Area Fishing model
Full tournament-spec area trout spinning series; micro spoons to light plugs in managed-lake competition
The Major Craft Banshee Tournament Spec (BTSS) Area Fishing model is the inaugural release of Major Craft's dedicated area trout brand, Banshee, sold as a full tournament-specification rod for managed-lake (area fishing) trout in Japan. It is made for experienced area trout anglers who compete on tight, heavily pressured ponds using micro spoons, small plugs, and light soft plastics. Blanks use Toray T1100G carbon as the main cross-ply material with M40X high-modulus carbon supporting the casting and operability zones, assembled in R360 construction (multi-directional winding at key stress points).
This results in a blank described as having extra sensitivity while retaining flex memory, the manufacturer's stated goal is aggressive hooking capability from a delicate platform. Rod weights run 55–59 g, which is competitive for the area trout category. Actions are either F (Fast) for the tubular models or EX. F (Extra Fast) for the solid-tip (S-prefix) models. The six-model lineup divides into four tubular spinning rods (BTSS-542UL through BTSS-602L, 5'4"–6'0") and two solid-tip spinning models (BTSS-S502UL and BTSS-S552L, 5'0"–5'5").
All are 2-piece. The tubular models range from a 5'4" micro-spoon specialist up to a 6'0" all-rounder. The solid-tip models are shorter and rated EX. F for immediate hook-set response, one is built for hatchery-release proximity fishing, the other for rig-diversity around the bottom.
Shaded band: the spread of the lineup's 6 models, as percentile rank among same-type rods. Solid line = series median · dashed ring = catalog median.
- Models
- 6 spinning
- Length
- 5'–6' 1.52–1.83 m
- Power
- UL–ML 3 classes
- Action
- XF–F
- Line
- 2–4 lb
- Lure
- 1/64–3/32 oz 0.5–3.5 g
- Released
- 2023
Rods in this series
6 models| Save | Model | Length | Power | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTSS-S502UL | 5' | UL | Buy from Major Craft | |
| BTSS-542UL | 5'4" | UL | Buy from Major Craft | |
| BTSS-S552L | 5'5" | L | Buy from Major Craft | |
| BTSS-572ML | 5'7" | ML | Buy from Major Craft | |
| BTSS-5112L | 5'11" | L | Buy from Major Craft | |
| BTSS-602L | 6' | L | Buy from Major Craft |
Model notes
3 of 6 modelsA 2025 addition (NEW designation on site); the shortest rod at 5'0" with EX.F solid tip. Built for hatchery-release proximity battles and spoon contact at close range, with immediate hooking response prioritized over distance.
Specialist micro-spoon model rated 0.4–2 g, the lightest in the lineup. Designed for sub-1 g presentations on ultra-light line (1.5–2.5 lb). The 5'4" length enables short, accurate casts on small ponds.
The only ML-power tubular model; shaped around blacking (snagging-style manipulation) techniques. Heavier lure range (0.8–3.5 g) and stronger line (2–4 lb) allow handling of larger or deeper serves within the area trout context.