NAMANCHU

The Smith NAMANCHU (ナマンチュ, a portmanteau of namazu/catfish and the Okinawan suffix for person/enthusiast) is a dedicated Japanese catfish (namazu, Silurus asotus) lure rod series from Smith Ltd. A brand long associated with precision freshwater specialist tackle. The series serves domestic river catfish anglers fishing lures, primarily large soft plastics and topwater plugs, from riverbanks and urban waterways at night. First-generation models emphasized night game sensitivity; the second generation (DNAZ-67M-2, DNAZ-S67ML-2) added two-piece designs for portability and shifted blank composition toward slightly increased carbon content for improved tip-down bite sensitivity.

All blanks are glass composite, a deliberate choice for catfish work where the rod needs to absorb the violent head-shaking and sudden lunges of large fish instead of transmit them as breakage risk. Guides use Fuji SiC throughout: T-KGST titanium frame SiC for casting model tips, KWSG stainless SiC for running guides; T-LKGST and KTSG/KLSG on the spinning model. Casting models use Fuji TCS reel seats; the spinning model uses Fuji VSS. An orange check ring is fitted as a line-wrap indicator. Five models across four casting and one spinning: 6'6"–7'1" lengths, M to MH power, fast to moderate-fast action.

The DNAZ-66M is a one-piece design; DNAZ-69M uses a grip-and-forearm removable handle system for compact transport; DNAZ-T71MH uses a telescopic grip handle. The two -2 suffix models are two-piece for portability. DNAZ-S67ML-2 is the only spinning model, catering to anglers preferring PE line and fixed-spool tackle.