Company: Smith Ltd. (株式会社スミス) · Based: Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan · Category: Slow pitch rods
Smith Ltd. is a Japanese tackle company that makes its own lures and rods, and it’s best known in the US for bass and trout gear. For offshore it sells the Offshore Stick rods. Our hub lists three series: HSJ, SLJ and SLP. Only one of them is built for slow pitch: the Offshore Stick HSJ-CS, which Smith calls a “スロージギング＆スロージャーク専用シリーズ” (a dedicated slow jigging and slow jerk series).
The SLJ and SLP are light and super-light inshore jigging rods, and they no longer appear on Smith’s current saltwater rod list. This review covers the HSJ-CS first, then the related Smith rods you’ll see for sale in the US.
Company overview
Smith Ltd. is headquartered at 4-23-1 Kamiuma, Setagaya, Tokyo, with an Osaka branch and a product and after-sales center in Yoshikawa, Saitama. Smith’s site covers bass, catfish, snakehead, trout, saltwater and “expedition” tackle, and it also features brands such as Heddon and Gary Yamamoto. Smith doesn’t publish a founding year on its company page.
At a glance
| Brand | Smith Ltd. (Offshore Stick) |
| Slow pitch rod | Offshore Stick HSJ-CS (66/M and 66/ML) |
| Blank | Hyper Solid Carbon 24 tip section, woven graphite, tubular carbon grip |
| Related rods | HSJ-SSL (super-light), HSJ Bevel Jerk, older HSJ, SLJ, SLP |
| Price | ¥47,000 + tax (HSJ-CS66/M) · $490 at The Fishermans Hut |
| US availability | Limited: Saltywater Tackle (NJ) and The Fishermans Hut |
Offshore Stick HSJ-CS: Smith’s slow jigging rod
Images: Smith Ltd.
HSJ stands for “Hyper Solid Jigging.” The HSJ-CS uses Hyper Solid Carbon 24 from the tip to the front of the reel seat, high-modulus woven graphite near the butt guide, and tubular carbon in the grip. Solid carbon gives a soft, sticky bend that stays on the fish, which is what slow pitch anglers want from the tip.
| Model | Length | Weight | Power | Jig weight | Line | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSJ-CS66/M | 6’6″ | 149 g | Medium | Ave. 200 g | Up to PE 3.0 | ¥47,000 + tax |
| HSJ-CS66/ML | Listed by Smith, but specs aren’t published on its page | |||||
From smith.jp, September 2026. Grip length 570 mm, closed length 198 cm.
Components
- KG titanium top with KB and LKW guides in a spiral layout
- TCS17 + KDPS reel seat, down-lock
- Baitcasting (conventional) layout
Smith rates it by an average jig weight rather than a range. At about 200 g, the 66/M sits in the middle of Florida slow pitch: right for most reef and wreck work in 150–300 ft, light for heavy jigs in strong current. Taiwan dealer Goodday says it’s aimed at fish up to the 20 kg tuna class.
Other Smith jigging rods
HSJ-SSL (super-light jigging)
Full solid carbon from tip to butt, one piece, 6’4″, up to PE 1.0, ¥40,000 + tax each.
| Model | Weight | Lure |
|---|---|---|
| HSJ-SSL64/3L | 126 g | Up to 50 g |
| HSJ-SSL64/2L | 131 g | Up to 75 g |
| HSJ-SSL64/L | 136 g | Up to 100 g |
HSJ Bevel Jerk
The HSJ-BES61H-5 is a 6’1″, 246 g, full solid carbon rod for 180–500 g jigs (average 400 g) on up to PE 5, at ¥56,000 + tax. Smith built it for drift-style diagonal jigging, not slow pitch, but it’s the Smith rod that handles heavy Florida jigs.
