DAIWA’s snapper game fishing brand Kohga has renewed its IC reel lineup with the 26 Kohga IC 150, now officially released for the 2026 season.
At first glance, you might think, “So… what’s actually changed?”
But after taking a closer look, there are several thoughtful updates that genuinely feel like “Yes, this is exactly what I wanted.”
As someone who has used and trusted the Kohga IC for years, let’s take a deeper look at what’s new — and why it matters.
Core Technologies — Same Foundation, Sharper Execution
The DAIWA 26 Kohga IC 150 carries over the familiar and proven technology base:
- HYPERDRIVE DESIGN, featuring HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR / HYPER DOUBLE SUPPORT / HYPER ARMED HOUSING / HYPER TOUCH CLUTCH.
This framework is designed to maintain top performance for as long as possible — a standard approach in DAIWA’s modern engineering philosophy.
At first, I thought “So it’s basically the same.” But actually, the HYPERDRIVE DIGIGEAR has been updated with wider gear teeth, improving rotational smoothness and efficiency.
For Tai Rubber fishing, where consistent retrieve speed is everything, this is a very welcome upgrade.
ATD Drag System — Still a Proven Performer
The reel continues to feature DAIWA’s highly regarded ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag) system, which automatically adjusts drag tension in response to the fish’s movements.
Thanks to this, I’ve landed plenty of fish with confidence.
Interestingly, this model doesn’t appear to use the newer ATD Type-L, perhaps because it’s not a casting reel.
Still, the standard ATD works perfectly fine for the Tai Rubber style.
Why the IC Counter Still Matters
Personally, I consider the IC digital counter indispensable for Tai Rubber fishing.
It allows you to:
- Know exactly where your rig is in the water column
- Visualize your retrieve speed — essentially your “hit speed”
- Track how much line has been released
- Understand your lure’s angle relative to the bottom
That last point is especially important, as line angle often determines whether you get bites or not.
The amount of information this counter provides is incredibly valuable on the water.
Finally — Centrifugal Brake Added!
Now for the biggest and most welcome update:
the addition of a centrifugal brake.
This was, without question, the upgrade I personally wanted the most.
With the 2021 model, when the current slowed and the line angle flattened, backlashes were fairly common — even with gentle casts. Unless you were extremely careful, line tangles could occur right after casting, wasting valuable time as your rig dropped straight down.
With the centrifugal brake now built in, this issue is dramatically reduced.
This means you can rely on a single Kohga IC setup across a much wider range of conditions — exactly the kind of “itch-scratching improvement” long-time users have been hoping for.
Honestly, this upgrade alone makes the new Kohga IC extremely appealing.
That said… part of me still dreams about a Mag-Z Boost system.
It may be structurally difficult, but if the Kohga IC ever gained full baitcasting-level brake technology, it could potentially handle Tai Rubber, light jigging, and even topwater fishing in one reel.
A bit greedy, perhaps — but what a dream setup that would be.
Specification
The DAIWA 26 Kohga IC is available in 150 size only, with line capacity of PE #1 – 400m and PE #2 – 200m.
For typical Tai Rubber fishing, around 300 m of PE #1.5 feels like the ideal balance.
I do wish a 200 size model were also available, especially for deeper offshore areas with strong currents and large snapper over 80 cm. In those situations, 200 m of PE #2 can feel a bit limiting.
Hopefully, that’s something DAIWA considers for a future release.
The price has increased by ¥6,500 compared to the 2021 model, now set at ¥49,300.
Given rising aluminum costs and the addition of the centrifugal brake unit, this feels like a reasonable adjustment.
| Model | Gear Ratio | Drag Power Max (kg) | Weight (g) | Spool Size dia/width (mm) | Capacity Braid (Gou-m) | MAX Line Retrieve (cm) | Handle Length (mm) | Bearings | Handle Knob | Price (yen) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Kohga IC 150P | 4.8 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 54 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150PL | 4.8 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 54 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150 | 6.3 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 70 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150L | 6.3 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 70 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150H | 7.1 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 80 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
| 26 Kohga IC 150HL | 7.1 | 5 | 235 | 36/24 | 1-400, 2-200 | 80 | 130 | 6/1 | Power Light Knob MM | 49,300 |
Conclusion
So, what do you think?
Tai Rubber fishing originated from traditional Japanese fishing methods, refined and modernized for today’s anglers. While it’s designed around snapper, it’s a technique capable of catching a wide variety of species.
With the 26 Kohga IC 150, that method becomes even more refined, more forgiving, and more versatile.
If you’ve been curious about Tai Rubber fishing — or if you’ve been using an older Kohga IC and wondering whether the upgrade is worth it — this new model makes a very strong case.
