KR Concept History 
Fuji introduced its New Guide Concept in 1995, a theory developed with the aim of optimizing a rod’s performance by placing the appropriate number of guides in a certain layout and employing smaller and lighter guides throughout the blank. Rods built based on the New Guide Concept layout allowed greater casting distance, increased accuracy and sensitivity, optimized action and power, improved rod balance and reduced twisting torque, line twist and tangles.

The benefits of adopting the concept were based on the assumption of widespread monofilament line use at that time. Braided line has since become more popular and although it works well with the New Guide Concept theory to improve sensitivity, casting distance and hooking power, its supple nature makes it prone to wind knots and tangles under certain fishing conditions. Fuji subsequently introduced sloped-frame guides such as the DB and LC guides to address the line tangle problem. However, Fuji’s big breakthrough came from the development of the K-series guides, which are able to significantly minimize, if not eliminate tangles when casting.

Micro Guides
In recent years, micro guides have taken the US bass fishing scene by storm. The concept involves employing a greater number of smaller guides throughout the blank. Micro guides are lightweight, having only a single foot and therefore requiring less thread and finishing. They also sit low and close to the blank, enhancing sensitivity, allowing better line control and reducing twisting torque under load. This translates into more accurate casts and effective use of the rod blank’s power for hooking and fighting fish.

However, the micro guide layout also has certain limitations, particularly the funnelling of line during a cast. Energy is lost from friction when the line slaps against the blank as it moves from the reel to the butt guide, limiting the full casting potential of the rod. As micro guides are designed with only a single foot, guides from the belly to the butt area are subject to tremendous stress when the rod blank is fully loaded, and in some instances, causing the guides to be pulled out from the wrap.

By incorporating the newly designed K-guides into the micro guide layout, Fuji was able to improve many aspects of the existing concept and include the element of significantly reduced line tangles. Consequently, Fuji’s KR Concept was born.

K-Guide Revolution 
The K-Guide Revolution Concept (KR Concept) is built upon an evolved rod layout using newly developed, off-angle butt guides (KL-H for spinning and KW for baitcasting), belly guides (KB), tip guides (KT) and tip tops (LG for spinning and FC for baitcasting). The idea is to quickly force the spiralling or ballooning line just as it leaves the spool through these butt guides and channel it through appropriately placed micro guides along the rod blank. Apart from the butt guides and rod tip tops, both spinning and baitcasting rods designed under the KR Concept utilize common belly and tip guides. KT guides are lightweight micro guides designed exclusively for the tip section. To hold up against the greater load placed on the belly section of the blank compared to the tip, Fuji has designed the KB guide with a broader foot and small diameter ring. The KW butt guides on the baitcasting rod layout feature a double-foot design to prevent being pulled out under severe load.

“Rapid Choke” 
In order to funnel the wide-spiralling line from a spinning reel into the micro guides at high speed, the KR-Concept suggests utilizing three KL-H guides to ‘choke’ the line as it leaves the spool. Fuji calls this the “Rapid Choke” theory and its own research has indicated a notable impact in reducing friction from line slapping against the blank, thus, effectively controlling the line through the micro guides. As a result, more energy is channelled into the cast to achieve greater casting distance. Fuji also discovered that using smaller-sized rings on butt guides enabled better line control. In fact, the butt guide’s height is more critical than the size of the ring in ensuring effective line flow. Fuji has specially developed these KL-H guides with tall frames and small rings for this very purpose.

KR Concept Line Control 
To solve the problem of friction caused by line slapping against the rod blank on baitcasting micro guide layouts, the KR Concept suggests using two KW guides to quickly control line oscillation. Based on a similar off-angle design as the KL-H guides, the KW guides are slightly elevated to prevent line slap and to assist in choking the line before funnelling it through the micro guides along the blank.

Fuji’s KR Concept is a testimony of the company’s relentless pursuit of technologies, designs and products to maximize the performance of today’s fishing rods. As the KR Concept is still a developing theory, we can only expect the concept to further evolve over time alongside advancements from its own research and development as well as developments in the tackle industry. It is highly unlikely to replace the New Guide Concept at this point, since micro guides may not be most appropriate for heavy applications that require thick leader knots or thick lines, but rather, more suited towards ultralight or medium heavy applications. Nevertheless, the KR Concept is truly a remarkable adaptation of the New Guide Concept as an effective, standalone micro guide system. We can expect to see a greater increase in the KR Concept application as more additional products and new guide sizes become available in the near future.

*Illustrations in this article are courtesy of Fuji Kogyo Co. Ltd. 

The post New Fuji KR Concept appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

To popping and jigging fanatics, FCL Labo is no unfamiliar name. Established in 1995, FCL Labo has since developed a cult following all over the world, thanks to proven poppers and stickbaits such as the Ebipop, Squidpen, CSP as well as SL Jigs. In this exclusive interview, founder and CEO of FCL Labo, Mr Tsurusaki Yoshitaka shares with FiSH On! Magazine some insight into FCL Labo’s world of big game lures. 

How long have you been in the fishing tackle industry?
I’ve been in this industry for almost 30 years, starting out with the Yo-zuri company at the age of 20.

Tell us more about your working experience in the fishing tackle industry prior to setting up FCL Labo?
I was with Yo-zuri for seven and a half years working on product development as a lure designer before eventually heading the department. I started my own company named Atelier GL in 1989, producing lures and jigs. I was also contracted as a designer/developer of rods for the Saurus brand. Atelier GL was sold in 1995 and I moved on to new ventures. Since 2001, I have been active in the development of lures, jigs and rods for the Evergreen brand, a large and long-standing company in the Japanese market.

When was FCL Labo set up?
FCL Labo was set up after Atelier GL was sold in 1995 and I’ve been actively running it since. The first product released by FCL Labo was a radically new concept ‘short jig rod’, followed by an 11-foot seabass rockshore rod. It was only in the year 2000 when I started developing lures and jigs. The first to be produced in volume was a long jig.

What inspired you to venture into specialty big-game popping and jigging?
Easy! I love big-game saltwater fishing. But I am essentially a keen angler who loves his artificial lures. I fish a lot for trout in the mountains and barramundi in places like Australia too. In every form of fishing that I do, I strive to find the best way to fool the chosen quarry. Thus, I design based on a brief that contains information gathered on the particular species. It’s very much like solving a puzzle. Apart from this I also want to provide alternatives to lures that are already in the market. It is easy to just copy and tweak proven designs and call it your own, but it is not my cup of tea. I am always searching for alternative answers to prove there isn’t just one way to fool a fish.

What do you think sets FCL Labo lures apart from the other big game lures?
Simple. If there’s anything similar in the market, I wouldn’t be selling it. I’d like to think of our company and our clients as ‘Fishing Dreamers’, in that we are always thinking about new ways to catch fish. In short, our lures are different.

