Shimano Exsence Video

Since I am writing about Shimano's videos lately, here is another one about the Shimano Exsence Silent Assassin  lure dedicated to the seabass. Nice video for sure.

Decoy Online Catalog 2012

Here it is!  The famous hook maker has just released the 2012 catalog online.

Shimano TV: Salt Dreamer Series

I think Shimano TV is a real treasure for all the fishing aficionados around the world. They have an impressive archive of high quality videos related to all the kind of fishing ranging from fly to offshore GT fishing.
There is especially one section that I enjoy a lot and that is the "Salt Dreamer" series.
These are half hour shows that run on the Fishing Vision channel and then made available on the Shimano TV page.
Take a look, I am sure you will enjoy all the videos in there.

New Meiho 2012 Catalog

The 2012 catalog of Meiho Chemical is online. You can find all the amazing lure boxes they produce and also this year they have included some brief description in English as well. Worth checking.

Daiwa Seabass Lures Chart

This is a great chart. You can see all Daiwa's seabass lures and their action and casting range. Impressive and very useful.

Source: http://daiwa.globeride.co.jp/

New Lures to Play Around

Another package from Japan. This time from my favorite store Cloud Nine Tackle.

I received a nice Skagit Design JET B Match minnow, a Lucky Craft Blue Shot 30g, Maria Pockets Minnow and a Zip Baits S.P.M. 90.

Skagit Design B JET B Match

Lucky Strike Blue Shot 30g.

Maria Pockets Minnow

Zip Baits SPM 90

Daiwa Saltiga Minnow

This a lure that has made the history of lure fishing. This model and the Daiwa Shore Line Shiner has sold millions of units in the world. Considered one of the best long jerks on the market the 14cm and 17cm version have been real fish catchers in all the seas that are present in our world.
Here is the Daiwa Saltiga Minnow 14cm sardine color version. Rusted hooks and scratched paints shows that this lure has been a long companion during my fishing trips. Excellent for seabass and bluefish. Definitely worth having it in the tackle box.

Seaguar Kanzen Braid

I was looking around (as usual) and found this braid from a very reputable company such as Seaguar. Seaguar is know for its high quality fluorocarbon lines, and now they came up with this braid named Kanzen
According to the interview below, it is a three and four strand braid. From 6lb to 20lb it is a 3 strand and from 20lb + is a four strand. Nowadays we have 8 strand braids so I am not sure how it would be the 3 strand version braid compare in today's market but I have already found a great three strand braid in the YGK X-3 G-Soul braid so I am tempted to try it. It is not very expensive and the name behind this product should not disappoint either.
I'll research is more and see what is the response from the angling world.

Click here for details.

Some Fishing Reading...

I like reading books that talk about fishing. This is a short list of books that I have enjoyed in the last months.

Friends on the Water: Fly Fishing in Good Company by R. Valentine Aktinson

This is a book that I love "enjoying" before going to bed. Valentine Aktinson is a very famous photographer who travels the World taking photos of wild places.
In this book Atkinson presents us with some very fine photos complemented with quotes, essays and stories from very famous anglers. The words and the photos just fuse together presenting us with a marvelous feeling that fishing itself provides. Friendship, adventures, families, pets, romantic places, it is all included in this book that I really recommend. Also a perfect gift for the fish enthusiast.

Where to buy: Amazon.com

On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast by David DiBenedetto

An enjoyable book that I read during an 8 hour flight years ago. DiBenedetto travels the East Coast interviewing different characters who have a common goal: to catch the famous striped bass during their fall run.  The portrayed characters are fun to read and DiBenedetto adds some essential information on this great game fish that has made the history of fishing in the East Coast. An interesting read especially if you want to know more about t importance that the striped bass has for the Americans.

 

Where to buy: Amazon.com

The Unnatural History of the Sea by Dr. Callum Roberts

This book is just outstanding. No other book about fishing has impressed me as this one. It is not about amazing fishing stories or some adventure in the open sea. Dr. Roberts just presents us with the reality that has and is still affecting out oceans: over fishing. The book starts from the eighteenth century and arrives to our days. Man has always exploited the ocean but he has done it in a way that has taken its tall. You find many examples of animals that have become extinct or are on the brink of extinction because of illegal or wrong fishing methods (read overfishing and destructive). It is an inspiring and powerful read. Robert's analysis and example are a slap to the face for all the fishing lovers around the world. 

The main message is that the seas sustainability is on the point of no return if some precautions are not taken in the short tame.

I recommend this book to better understand what we have done and we are still doing to the Ocean. 

Where to buy: Amazon.com 

Vagabond Fisherman, the Facebook Page

Remember my friend Alessandro and his new tackle shop?
Well, finally he setup up the official facebook page about his lures, adventures and shop.
I recommend you to check it out and click the LIKE button. I am sure you will find many interesting things to read about popping, jigging and lures! Enjoy!

Lure Photo 18: DUO Tide Minnow Slim

Details here.

Shore Casting with Daiko

Daiko is a famous Japanese rod maker. Their products are expensive but they are known for their "made in Japan" quality.
Enjoy this new video that showcases the new Tidermark series rods.
Sugoi!






Here you can even download the 2012 Catalog.

You Ask Mr. Adachi (DUO Contest)

In my previous post I wrote about the interview made to Mr. Adachi, the chief designer and general manager of DUO.
Well, I was jealous of Rusty for doing the interview but now DUO gives to all the facebook fans the chance to ask a question to Mr. Adachi. A very good initiative indeed.
It is, as usual, easy: Just be a fan of DUO facebook page and send your question to duocontest@gmail.com. The deadline is 30th March, 5PM.  I think this is a great opportunity to directly ask what you have in mind to a very special lure designer.
The questions will be collected and answered on DUO's blog at the end of the contest.  Three lucky winner will again get a nice prize package.

