Beyond Entry-Level: Olympic’s 23 Calamaretti UX Tip Eging Rod Gets a Deadly New 2026 Model with the OP-02 Carbon Reel Seat 🦑🎣

It’s Tip-Run season. And if you’re hunting big Aori-ika (Bigfin Reef Squid) from a boat, you already know the drill — you need a rod that whispers the most feather-light takes directly into your fingertips, yet has the backbone to bully a kilo-plus slab of squid away from structure without breaking a sweat. That’s a tall order. And doing it without spending a fortune? That’s where most anglers get stuck.

Enter the Olympic 23 Calamaretti UX Tip Eging Model — a rod that outright refuses to be boxed into the “entry-level” category, and in 2026, it just got a seriously exciting new sibling with one of the most innovative reel seats we’ve seen on a rod at this price point. Let’s break it all down. 🔥

What Is Tip-Run Eging? A Quick Brief for Global Anglers 🌏

For those outside Japan — Tip-Run Eging (ティップランエギング) is a boat-based squid fishing technique where heavily weighted egi (squid jigs, typically 20–60g+) are cast or dropped to depth and worked with sharp rod tip pops. The bite is detected almost entirely through the ultra-sensitive solid tip of the rod, which dips or hesitates subtly when a squid grabs the jig.

In Japan, the peak Tip-Run season is autumn, when water temperatures drop from summer highs (around 25°C+) down to the 15–20°C range — Aori-ika become more active in mid-depth zones and respond aggressively to fast, precise jig movements. For anglers in the Southern Hemisphere (e.g., Australia, New Zealand), this translates to your autumn months (March–May), when Southern Calamari and Arrow Squid exhibit similar active feeding behavior as coastal water temps cool. The same Tip-Run technique is absolutely deadly in those conditions. 🇦🇺🦑

The Olympic Pedigree — Don’t Sleep on This Brand

Olympic Co., Ltd. is one of Japan’s most respected and longest-running blank manufacturers. Their Graphite Leader series sits at the premium end of the market, and the Calamaretti lineup is their dedicated eging range — built on decades of Japanese squid fishing expertise. The 23 Calamaretti UX Tip Eging is based on the DNA of the premium Nuovo Calamaretti Tip Eging Model, meaning the technology trickles down in a serious way. This isn’t a budget rod with a fancy badge — it’s a genuine performer.

The Holy Trinity: Sensitivity, Lightness & Operability 🎯

Olympic engineers built the entire Calamaretti UX Tip Eging philosophy around three non-negotiable pillars:

1. Sensitivity — A marked solid tip is fitted to both models, transmitting bite information simultaneously through visual cues (you watch the tip) AND tactile feedback (you feel it in your hand). Combined with stainless frame SiC ring guides that auto-release line tangles and dramatically reduce line trouble, you’re getting maximum information flow from jig to brain.

2. Lightness — At just 75g (5112M-S-TE) and 88g (662ML-S-TE), these rods are featherweights. Long boat sessions demand it. When you’re popping that tip for hours chasing squid, even a 20g weight difference in your rod becomes a game-changer by hour four.

3. Operability — Precise, responsive, and intuitive. The reel seat choices on each model (more on this below) directly contribute to how precisely you can control the jig through the water column.

The Star of the Show: OP-02 Carbon Reel Seat on the NEW 662ML-S-TE ⭐

Okay, THIS is the part that made me genuinely excited when I saw the 2026 lineup announcement. The new 26GCALUS-662ML-S-TE introduces Olympic’s proprietary OP-02 carbon reel seat — and the engineering behind it is legitimately impressive.

What is the OP-02?

It’s constructed from thermoplastic carbon — specifically TORAYCA® short fiber reinforced nylon resin PA610 — with a 30% carbon content for exceptional strength and high elasticity. The result is a reel seat that is:

• Lighter than conventional reel seats
• Stiffer — vibration and bite signals transmit directly to your palm
• Higher sensitivity — no energy loss between blank and hand
• Supports one-finger to four-finger grip styles with total freedom — a huge deal for long sessions where your grip naturally shifts

And here’s a genuinely cool bonus: 60% of the PA610 polymer is plant-derived, making OP-02 an SDGs-conscious material. Olympic is literally engineering sustainability into their hardware. That’s forward-thinking JDM quality right there. 🌱

The existing 5112M-S-TE uses the proven VSS reel seat — slim, lightweight, and ergonomically excellent for a wrapped grip style. Both choices are right; they just serve different hand preferences and fishing styles.

