This is the coolest "how a lure is made" video I have seen so far. Very classy and well done.
Showing posts with label DUO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DUO. Show all posts
May 3, 2014
March 28, 2014
DUO Spearhead Ryuki in floating model
One of my favorite ultralight lures has just been introduced in floating model. The Ryuki is a trout lure that loves strong currents and I had good results with it. Now DUO has made a floating version which I am sure will be good in saltwater too. The fact that it is floating might help fishing the upper part of the water column and avoid snags during the retrieve. The sinking models likes fast retrieve but maybe the F model will work well with a slightly slower retrieve.
The floating lure is 2.8gr. compared to the 4.5g of the sinking model.
The floating lure is 2.8gr. compared to the 4.5g of the sinking model.
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| Also available in 70mm size. |
February 8, 2014
DUO 2014 Catalog
DUO's new 2014 International catalog is up online. It is very well made and you will find all the new products introduced this year. What I really enjoyed was the last page with the new DUO International Pro Staff line up. Very happy to see some of my friends photos in there!!
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| The DUO Pro Staff lineup is impressive! |
December 21, 2013
DUO Aomasa 188: Getting Ready For Launch!
This year DUO has got some attention when introduced a special diving pencil named Aomasa 148. The pencil has been a great hit in the market. Many reports of huge fishes caught with the Aomoasa have flooded the social media and blogs.
I read many times on DUO's facebook page that the 148 was a great achievement but that a bigger size was in the works but got blocked on some developing issues. The guys at DUO are always looking for the perfect lure and they didn't want to introduce to the market a different size of lure only. The lure had to be successful as the 148 size.
After many heavy testing and R&D hours the new lure is ready for launch.
The tester Jerremy has tried many setups looking to achieve the perfect castability and action. At the end of the day those are the key elements that makes a lure successful in the market.
Now I am eager to see it in store and start reading for some awesomes fish reports.
Source: DUO
I read many times on DUO's facebook page that the 148 was a great achievement but that a bigger size was in the works but got blocked on some developing issues. The guys at DUO are always looking for the perfect lure and they didn't want to introduce to the market a different size of lure only. The lure had to be successful as the 148 size.
After many heavy testing and R&D hours the new lure is ready for launch.
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| The 148 size has received very positive reviews from the anglers worldwide. |
The tester Jerremy has tried many setups looking to achieve the perfect castability and action. At the end of the day those are the key elements that makes a lure successful in the market.
Now I am eager to see it in store and start reading for some awesomes fish reports.
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| testing with different hook setups |
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| yellowtails love the Aomasa |
December 8, 2013
New lures join the DUO Tetra Works family
DUO's Tetra Works series has some serious lineup of models for all light fishing lovers around the world.
Yesterday I have found that the famous TOTO model has received two more variations that will satisfy certain situation we encounter during light fishing.
The TOTO is a little great minnow that was first introduced as a 42mm size and later joined by the 48mm version for bigger predators and longer casting.
Now we have two more models : the TOTO 48HS and the TOTO Shad 48S.
The translation is a little funny but basically we have a heavier minnow with a lip suited for fast retrieve but also slow during night fishing.
The size and weight remains the same as the HS but the lip is definitely suited for deeper waters. The advantage of this model is the ability to scan a deeper water column. I cannot see the range in meters but I will wait and see if I can get more info about it.
These are just introduced in Japan. Hopefully we will see them for sale around the world soon!
Source: DUO Japan
Yesterday I have found that the famous TOTO model has received two more variations that will satisfy certain situation we encounter during light fishing.
The TOTO is a little great minnow that was first introduced as a 42mm size and later joined by the 48mm version for bigger predators and longer casting.
Now we have two more models : the TOTO 48HS and the TOTO Shad 48S.
The 48HS has the name suggest is a TOTO with Heavy Sinking. The model receives a little bump in weight from 3.7g to 4.5g) and a new lip design.
Since there is no English news yet here is what DUO JAPAN says (google translated)
Update model with improved water involved performance and cast performance micro minnow is a weak-based Toto 48S, Toto 48 heavy thinking. Rather than just adding weight, lip changed to square lip of the falling tendency with an emphasis on water bite. Fast retrieval of game day, of course, also in the center of the night game, slow retrieve will grasp the change of flow which is the byte chance...
The translation is a little funny but basically we have a heavier minnow with a lip suited for fast retrieve but also slow during night fishing.
The Shad 48S
These are just introduced in Japan. Hopefully we will see them for sale around the world soon!
Source: DUO Japan
December 7, 2013
December 6, 2013
Winter Session by Urbancastman
Winter is here and so are the bonito photos from the Urbancastman.