Could you tell us a little bit about some of your popular FCL Labo lures?
The Ebipop is an evolution of thoughts that sprung from the original Tsuru Pop that I designed in 1989. I didn’t think much about GT popping for some time after that but then the craze that gathered momentum in Japan led to many developments in tackle. Deep chuggers were a hit but many products that hit the shelves were essentially just big cups and not very angler-friendly. This prompted a deep study on the properties in water pressure and what I learnt went into the concept of the Ebipop. It has a unique cup shape that makes chugging easy but at the same time displaces a considerable amount of water, which is necessary to create that loud sound. Since then I have gone further to introduce variations of the Ebipop like the SC series, which incorporates a dog-walking ability to the blooping. One question I am always asked is the reason why the eye is placed behind. It is simple – notice how a stationary, injured baitfish in the water always has its head facing downwards? Besides, I tried placing eyes at the front and it just looked funny!

The SPP is a special lure for special conditions. Though big chuggers can be good there will be times when other actions are required to draw strikes. The SPP is essentially what we call a swimmer, to be used with a slow to medium speed flat retrieve, which makes it very easy for a tired angler. This lure is designed for use in strong currents when­­ the fish are near the surface and in flat waters when loud chugs spook rather than attract fish. I must admit the original concept of this lure was inspired by a very old design created by famous American freshwater lure-maker, Fred Arbogast.

The Squidpencil is the antithesis of how you would design a traditional topwater pencil. All pencils have bigger heads to help create that bobbing side-to-side action. I experimented with the weight being transferred back towards the rear – this resulted in an even stronger and more stable walking action. The wide walking also means it stays in the same place longer, or rather, it spends more time in the strike zone. There were no lures on the market that mimicked squid, a favourite food for big tuna and so this lure quickly became a known as a tuna killer in the Southern Japanese islands of Tokara.

How would you normally test your lures?
The easiest way I can think of evaluating a new design is to just go fishing! There is no better way. But seriously, there are other areas of concern apart from fish-catching ability too, and for those we work hard in the laboratory to ensure that quality, durability and finish are up to scratch. We also take pride in the number of field testers around the world who fish hard and provide valuable feedback to improve our designs. I think this sets us apart from many other Japanese manufacturers – the fact that we are able to cater to differing species and conditions based on key learnings from working with partners. This results in the many new products that we have produced for individual markets around the world.

In terms of fighting ability, which fish specie would be your favourite?
It would be hard to find any fish that would fight harder than the GT (Giant Trevally) but personally, I have much respect for the Amberjack too.

In your opinion, what is the best lure type for GT?
The initial concept of popping was very different when I first brought the concept to Japan from what I had seen in Australia. The idea was to use a popper to startle schools of fusiliers (baitfish), which in turn, will draw the attention of passing GTs and induce a hit. Eventually the idea was refined further in Japan and chuggers were developed to bring fish up to the surface from the deep. Pencil baits were eventually introduced for shallow water work and for places with strong currents. My concept of creating a lure for GT is based on understanding the three key sensory perceptions of GT when hunting – hearing, sight and the lateral line. Therefore our lures are designed to ignite these senses. Of course these are only the basics. The products are a culmination of years of hunting these fish, on-the-water experience and a deep understanding of this adversary. I try to encapsulate the action of nature in my lures. For example, I have even gone as far as studying how an airborne flying fish re-enters the water. In summary, I feel the popper is still the best tool for GTs – the anticipation, strike and ability to stir up emotions make it second to none!

What are the key factors when designing FCL Labo’s jigs?
The number one factor is what I’d like to call ‘jerk feel’ – you have to feel it working through your actions. A jig is more than a jerking tool. It has to combine two factors – the pull and the fall. What I am saying is that the fall is just as important as the jerk, and to me ‘fall speed’ is very crucial when we are testing a new jig. Essentially, a jig has to work on the way up and down, and in between jerks where ‘hang time’ is a critical chance for a fish to pounce. Personally I feel that action is definitely more important than the finishing of a jig, though in some areas like very deep water, glow properties will enhance the jig’s ability to catch fish.

Do you see a big potential for FCL Labo’s growth and presence in the Southeast Asia market?
I am positive about it. We are currently catering for the world market and the Southeast Asian market is no different.

Light jigging & micro jigging has become very popular in recent years especially in Southeast Asia. Does FCL Labo have a range of lures to target the light coastal and shore jigging market?
Yes, in fact we have existing jigs and lures targeted at this market. Jigs such as the CS 35gm, 45gm and SL 60gm have been accounting for many catches around the Southeast Asia region. Light tackle fishing has always been close to my heart and I am a big fan. Through the years we have developed jigs like the SL and CS down to even 8gm but we are not stopping there just yet. Fishing is all about the fun factor and light tackle fishing brings out all the more for the angler. Our philosophy has always been to create new ideas for a greater joy in this sport.

The post Interview with Mr Tsurusaki Yoshitaka of FCL LABO appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Fish On! Technical Consultant Soh Yu Hock sends us some photos from Osaka Fishing Show 2013.
WARNING: some of these photos can prove to be TOO hot to handle!

Photos courtesy of Soh Yu Hock. 

2013 marks the 50th Osaka Fishing Show (Japan)

JACKALL BROS Exhibition Booth

Megabass

Evergreen

Rapala

Smith

Ima

ValleyHill

Owner

Fuji’s booth is simple, elegence, effective, just like their guides

New extension of Fuji’s KR Guides

This setup explains the importance of weight reduction on guides, less weight = more sensitive.

Hiro demonstrating the difference of Fuji SiC and a competitor’s insert. The line on the competitor’s insert setup subsequently burst as a result of heat build-up over a period of time.

Shimano Stella SW 2013 line up

Front view of the 2013 Shimano Stella SW

Shimano’s answer to the Daiwa Saltiga Dogfight – the 2013 Stella SW 30000

Shimano 2013 Stella SW 5000

Debut of Shimano Metanium 2013 – featuring SVS Infinity and Micro Module gearing found on the 2012 Shimano Antares

Hero shot of the Shimano Metanium 2013

Low, low profile

Redesigned handle

Underneath the baitcaster

Unveiling the SVS Infinity cast system

Innards of the Metanium 2013

The Micro Module gears

Side-by-side comparison of Micro Module gear and conventional gear

Want more? Be sure to check back often as we bring you more from Osaka Fishing Show 2013! Fish On!

The post OSAKA FISHING SHOW 2013 – Part 1 appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

PART 2

Fish On! Technical Consultant Soh Yu Hock sends us some photos from Osaka Fishing Show 2013. Today, we take a look at Daiwa’s 2013 Steez SV (“Stress-free” Versatile). 

Photos courtesy of Soh Yu Hock. 

Daiwa’s 2013 Baitcaster Line Up

For today, we take a look at Daiwa’s venerable Steez SV (2013)

The Steez SV looks impressive and is unbelievably smooth

The pinnacle of Daiwa’s baitcasters

Super low profile body

A look at the underside

The Steez SV’s ultra-lighweight spool enables it to cast a very wide range of lures
(3.5g to more than 40g!)

