Brand: Temple Reef · Founded: 2006 · Categories: Slow pitch jigging rods, casting and popping rods, light and micro jigging rods
Ask a US slow pitch angler which rod to buy after their first one, and Temple Reef comes up again and again. The brand has built a whole family of slow pitch rods around one idea, a parabolic rod that does the lifting for you, and sells it at every price point from $249 to $599. The Levitate series has been in continuous development since 2015, and the current Levitate X is its tenth generation of slow pitch rod.
This review covers every Temple Reef slow pitch rod, what separates them, how to choose one, and where to buy in the US.
Company overview
Temple Reef says it was founded in 2006, driven by “a passion for fishing and the need for high-quality fishing rods.” Its early development involved collaboration with Smith Japan, which led to the Black Devil series, which Temple Reef describes as the first rod built specifically for casting to bluefin tuna. The company designs and makes its rods in-house, tests them with a Pro Staff Global Field Testing Team, and aims to make “high-performance products accessible and affordable to everyday anglers.”
Where is Temple Reef from? Temple Reef’s own site doesn’t state a headquarters country. US retailer CharkBait says the company was founded by Randy Chin and describes it as based in Japan. We haven’t been able to confirm this from Temple Reef directly.
At a glance
| Founded | 2006 |
| Website | templereef.com (dealer locator) |
| Main US retailer | Johnny Jigs, Pompano Beach, FL |
| Slow pitch series | Levitate X, Gravitate 3.0, Elevate 2.0/3.0, 66 Grand Cru, Innovate 2.0, Project X, SPATHE Deep 1.0/2.0, SPATHE Slow Dance, SPATHE Long Ranger |
| US price range (SPJ rods) | $249 – $599 |
| Signature tech | Direct Sensory System (DSS), Neutral Spiral guide train, Nabla handle |
The slow pitch lineup
| Series | Introduced | Length | Jig range | Position | US price (Johnny Jigs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levitate X (Nabla) | 2026 edition (Levitate since 2015) | 6’8″ | 50–500 g | Flagship all-rounder | $599 |
| Gravitate 3.0 | 2018 | 6’8″ | 100–500 g | Sensitivity-focused | $299 |
| 66 Grand Cru | 2021 | 6’6″ | — | Slow pitch action plus “stopping power” | $369 |
| Elevate 2.0 / 3.0 | 2020 | 6’9″ | 100–400 g | Entry level | $249 (3.0) |
| Innovate 2.0 | 2018 | 7’6″–8’0″ | — | Head boat jigging | $339 sale ($389) |
| Project X | 2021 | 6’0″ one piece | — | Slow pitch and speed jigging | $279 |
| SPATHE Deep 1.0 / 2.0 | — | 2-piece 70/30 | — | Wreck and deep-water jigging | $249–$349 |
| SPATHE Slow Dance | — | In-line | — | In-line jigging | $339 |
| SPATHE Long Ranger | — | In-line, no guides | — | “Full blank contact sensitivity” | $349 sale ($379) |
Series, years, lengths and jig ranges from Temple Reef’s SPJ rod comparison. Prices from Johnny Jigs, September 2026.
Levitate X: the flagship
Temple Reef calls the Levitate “an all-rounder rod for SPJ, it is versatile with a harmonious balance.” The 2026 Levitate X adds the second-generation Nabla handle, which is “sleeker, lighter, and more rigid.”
Levitate X models (CharkBait listing)
| Model | Power | Jig weight | Rod weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZERO | Light | 50–200 g | 5.26 oz |
| ONE | Light | 100–300 g | 5.29 oz |
| TWO | Medium-Light | 150–400 g | 5.47 oz |
| THREE | Medium | 200–500 g | 5.50 oz |
All are 6’8″, 2-piece, with Fuji Titanium Torzite guides, a neutral spiral wrap, woven carbon fiber butt grips, and the Direct Sensory System (DSS), which fuses carbon fiber directly to the blank for sensitivity. Price: $599.99 at CharkBait and $599 at Johnny Jigs. At the time of writing, CharkBait showed all models sold out.
Images: Temple Reef
Florida pick: the TWO (150–400 g) covers most grouper and snapper ledges, and the THREE (200–500 g) handles deeper water and current.
Gravitate 3.0: the sensitive one
- Length: 6’8″ · Rod weight: 140–146 g
- Models: G1–G3, covering 100–500 g
- Direct Sensory System for bite detection at depth
- Price: $299 (Johnny Jigs)
Who it’s for: Anglers who want Levitate-style performance for half the price, with extra emphasis on feeling bites in deep water.
