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July 31, 2025 1:33 pm
I’m thinking about ordering it to use as a heavy versatile rod. Especially how does it feel with larger sized jigs?
I have the Zenaq Blackart S66 Skippin’ Frog coming too which I’m very excited for. Thoughts on that one as well?
August 1, 2025 8:00 pm
I own a few Black Art sticks (Bottom Sensor, B5 74, and the B79 Cover PE). All are simply outstanding in fish ability and quality. You won’t be disappointed. @dragon1 owns/has owned the Biwa Spec, so I’m confident he will have some quality input. I can tell you with a 4.5 power rating, it’ll have some “oomph” to it, just not sure it’ll lend itself well to Jig fishing unless you prefer a med-fast taper for that. I’m sure dragon1 can correct me if I’m wrong and elaborate…
Regardless, congrats on the new sticks. Zenaq is one of the few remaing “in-house” builders. Their quality speaks for itself. Enjoy.
August 1, 2025 8:34 pm
The B4.5 72 Biwa Special will do very fine for jigs from 3/8-1 oz, IMO, and while it's a mod-fast, it gets into the meat of it's backbone quicky and with exceptional power. If you want to speed up the hookset, braid + leader will increase the speed of hook penetration even on big single hooks, very quickly and convincingly.
These smallies were all caught using a 1/2 Hack Attack swimjig with the Gamakatsu heavy gauge gaff of a hook and a 4.8 Keitech SIF, and the hooksets were overpowering, so much that I had to adjust to sweeping sideways at a moderate-fast pace as to not rip the bait away.
https://tackleporn.com/community/baitcasting/zenaq-biwa-special-meets-waterfall-smallies/#post-4627
August 1, 2025 8:39 pm
As with most Zenaq Spirado Blackart rods, it is robust and overbuilt and heftier than other rods in total weight.
RISE reacted
August 2, 2025 5:45 am
Yeppers, agreed...Zenaq is absolute top notch quality and craftsmanship, although the Spirado Blackart series aren't necessarily flashy. The Biwa Special is a great all-purpose MH + rod like the legendary Evergreen SS, but mod-fast+ and only slightly less sensitive. This rod will also handle big topwaters so long as you use a line with stretch, and it great for big single hook toads with a 6/0 and even med-large frogs if you can handle the rod weight for frogging all day.
For 1/2-1 oz spinnerbaits + trailer, it's one of my all-time favorite rods.
RISE reacted
August 3, 2025 5:25 am
Hey brother, unfortunately I do not have any experience with the B3 70, the B4.5 72 Biwa Special is the only Zenaq that I have had the pleasure to own. I hope you have great success and much joy and use from your new acquisitions.
RISE reacted
August 7, 2025 11:29 pm
@rise I have a couple of their saltwater rods. Absolutely amazing!
Outstanding! Then you already know…They definitely don’t cut corners and there’s a reason they’re so highly regarded. You have obviously chosen very wisely. Congrats on the new additions. Please report back after some time with them 🤙🏼
dragon1 reacted
August 24, 2025 6:26 am
Got up at 4:35 am this morning to catch the first few topwater shad and bream eaters during the first hour of sunrise.
The B4.5 72 Biwa is an excellent open to moderate cover frog rod. Paired with a 2019 Morethan (8.5:1 duralumin gears) with brakes set on "3" I was bombing down to my mono backing connection with a Jackall Gavacho frog in bluegill.
Kickerfish1 reacted
