This is Madness! This is Lure Fishing!!!

2011 SMITH LTD. Online Catalog

Click here for the SMITH LTD. 2011 Catalog (169 pages,Japanese Only)

Daiwa Saltiga: The Fight Never Ends

Nice Commercial for the New Daiwa Saltiga.



More info on the Saltiga Reel here : Saltiga Reel (Daiwa Japan Website)

A friendly online shop: PLAT

"We sell Japanese fishing tackle to the world wide anglers". This is the slogan you see at the top of PLAT's online fishing store.
I discovered PLAT back in 2008 while "googling" around the web. It was the first time that I was coming in contact with a online store offering Japanese products to overseas customers. The store had many cool hard to find items and I was very pressed to try and place an order. Those hard to find jigs and lures were too nice to pass on. At first I was reluctant, but in the end, I placed my order and after a couple of days I received everything packaged to my doorstep.
After that order PLAT has become my favorite store for products found in the Japanese market.

PLAT, located in Nagasaki, Japan, is still there offering many products to anglers and tackle enthusiast around the world. They have a good inventory: Rods, Reels, Lures, lines, hooks, terminal tackle, DVD's, magazines, accessories, etc.
The offerings range from saltwater vertical jigging to trout fishing. As a saltwater lure fisherman I spend most of the time in the saltwater fishing department.

The site is pretty straightforward. The menu, items descriptions are clear and the ordering process easy.Important features like shipping costs and product inquiries are there.
They accept many types of payments, the prices can be shown in different currencies, and the whole shopping experience, including shipping, is hassle free.

Besides their offerings and user friendly site design, what impresses me is their amazing customer service. They put time and effort on your order, making sure that you are satisfied until the order reaches your home.
I think this is a way of doing business in Japan. Always focused on the customer and open for  friendly communication. Another thing is that the store employees spend time to update daily the site with products pictures and English translations.

Last, but not least, is their Garage Sale. It is useful to check the store regularly and see what they have on special sale. Also make sure to sign in to the newsletter which is good for following the new offerings.

This is pretty much a review for this online store. I wrote this because most of the items you will see written on my blog are mostly coming from them. They basically introduced me to the world of JDM tackle.

Thanks to PLAT for offering Japanese Tackle to the world wide anglers. I think their slogan says it all.

PLAT JAPAN

Catch Magazine

If you enjoy photography and fishing you have check out Catch Magazine. Simply the best fly fishing magazine with amazing photos. A+

Catch Magazine

My New Toy: Shimano Elf 2500

I got another package from Plat Japan (a very good online store that I'll review pretty soon on my blog) This time it is a nice reel from Shimano.

The Shimano Elf

Official photo from Shimano Japan website.

The Elf is a low-medium end reel in the Shimano range. It used to be a complete blue reel but it received a major design change at the beginning of 2011. The reel looks even better now. The features are good, I would say just above the average Shimano reels and just below the mid-high end reels. It is a JDM reel, so it is not available in Europe nor US. If we had to compare the reels I would say that is similar to the European Technium model or the Saros in the US. It is a notch below to the Stradic (both Euro and US)

The color scheme is what really sold me. The dark titanium like finish together with the nice metallic orange accents does really give the reel a nice and more expensive look. I still have to try it (of course) but at first glance and after a couple of handle turns I can say that it is smooth as butter and it feels solid. The cost for the 2500 is 8000 YEN (approx 105 USD) so it is a good offer for the money. I will write a better review once I spool it and give it a try. I think it will match my 7 ft. kayak rod :)

Nice plain, cool packaging. The 2500 is on my desk :)

Detail of the Spool. Notice the very nice metallic orange. A real eye catcher.

Some details and features of the reel:

It comes in several sizes. From 1000 (aji fishing/trout) all the way to size 5000 (medium-heavy salt). It has variations like shallow spool models and double handle.

GOOD FOR SALTWATER

The Elf features rust resistant bearing making it resistant for saltwater use.


OK FOR SHOWER (WATER RESISTANT)

The reel can be washed in the shower. It is not waterproof but it is water resistant.

ARC-C SPOOL

The AR-C spool has a special shape that allows better and longer casts and is easy on braid lines



AERO WRAP

The line lays on the spool evenly and better and . Especially useful for braid lines. It reduces friction and allows better casts.




EASY MAINTENANCE PORT 

This nice feature allows a direct lubrication of the reel without having to take it apart.

FOR MORE INFO CHECK THE SHIMANO JAPAN OFFICIAL PAGE: New Shimano Elf

If you like orange. This reel is for you. Details of the micro adjustable drag knob.

Detail of the spool. AR-C SPOOL.

Notice the "Maintenance Port". Common in mid level reels.

Made in Malaysia.