Coolest Tackle Store Ever?

If you are an angler like me, every time you enter a tackle store you feel like a kid in a candy store.

I have visited many stores, I can still recall my astonishment when I visited Bass Pro Shops the first time in Florida, or the Cabelas store in Hartford CT and the LL Bean store in Manchester. It was a great experience that went beyond the process of looking and buying lures. The atmosphere and the decoration was quite amazing. I also had the chance to visit the enormous fishing stores in Tokyo. More high tech but full of  beautiful Japanese lures and rods. I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere at the Sansui shop in Shibuya. A place where you feel the order and perfectionist aspect of the Japanese culture.

I though I have seen the best, yet I found a very interesting store while browsing around.  It is called the Naturalist Riverside. It is just A M A Z I N G.

A store specialized in trout fishing that looks mush more like a museum, such is the decoration and details that adorns this shop. Amazing cabinets full of lures and rods. A very cozy atmosphere with specific lighting to higlight the single details of the shiny reels.  Great woodwork, amazing furniture, wall decorations, frames, very detailed and perfect presentation of the lures in shelves. There are no words to describe this place. I wish I had the chance to visit it. I am not a trout fisherman but I think every store in the world should look like this one.

Ah, last thing, as always, this store is located in Japan.  Enjoy the pics!

Great cabinets. Looks like a wine cellar.

Amazing lighting

Great details.

Even this pc corner looks great.

The special lighting exalts the reels.

MORE INFO: HERE

Detailed info on the 2013 Daiwa Certate

Finally the new 2013 Daiwa Certate official page is up.  If you use google translate you will figure our more or less about the new features.  No need to write the details here. Just go here and enjoy.

Real beauty. Official Daiwa Photo.

Great kayak fishing video

As a person who loves kayak fishing I really enjoyed this video. Check it out.

 
Kayak Fishing from HookedUp on Vimeo.

Best Snaps Ever?

I am kinda fond of snaps. I own different models and tried most of them. I have even an old article about it I wrote a year ago (check here).
Yesterday I saw a new kind of snap at a great online store (JDM Tackle) and judging by the videos and the photos I am really interested in trying them as they look very strong and have a great design.
They snaps are made by a famous Japanese company named Studio Ocean Mark. They are famous for reel customization and accessories for tackle fanatics.
At first look it doesn't look like a breakthrough innovative products. Basically it has the same "paper clip" concept as other models already available in the market. The real difference is that it is designed as a sort of hybrid between a snap and a solid ring.

The advantage stays in the quick attachment and a the fact that the lure stay attached on a double coil of wire Usually snaps have a single pass of  wire while  this one has two (like a real split ring) It is difficult for me to explain but if you watch the video at the original page you will understand better.

All single wire snaps. The breakaway is a clear paper clip example.

The graphic below shows the attachment process. 4 quick steps.

Perfect for pencils. Who needs pliers anymore?

Six sizes to choose from.

The snaps are very solid. They range from 25kg to 97kg strength and they are all tested (check the page again).

The problem is that they look a little bulky therefore I think they are more suited for medium heavy applications even in the Size OS3 . I need to check them and measure them as the website doesn't give a specific number on the size.  I think this is a great snap for when you go fishing for pelagics or big bluefishes with poppers.  

I might conclude by saying that it is work trying them and if they really are that good we might say goodbye to split ring pliers when it comes to lure changing.

The price? 8-9 US Dollars.   Quite a steal.

Lure Photo 1: DUO ROUGH TRAIL 130S

Tough lure for tough situations.  Details are here on DUO's official page.

Angler's Republic 2013 Catalog

We just entered 2013 and the new catalogs have started coming out. This one is from the famous Japanese Rod maker. Loved the cover!

Check here

Welcome Back Cloud Nine Tackle

Great news for all JDM Tackle enthusiast. One of the best online shops for JDM fishing gear has restarted operation after a brief pause. I was really happy to see the new banner up at C9 tackle page.
To celebrate the "reload" C9 is offering a %10 discount on reel and rods. Just check the new stuff it is in stock and don't forget to have a look at the lures in the outlet section.
Having again a good store in business is always a pleasure. Good luck Jed!!

Check here : C9 Tackle

New Daiwa Certate 2013

Another hot reel is entering the market. After the new Stella  introduced by Shimano, anglers around the world are waiting to learn more about the new Daiwa Certate.  Below is a sneak peek at the new reel. As for the Stella we notice an aggressive design and a cool dark color.  Just wait to see more at Daiwa's special Osaka Show page

New Shimano Stella 2013. Another video

Here is the video (very short) of the new 2013 Stella. Straight from Shimano TV.  Looks awesome!

Screenshot of the video

A Lure Company: DUO

This a post that I wanted to write some time ago. Let's start by saying that I am in close cooperation with DUO and maybe this post might sound to you like a commercially written piece of blog.
It is true that there is a close relationship but my purpose is to write my thoughts about this great company and what pushed me to take this cooperation to the next level.

