This is a standard model that significantly elevates the level of performance for a standard rod, designed for seabass fishing with enhanced casting distance and control. The "LATEO" standard seabass rod has undergone a revolutionary evolution, offering the thrill of using various tactics in different environments and with a range of lures. The key to this rod's performance lies in the core blank, which has been made slimmer and more elastic, and the grip section has been reinforced to enable sharper casting. Coupled with the "CC GRIP" concept for superior control and feedback, it delivers improved casting accuracy and distance. Its high-level basic performance not only excels at seabass fishing but also allows for versatility in targeting a variety of species.

Lateo 96ML/K:

This center item for targeting sea bass is designed for use in the mid to lower reaches of rivers and estuarine areas. It excels in styles that involve long-distance casting of medium to large minnows and sinking pencils to effectively navigate currents. It's also well-suited for daytime fishing with vibrations and blades.

Daiwa Technologies Featured:

• X45:

  

  To prevent torsion during casting, action, hooking, or fighting, years of research concluded that, in addition to the traditional construction (0° and 90° to the rod tip), wrapping the carbon fibers in a "bias cross" pattern at a 45° angle (±45°) was optimal. X45 prevents twisting, significantly improving power, control, and sensitivity.
• AIR SENSOR SEAT:

  

  With carbon fiber embedded in the Air Sensor Seat, this design achieves lighter weight, higher strength, and increased sensitivity. Custom-designed for the rod's specific use, it offers handling capabilities far superior to general-purpose reel seats.
• V-JOINT:

  

  Bias-structured carbon sheets are applied to the rod joints, allowing for a seamless, one-piece-like curvature with minimal distortion. This significantly improves power, tension, and quick recovery from bends compared to rods without V-JOINT, creating the ideal rod action.
• HVF NANOPLUS:

  

  Daiwa's high-density HVF carbon, which reduces resin content and increases carbon fiber density, emphasizes strength and resilience. By combining it with Toray's Nanoalloy Technology using Daiwa's unique method, this results in a rod that is both stronger and lighter.

Product Details:

■ Sharper Blank with Improved Casting Power

The blank has been refined with a slimmer profile and higher elasticity, combined with significantly enhanced rigidity in the grip section, resulting in sharper casting. This improvement leads to greater casting distance, and the rod excels at low-trajectory line casting.

■ Smooth Load Transfer

Thanks to the newly implemented V-JOINT technology, smooth load transfer is achieved. The seamless connection allows for stress-free casting of lures of various weights. The smooth load transfer also helps reduce the likelihood of fish escaping after a hookset.

■ CC Grip Supporting Long and Accurate Casts

The ideal shape and material for the rear grip have been thoroughly pursued for seabass fishing. By providing flat surfaces on both sides (or top and bottom for baitcasting rods), the rod is easier to cast straight. Additionally, the width and depth of the grooves on the grip ring have been optimized, making it easier to control the rod with your pulling hand.

■ Air Sensor Reel Seat

The reel seat has been upgraded to the Air Sensor Slim Fit design, making it more ergonomic with rounded edges and a slimmer shape that fits better in the hand. This improvement enhances comfort during finesse games where light gripping is key. *The 110M and 110MH models are equipped with an Air Sensor Oval Seat.

■ Stainless Steel Frame K-Guides with SiC Rings

The rod features reliable stainless-steel SiC guides with the K-type design, known for reducing line tangling.

LATEO Features:

Feature 1: Commitment to Casting Performance

Seabass fishing involves a high number of casts, making casting performance a key focus for the LATEO series. The new LATEO model features a slimmer and more elastic blank, which reduces air resistance and enhances rigidity compared to the previous model. The rod's quicker recovery improves casting distance and allows for smooth, effortless swings with a fast-converging tip, enhancing the overall casting feel.

Feature 2: Maximizing Blank Power with an Optimized Grip Section

Transferring power efficiently to the blank during casting is crucial, and the grip section plays a vital role. While most attention tends to focus on the upper part of the rod (tip, belly, and butt), even a slight flex in the grip section can lead to significant power loss and slow down the rod’s recovery. LATEO’s grip has been optimized for ideal rigidity and rebound, allowing the full potential of the slim and highly responsive blank to shine.

Feature 3: Optimized Grip Direction for Effortless Casting

A critical part of casting is how the angler pulls back with the rear hand. LATEO's rear grip has been meticulously shaped to support a straight, powerful swing by incorporating flat sides to aid in grip control. Additionally, the width and depth of the grooves in the EVA grip have been fine-tuned to ensure optimal finger placement for an ideal pulling motion, leading to stronger and straighter casts. The CC GRIP (Complete Control Grip) concept, designed specifically for seabass rods, enhances control. The grip's direction is also tailored differently for spinning and baitcasting rods to suit their respective casting motions.

Feature 4: Enhanced Sensitivity and Ideal Lure Action

While casting performance is a primary focus, LATEO does not compromise on sensitivity and lure action. The high-elasticity blank and optimized tip taper greatly improve sensitivity, allowing anglers to feel the seabed and detect subtle changes in water flow—critical in seabass fishing. The rod’s finely tuned tip enhances lure presentation, ensuring the lure’s natural action is fully realized. This attention to detail reinforces LATEO’s reputation as a "catching rod" within the Daiwa lineup.