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!! 

Shimano TV: Yellowtail Fishing

Enjoy another great video  by Shimano.

Source: Shimano TV

DUO Goes To NA

So, I have already wrote about what I think of DUO strategy in the international market. They are one of the first  Japanese companies to came up with a good marketing plan in order to expand their market on an international levels. I admire their lures as much as their effort to promote them worldwide. They make good use of the website (the English pages are great), facebook and keep in touch with key bloggers around the world.
Now they made a big step by entering one of the biggest markets available : North America.

Indeed the NA market is a big one but also very competitive. The are hundreds of companies already involved in the market and it might take some time for DUO to gain some share. On the other hand the products are excellent so is the team that DUO has setup on the other side of the pond.
I heard that the first biggest step will be in the freshwater market, with products of the Realis range.The Realis  lures dedicated to bass fishing, a big thing in the US.
I am sure they will be successful with this new and ambitious project. I believe it will be all easy when you have a winner in your hand and a well executed sales/marketing effort.
They already have a new Facebook Page. Give it a look.

I wish DUO North America good luck!!!

Some of the lures that will be available in North American stores soon:

Realis Minnow80SP

Realis Spin Bait 60

Realis Vibration 62

Realis Pencil 110