Good luck :)

Interview to Mr. Adachi

Usually behind successful brands there is a lot of teamwork but also a spark of genius. Creativity and ingenious ideas are needed especially when we talk about designing fishing lures.
DUO is one of the lure companies that keeps introducing amazing products in the market. Its lures are a success and  products like the tide minnow series have become a major success throughout the World.
Behind this brand there is, indeed a figure who designs all the DUO lures in the past 17 years.
Mr. Masahiro Adachi.

He transforms his ideas in beautifully crafted lures that we can enjoy so much during our fishing trips.

Our friend Rusty had the very luck to interview Mr. Adachi in Japan. He asked him questions on lure development, design, marketing, testing and evaluation and his view of the lure fishing market.
It is a very fine and enjoyable read.

You can find the interview (both in English and Italian) here.  

Source: Capitan Rusty Hook

Knots...Knots...Knots

You can have the best lures, reel, rods, clips, hooks but if you mess with the knot you may end up losing the fish of your life. This sentence is pretty much cliche but it is true.
I don't like knots, I always try to tie the best knot and lose time but it is essential when you fish.
There is one site that I actually enjoy checking from time to time. It is Animated Knots by Grog. It is a wonderful site with a great archive of knots. You can find anything from climbing to fishing. Every knot comes with animation video and step by step pictures. I would definitely recommend it.
By the way, my favorite knots are the palomar, albright, improved clinch, tony pena knot and perfection loop. I need to learn the bimini twist though.
Enjoy.

Fishing with spoons

Sometimes we spend too much time focusing on the  plastic hard baits that we forget about the lure that is still a great performer in all the waters around the world : the spoon.

Here is the Jespa Plover Spoon in action. Fun!

Lure Photo 17: DUO Tetra Work Yurameki

Details here

11.03.12 For Japan...

It has been one year since the terrible earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
In these twelve months Japan has worked and still works hard to rebuild all the cities, the homes and their live. I am sure they already are, and will be recovering in a short time.
A tribute to all the victims of that tragic day.

200 Posts

Today I have realized they have posted 200 articles on my blog since its creation.

I have written articles, do it yourself, posted photos, videos and news. Some posts were great, some were curious. I am happy to see my mail box filled with messages from anglers all over the world. This blog thing is not easy to do or maintain but I am trying to give my best.
It is good to know that all these posts will be remain on the web for a long time and that they will come up to someone screen after a search on google or clicking a link on a angling forum.
My intent is to continue with this blog as long as I have a passion for lure fishing, which I think will last forever :)

Thanks everybody and tight lines!

Lure Photo 16: Seaspin Pro-Q.120

Details here

New toys from JDM Tackle

JDM Tackle is another store that I like to shop from time to time. The owners are great people and very helpful during the shopping process. Anyway, I am arming myself for the spring season so I got myself some nice lures and hooks. Some of you might say that I buy lots of lures and don't fish much. Well it is correct to say that during the winter season I don't have much chance to fish in my area. During the winter I find myself in a sea too cold even for the seabass. I have to move south for about 300km but right now I don't have the time due to work. Anyway we are in March and the month of May is almost here. I plan to go somewhere where I can use some of the heavy stuff I just got. Aiming to get some nice action soon.

These are some of the items I just received. Awesome lures.

Tackle House Flitz 75

New Decoy YS-81 trebles

Shimano Ocea Pencil 115

Decoy Sergeant Single Hooks

Smith LTD Super Surger

Smith LTD Super ULM 115

Bonito loves the Press Bait

This morning I got a nice surprise in my mailbox. Our friend TheUrbanCastMan has landed another great Bonito (Sarda Sarda) with the DUO Press Bait Saira. 
This lure is on my wish list and I will get it soon. With 50g. you can cast it a mile and pelagic fishes like  bonitos love it.

IMA 2012 Catalog

The 2012 catalog of IMA is out in PDF format. It is in Japanese but you can still enjoy the amazing lures of this famous company.
Click here

News from Japan: DUO and Major Craft

This morning I spent my time reading the newspaper and browsing my favorite fishing sites.
I found two news worth sharing on my blog.
First of all, DUO is working on a very ambitious project right now. They are about to introduce the Realis Jerkbait 120 to the worldwide market. I say ambitious because this lure will be available in different setting to meet the expectations and demands of angler worldwide. There will be floating, sinking models, bigger stronger hooks, tungsten weights and so on. Basically they are making a lure that will work in all the waters around the world.Hats off to DUO for such a great design and idea. Meanwhile check this link and the photo below. Looks promising.

Great design, colors and craftsmanship: DUO

The other news comes from Major Craft's official blog.
The busy staff of MC is testing a new rod for scabbard fish angling. It is still in development phase but the blog has posted a photo of a all black rod with identification label on it. It is impressive the number of rod models they keep designing. Worth keeping an eye on them.

Daiwa Exist 2012 video

It is in Japanese, but if you want to watch a video of the new Exist in high definition just click here. Courtesy of Gear Station.

DUO Tetra Works Eye Candy

Duo Tetra Works Toto 42

Just Share it!

So, we are in March and DUO couldn't wait another day for their next contest.
This one is pretty straightforward and fun!


All you have to do is be a DUO fan on Facebook, post a link to DUO's FB page(http://www.facebook.com/DUOJPN) on your profile wall and send DUO a message to duocontest@gmail.com 
The subject of the mail is not important – you can even send an empty mail.


As usual DUO will pick a winner who will get these awesome lures, boxes, stickers and hats.


The contest will end on March 14th, 5 PM.


Good luck!!