I am starting to think that there is a love affair between the bonitos and the DUO Press Bait Saira.
I know that my friend is consistently using the DUO lure for the pelagic fishes but the success rate is pretty high nevertheless.
Keep the good work my friend!
I am starting to think that there is a love affair between the bonitos and the DUO Press Bait Saira.
I know that my friend is consistently using the DUO lure for the pelagic fishes but the success rate is pretty high nevertheless.
Keep the good work my friend!
October 26, 2013
Duo Rough Trail Blazin
The latest to join is the Blazin model. This is a strong yet small lure. It packs big weight (40g.) is a small (92mm) size. In my opinion is the perfect lure for those situation where you need to cast in strong winds and big swells in search for the pelagic of your life. The lure is still new and right now there is no much info around. DUO has a nice video (below) about its potential and a friend from Peru has made an exceptional catch with it.
Check it!
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| Nice catch with the Blazin in Peru. |
September 10, 2013
Minnows for Pelagics
I was having a nice conversation with a fellow angler about minnows that are suited for blue water and pelagic. In other words we were discussing those minnows that are strong, heavy and that fishes like bonito, tuna, dorado, false albacore love so much.
I am not a guy who casts lures in deep and open waters for pelagic therefore my personal experience is limited. Nevertheless I like to read other blogs, check online catalogs and see what is very suited for this kind of fishing.
There are some lures that I consider very worthy in those situations when you need to cast for blue water fishes.
DUO Larus Minnow 80/24
This is a lure that I like a lot. It is in my lure box and I had the chance to use it only once in some nice rocky shore with a 60mt drop-off. I knew of the presence of pelagics like bonito and false albacore
(Euthynnus alletteratus) .
This lure is heavy and very strong. What I really like are two incredible features: Metal lip and swivel hook eye.
The lip is metal therefore very strong and virtually unbreakable. The sviwel is an interesting design option. It allows the hook to rotate freely and when the fishes is hooked the rotation of the swivel basically takes out any chances of pulling the hook with applied torsion by the fish. The hooks are OK but I think the bigger brother (95mm /34g.)
The action is a very dense and fast rolling. This thing likes fast retrieve all the way to your feet.
The weight is 24 grams and given the short length (80mm) it casts like a bullet even in windy situation. Very suited for windy rocky shore.
Here is what DUO says about it:
The Larus Minnow 80/24 is best suited when one wants to downsize the lure to small bait-fish. With a compact 80mm body, it shares the characteristics of the other Larus Minnows: a heavy weight, metal lip, and rolling swivel hook-eye to withstand the attacks of offshore fish.
The weight is 24g, giving not only a favorable casting distance, but also a good swimming response at slow to medium reeling speeds. It is not only great offshore, but also for fishing from shore if targeting powerful species.
The bigger brothers spots better hooks (ST56 /4 ) and is heavier. I would go with the bigger one for medium sized pelagics and perhaps tuna (with a hook upgrade to ST66 or single hooks)
More info: DUO Larus Project
Tackle House Contact Bezel
The other minnow is from a company that I love: Tackle House.
These guys make some incredible lures. The Contact series along with the K-ten series have made the history of lure fishing. The Contact series includes some gems like the Feed Popper, Brit, Flitz and the Bezel.
The Bezel is the minnow I'd like to write about. This is a pure jig/minnow with a lip, and it is really tough. How tough? Thru-wire and ST66 (Tuna class) hooks are a good introduction.
It comes in two sizes : 100mm/36g and 120/48g
This is what Tackle Houses says (google translate helped here)
High precision Jigumino
Main target is, joints, bonito. It is Jigumino which is indispensable to shoot nabla offshore. Falling trembling little by little with the head bent forward after the splashdown. High speed retrieve the basic course, slide also doing in the twitch in the case of emergency. For controlling the attitude with "bezel lip", in response to the flow of water efficiently in the Berry region, and swim in U~obunroru stable distinguished for the high-speed range, I do not miss the chance.
I have tried this and I can tell you that it is a little difficult to use and animate. It requires some skilled work with the rod and wrist. You can make a fast retrieve for skipping purposes but I think the secret is in giving it fast and hard twitches in order to make it slide and roll a little. For me is still a work in progress but the potential is there.
Also I think it can get a nice attack on the fall.
Here is a video in Japanese. Just check the guys hands to get an idea :)
Source: Tackle House
I am not a guy who casts lures in deep and open waters for pelagic therefore my personal experience is limited. Nevertheless I like to read other blogs, check online catalogs and see what is very suited for this kind of fishing.