Stay tuned for more photos from Osaka Show 2013!

The post OSAKA FISHING SHOW 2013 – Daiwa Steez SV appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

More photos to whet your appetite! Today we have a look at Daiwa Certate 2013 , T3 MX and T3 SV. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that Fish On! will get a hold of these reels for an in-depth review!

Photos courtesy of Soh Yu Hock. 

Daiwa Certate 2013 line up. The new 2013 Certate not only sports an aggressive styling to the spool aesthetics but also incorporates Mag-Seal into the line roller. Cool!

Certate 2013 in varying sizes – 1003, 2004, 2500, 2510PE-H, 3012 & 3012H

Side by side comparison showing the effects of corrosion on a conventional reel (left) vs. the Certate fitted with Mag-Seal (right).

Aggressive styling on the spool.

Next up we take a look at the T3 SV, featuring the SV (“Stress-free Versatile”) ultra-lighweight spool, which enables it to cast a very wide range of lures
(3.5g to more than 40g according to Daiwa.), making it an extremely versatile baitcaster.

The T3 SV sports similar colour tones with the Daiwa Steez SV.

T-Wing System

The T3 SV is available in 2 ratios – 6.3:1 (67cm per revolution) and 8.1:1 (86cm per revolution)

The SV spool and inductor seen with sideplate removed.

2013 also sees more T3 models introduced, namely the T3 MX, which is the saltwater-friendly version of the T3, featuring a saltwater-tough barrier clutch. However, the MX only sports 6 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing vs 8/1 on the T3. The MX comes in 3 retrieve ratios – 6.3:1 (67cm per revolution), 7.1:1 (75cm per revolution) & 8.1:1 (86cm per revolution).

Daiwa T3 MX (6.3:1 ) – black with gold trimmings

 Daiwa T3 MX (7.1:1 ) – black with red trimmings

Daiwa T3 MX (8.1:1) – black with purple trimmings

The post OSAKA FISHING SHOW 2013 – Part 2 (Daiwa T3 MX, SV & Certate 2013) appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Today we have a look at the Rapala, Storm and Northcraft lures exhibition booth!

Photos courtesy of Soh Yu Hock. 

Rapala Japan show booth.

Pro Angler Hajime Murata sharing a bit of history about Rapala and the new BX Minnow.

The Balsa wood display

Jointed Rapala – Hajime Murata Selections

Rapala Husky Jerk and Mini Fat Rap - Hajime Murata Selections

Rapala Countdown - Hajime Murata Selections

Mr Hiroshi Takahashi, the man behind a series of exciting Storm premium lures launching soon!

Storm Premium Range

Storm Gomoku range extended to micro lures!

Metal jigs galore! New colours and new range.

Mr Hironori Kitade of Northcraft Japan with a display of Northcraft’s Air Ogre - the lure that caught the monster Akame for Pro Angler Hajime Murata.

Mr Hironori Kitade with the Northcraft Surf – the world’s first squid lure designed for the surf which can also be worked on slow jerk.

Fred with Rapala Japan sales rep and renowned Seabass angler, Takeda-san

Mr Hironori Kitade (left) and Mr Hiroshi Takahashi (right) – the Dynamic Duo from North Craft and Storm!

The post OSAKA FISHING SHOW 2013 – Part 3 (Rapala & Northcraft Display) appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

And finally, we have the line up of Megabass reels for 2013…

Megabass Booth

The Megabass FX 68

The Megabass IP 79

Megabass Lin 10 Origin

Megabass Lin 10 Mars

Megabass Gaus 20X

Megabass Gaus 30X

The post OSAKA FISHING SHOW 2013 – Megabass Line Up! appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

In conjunction with the Shad Rap’s 30th anniversary, Fish On! Magazine takes a trip down memory lane of one of the most timeless lures in Rapala’s history…

Story by Mr John Edwin Mitchell.

The history of the Rapala Shad Rap, the most successful Rapala lure ever produced, can be traced back to 1978. It was then that Ron Weber and Ray Ostrom, the owners of Normark Corporation in the USA, suggested to the Rapala brothers that they might consider working on a “Shad Project”. The Shad is a widespread migratory white fish that is an important prey species for North America’s predatory fish.

Throughout the 1970s the American fishing tackle industry had raced from one fad lure to the next. Some were lucky enough to last a season, but others lasted a matter of weeks. As a consequence, in the early 1980s the American lure market was rather flat. It needed something new and dynamic to kick-start it again.

“We weren’t sure how successful the shad imitation would be, perhaps as successful as other Rapala lures such as the CountDown or the Jointed, but we thought that it had the potential to turn a few heads.” commented Ron Weber.

Rapala produced three prototypes for Ron and Ray to choose from. They produced a shad, a baby bass and a crawfish lure. The shad pattern was selected for further testing. The project was completed in 1981 when the final samples of the prototype Deep Runner 7 cm model from Finland were successfully and secretly tested in the USA.

Ray Ostrom undertook a lot of the testing, and used the prototypes in a number of walleye tournaments. Ray was an avid walleye tournament angler. He recalls one incident a few days prior to a tournament when both he and his fishing partner Jack Maciosek were using the 7 cm prototype.

“We were catching walleye in the five to eight pound (2.5 to 4 kg) range. They were good fish. Another boat run by a local fishing guide and his customer came to fish close to us, and they were catching fish of between one and two pounds. The guide called to us, “What the hell are you using. I’ve seen it and it’s not a Rapala.” I didn’t say a word. The guy shouted across again, “Can I see it?” My answer was just one word, “No.”

Ray was so impressed with the new lure that he phoned Roger Cannon, the M.D. of Normark Canada. “Can I have your prototype samples?” Sure enough Roger sent them in the mail. Ray also did the same to Mats Olofsson the M.D. of Normark Sweden, and more lures arrived in the mail. Ray now had 17 prototype lures, virtually the total world availability. Ray won quite a few walleye tournaments before the lure was introduced to the market.

The new lure was called “Shad Rap”. However, there was bad news from Finland. With production at the factory nearing its maximum capacity, the Rapala brothers told Ron and Ray that they would only be able to produce 350,000 Shad Raps in 1982.

The mathematics speaks for itself. Fifty million anglers and only 350,000 lures equals potential disaster. In actual fact, the factory managed to produce about 600,000 Shad Raps, but the fact they that managed to almost double their estimated production did little to dent the demand for this fantastic new lure.

It was obvious that if the new Shad Rap were a success, Normark USA would have problems with their retail customers. Ron and Ray decided immediately that their advertising had to emphasize the importance of getting a Shad Rap right away, before they were all gone. They briefed Carmichael Lynch who designed one of the most memorable double page spread advertisements in American fishing tackle history: “Beg One, Borrow One or Steal One.” Bill Carrera, Normark’s sales agent in the New England states remembers, “That ad was unlike anything the industry had seen. It bowled people over.”

