-wrap | 6’6″ | 25–40 lb · PE 1.5–4 | 60–350 g | 5.9 oz | 9 + tip |
| OTI-PB66S | Spinning | 6’6″ | 25–40 lb · PE 1.5–4 | 60–350 g | 5.6 oz | 8 + tip |
Specs from oceantackle.net, September 2026. OTI also gives the jig ranges as 3–14 oz (6’3″) and 2–12 oz (6’6″). TackleDirect uses longer codes that include the jig rating, such as OTI-PB63400C and OTI-PB66350C. Action and power ratings are not published.
Price and stock: OTI lists all six at $169.99 and showed the series out of stock on its own site. TackleDirect had the OTI-PB63400C and OTI-PB66350C at $169.99, in stock. September 2026.
Fathom Blade jigging rods (for context)
Fathom Blade is OTI’s heavy jigging rod, not a slow pitch rod. It’s shorter and much heavier than Pitch Black, with a moderate-fast action, Toray carbon blank, Fuji K-series Alconite guides and a Fuji DPS seat. OTI sells it in spinning, conventional and spiral-wrap versions.
| Model | Length | Power | Jig weight | Line | Rod weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTI-FB60200 | 6’0″ | Med-Heavy | 100–200 g | 30–50 lb | 9.6–10.7 oz |
| OTI-FB510300 | 5’10” | Heavy | 200–300 g | 40–60 lb | 10.5–11.9 oz |
| OTI-FB58400 | 5’8″ | X-Heavy | 300–400 g | 50–80 lb | 12.4–13.4 oz |
| OTI-FB56500 | 5’6″ | XX-Heavy | 400–500 g | 60–100 lb | 13.9–14.6 oz |
Specs and $219.99–$279.99 price from oceantackle.net, September 2026, where the series was out of stock.
A Pitch Black 6’3″ weighs under 6 oz. The lightest Fathom Blade weighs about 10 oz. That difference is why Pitch Black is the one to pick for slow pitch work.
Choosing an OTI rod
| Your fishing | OTI rod |
|---|---|
| Slow pitch on 150–300 ft ledges, conventional reel | Pitch Black OTI-PB63C (80–400 g) or PB63A acid-wrap |
| Lighter jigs, softer feel, longer stroke | Pitch Black OTI-PB66C or PB66A (60–350 g) |
| Slow pitch with a spinning reel | Pitch Black OTI-PB63S or PB66S |
| Speed jigging for amberjack over deep wrecks | Fathom Blade OTI-FB58400 (300–400 g) |
These pairings are our suggestions.
Conventional, acid-wrap or spinning?
Pitch Black comes three ways at the same price.
- Conventional: guides sit on top of the blank. The most common setup for slow pitch with an overhead reel. It has the most guides (9 or 10 plus tip).
- Acid-wrap: guides spiral under the blank, which helps stop the rod twisting in your hand under load with a conventional reel. It has one fewer guide than the conventional version.
- Spinning: for anglers who fish slow pitch on spinning reels. It’s the lightest version at 5.6 oz.
For Florida: The 6’3″ models, rated 80–400 g and PE 2–5, cover grouper and snapper ledges in 150–300 ft and give you room for heavier jigs when the Gulf Stream is running. Pair one with a slow pitch reel such as the Accurate BV-300-SPJ ($509.99) or Shimano Ocea Jigger 2000NR HG ($539.99–$569.99).
Pros and cons
Pros
- $169.99 for a Toray-wrapped blank with Fuji Alconite K guides and a Fuji seat
- Very light at 5.6–5.9 oz
- Conventional, acid-wrap and spinning versions at one price
- Full specs published, including rod weight and guide count
- US company with an independent dealer network
Cons
- Only two lengths, and nothing rated above 400 g
- Action and power not published
- Out of stock on OTI’s own site when we checked
- Graphite core blank with a Toray wrap, rather than a full high-modulus carbon blank
OTI vs. other slow pitch rods
| Brand | Example rods | US price |
|---|---|---|
| OTI | Pitch Black 6’3″ and 6’6″ | $169.99 |
| Nomad Design | Seacore, Slow Pitch Jigging (NSPJ) | $189.99–$289.99 |
| Ocean’s Legacy | Slow Element, Elementus | $209–$349 |
| Temple Reef | Elevate 3.0 | $249 |
Where to buy OTI slow pitch rods
Manufacturer
- Ocean Tackle International · Pitch Black · Fathom Blade
Florida
- Dogfish Tackle & Marine, 8750 Park Blvd, Seminole, FL 33777 · (727) 393-2102 · dogfishtacklecompany.com: Pitch Black listing (price not confirmed)
Other US retailers
- TackleDirect · 888-354-7335 · tackledirect.com: Pitch Black at $169.99
Verdict
OTI’s Pitch Black is a real slow pitch rod at a budget price. For $169.99 you get a light Toray-wrapped blank, Fuji Alconite K guides, a Fuji seat and a choice of conventional, acid-wrap or spinning. The 6’3″ (80–400 g) is the pick for most Florida ledges. It doesn’t have the range or refinement of premium Japanese rods, but it’s a sensible first slow pitch rod or a spare for the boat.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Slow pitch fit 4/5 · Value 5/5 · Build quality 3.5/5 · Spec transparency 4.5/5 · US availability 4/5
FAQ
Does OTI make a slow pitch rod?
Yes. The Pitch Black Slow Pitch Jigging series has six models in 6’3″ and 6’6″, in conventional, acid-wrap and spinning versions.
How much is the OTI Pitch Black?
$169.99 at OTI and TackleDirect in September 2026.
What jig weights does the Pitch Black handle?
80–400 g for the 6’3″ models and 60–350 g for the 6’6″ models, per OTI.
Is the Fathom Blade a slow pitch rod?
No. It’s a short, heavy jigging rod rated from 100–200 g up to 400–500 g, with a moderate-fast action.
Specifications and prices were checked against oceantackle.net, TackleDirect and Dogfish Tackle & Marine on September 28, 2026.