There are some lures that I consider very worthy in those situations when you need to cast for blue water fishes.
DUO Larus Minnow 80/24
This is a lure that I like a lot. It is in my lure box and I had the chance to use it only once in some nice rocky shore with a 60mt drop-off. I knew of the presence of pelagics like bonito and false albacore
(Euthynnus alletteratus) .
This lure is heavy and very strong. What I really like are two incredible features: Metal lip and swivel hook eye.
The lip is metal therefore very strong and virtually unbreakable. The sviwel is an interesting design option. It allows the hook to rotate freely and when the fishes is hooked the rotation of the swivel basically takes out any chances of pulling the hook with applied torsion by the fish. The hooks are OK but I think the bigger brother (95mm /34g.)
The action is a very dense and fast rolling. This thing likes fast retrieve all the way to your feet.
The weight is 24 grams and given the short length (80mm) it casts like a bullet even in windy situation. Very suited for windy rocky shore.
Here is what DUO says about it:
The Larus Minnow 80/24 is best suited when one wants to downsize the lure to small bait-fish. With a compact 80mm body, it shares the characteristics of the other Larus Minnows: a heavy weight, metal lip, and rolling swivel hook-eye to withstand the attacks of offshore fish.
The weight is 24g, giving not only a favorable casting distance, but also a good swimming response at slow to medium reeling speeds. It is not only great offshore, but also for fishing from shore if targeting powerful species.
The bigger brothers spots better hooks (ST56 /4 ) and is heavier. I would go with the bigger one for medium sized pelagics and perhaps tuna (with a hook upgrade to ST66 or single hooks)
More info: DUO Larus Project
Tackle House Contact Bezel
The other minnow is from a company that I love: Tackle House.
These guys make some incredible lures. The Contact series along with the K-ten series have made the history of lure fishing. The Contact series includes some gems like the Feed Popper, Brit, Flitz and the Bezel.
The Bezel is the minnow I'd like to write about. This is a pure jig/minnow with a lip, and it is really tough. How tough? Thru-wire and ST66 (Tuna class) hooks are a good introduction.
It comes in two sizes : 100mm/36g and 120/48g
This is what Tackle Houses says (google translate helped here)
High precision Jigumino
Main target is, joints, bonito. It is Jigumino which is indispensable to shoot nabla offshore. Falling trembling little by little with the head bent forward after the splashdown. High speed retrieve the basic course, slide also doing in the twitch in the case of emergency. For controlling the attitude with "bezel lip", in response to the flow of water efficiently in the Berry region, and swim in U~obunroru stable distinguished for the high-speed range, I do not miss the chance.
I have tried this and I can tell you that it is a little difficult to use and animate. It requires some skilled work with the rod and wrist. You can make a fast retrieve for skipping purposes but I think the secret is in giving it fast and hard twitches in order to make it slide and roll a little. For me is still a work in progress but the potential is there.
Also I think it can get a nice attack on the fall.
Here is a video in Japanese. Just check the guys hands to get an idea :)
Source: Tackle House
September 8, 2013
Something New: Spybaiting Technique by DUO
In lure fishing every year we see news lures and techniques entering the market with the promise of catching more fishes. Every day you see new jigs, lures, soft-baits, retrieve techniques and so on.
Lately Japanese DUO has introduced a technique called "spybaiting" and is already taking the world of bass fishing by storm.
I am not a bass angler but this new lure/retrieve combo looks like a very interesting approach to be used with saltwater seabass. I always consider the bass and seabass close relative when it comes to catching them in mostly calm waters. Example? Well, the seabass loves biting softbaits and the bass cousin and when lurking in low salinity zones (read river mouths) you can be very successful with bass equipment.
What about the "spybaiting"?
The videos below are very good at explaining it all.
Basically the secret is in the double propeller sinking 80mm Realis Spinbait 80 minnow and the slow retrieve that has to be done very gently and slowly.
Already many magazine are covering it with many articles. Just google it and you will see many results.
My idea is to try it in calm portal zones where the seabass lurks around in deep water and is very difficult to engage with regular minnows.
I will let you know once I start some tests.
Check the videos below to fully understand the SPYBAITING.
Enjoy.
Source: DUO Realis
August 24, 2013
DUO Tetra Works Pocopoco
I love all kind of lures but poppers remain one of my favorites. I can cast a big popper as a Pop Queen 130 as a small popper like the Poco Poco.