It did not take long for the word to spread about the Shad Rap’s fish catching ability, and the industry was already aware of the lure’s limited availability. The Normark offices were besieged with phone calls from dealers trying to obtain Shad Raps or attempting to increase their orders for Shad Raps.

Normark staff spent their days on the phone trying to allocate the limited stocks fairly whilst their dealers were trying to get just as many Shad Raps as they could. Angry dealers demanding deliveries of Shad Raps confronted members of the Normark sales force even though they had ignored the warnings about ordering early. In turn angry fishermen demanding the new Rapala Shad Rap confronted dealers who had either sold their stock or had not ordered in time, and had no stock to sell.

In no time at all Normark Corporation found itself with back orders of over one million lures, and there was no way that the Rapala family could increase their production. The thoughts of Ron and Ray went back to 1962 when the Rapala Original lure first made its impact upon the USA.

As news of the Shad Rap spread, fishing and hunting journalists such as the Minneapolis Tribune’s Ron Schara, reported the overwhelming demand for the lure. He reported that the already bad situation was being compounded by resort owners and small bait shops renting out their stocks of Shad Raps on an hourly basis. Some dealers even required a substantial deposit because they knew that a lost Shad Rap could not be replaced until the following season.

Ron Schara also reported incidents of Shad Raps being sold on the black market for as much as $45. It was accepted practice for tackle dealers to limit their customers to no more than two Shad Raps at a time.

Normark ended their advertising campaign with a double-page spread on a blue background colour. However, the picture of the Shad Rap that had originally been featured on the advertisement had disappeared. The advertisement copy was very simple; “They are all gone.”

Ron and Ray were aware that the shortage of Shad Raps coupled with the lure’s undoubted success was likely to lead to copies of the lure invading the market. In order to avoid this, new packaging was introduced that included a “Seal of Excellence”.

A small drawing of Lauri Rapala carving a lure with the words “Hand Tuned, Tank Tested.” was introduced in 1982 on all Rapala boxes to assure customers that indeed, they were buying the real thing. Copies of the Shad Rap were soon to be found in the USA, but not only did the manufacturers try to copy the lure, they also tried to copy Normark’s advertising campaign!

In 1983, to follow on from the success of the Shad Rap Deep Runner 7 cm lure the company introduced a 5 cm version. The established policy of following a successful launch with an alternative size had always worked well, and there was no reason to change policy now.

However, in the case of the Shad Rap another alternative was to be launched. The 7 cm Deep Runner could dive to about six feet (1.8 meters), which made it an ideal lure for searching deeper water.

What the fishermen wanted now was a lure of the same shape and action that they could use effectively in shallower water. Therefore in 1983 the Shad Rap Shallow Runner was introduced in both 5 cm and 7 cm versions. Whilst the Deep Runner featured a long, straight diving lip, its shallow running brethren were fitted with a short, stepped lip.

The 7 cm Shad Rap Shallow Runner had exactly the same action as the Deep Runner, but would dive to less than four feet (1.2 meters). Now Shad Rap fishermen could effectively search the water from top to bottom.

Apart from the Fat Rap, the Shad Rap was the first Rapala lure to move away from the typical cylindrical minnow shape. It featured a deeper yet more slender body shape, more of an oval pattern with contours to match gill covers. The Shad Rap shape demonstrated just how far the Rapala brothers had developed their wood turning techniques on the new machines installed in the Vääksy factory.

1985 saw the introduction of the largest Shad Rap to date when the 9 cm model in both Deep Runner and Shallow Runner versions was launched. This introduction brought the Shad Rap range in to the “big fish” league where pike fishermen were taking a healthy interest in Rapala’s new offerings.

The Rapala Shad Rap has been in continuous production since its launch in 1982 for the US and a year later for the rest of the world. The shape of the lure has never changed, but it has sported hundreds of patterns and colours. It has caught fish on every continent of the world excluding Antarctica, and holds a number of IGFA records. The Shad Rap is equally at home in still and running water, and although not fitted with saltwater hooks, it has performed well in the sea.

Since its introduction the Shad Rap shape has lead to the development of other Rapala lures. The Glass Shad Rap, Jointed Shad Rap, Shad Rap RS, Super Shad Rap and Ultra Light Shad are all based on Shad Rap research and design. It is indeed a timeless lure.

From barramundi in Australia to Atlantic salmon in Scotland: from huge musky in the USA to Taimen in Mongolia, the Rapala Shad Rap knows no boundaries. Since production began in 1982 Rapala has produced a total of over 50 million Shad Rap lures in both deep and shallow diving configurations. That averages out at over 1.6 million Shad Raps a year. There are only few lures in the world that can match the Shad Rap for both longevity and production volume – and the rest are made by Rapala as well.

Rapala is proud to celebrate the 30^th birthday of the Shad Rap this year with some very special Shad Raps developed to mark this important occasion.

The post The Rapala Shad Rap Story appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Known for his superb rapid-fire casting skills with absolute accuracy, Toshinari Namiki is no stranger to lure anglers all over the world. Fish On! Magazine catches up with Mr Namiki at the recent Thailand International Tackle Show 2013 for a glimpse into the world of one of the best Japanese bass anglers of all time.

Could you tell us how long have you been fishing?
I have been fishing since I was 9 years old and subsequently caught my first Black Bass (Largemouth Bass – Micropterus salmoides, are known as Black Bass in Japan) at 17. I still remember it was caught on a sinking Jointed Rapala in the GFR colour. I’ve since been lure fishing for more than 30 years, with more than 20 years as a professional bass angler.

You are the first Japanese angler to enter the prestigious US Bassmaster Classic tournaments. Could you tell us your experience when you first set foot in the US?
I spent a total of 8 years fishing in the US. I remember feeling very excited and emotional to have a chance to compete in such a grand tournament. I felt quite worried about language challenges, the different culture and lifestyle when I first arrived in the US. Back then, I was not that well-off and didn’t have a comfortable lifestyle. The prize money for the US Bassmasters then was about USD50,000. These days, the prize money has grown to about USD200,000.

Many Japanese pro anglers usually focus on a specific fishing style. Why did you choose Black Bass over Seabass?
I feel Black Bass is more challenging as it involves many different techniques. Black Bass fishing was fast gaining popularity at that time and I saw it also as an opportunity to enter the tackle industry specifically for Black Bass.

Why do people call you ‘The Machine Gun”?
It’s a nickname people gave me because I was able to cast very quickly and accurately, just like a machine gun. Being able to make as many casts as possible within a specific timeframe is an advantage especially in a bass tournament.

How did you learn to ‘machine gun cast’?
It all started during my college days when I was fishing with a friend from a very small boat. We would often compete with each other to see who could catch more fish, with the loser buying the other dinner. This motivated me to make more and quicker casts. With practice, I was able to make fast, accurate casts with greater distance.