Graphite Cross LV Blanks — Light Doesn’t Mean Weak 💪

Both models use high-modulus carbon blanks that are slim and lightweight, yet loaded with stiffness (張り / hari). The real weapon in the blank construction is the Graphite Cross LV layered into the butt section.

Graphite Cross LV is a thin woven carbon cloth that achieves approximately 10% weight reduction compared to conventional graphite cross weave, while maintaining the same fiber composition ratio. Crucially, it’s tuned for torsional and compressive rigidity — meaning when a big squid engulfs your jig and rockets for depth, the rod loads beautifully and then drives the recovery power back, pulling the squid to the surface almost effortlessly. The angler doesn’t have to muscle it — the rod does the work. That’s elite-level blank engineering in an entry-priced package.

Zero-Compromise Component Spec 🔩

Olympic didn’t cut corners anywhere in the hardware:

• Guides: Belly to butt — stainless frame SiC-S ring guides. Proven, reliable, line-friendly. No cheap alternatives here.
• Grip: EVA separate grip construction — high durability, corrosion resistant (critical in saltwater), lightweight, and improves overall rod balance and operability.
• Ferrule System: Optimized per model. The 5112M-S-TE uses a grip detachable system for easy transport and storage. The 662ML-S-TE uses a slip-over ferrule (reverse spigot joint) — this is the one that makes the rod bend like a single-piece blank, with zero dead spots at the joint. Absolutely critical for Tip-Run sensitivity and action.

The 2026 Lineup at a Glance 📊

🆕 NEW — 26GCALUS-662ML-S-TE (2026 Model)

The 6’6″ length with ML power is the sweet spot for shallow-water Tip-Run and autumn squid season (when squid are active in shallower zones, 10–30m range, as water cools). The extra length helps stabilize the tip in choppy conditions — a common frustration on open water boat fishing. This model features the OP-02 reel seat and slip-over ferrule for that one-piece bend feel. This is the finesse weapon. 🎯

23GCALUS-5112M-S-TE (Original Model)

The short, punchy M-power model is your deep-water and fast-current specialist. MAX 70g egi weight capacity means you can punch heavy jigs down to 40m+ in strong drift conditions. VSS reel seat, grip detachable ferrule for portability. If you’re fishing fast tides, deep structure, or you just like snappy, direct control — this is your rod. Also, at just 75g, this is an absolute featherweight machine. 🏋️

Who Is This Rod For? 🤔

• Complete beginners getting into Tip-Run Eging for the first time ✅
• Lure anglers from other genres (bass, trout, light saltwater) making the leap to squid fishing ✅
• Experienced eggers looking for a capable, lightweight backup or dedicated boat rod without spending premium money ✅
• Southern Hemisphere anglers (Australia, NZ, South Africa) targeting Southern Calamari and Arrow Squid on the drift during your autumn and winter seasons ✅

The ¥25,000–¥26,000 price point (roughly USD $160–$170) is extraordinary value for what’s packed into these rods. You’re getting technology derived from Olympic’s premium Graphite Leader lineup, with zero meaningful compromise.

Final Verdict 🏆

The Olympic 23 Calamaretti UX Tip Eging lineup is exactly what the Japanese tackle industry does best — democratizing elite-level technology without dumbing it down. The OP-02 reel seat on the new 662ML-S-TE is a genuine innovation — not a marketing gimmick — and the Graphite Cross LV blank construction punches well above its price class.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about getting into Tip-Run Eging, or you need a reliable, high-performing boat rod that won’t destroy your wallet, this is the rod to buy right now. Don’t sleep on it. 🦑🔥

Where to Buy JDM Gear

Finding authentic JDM tackle outside Japan used to be a mission. These days, eBay is hands-down the best platform for sourcing genuine, mint-condition Japanese fishing gear shipped directly from Japan. Sellers stock everything from current releases to rare discontinued models — and Olympic rods are no exception. Check current listings below and snag one before they’re gone! 👇