Older HSJ, SLJ and SLP rods (sold in the US)
Saltywater Tackle in New Jersey still lists these one-piece rods:
| Model | Length | Jig | Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSJ-C62L (bait) | 6’2″ | Up to 110 g | Up to PE 1.5 | $415.95 |
| HSJ-S62L / HSJ-S510 (spinning) | 6’2″ / 5’10” | Up to 110 g / 150 g | Up to PE 1.5 | $410.95 |
| SLJ-C61M / SLJ-S62M | 6’1″ / 6’2″ | Up to 160 g | Up to PE 2 | $445.95 |
| SLP-C60L / SLP-C60ML | 6’0″ | Up to 100 g / 120 g | Up to PE 1.5 | $419.95 |
Saltywater Tackle, September 2026. Stock wasn’t shown. Saltywater describes the SLJ and SLP as light jigging rods for inshore and bay fish such as sea bass, bream and snapper. Neither is described as a slow pitch rod.
Choosing a Smith rod
| Your fishing | Smith rod |
|---|---|
| True slow pitch, 150–250 g jigs | HSJ-CS66/M |
| Light slow pitch in shallow water | HSJ-CS66/ML (check the specs on the rod) |
| Light jigs under 100 g on shallow reefs | HSJ-SSL64 or SLP |
| Heavy jigs up to 500 g | HSJ-BES61H-5 |
These pairings are our suggestions.
Solid carbon on Florida reefs
- A solid tip loads slowly, so the jig flutters longer on the fall. That’s when most grouper and snapper bites come
- Keep the drag moderate. Smith doesn’t publish a maximum drag for the HSJ-CS
- Pair with a compact lever drag reel. See our slow pitch reels hub
Pros and cons
Pros
- A dedicated slow jigging rod in the HSJ-CS
- Solid carbon tip and titanium top guide
- Some Smith rods are stocked by a US shop
- Range runs from 50 g super-light to 500 g Bevel Jerk
Cons
- Only one or two slow pitch models
- HSJ-CS66/ML specs aren’t published on Smith’s page
- One-piece rods, awkward to ship and travel with
- SLJ and SLP aren’t slow pitch rods, and they’re off Smith’s current list
Smith vs. other slow pitch rods
| Brand | Rod | Jig range | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Ltd. | Offshore Stick HSJ-CS66/M | Ave. 200 g | $490 |
| Palms | Metal Witch Quest α SF | 60–230 g | €166.60–€186.60 |
| Gamakatsu | Luxxe Jigdrive R | 30–240 g | ¥37,500–¥39,500 list |
| Temple Reef | Elevate 3.0 | See review | $249 |
| Shimano | Game Type Slow J | See review | $499.99 |
Where to buy Smith slow jigging rods
Manufacturer
- Smith Ltd. · HSJ-CS · HSJ-SSL · HSJ Bevel Jerk
US retailers
- Saltywater Tackle Inc., 286 Washington Road, Sayreville, NJ 08872 · (732) 307-2580 · HSJ · SLJ · SLP
- The Fishermans Hut · HSJ-CS66/M ($490, sold out)
Import
- JDM Tackle Heaven · Smith offshore rods
Verdict
Smith is a small player in slow pitch. Its one dedicated rod, the HSJ-CS66/M, is a well-built solid-carbon rod for about 200 g jigs, with a titanium top guide and a spiral guide layout. It suits a lot of Florida reef slow pitch. The SLJ and SLP rods on our hub are light inshore jigging rods, not slow pitch rods. US stock is thin, so check Saltywater Tackle or be ready to import.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Build quality 4.5/5 · Range 2.5/5 · Value 3/5 · Spec transparency 3/5 · US availability 2.5/5
FAQ
Does Smith Ltd. make a slow pitch rod?
Yes. Smith calls the Offshore Stick HSJ-CS a dedicated slow jigging and slow jerk series.
What’s the difference between Smith HSJ, SLJ and SLP?
HSJ rods use Hyper Solid carbon; the HSJ-CS is the slow jigging version. SLJ and SLP are light inshore jigging rods rated up to 160 g and 120 g.
How much is the Smith HSJ-CS66/M?
¥47,000 + tax in Japan. The Fishermans Hut listed it at $490 but sold out in September 2026.
Where can I buy Smith rods in the US?
Saltywater Tackle in Sayreville, New Jersey lists the HSJ, SLJ and SLP. Otherwise, import from Japan.
Specifications and prices were checked against smith.jp, Saltywater Tackle, The Fishermans Hut, Goodday and JDM Tackle Heaven on September 28, 2026.