20000 Fans and counting. 

There are many Japanese companies making amazing products and that all anglers around the world enjoy. I can name great brands like Tackle House, Duel,  Megabass, IMA, Halycon System, Zipbaits, Seaspin,  and so on. All companies that produce lures with exceptional quality that produce lots of fishes.
As a angler and marketer I look at a company not only for their products but also the way they market them. DUO has been quite active the last two years. They had a very different and innovative approach to the promotion of the products on a global level.  They started with a overseas project that was planned by the marketing department to the smallest detail. The steps were quite simple but effective : setting up an english website, build a strong community via Facebook and keep in touch with all the anglers in a virtual world that is today the best meeting point for all the fishing lovers around the globe.

DUO on the web

Entering to facebook was a smart move and the result came pretty fast. Today they DUO page counts more than 20.000 fans and this is a great number for any lure maker out there. What impresses me is that the FB page is really active and you see new post every day. It is an environment very "two way" and interactive. One day you see a new prototype photo, two hours later a small bluefish caught in Australia with a small tetra works lure and after that a nice photo of a lure taken by one of the many crazy fans (including myself).

A Realis lure got the job done somewhere around the world.

On the other hand the website is great too. So many pages to read and analyze  Production photos, videos, product descriptions and lure diagrams.  Everything is neat and clear. I just wish they would put more videos about every lure they produces, but I think they are already working on that.

The Japanese page is even better. You cant read but with a google translate option you can enjoy the blog of the DUO testers whom put some great photos of their catches and fishing reports.

Mahi Mahi taken with a DUO lure. Great catch!

Be in touch with the designer

Masahiro Adachi

This is the most important and enjoyable aspect of DUO. If  you are a fan of DUO page you have likely met Adachi San in one of the many posts he puts on the wall. Being able to talk, send message to the chief mind behind these lures is something that is in my opinion just amazing and quite unique.
I find myself asking hooks sizes and clips choices directly to Adachi San and getting a reply is really rewarding. I think that the real value of social media is just this: being able to talk and share opinions with the guy who will be carving out the next lure you will be buying and catching fishes.

A new Pencil lure from DUO. 

So, it become really interesting when you open your pc and see a new prototype made by Adachi San. You realize that you are part of the process. You see the development, the first catches, the right and wrongs of the next lure; and maybe that lure is the one that you always dreamed about. Above you can see a new pencil that is being tested for some time on. I am an angler but also a blogger therefore anything new  is always a heart pumping and exciting moment for me.

The Prototype is getting better and better.

Fans all over the world

If you watch the "lure making" process on DUO's page you will realize how detailed and difficult is the process to produce a single lure. I will skip the part saying that it is high quality and great craftsmanship and focus on the whole "lure-angler-catch-share" process that any lure gets once it leave the warehouse in Japan.

The countless photos shared on DUO's page show many anglers using the lures around the world. They catch perch as well as giant sneakheads. Every place has its own fishes, but the lure remains the same, a DUO lure that was crafted by Adachi San in a small room in Shizouka Japan.

A Yellowtail in Japan.

Catfish in Singapore

Thanks DUO, for having closed the "gap" between the lure and angler. Thanks for sharing all the info about prototypes, catches around the world and, why not, for supporting a great community around the world.

I close the article by saying that it is not only a great product that makes a great brand but also need to have that "spirit" that keeps a strong bond between us and the lures. I brand loyalty that is augmented by the social media and great interaction you guys provide. 

Next time you see a DUO package hanging at a store you can think about Adachi San carving it, Jerremy testing it, the guy machining it, the lady painting it and the designer preparing the package for it. 

This is the DUO family. Arigato Gozaimatsu.

DUO Realis Jerkbait

LINKS:

DUO Facebook Page
DUO English website
DUO Videos
DUO photos

DUO Realis Popper 64

This is a popper that I wanted to get while in Japan but I wasn't lucky enough to find it. I think the demand was so high and I came back empty handed. Anyway, I love poppers and I use anything between 130mm and 48mm and I am very interested in those medium sized poppers that can attract some seabass lurking in skinny waters. I was lucky enough to find this video of the DUO Realis Popper 64 while checking DUO's official facebook page. Video made by a DUO enthusiast named Darko Pesic. Nice video that shows the action of this interesting DUO lure.
Enjoy!

Little Little Lures!

As a fan of lures and scale modeling I am always interested in ultra small lures. They look so tiny and cute and if they catch fish even better. Anyway, I own many small lures such as DUO Tetra Works, Lucky Craft Bevy series, Maria Pockets, Small Rapalas and so on.
Another company that has introduced some ultra light lures is Jackson. The new series is named Pygmy Box. It includes a small minnow, a darter ( I think) and small vibration type lipless minnow.The company has just revised the official webpage (look nice too) and more info will come soon.
In the meantime check this video where they catch some small barracudas from a port area.
More info is here (for now): Jackson Pygmy Box

First 2013 Post: News from Major Craft

Here we are. A new year and my first 2013 post on my blog.
I just saw a post on Major Craft's Facebook page and I wanted to share with you. According to the official Facebook page, the Japanase company is working on a "international series" named "TUREL" specifically designed for the international market.
This is something interesting as shows how the guys at MC are aware of the potential of the brand overseas. According to the first rumors, the rod series will range from LRF to Heavy stuff. It looks like we will have a brand new Solpara-Crostage level medium quality rods at great prices. Looking forward to hear and read more about it in the future. For now, check this photo shared by MC on the facebook page. This is a LRF model.

Wait for more news.