WKS-PPS SLJ66-175: The Slow Jigging Blank That Won Over All Our Field Testers

Designed by anglers for anglers, the WKS-PPS SLJ66-175 has quickly become the reference rod for slow jigging at sea. Round action in the fight, responsive tip during the retrieve, Torzite guides in spiral configuration — it ticks every box. We explain why it could well be the rod you've been waiting for.

The PPS SLJ66-175 Blank: a Design Conceived by and for Slow Jigging

The Flagship of the Predator Patrol Series

The WKS-PPS SLJ66-175 is built around the PPS SLJ66-175 blank, the centrepiece of the Predator Patrol range from Rodbuilders Republic. Single-piece, matte black finish, 6'6" — this blank was developed with one obsession in mind: meeting the technical demands of slow jigging at sea, a discipline that requires animation suppleness, hook-setting power and resilience in the fight against large fish.

From the prototyping phase, this blank stood out as the favourite of all field testers. Not by chance: its design brings together two qualities that are rarely combined so effectively — a lively and reactive tip to animate jigs with precision, and a round, progressive behaviour as soon as the fish is hooked. The bite transforms into a controlled fight, with no risk of the hook pulling free.

Pollack, Madai, Vertical Eging: Formidable Versatility

Originally designed for slow jigging, the WKS-PPS SLJ66-175 has quickly proven its effectiveness across other techniques. It excels for pollack fishing using the elevator technique, with metal jigs or large soft lures — the slow action prevents hook pulls and maximises the enjoyment of the fight. It also adapts very well to sparid fishing with Madais and Kaburos, a discipline where blank suppleness and animation precision are essential. Vertical eging completes the picture, confirming that this blank is far more than a single-species tool.

A Refined Build to Unlock the Full Potential of the Blank

Fuji T-DPS and Torzite Guides in Spiral Configuration: the Winning Combo

The Fuji T-DPS reel seat chosen for this build is a benchmark in jigging: robust, compact, and designed to provide a firm grip even with wet hands in spray conditions. The trigger is positioned 45 cm from the butt, a setting that guarantees a natural balance in hand for long vertical animation sessions.

The Fuji Titanium Torzite guides mounted in spiral casting configuration complete the setup perfectly. Their Torzite insert, the smoothest on the market, eliminates all friction on the thin braided line used in slow jigging, while dissipating the heat generated by the rapid descent of heavy jigs. The Titanium frame, of extreme lightness, in no way compromises the vibrational qualities of the blank. Every impulse of the jig through the water column is faithfully transmitted all the way to the hand.

EVA Handle: Comfort and Lasting Grip

The EVA handle perfectly meets the demands of slow jigging: lightweight, impervious to moisture and salt, it maintains an effective grip even after several hours of intensive fishing. In slow jigging, where each animation repeatedly strains the wrist, grip comfort is no minor detail — it is what allows you to fish cleanly from the very first jig drop to the very last.