Elevate 2.0 and 3.0: the entry point
Temple Reef says the Elevate gives “the pure slow pitch experience at an entry-level price point.”
| Model | Power | Jig range | Weight | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Light | 100–300 g | 146 g | 6’9″ |
| E2 | Medium-Light | 150–350 g | 149 g | 6’9″ |
| E3 | Medium | 200–400 g | 160 g | 6’9″ |
All use Fuji KTAG guides, a Neutral Spiral guide train, DSS and a slow action, in 2 pieces. The Elevate 3.0 is the current version at $249.
Who it’s for: Your first real slow pitch rod. The E2 is the best all-round Florida choice.
66 Grand Cru: action plus power
The 66 Grand Cru (6’6″, 144–162 g, 3 models) combines “SPJ action and Stopping power.” It’s a slow pitch rod with more backbone for pulling big amberjack or grouper away from structure. $369.
Innovate 2.0, Project X and SPATHE
- Innovate 2.0 (7’6″–8’0″, 70/30 joint): built for head boat jigging, where a longer rod helps you fish from the rail of a crowded party boat. $339 on sale.
- Project X (6’0″, one-piece blank, 4 models): designed for both slow pitch and speed jigging. $279.
- SPATHE Deep 1.0 / 2.0: for wreck fishing and deep-water jigging, with a 2-piece 70/30 joint and DSS for “Power, Performance, and Sensitivity.” $249–$349.
- SPATHE Slow Dance and Long Ranger: in-line rods. The Long Ranger has “No Guides, No Tip Wrap, No Fuss, Full Blank Contact Sensitivity.” $339–$349.
How to choose a Temple Reef rod
| Your fishing | Pick |
|---|---|
| First slow pitch rod, typical ledges | Elevate 3.0 E2 ($249) |
| Best sensitivity for the money | Gravitate 3.0 ($299) |
| Big amberjack and grouper near structure | 66 Grand Cru ($369) |
| Deep wrecks, heavy jigs | SPATHE Deep 2.0 ($349) |
| Party boat jigging | Innovate 2.0 |
| The best all-rounder | Levitate X TWO or THREE ($599) |
Match rod to jig weight. A rod’s jig range is its sweet spot. Fishing jigs at the top of the range in deep water gives a slower, stronger lift, while jigs at the bottom of the range make the rod feel stiff. Most Florida anglers fish 200–400 g, which points to Levitate X TWO or THREE, Gravitate G2/G3 or Elevate E2/E3.
Pros and cons
Pros
- A full slow pitch range from $249 to $599
- Levitate refined over ten generations since 2015
- Fuji Torzite (Levitate X) and KTAG (Elevate) guides, plus DSS sensitivity tech
- Specialist models for head boats, wrecks and in-line fishing
- Strong US availability through Johnny Jigs in Pompano Beach
Cons
- The company’s home country isn’t stated on its own site
- Popular models such as Levitate X often sell out
- Many series and generations make choosing harder
Where to buy Temple Reef rods
- Johnny Jigs, Pompano Beach, FL: a full-scale tackle shop specializing in slow pitch, vertical jigging and deep drop. Carries the full Temple Reef collection · 954-889-4915 · [email protected] · johnnyjigs.com
- CharkBait: Levitate X and other Temple Reef rods · charkbait.com
- Tall Tales Bait & Tackle: Elevate · talltalestackle.com
- Reef & Reel: Gravitate · reefandreel.com
- Dealer locator: templereef.com
Verdict
Temple Reef has made good slow pitch rods affordable. The Elevate 3.0 at $249 is one of the best first slow pitch rods available, the Gravitate 3.0 adds sensitivity for $299, and the Levitate X is a refined flagship with Torzite guides and the Nabla handle. With Johnny Jigs stocking the full range in Pompano Beach, it’s also one of the easiest premium slow pitch brands for South Florida anglers to see and buy in person.
Deep-Drop.com rating: Range 5/5 · Value 4.5/5 · Build quality 4.5/5 · US availability 4.5/5
FAQ
What is the best Temple Reef rod for beginners?
The Elevate (3.0, $249), which Temple Reef describes as giving “the pure slow pitch experience at an entry-level price point.” The E2 (150–350 g) is the best all-rounder.
How much is the Temple Reef Levitate X?
$599–$599.99 at Johnny Jigs and CharkBait in September 2026, in four powers from ZERO (50–200 g) to THREE (200–500 g).
Where can I buy Temple Reef in Florida?
Johnny Jigs in Pompano Beach carries the full Temple Reef collection.
Where is Temple Reef from?
Temple Reef’s site doesn’t state its home country. US retailer CharkBait says it was founded by Randy Chin and is based in Japan.
Specifications were checked against templereef.com, CharkBait and Johnny Jigs on September 25, 2026.