Megabass of America, the U.S. arm of Japan’s most revered builder of high-end fishing tackle, announced today that second-year Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain will fish the company’s Orochi XX series of rods in forthcoming tournament competition. He’ll join seasoned veterans Aaron Martens and Luke Clausen as the tour-level pros using the new series of rods aimed at comprehensively covering all major US-tournament applications.
“What amazed me most about the Orochi XX rods is the tremendous attention to detail,” said Zaldain, who won the Bassmaster Central Opens points title in 2011 and already has seven Top-10 finishes in a short B.A.S.S. career. “They use the finest high-modulus graphite, which makes them super-light and sensitive.
"I’ve had light rods in the past, but many of them are not balanced. These just feel perfect in your hand. It’s obvious that everything from how they’re molded, to the way the cork is sanded, to the guides and the epoxy has been thought through in tremendous detail.”
Zaldain will have all 11 rods in the series – nine baitcasting and two spinning – at his disposal, and he expects to use them all daily, but it’s the spinning rods designed by Martens that have him most excited.
“Being from California, I love-light line fishing in deep, clear water,” he said. “I’m sure that these ultra-sensitive rods will improve my chances and allow me to feel and land fish that I otherwise would have missed.”
With proven champions like Martens and Clausen already onboard and contributing to the design process, Zaldain brings a dose of youthful energy and a fresh voice to the team.
"Chris is, without a doubt, one of the brightest young stars in our sport today," said Megabass of America VP Yuskei Murayama. "Not only has he proven himself a force on the water, but as we've gotten to know Chris these past 2 years, he's continued to impress with a level of poise, integrity and intellect that far surpass his years. We are honored that Chris has chosen our rods to support his passion for fishing and look forward to growing with him in the many years to come."
