SHIMANO x Jacall Poison Altima 161L-S/BFS

The flagship of the Poison series, now further refined. Using the best technology available at the time, it continues to tackle the ultimate challenges in bass fishing. The spinning model, in pursuit of ultimate lightness, features a boldly blanked grip structure, while the baitcasting model adopts a new full carbon monocoque grip. This design increases the contact area with the palm, transmitting power linearly during casts. Additionally, by placing a trigger on the rear grip, stability during operation and hold during casting are enhanced. The Spiral X Core and High Power X double-X structure, fused with the new UBD (Ultimate Blanks Design), have elevated the series to new heights. The pursuit of “true lightness” reached its peak, further enhancing both operability and sensitivity. A refined blend of performance and functional beauty. The new legend begins with the Ultima.

KEY FEATURE

A finesse model designed for high-performance live fish finders, aimed at tournament scenes.

The bass tournament scene is becoming more refined each year, driven in part by the widespread use of high-performance live fish finders. While traditional fishing methods rely on an angler's experience to locate fish, a new style is emerging, where anglers use fish finders to pinpoint bass and bait, enabling precise approaches while observing fish shadows. The fish are there; the question is how to catch them. To achieve the delicate control required for pinpoint accuracy, there is an increasing demand for rods specifically designed to enhance bait presentation in the front lines of tournaments. The feel of manipulating the line as if pinching it with your fingertips. The Poison Ultima has introduced two finesse models that bring tournament-level bait presentation to life.

New High-Strength Material M46X Guides the “High-Elasticity World” to an Unknown Realm.

In 2025, Poison Ultima adopts M46X, a cutting-edge carbon material that achieves both high strength and high elasticity. As the name suggests, M46X is an ultra-high elasticity material in the 46t class. While materials of this class have existed before, they were typically too weak in compression strength for repeated casting, making them unsuitable for lure rods. However, M46X has achieved more than a 20% increase in strength compared to traditional materials due to technological advancements. The synergistic effect with the Spiral X Core delivers an otherworldly combination of ultra-fine, lightweight, and high-strength performance. The development of this new material has elevated the high-elasticity world to uncharted territory.

[161L-S/BFS] Overcoming the "Twist" Weak Point of Solid Bait Rods.

Unlike spinning rods, where the guides face downward, baitcasting rods tend to have upward-facing guides, which can lead to twisting—a common weak point. This issue is especially noticeable in thin solid tips. The Ultima 161L-S/BFS boldly addresses this twisting problem, a challenge inherent to bait rods. By using a High Power X Solid core, the rod achieves higher elasticity and shorter length, enhancing sensitivity while minimizing power loss. Additionally, the spiral guide setup prevents the tip from twisting in the first place by physically bending in the opposite direction. These advancements reduce twisting not only in the solid section but also at the junction between the solid and tubular parts. The result is a rod that maintains the solid tip's unique advantage of bite sensitivity while delivering a sharp, stable casting feel without wobble.

The Evolution of the Full Carbon Monocoque Grip: A Perfect Balance of Sensitivity and Usability.

The new full carbon monocoque grip, which forms a hollow, integrated structure from the reel seat to the rear grip, represents a groundbreaking development. This technology, first introduced on the Poison Ultima 1610L-BFS in 2018, opened a new world of lightness and sensitivity. In 2020, the 1611ML+ & 172H models featured a high-resolution (Hi-Res) version of the grip, adopting a triangle shape to enhance hold, improving both comfort and precision. By 2022, this evolution expanded beyond just hold, further enhancing casting accuracy and speed, completely revitalizing the 1610M and 170MH models.

The new "Square Cross-Section" Front Grip and "Trigger Pull" Rear Grip Placement (also adopted on 2511UL & 264UL-S models) have dramatically improved sensitivity and operability. Constantly refining its technology, the Ultima represents the true essence of "ultimate" performance.

Square Cross-Section Shape for Improved Contact Area and Vibration Transfer.

Switching from the traditional round grip to a square cross-section increases the contact area with the palm when holding the rod. This improves the transfer of vibrations from the tip, enabling even finer sensitivity. Combined with the rod's overall lightness, this results in an elevated level of sensitivity. Additionally, during the cast finish, the force applied to the grip is more effectively directed forward, rather than escaping sideways, helping to cast the lure more precisely.

Rear Grip Innovations: Triangle Shape & Trigger Pull.

In contrast to the square front grip, the rear grip adopts a triangle shape that increases the contact area with the elbow, improving control during lure manipulation and fighting fish. The V-shaped bottom also enhances directional control during casting, making follow-through adjustments easier. A new feature added in 2022 is the Trigger Pull, which creates a curve in the rear grip for better finger placement, making it easier to hold and stabilize the grip during casting.

Relentless Pursuit of Sensitivity: High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Carbon Structure for High-Transmission and High-Strength Performance.

To enhance vibration transfer, the use of extremely thin carbon materials is key. However, thinner materials often result in reduced strength. Shimano overcame this challenge with a new reinforcement structure, utilizing the overlapping "spine" sections in the carbon sheets as a unique "skeleton" for strength—something traditional carbon rods lack. In a standard round structure, the carbon sheet thickness is uniform, meaning that if strength is prioritized, the rod becomes thicker, while prioritizing lightness means thinner material. However, by incorporating multiple facets in the full carbon monocoque grip, this limitation is broken. The spine, where the carbon material overlaps, increases in thickness, thereby significantly improving strength. This innovative approach—akin to the structural design used in aircraft—balances lightness and strength, redefining rod design for the next generation.