I noticed you cast with your left hand but signed autographs with your right hand. Are you naturally left-handed or right-handed?
(Laughs). You noticed! I am naturally left-handed. When I was young, my mother used to give me a scolding whenever I wrote with my left hand. Therefore I was forced to learn how to write with my right hand. But I draw better with my left hand.

How do you manage to generate the power to pitch lures over long distances? Are there some casting tips you can share with readers?
I am actually not a physically strong person. Power is not generated from physical strength but from timing and technique. Rod specification does play a part though.

Is there an ideal rod length and action that can allow beginners to learn power skipping and power pitching?
A good rod guideline to begin with will be a 6’6” ML (medium-light) rod rating. 16lb or 20lb monofilament line equivalent is ideal. As for the casting practice weights, it is good to have a range from 5 grams to 21 grams so that you can cast with different weights during actual fishing situations.

Based on your machine gun casting style, which braking system do you personally prefer (magnetic or centrifugal)? Why?
I personally prefer the magnetic casting system because it functions well even in wet conditions. Particularly Daiwa’s Magforce technology, which allows me to cast in different conditions without having to change much settings.

(Side Note: Daiwa’s Magforce technology enables the spool inductor to spin into varying magnetic field strengths, offering an effective, yet versatile braking system. Daiwa’s latest Magforce 3D technology featured in its newer reels such as the T3 Air offer up to 60 brake settings.).

Can you share with us what is your secret to consistently catch big fish?
Apart from casting skill, there are also other factors that can help us to successfully catch fish. Casting into hard to reach spots and making more casts has advantages but having knowledge of fish feeding habits, their spawning season, wind and current conditions, understanding fishing conditions for different seasons, what sort of food the fish are feeding and locating underwater structure are also very essential factors. Of course there are other considerations such as hooking and landing techniques and boat handling skills.

How many days you fish in a year and what is your personal record for bass?
I fish about 150 days a year and my official personal best is about 65cm in length. I’ve actually landed a bigger fish during one of the practice sessions, a day before a tournament. I quickly released the fish without measuring it to minimize trauma, so that I could return the next day during the tournament hopefully to catch it again.

Why did you choose to endorse Daiwa products?
I have always loved Daiwa for their innovation since I was young. I used to work for Daiwa and therefore I also have a good working knowledge of their products and ideas. Daiwa has been my sponsor since 1995.

What are your future plans?
I’d love to travel to as many countries to fish for different species as much as possible. However, I still love Black Bass very much and I want to continue learning new techniques for bass fishing. I just can’t stop learning as it is my passion.

Mr Toshinari Namiki’s Website: http://t-namiki.net
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/並木敏成Official-SiteTHIS-IS-Tnamiki更新情報/466844016719214

The post Interview with Toshinari Namiki (The Machinegun) appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

The Rapala South East Asia 2013 E-Catalog is now available on Fish On! Magazine. Check out the latest 2013 products from Rapala, Storm, Sufix, VMC, Trigger X, Luhr Jensen, Bluefox and Williamson specific to South East Asia.
View Flipbook  -   Part 1 | Part 2

The post Rapala South East Asia 2013 Catalog appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Caught a breath-taking photo on your latest fishing adventure? Send your best photo to info@fishmedia.com.sg and stand to win some cool prizes sponsored by Rapala!

Prizes:

1st Prize:
1 set of Rapala MaxRap 13cm lures (6 limited Asia colours).
1 Plano Flipsider 3258 Tackle Box.
1 spool of Sufix 832 (150 yds).

2nd Prize:
1 set of Rattlin’ Rapala 4cm (6 limited Asia colours).
1 Plano Magnum Guide 1444 Tackle Box.
1 spool of Sufix 832 (150 yds).

3rd Prize:
1 set of Rapala Skitter Pop 7cm (3 limited edition Tropical colours).
1 Plano Spinnerbait File 3940 Tackle Box.
1 spool of Sufix 832 (150 yds).

How to Enter:

1. “Like” our Facebook page.
2. Send your best fishing-related photograph to info@fishmedia.com.sg with your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and photo caption.
3. Contest runs from 1st June 2013 – 31st July 2013.

What We Look For:
Apart from “angler-posing-with-fish” photos, submissions of landscapes, outdoor scenery, action, people, tackle are great compositions for this contest.
Photographs are judged based on photo quality (focus, sharpness, detail, colour, brightness, etc) and composition.

Contest Rules: 

1. Photo submission must be in digital format (min. 1024 x 768 at 72dpi). File size should not exceed 8MB.
2. Contest is open to all residents of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei.
3. Participants can submit as many entries as they wish.
4. Participants must be a fan of our Facebook Page.
5. All decisions made by panel of judges are final.

Panel of Judges:

1. Mr Akashah Abu Samah
2. Mr Luke Gino (FishingKaki.com)
3. Mr Daniel Wan (Fish On! Magazine)

The post Fish On! Fishing Photography Contest 2013 appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

John Mitchell explains the facts behind UV finishing and how combining it with other components such as lure action and colour contrast can enhance the attractiveness of a lure to predatory fish. 

Ultraviolet, or UV, lure finishes are a relatively new addition to fishing tackle. The premise of their existence is found within the fact that the vision of many predatory fish includes the capacity to see this short wavelength light. With a range of science in hand, many lure manufacturers have incorporated varied manufacturing processes in order to position UV lure finishes as necessary to the success of lures.

The Rapala Product Development Team launched a two-year fact-finding mission to research and test ultraviolet lure finishes. The resulting release of UV Bright finishes within Rapala, Storm, Luhr-Jensen and Blue Fox product lines incorporate research conclusions to deliver anglers the best components of UV technology.

Beginning with the most successful lure actions available, UV technology can enhance the visibility of lure finishes under the greatest range of water conditions.

VISION: HUMANS VERSUS FISH

Naturally, anglers tend to judge lure finishes as they appear to the human eye. This approach overlooks the basic biological differences between the human eye and the eye of fish. Where the human eye has a great capacity to distinguish detail, the eye of a fish does not. The rods and cones within the eye of most fish are arranged in a manner that highlights sensitivity to motion and contrast at the expense of detail.

Visible light is another issue. Where colours are of extreme importance in our environment, beneath the water’s surface, colours in the visible spectrum are quickly filtered out as depth increases. Colour removed, what remains are shades of grey which could be the underlying reason for fish’s high sensitivity to motion and contrast.

Ultraviolet means “beyond violet” and considering ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet), the acronym for the colour spectrum, it’s light that exists beyond the shortest wavelength of visible light, violet. For fishery applications, UV discussion is confined to UVA light, with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 315 nanometers. Light within this spectrum penetrates the water column much deeper than visible light, and is available in periods of low visible light, like dawn, dusk and overcast conditions. In short, the principles of UV lure finishes centre on this depth of penetration and greater availability than visible light, and the corresponding theory that a lure that is more visible, is more available to hunting predators.