At 40mm and 3/4.7 g. (floating or siking) it is an ideal type of lure for all those fishes that we can encounter is freshwater and saltwater. With all the reports around the net I can say that the lure gets the interests of perch, trout, bass, small seabass, barracuda, bluefish, leerfish, bream and so on. In other words it got hit by the major game fishes around the world from Europe to Australia.
Casts well and the action is superb. (see video)
It is, along with the Maria Pop Queen 50mm, one of my favorites small poppers in the market.
Check the video below:
Here is what DUO says about it:
For more info have a look here
At 40mm and 3/4.7 g. (floating or siking) it is an ideal type of lure for all those fishes that we can encounter is freshwater and saltwater. With all the reports around the net I can say that the lure gets the interests of perch, trout, bass, small seabass, barracuda, bluefish, leerfish, bream and so on. In other words it got hit by the major game fishes around the world from Europe to Australia.
Casts well and the action is superb. (see video)
It is, along with the Maria Pop Queen 50mm, one of my favorites small poppers in the market.
Here is what DUO says about it:
Pocopoco is a micro popper with a hollow body.
We have created 2 models. Firstly the floating model which is suited for a more slow approach targeting Seabasses or Sea Bream. Or the sinking model which is equipped with an outstanding casting ability and able to withstand high speed twitching to target small Trevallies. You can enjoy the exciting top-water game easily and conveniently with these lures.
For more info have a look here
August 17, 2013
DUO Rough Trail Aomasa 148
The new pencil introduced by DUO this summer is doing very good around the world.
The facebook page is full with photos of catches made with this outstanding new lure.
The Aomasa is slick looking and it catches fishes period. I know that they are working on a bigger model (Aomasa 188) and that it is still on testing stage but the little brother is already gaining the respect of anglers worldwide.
Here is a photo I got on my facebook news feed page by my friend Raul. I like this one because the fish caught is a very respectable bluefish and since I will go after bluefishes this autumn I am very excited on the idea of trying the DUO lure for some topwater action.
You can get more info on the Aomasa here: DUO AOMASA 148
The facebook page is full with photos of catches made with this outstanding new lure.
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| Photo by Bill Heng |
The Aomasa is slick looking and it catches fishes period. I know that they are working on a bigger model (Aomasa 188) and that it is still on testing stage but the little brother is already gaining the respect of anglers worldwide.
Here is a photo I got on my facebook news feed page by my friend Raul. I like this one because the fish caught is a very respectable bluefish and since I will go after bluefishes this autumn I am very excited on the idea of trying the DUO lure for some topwater action.
You can get more info on the Aomasa here: DUO AOMASA 148
February 3, 2013
Seabass Video: DUO Manic + Palms Shore Gun Rod
Nice seabass video just uploaded on lure-us.com
It features some night seabass fishing by the guys at Anglers Republic. The rod used are the Palms Shore Gun series and the lure of the night is the DUO Manic. Nice one!
Click for VIDEO
It features some night seabass fishing by the guys at Anglers Republic. The rod used are the Palms Shore Gun series and the lure of the night is the DUO Manic. Nice one!
Click for VIDEO
February 2, 2013
January 20, 2013
January 13, 2013
A Lure Company: DUO
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.
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| 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).
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| A Realis lure got the job done somewhere around the world. |
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.
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| Mahi Mahi taken with a DUO lure. Great catch! |
Be in touch with the designer
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| The Prototype is getting better and better. |
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.
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| A Yellowtail in Japan. |
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| 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.
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| DUO Realis Jerkbait |
January 3, 2013
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!
Enjoy!
December 22, 2012
How DUO Lures are made (and painted)
Interesting video available at DUO's official Youtube page. As a person who love fishing and scale modeling, seeing the little lures getting hand painted with an airbrush is very cool!
Enjoy it.
Enjoy it.
October 17, 2012
The UrbanCastMan Strikes Again!
I was going to publish my report and put the picture of the fishes I caught but then I received in the mailbox the photo of the last fish (Dentex Dentex) caught by my friend UrbanCastman. I have to postpone my photo reports and share with you this beauty. The location is top secret but the lure is a nice DUO Press Saira.
Nothing much to add...just some jealousy :)
Nothing much to add...just some jealousy :)
August 28, 2012
Congratulations DUO!
Just realized that DUO has reached 5000 fans on its facebook page. I think it is a great achievement for a company that is trying to expand to the world market taking one step at a time. I remember when it all started with a few likes and some photo posts on their page. now after many months and many new likes I can see a page with many contributions from around the world, lots of photos, reviews, reports and news focusing on the latest products.
I wish them more even more success and hope to see the 10.000 mark reached soon.
I wish them more even more success and hope to see the 10.000 mark reached soon.
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