Hello everyone! Did you get a chance to check out our recently released video?

While the Ballistick series was launched in 2025, there is one particular model within the lineup that truly stands out: the “Ballistick 710ML-MH.”

For a shore seabass rod, a 7ft-class short length combined with an unconventional “ML (Medium-Light) – MH (Medium-Heavy)” power rating is highly unique.

When it was first unveiled at fishing shows and during its initial release, we received numerous questions from anglers concerned about its casting distance, as well as inquiries regarding the best ways and situations to use it.

Interestingly, it also became the most test-casted rod at our casting trial events that year.

To uncover how this rod—packed with such “one-of-a-kind” performance—came to life, we interviewed Yamaga Blanks field staff and tester, Mr. Gunji, to get a behind-the-scenes look at its development!

In this article, we would like to dive deeper once again into the development story and the true appeal of the Ballistick 710ML-MH.

Ballistick 710ML-MH Product Details Page

 

When designing rods, Mr. Gunji usually begins by mapping out concepts based entirely on “how easy it is for users to handle and what kind of rod they are truly looking for.”

However, with 16 years of experience as a tester and having tested over 200 rods, the 710ML-MH marks the very first time he packed all of his own personal “wants and ideals” into a single rod that he genuinely wanted to use himself.

It is a rod packed with the passion of Mr. Gunji, an angler who consistently suggests captivating fishing styles that make you want to try them out yourself, even in familiar fields and for common target species.

 

Intriguing right from the start.

 

In this interview, we were able to hear some incredibly fascinating stories about his extraordinary attention to detail and the entire journey of bringing this single rod to completion. We are thrilled to share it all with you.

This content is sure to be an enjoyable read not only for current Ballistick users, but also for anyone curious about how our rods are tested and developed. Please enjoy reading until the very end!

 

“I wanted to do what can be done with the BlueCurrent, but with a ‘Ballistick’.”

When we first heard this development concept, we couldn’t quite picture it, but looking at the final specs of the rod makes it completely clear.

 

Lure: 2~40g Line: PE 0.6~1.5

 

「What we aimed for this time was not just a simple short-length model.」

True to his words, this rod’s lure capacity is in a league of its own.

It possesses the finesse to load and cast a light 2g lure, yet perfectly coexists with the raw power required to launch a 40g lure with a full cast. It delivers superb manageability for everything from tiny rockfish (mebaru) plugs to 14cm minnows.

Furthermore, despite being a 7ft-class rod, he demanded a “casting distance comparable to a 9ft-class rod.” (We can easily imagine the worried look on the engineer’s face…)

 

● Recommended Tackle for Managing 2g Lures

Admittedly, if you pair it with a 4000-size reel and PE 1.5 line, the feedback and feel of a 2g lure will become blurred, regardless of the rod’s performance.

The optimal setup is a 2500 or C3000-size reel spooled with PE 0.6 and an 8lb or 10lb leader. Make sure to trim the tag end of your leader knot down to 1–2mm. If possible, use a small snap as well.

When working with lures under 5g (ranging from 40mm to 90mm), this is the absolute best combination.

 

When asked, he gave us a wonderfully simple answer:

 

“Because I want to fully enjoy fishing any field all year round with just this one rod.”

• Spring: Demanding micro-bait patterns.

• Autumn: Large bait patterns targeting lunkers.

• Winter: Sinking pencil tactics during the “worm hatch” (bachi-nuke).

When targeting fish feeding on large autumn bait, use a 4000-size reel with PE 1.5 line to throw large plugs over 14cm for lunker seabass.

Conversely, when tackling micro-baits or worm hatches in winter and spring, scale down to small plugs. For this, a 2500-size reel with PE 0.6 is ideal. If you are fishing around structures like tetrapods, you can run a slightly thicker leader.

As you can see, the 710ML-MH can adapt to an array of styles simply by adjusting your tackle balance.

It seamlessly covers vastly different seasonal scenarios to a high standard without ever requiring a rod change, providing long-distance casting and precise manageability that fits large open waters and tight spots alike.