Sight, however, is only one component of predatory fishes’ sensory system. Additionally, fish rely heavily on vibration or “feel” to hunt. A fish’s lateral line is a highly sensitive string of nerve receptors positioned along each side of their body. In their water environment, many predatory fish can actually feel the vibration of prey species, and lures, well before a visual connection is established.

DESIGN PRIORITIES

Realizing the importance of the combined senses fish use to locate and attack prey, Rapala designers developed the following priorities to guide the critical components of lure attraction.

• Lure action is paramount. Vibration available to the lateral line coupled with a well-developed sense of motion is the key to predatory species ability to locate, identify and attack prey. This may explain why certain lures are continually top performers over multiple decades relying on basic finishes covering very well designed actions.
• Contrast is more important than detail. It’s very likely that predatory species do not assess lures for exact realism. In fact, too much detail may hinder lure attraction by diminishing its ability to deliver contrast. This is quite possibly the reason chartreuse is such a successful colour in so many fisheries. Chartreuse stands out vividly in all water environments.
• Properly executed UV finishes should increase the visibility of lures to fish at depth and in periods of low visible light. The science shows the capacity of many fish species to see within the UVA spectrum. Where the visible light spectrum begins to be filtered out at depths of five feet or less (red is the first color to go), shorter wavelength UVA light can penetrate to depths of hundreds of feet.

Putting the science to work, Rapala designers incorporated the following components in the delivery of a UV platform that provides anglers the best combinations of lure actions and finishes available.

PRIORITIES IN PRACTICE

• Begin with the finest lure actions. In the absence of UV technology, the lure actions of Rapala, Storm, Blue Fox and Luhr-Jensen by themselves trigger an aggressive response from game fish. With thousands of examples of lures where the finish has been chewed off nearly in total, the vibration and action alone continue to solicit strikes.
• Incorporate a reflective base. This consists of chrome on Luhr-Jensen and Blue Fox lures, and white on Storm lures. We see colours by what they reflect. Where chrome reflects individual colours that are bounced off of it, white reflects all colours simultaneously. Both reflective bases utilize reflection to capture the attention of fish’s motion-sensitive eyes.
• Utilize fluorescent paints only. Fluorescence is the emission of light that has been absorbed. In many instances the absorbed light is within the UV spectrum and its’ release is at a longer wavelength within the visible spectrum. For lures, absorbed UV light is released from the lure finish to highlight visibility to predators.
• Deliver high contrast. Contrast plays to the strength of fish vision. Regardless of ability to discern specific colours, simplified patterns with strong contrast are very available to the eyes of game fish. Consider specific colours with regard to light or dark and utilize that value to assure lures stand out.
• Overspray with optical brighteners. The components are the same that are in laundry detergents to boost the vividness of colours and whites. Their function is to absorb light in the ultraviolet region and immediately re-emit it as blue light. Blue light enhances perception of colours and is common in fish tank lighting to make fish stand out dramatically against their environment.
• Provide definitive colour selection. Back to ROYGBIV as the basic components of the visible spectrum, each lure family from Rapala, Storm, Luhr-Jensen and Blue Fox delivers finishes that cover the range. Many water bodies, based upon the geography of their environment, depth, water clarity and chemical composition filter light and colours at different rates. It’s why top lure finishes often change from one body of water to the next. The refined selection of UV Bright finishes anticipates the need with finishes drawn from the full range of the spectrum.

Rapala’s Tail Dancer Deep in UV Bright Orange Tiger finish.

The post The Facts Behind UV Bright Finish appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Ever since its introduction in 1981, Fuji’s SiC (Silicon Carbide) ring has become the de facto standard for quality fishing rod guide rings in terms of strength, smoothness and heat dissipation. 32 years on, Fuji once again brings us another ground-breaking product – the TORZITE. Fishonmag.com speaks with Hiroyuki Kuribayashi of Kowa Company Ltd, export agent of Fuji, to learn more about the TORZITE.

Fuji’s latest ceramic ring is made from a high-strength, low-density material that has been rigorously polished to create a slim, lightweight and low-friction ring. TORZITE is the result of much research and development by Fuji engineers with the aim to maximize rod blank and fishing line performance.

According to Fuji, the name “TORZITE” is derived from the geometric term “torus”, describing the unique shape of the toric ring. Mr Hiroyuki explains that with this new material and shape, the TORZITE ring is much thinner and lighter than a SiC ring of the same size, effectively reducing the overall weight of a guide by about 10%. A cross-sectional view of the TORZITE ring shows a greater surface area that allows for a greater dispersion of force under line load as compared to conventional ring designs.

Thanks to its slimmer shape, the TORZITE ring’s inner diameter is approximately 15% larger than a SiC ring of the same size. This means we can downsize guides by one size, translating to significant weight savings of about 20-30% in total guide weight. Downsizing to lighter guides also makes the tip lighter, hence achieving more rod blank sensitivity. To illustrate the differences in diameter between TORZITE and SiC rings, Mr Hiroyuki displays a chart showing the different ring sizes for both materials.

TORZITE’s high-strength ceramic material offers the same level of abrasion resistance and impact strength as SiC. This is despite the fact that a TORZITE ring is much thinner than an equivalently sized SiC ring. Therefore the chances of rings fracturing upon inadvertent impact are lower compared to other lower grade ring materials.

TORZITE rings are also highly polished to a very smooth finish to maximize fishing line performance and prolong line life. In conjunction with the toric ring design, line flow is smoother and heat build up is dramatically reduced while fighting fish. A smoother ring surface reduces contact pressure and friction, allowing for smoother casts and retrieves. Fuji’s lab tests have also found that monofilament lines have 4 times longer line life or endurance when used on TORZITE rings compared to SiC rings.

As a premium product, Fuji TORZITE rings are only available in Titanium frames for now. To mark its premium status, all Fuji TORZITE insert guides have laser-etched markings on their frames. Do look out for the exclusive TORZITE hang tags on rods equipped with TORZITE insert guides come 2014.

For more detailed information about TORZITE, visit FUJI KOWA CO LTD.

The post TORZITE – Fuji’s Next Generation Ceramic Ring appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

It’s the time of the year again when new products from various Japanese manufacturers take centre stage at the annual Osaka Fishing Show. For Daiwa, 2014 seems to be the year of ‘Steez’ism. Following the successful launch of Daiwa Steez SV last year, Daiwa now offers its flagship baitcaster in several variants.

The Daiwa Steez Limited SV TN (Toshinari Namiki) edition is one sporty-looking Steez with the aggresive red cosmetics and 80mm carbon swept handle. Weighing only 148 grams, this special edition Steez with a gear ratio of 6.3:1 features a G1 duralumin SV spool with air brake system, a larger diameter drive gear that the previous generation Steez baitcaster and paddle knobs bearing bass pro T.Namiki’s signature.

Daiwa Steez Limited SV TN (Toshinari Namiki edition) – 103H TN / 103HL TN

Does it look Spider Man-ish or Superman-ish?

