DESTROYER P5 (JDM) F2-66XS Whippet

REVOLUTION BRINGS DESTRUCTIVE CHANGE. THIS DESTROYER IS KING OF THEM ALL.

IN 1995, YUKI ITO PROTOTYPED THE DESTROYER® OF TRADITIONAL BASS RODS, DRAWING UPON HIS HAND-CARVED ARMS TO UNLEASH AN UNRIVALED FUSION OF CRAFT AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION UPON THE JAPANESE BASS MARKET. EACH SUBSEQUENT GENERATION OF DESTROYER® REACHED BEYOND THE STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS OF THEIR TIME TO ESTABLISH A NEW BENCHMARK. A QUARTER-CENTURY LATER, “PROJECT LIVING LEGEND” WAS ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE THAT EACH CYCLE OF DESTRUCTION AND CREATION THROUGH INNOVATION PRESERVED MEGABASS’ RICH DNA, BRINGING ANGLERS EVER-CLOSER TO THE IDEAL.

GUIDED BY THIS SPIRIT, THE LAIHA PROGRAM GAVE BIRTH TO A LIMITED CONCEPT ROD SERIES IN 2019, DEVELOPED TO TEST AND REFINE STANDARD-DESTROYING TECHNOLOGIES TO PUSH INNOVATION PAST PRESENT LIMITS. FROM THIS TIRELESS EFFORT, THE 5-D GRAPHITE SYSTEM WAS BORN. REPRESENTING A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE BLANK CONSTRUCTION PROCESS, 5-D ENABLES A MORE PERFECT REALIZATION OF THE DESTROYER® THROUGH A NEW METHOD OF PATTERNING AND LAYERING, UNLOCKING UNTOLD POTENTIAL.

THUS, WITH EACH GENERATION, ALL CHANGE—ESPECIALLY DESTRUCTIVE—IS EMBRACED IN THE TECHNOLOGICAL PURSUIT OF THE ANGLING IDEAL. OUT OF THIS CYCLE, DESTROYER® RISES ANEW TO CHALLENGE ANGLERS TO NEW HEIGHTS.

The 5D system is designed with five performance-optimized panels: #1 for high tension in the longitudinal direction, #2 for 45-degree torsional rigidity to the right, #3 for 45-degree torsional rigidity to the left, #4 for lateral stiffness, and #5 for high longitudinal elasticity. The five panels are then painstakingly arranged to maximize and integrate the distinct performance characteristics of each panel into a cohesive whole, forming a completed puzzle that reduces the unnecessary prepreg overlap of traditional patterning and layering. This not only reduces material waste; it allows for a smoother and more precise taper, seamless load transition and a wellspring of power for intuitive outperformance.

Based on the machined-aluminum head-locking structure developed in the LAIHA concept project, the new Destroyer® HEAD LOCKING SYSTEM 3 is optimized for production status. The structure is the lightest of all Destroyer® series to-date, minimizing any potential interference in blank resonance and vibration transmission through the reel, in addition to highlighting the purpose-built elegance of each rod model.

GUIDED BY ANGLER BIONOMICS, THE MEGABASS ORIGINAL IBCS REEL SEAT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT IN ANGLER/EQUIPMENT INTEGRATION, USHERING IN A NEW ERA OF COMFORT, UTILITY, AND PERFORMANCE. MINIMALISTIC GRIP CONTOURS AND STABLE SHORT-TRIGGER DESIGN ALLOW FOR INTUITIVE GRIP TRANSITIONS AS THE ANGLER MOVES THROUGH THE CYCLE OF CASTING, ROD WORK, HOOKSET AND LANDING. BLANK CONTACT AREAS ARE MAXIMIZED TO DELIVER PRECISE FEEDBACK WITHOUT SACRIFICING CONTROL. CAREFULLY FORMED SQUAT-TRIGGER DESIGN IS WIDE AND SHORT TO PROVIDE THE GRIP YOU NEED TO CAST HEAVY LURES AND MANAGE HARD-PULLING CRANKBAITS.

REGARDLESS OF YOUR PREFERRED STYLE, THE NEW IBCS SEAT INSPIRES CONFIDENT GRIP FOR EVERY SITUATION.

Drawing strength from the robust structure of the Megane-bashi in Nagasaki, known as Japan’s oldest arched stone bridge, Yuki Ito channeled time-tested design into the development of the MBCS spinning reel seat. Featuring a curved shape that is a marriage of structural integrity and human form, MBCS rises from the blank to fit perfectly into the palm. This ergonomic fit not only increases grip and leverage for rod work and fighting fish, it transmits feedback by maximizing contact points between angler and equipment. Further, the palming grip encouraged by the MBCS is an anchor against torsional force, enabling greater control.

The exquisite contours of the MBCS are reinforced by an internal structure that ensures maximum strength and rigidity with minimal weight, allowing the full benefits of the reel seat’s arched shape to be realized without excess material. Exposed blank section, palming contact and next-level control deliver the kind of intuitive feel required by finesse fishing in the toughest tournaments, carrying angling awareness into the depths.  

Inspired by pro angler’s battles in the top echelons of the world’s oldest and toughest bass fishing circuit, the B.A.S.S. Elite Series, MEGABASS 3D DYNAMICS strives towards a more perfect union of angler and equipment. Each hand-formed carbon fiber handle takes shape as if custom made for each angler’s hands, providing comfortable contours for enhanced grip and the superior vibration transmission properties of carbon material.

If you look closely, the brand-new Destroyer® logo has been renewed. Once again, the new logo was painted by Yuki Ito with his brush, refreshing the core philosophy of the series. The new emblem is crafted from a three-dimensional solid plate, with artwork overlaid on each blank to reflect the depth of Destroyer® history.

THREAD COLOR

■BASE : AIRFORCE-SCURO

■PINLINE : KISHUBUSSIN-PURPLE

■OUTER TRIM : STREAM GALAXY

To further reduce unnecessary weight and improve performance, the Destroyer® utilizes a smaller-diameter thread made of special fiber, which allows for tighter, more effective guide wraps. This not only minimizes the wrap area and associated epoxy to reduce weight—it minimizes any negative impact that hard epoxy guide wraps can have on the natural bend-curve of the blank. The result is a smoother, more intuitive blank with minimalistic threading for maximum strength and performance.

Weight-saving improvements in blank construction, thread wrapping method, reel seat and head locker design result in a lighter rod, which allows for lighter counterweights to achieve the ideal “Takumi” balance for each application. Even the F6-69X, which is balanced for a tip-up posture for heavy-cover applications utilizes a mere 8g counterweight contained in the END BALANCER’s machined metal form. To reflect this achievement, the shining gold end cap emblem of previous generations has been updated to an understated “Bronze Meteo” finish.