When we first heard about it, we wondered if it could even be built. It is a dream-like, unparalleled concept rod driven by pure passion and high demands.

 

While one might assume development went flawlessly, the project actually hit a major roadblock along the way.

“To be honest, I initially wanted to go with a 7’9″ length. But once we built the prototype, it was just too aggressive and finicky. Even though it was a rod for myself, I realized we needed a bit of compromise here (laughs).”

The critical decision Mr. Gunji made next was to extend the rod by just one inch, changing it to a “7ft 10inch” model.

This “mere single inch” added a touch of mildness to the entire blank, greatly improving the ease of handling lightweight lures and turning it into a rod that matches a much wider range of anglers.

1 inch = 25.4 mm

Even such a minuscule adjustment can completely transform the rod’s action and feel.

This moment highlighted the incredible depth of experience shared between our veteran tester and the design team. It also reinforced how our steadfast “angler-first” philosophy is what truly shapes the unique identity of Yamaga Blanks.

 

【A testing anecdote from an ultra-confined spot with a swift current and a river width of only about 1 meter】

Even when fighting a massive seabass near 80cm in this tight space with a fully locked-down drag, the small #12 hooks did not bend or open up.

If a rod is only soft and delicate, or conversely, if it is just stiff and powerful, your line or hooks will inevitably reach their breaking point during actual fishing situations.

For instance, with an extremely soft rod or a rigidly stiff rod, the blank can lock up and bottom out during an intense fight with a large fish. If the fish makes a sudden, powerful run at that moment, the rod can no longer act as a cushion, forcing the entire load directly onto the line and hooks.

This can be described as the “bending margin.” The moment this buffer is lost, the rod ceases to perform its job of absorbing impact.

This principle applies to all Yamaga Blanks, not just the Ballistick 710ML-MH. The core meaning behind our philosophy “bend and conquer” lies in our pursuit of that exquisite tenacity and bending margin, keeping the rod constantly working for the angler.

The Ballistick 710ML-MH reflects this particular element with extreme clarity. Keep the following tips in mind when putting it to use on the water!

 

● Try Fishing with a Tight Drag Setting

The defining characteristic of the 710ML-MH is its “highly responsive, high-elasticity blank.”

Once a fish is hooked, hold the rod up and let the blank bend. As you hold your ground, the rod’s natural restoring force lifts the fish effortlessly. When the fish makes a sudden dive, the blank bends smoothly to absorb it.

It helps to visualize the rod performing short, automatic pumps on its own.

To fully harness this characteristic, you must bend the blank completely, which means running a tighter drag setting to apply a proper load is a prerequisite.

Furthermore, when a fish tries to shake its head or jump (head-shake), simply lower the rod slightly to follow the fish’s movement. This allows you to maintain total control throughout the fight without ever giving up the upper hand.

 

● Effective Length

The butt section of the 710ML-MH is engineered with the heavy-duty power of an MH (Medium-Heavy) class rod.

Yet, it is far from being a simple, stiff stick.

By maximizing the “effective length” from the tip to the belly section, it is designed to bend smoothly and responsively against sudden runs.

Simply put, this “effective length” refers to the span from the reel seat to the tip—the exact sections that do the work during casting and fighting fish. (This does not mean the grip end has no function.)

In fact, the Ballistick 710ML-MH features a relatively short grip end.

This design point clearly reflects the development intent: ensuring that despite its short 710 length, the rod never feels overly stiff or unyieldingly aggressive.

 

The Ballistick 710ML-MH might not be a standard, cookie-cutter rod built to please everyone.

However, packed to the brim with our tester’s burning passion and uncompromising ideals, the “Ballistick 710ML-MH” holds an overwhelming amount of potential that you won’t be able to pull yourself away from once you experience it.

If this has sparked your interest, we highly encourage you to take it out and feel its power firsthand in the field!

Ballistick 710ML-MH Product Details Page