As with all Steez baitcasters, the SV TN sits very comfortably in one’s palms.

The next variant of the Daiwa Steez is the LTD SV 105XH / 105XHL. 

The Steez LTD SV 105XH (160g) boasts a sexy chrome finish, multiple portings on the frame, the standard Steez star drag and a 90mm skeletal swept handle. It also features a blazing gear ratio of 8.1, pulling in 86cms of line per turn.

But wait, there’s more! Daiwa springs another surprise for 2014 in the form of the SS Air, a finesse baitcasting reel with a colour scheme similar to the Daiwa T3 Air. The SS Air also makes use of the Steez platform but shaves off plenty of meat to bring down its total weight to a mere 145 grams! The speed? A super hi-speed gear ratio of 8.1 that grabs 81 cms of line per turn. The business end of this finesse machine is an ultra lightweight ported G1 duralumin spool weighing 6.9grams.

 Daiwa SS Air 8.1R / 8.1L

A closer look at the Zaion star drag and 80mm skeletal swept handle.  

 There are 20 micro adjustment levels available in increments of 0.5 (OFF to 10) to suit different weights and situations.

Not forgetting the skeletal paddle knob as seen on the Daiwa T3 Air and Daiwa Aegis.

But wait! There’s still more! Daiwa also introduces an ‘affordable’ Steez platform baitcaster  for 2014 in the form of the SS SV. Available in 3 gear ratios (5.3, 6.3 and 7.1) and corresponding accents, the SS SV features Air Metal frame and Zaion sideplate and ultra duralumin SV spool to bring its total weight down to 150 grams. With a MSRP of ¥‎38,900 (approx. S$483), the SS SV is now within closer reach of anglers longing for a Steez without all its souped-up bells and whistles.

No surprises on the Steez platform’s ergonomics.

No fuss, no muss  - Daiwa SS SV 103SH (7.1:1 gear ratio)

Imagine our surprise and excitement when we discovered on the Daiwa Japan website that a JDM version of the well-acclaimed Daiwa Tatula was coming in 2014. Today, we had our first glimpse of the JDM Tatula. 

Tatula (JDM) line up!

The JDM version of the Daiwa Tatula mirrors its US counterpart except for a lightweight, 103-sized ultra-duralumin spool, 80mm skeletal swept handle and standard Daiwa I shape knobs. 

Daiwa Tatula side profile

The standard Daiwa I shape knob

For 2014, Daiwa introduces another evolution of Mag Seal – Mag Sealed Ball Bearings. 

Ball bearings are perhaps one of the first few components to succumb to dirt particles or corrosion in a fishing reel after prolonged use in saltwater. Using the same ferrofluid technology (Mag Seal) for creating a waterproof seal with magnetized oil in place of conventional O rings, Daiwa seals its ball bearings with Mag Seal, making them dustproof and waterproof, thus prolonging the lifespan (and smoothness) of the bearings.

A Mag Sealed bearing with magnets removed, showing the ball bearings inside in excellent condition despite the outer part of the bearing showing signs of corrosion after prolonged exposure to saltwater. 

Daiwa’s latest Mag Sealed Ball Bearings are slightly larger than conventional bearings.

Daiwa’s latest Mag Sealed Ball Bearings are found on the new 2014 reels such as the Saltiga Expedition 5500H / 8000H, Ryoga Bay Jigging 1012PE-H / C2025PE-SH, Morethan 2510PE-H (SH LBD) / 2510R-PE / 3012H and Seaborg 300J.

The new Daiwa Saltiga Expedition 5500H

Daiwa Saltiga Expedition 8000H

Daiwa Ryoga Bay Jigging C1012PE-H

Daiwa Ryoga Bay Jigging C1012PE-H alternate view

Daiwa Ryoga Bay Jigging C2025PE-SHL

Daiwa Morethan 2510PE-H

Daiwa Morethan 3012-H

The Daiwa Caldia also gets a facelift for 2014. Like its predecessor, it is also Mag-sealed. Shown here is the Caldia 3520PE-H with a standard round EVA L power knob. 

The Daiwa Caldia 2508H 

Daiwa Caldia 4000 with T knob. 

Daiwa also introduces KOHGA range of reels for 2014, designed specifically for slow jigging Red Snapper or Bream. Shown here is KOHGA 2508PE-H (Mag-sealed).

KOHGA 100 low-profile baitcast reel.

Side view of KOHGA 100

No magnetic or centrifugal braking to allow more free rotation of the spool

KOHGA ICS 103 

And of course, KOHGA series would not be complete if not complemented with KOHGA MX rods

The Daiwa Catalina also gets a new model added to its existing line up – the 4000H

Daiwa Catalina 4000H

The post OSAKA SHOW 2014: DAIWA 2014 Products Showcase appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Being one of the heavyweights in the tackle industry, Shimano’s product launches are always highly-anticipated affairs. Today we have a look at some of the new Shimano 2014 products featured at the 2014 Osaka Fishing Show.

The Shimano booth

Announcing the various talks and demos lined up for the day.

See any familiar faces?

Shimano New Stella line up

For 2014, Shimano unveils the new Stella, it’s first spinning reel to adopt the Micro Module gearing. Shimano’s Micro Module gearing adopts the use of smaller teeth on the  gears to reduce gear vibration, resulting in smoother gear meshing when engaged. Additionally, the new Stella also features a new anti-reverse bearing that is supposed to reduce friction by 25%, enabling the Stella to have a very light, silky smooth retrieve.

The body of the new 2014 Stella is also redesigned with a slightly ‘bent’ shape to shift the center of gravity closer to the hand and rod. This is achieved by moving the worm shaft, traditionally located at the lower part of the reel body, to the top.

Cross section of the 10′ Stella showing the worm shaft position below the body

Cross section of the 14′ Stella showing the new worm shaft position.

Now its time to look at some baitcasters

Shimano’s Calcutta Conquest gets a significant upgrade in 2014

The 2014 Calcutta Conquest has an extremely compact body and comes equipped with Micro Module gearing as found in the 2013 Antares, X-Ship and a new S3D spool.

Oversized gearbox…

… yet with a very compact palming side.

Comparison between the new Calcutta Conquest (2014) vs. its predecessor

The Micro Module gearing comparison kit on display

Comparing the smoothness and cranking power of the new Calcutta Conquest with the previous generation model

The new Shimano Ocea Jigger  Limited 3000PG/HG, featuring ‘Reverse Tune Drag’. The star drag rotation direction is reversed (forward = loosen drag, backward = tighten drag) to enable the angler to quickly loosen the drag in response to the sudden run of a very big and fast swimming fish when slow jigging with very light line.

The Ocea Jigger Limited also comes in the 1500 (right hand) model and 1501 (left hand)  in PG/HG models.

Shimano also showcased the new Excense DC in left hand model.

For low-profile baitcasting reel lovers, there’s good news in the form of Chronarch Ci4+ featuring the new Shimano SVS braking system, X-Ship and S3D spool.

Very light too, weighing only 185 grams

Shimano Scorpion gets an upgrade too – featuring the new SVS braking system, high-capacity S3D spool and X-Ship.

The post OSAKA SHOW 2014: Shimano New Products 2014 appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

It’s that time of the year again when some of the biggest names in the Japanese fishing tackle industry come together under one roof to showcase their latest products. Here are some highlights from the 2014 Osaka Fishing Show (8th-9th February 2014). Enjoy!

APIA – Anglers Utopia

Angler’s Utopia booth

Daiwa’s latest Mag Sealed Ball Bearings

Daiwa Saltiga Expedition and Ryoga Bay Jigging fitted with Mag Sealed Ball Bearings

Mag-sealed Technology showcase

Toshinari Namiki Bass Talk

DUO

Evergreen

Gamakatsu

Models presenting at the Gamakatsu booth

Gancraft

Golden Mean

Booth staff of Golden Mean

Graphite Leader / Olympic

Jackall booth

Probably one of the best designed concept catalogs – Jackall

Kid’s lure painting corner at Jackall booth

Stage presentation by Jackall Pro Staff

Jackall saltwater

Jackson booth

Pretty Jackson models

Get your Jackson catalogs here!

Luxxe with their range of impressive rods

Megabass booth – unfortunately, photography is not allowed

Megabass’ Seyna autograph session

Nature Boys (Papa Otsuru autograph session)

Rapala booth

Storm’s GOMOKU

Yamaga Blanks

Gifts from Ripple Fisher and Yamaga Blanks

Slow pitch jigging experts – SeaFloor Control

Shimano

Shout!

Rods from SLASH

SLP Works booth

SLP Works creations

SLP Works fashion knobs

Check out the dressed up Steez!

Tenryu

Toray

Vagabond

ValleyHill

Varivas

Xesta

Xesta Pro Staff talk

YGK booth

Slow jigging – BEAT

Meanwhile… over at the other exhibition hall…

The post OSAKA SHOW 2014 appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Tenryu prides itself in ‘Japan Quality’, producing quality crafted rods made in Japan. We had an opportunity to pop by their booth at the Osaka Fishing Show 2014 to check out their latest products.

Tenryu – the Dragon rising

A sweet-looking model displaying Tenryu’s 2014 catalog. 

Tenryu’s showcase displaying their CNT (Carbon Nano Tube) material.

According to Tenryu, CNT penetrates into the resin connecting each carbon fiber within the rod’s graphite blank, enhancing their strength while maintaining its elasticity and lightweight property.

Rods using CNT technology will feature the CNT reel seat decal

Tenryu staff displaying the new Magna-Impact Heretic bass rod

 Mr Tatsuo Egashira, Sales Director of Tenryu

Tenryu’s new 2014 rods featuring the CNT technology – Jig Zam Dragg Force (Offshore jigging), Brigade Grace CNT (Shore Eging) and Magna Impact Heretic (Bass lure casting)

The Jig Zam Dragg Force is designed specifically to be lightweight and sensitive enough to feel the tide and jig action, yet having incredible pulling power to stop big fish. Also features Fuji’s lightweight Titanium K-guides. 

Simple, minimalistic and classy design. The Jig Zam Dragg Force is available in 3 models: JDF621S-3 (Lure Max 150g, Line 40lb Max, Drag: 6kg max), JDF621S-4 (Lure Max 180g, Line 50lb Max, Drag: 8kg max) and JDF621S-5 (Lure Max 200g, Line 60lb Max, Drag: 10kg max)

Jig Zam Dragg Force (JDF621S-4) being loaded

Also on display were balsa wood, tungsten weighted lures – the Magna Impact Crankbaits

The Magna Impact Crankbait features a coffin-shaped circuit board lip and Cultiva ST36BC trebles

Magna Impact Fluorocarbon lines ranging from 4lb-20lb…

… and Magna Impact Nylon lines ranging from 4lb-20lb

For more information about Tenryu’s products, visit http://fishing.tenryu-magna.com

The post OSAKA SHOW 2014: Tenryu Jig Zam Dragg Force C.N.T. appeared first on FiSH On! Magazine.

Daiwa’s flagship baitcaster gets a facelift – and a new “stress-free” ultra-lightweight G1 duralumin SV spool that allows casting a wide range of lure weights. First unveiled at the 2013 Osaka Show, the Steez SV maintains the traditional Steez platform, yet differs from its predecessors with some new features:

• New Air Brake cast control system incorporating the all-new SV shallow spool.
• Zaion Star Drag.
• 80mm Skeletal Swept Handle.
• Sun-burnt Orange Decorative Accents.

SV – STRESS-FREE VERSATILE
Daiwa seems to be training its guns on the finesse bass market by introducing the T3 Air ultra-finesse baitcaster last year and following up this year with the SV series for T3 and Steez respectively. However, Daiwa’s Stress-free Versatile (SV) concept goes beyond finesse applications. In an ideal world, a “versatile” baitcaster should be able to cast both ultra-light and heavy lures but in reality, there aren’t many reels out there that quite fit the versatility bill. Casting very light lures requires a lightweight spool and very often this means sacrificing spool strength. Elastic compression memory of fluorocarbon or mono lines can actually deform a spool made of lightweight material. This is where the SV spool makes its grand entrance.

Daiwa’s shallow SV spool is made from G1 Duralumin – an aircraft-grade, lightweight duralumin material. The spool is light enough to cast and pitch ultra-light lures, yet is strong enough to overcome spool deformation issues. Interestingly, the inductor of the Steez SV’s spool is fixed, allowing for more consistent braking and control whether casting or pitching. According to Daiwa, the SV spool can deal with lure weights from about 3 grams all the way to more than 40 grams! Now that’s versatile!

FINESSE OR VERSATILITY?
For ultra-finesse anglers dedicated to casting only super light stuff, the Daiwa T3 Air may be a better option as the super tuned reel is able to handle lures even as light as 2 grams. The Steez SV, designed as a versatile ‘finesse-to-light-tackle’ baitcaster, is more suited for anglers who prefer to do a bit of both finesse work and general lure casting, yet having that extra edge to throw lures close to 3 grams.

SPECIFICATIONS

* The SV spool has two line capacities recommended. Filling the spool to half its capacity can allow for greater control when casting light lures whereas for general purpose casting, the spool can be filled to the max.
(e.g. 12lb-40m (finesse work) / 12lb-80m (general casting).

MORE PHOTOS:

In the second instalment of a two-part series, DANIEL WAN and friends move on from Sri Lanka’s brackish water scene to chase popper-munching GTs at the Great Basses Reef – just a short boat ride off the coastal town of Kirinda.

From leaping Barramundi at Bolgoda Lake to popper-smashing Giant Trevally off Kirinda, DANIEL WAN gets a first-hand experience of what Sri Lanka has to offer the travelling angler.