8 Reasons to Buy Japanese Fishing Tackle  

Should You Invest in Japanese Fishing Gear?

 Japanese-made fishing gear and tackle are undoubtedly worth the investment, whether you are looking for your first rod and reel or are a serious angler. The superior quality, precision engineering, and advanced technology, which are seemingly updated every year, translate into the durability and superb performance that all anglers need. 

8 Reasons Why You Should Buy Japanese Fishing Tackle

 If you’re an avid angler, purchasing Japanese fishing gear can be a wise decision for many reasons. Here’s why:

Japanese fishing gear is known for its superb craftsmanship and outstanding quality. There is no understating of that. Japanese fishing brands such as Daiwa, Shimano, and Megabass are widely known for the attention to detail that is put into their designs and manufacturing. 

For example, Megabass produces some of the best Japanese fishing lures that are meticulously handcrafted using a combination of traditional Japanese methods and modern technology. The result? Lures that have realistic swimming actions to entice more strikes from more fish.

Shimano reels are put through rigorous testing and precision machining to guarantee smooth operation and durability. Because of this commitment to quality, anglers can rely on fishing gear to operate consistently and last a long time, especially under tough circumstances.

Regarding fishing gear innovation, Japanese producers are at the forefront, consistently introducing new technology to enhance performance. 

For some time, Daiwa has been well-known for its MagSeal technology, a feature of many of its reels (for example, the Catalina and Saragosa ranges). By using magnetic oil to produce a barrier against water and impurities, Daiwa’s Magsealed technology doesn’t allow water to get inside the reel’s inner workings for corrosion to occur, extending its life and performance. This gives you immense confidence if you’re out on rough seas where salt spray will end up on your fishing reel.

Another example of innovative technology is Shimano’s Hagane gearing system. This uses cold-forged metal to produce robust, long-lasting gears that retain exact alignment even under high loads. This technology is incredibly beneficial when you’re fighting large fish because the power is still there, and it’s smoother. 

Japanese fishing gear is made to last since premium materials are used in manufacturing. Just look at the Shimano Saragosa fishing reel. There is a good reason why it’s the reel of choice for many fishing charters—it is durable and can take the punishment.

Some of the top fishing reels are made by Daiwa. Daiwa’s precision engineering and corrosion-resistant metals guarantee that their reels endure harsh usage and saltwater conditions without sacrificing functionality. Japanese fishing tackle is a wise investment for dedicated fishermen because it may last many years – provided you maintain it properly.

The rich heritage of Japanese fishing and the unique techniques that have been developed means that there is a specialist piece of gear that will suit your type and style of angling. 

Just consider the Japanese art of Egi fishing for squid (and tip-running from a boat). The Japanese have perfected this style of fishing, and it’s only because they have developed the fishing rods that are needed for the job. For example, the Emeraldas X IL is specifically for Eging and is one of Daiwa’s top fishing rods in this space.

Whether you are freshwater baitcasting for trout, land-based squidding, or jigging for game, a Japanese fishing brand has the gear for you. 

Japanese fishing gear is well known for its superb performance due to its meticulous engineering and design. This provides clear advantages such as longer casting distances, higher accuracy with lures, and better control over fighting fish.

Japanese fishing gear is renowned not only for its technical excellence but also for its unique aesthetics. Lure manufacturers such as Megabass are famous for their eye-catching patterns and painstaking attention to detail, creating functional and visually stunning lures in the water. 

Living outside of Japan, you might have trouble seeking particular fishing gear at your local tackle store. This can’t be more true regarding handcrafted lures and left-handed overhead reels. For example, finding a left-handed Shimano Ocea overhead reel could be akin to finding a needle in a haystack, especially in the USA or Australia, where right-handed models are imported. This leaves you no choice but to order one from Japan. 

In addition to that, the range of Japanese-made fishing rods, reels, and lures at your local tackle store might not offer all the gear you want. 

Japanese fishing tackle is known for its exceptional quality and longevity. For the most part, this translates into good resale values if you decide to part ways with it. As long as you look after them, some Daiwa fishing reels, like the 2012 model Catalina, hold their value so well that you can often sell them for as much as 70% of the original purchase price. 

 If high-quality fishing tackle is what you’re after, then consider these top Japanese brands:

• Shimano – One of the world’s best-known Japanese fishing brands, offering a plethora of rods, reels, lures, and apparel for every application and budget.
• Daiwa – Another major fishing brand from Japan, known for its range of high-quality fishing rods and reels like the Saragosa and Catalina ranges that come with MagSeal technology.
• Gan Craft – Originating from Tanabe City, Gan Craft is a leading bait caster rods and lures producer. Their Egi squid jig range is impressive.
• Okuma – A reputable producer of fishing rods, including spin and bait casters.
• Studio Ocean Mark – A high-end brand that provides outstanding overhead reels, and after-market spools and reel knobs. 
• Yamashita – A leader in the Egi squid jig space.
• Gamagatsu – A provider of some of the best fishing accessories but predominantly well-known for its hooks.
• Zenaq – A premium brand known for its high-quality fishing rods, focussing on strength and performance.

Even though Japanese fishing gear is well-known for its high caliber and effectiveness, there are a few cons that may concern a foreign buyer:

Increased cost compared to non-Japanese brands

It comes as no surprise that fishing gear made in Japan is frequently more expensive than that produced in other regions of the world. While this may be the case, it does not mean that you can’t find the same Japanese-made rod or reel cheaper from a Japanese-based shop compared to your local store. In many cases, buying fishing gear from an online Japanese store might prove to be cheaper, even including shipping costs.

Japanese fishing tackle often comes at a premium price due to its superior quality, cutting-edge technology, and premium materials. This may make it less affordable for budget-conscious anglers.

Local retailers tend to have decreased availability

While many well-known Japanese tackles are sold abroad, it may be more difficult to locate some specialized or recently released products outside of Japan. Due to this, local retailers may have fewer options or only stock the basics, making buying from Japanese suppliers an outright option. 

Paying for import and shipping charges

Shipping charges for Japanese fishing gear purchased from overseas can be high, particularly for larger products like rods. In addition, taxes and import charges may raise the overall cost. Having said this, you will often find that many Japanese-made fishing gear can be sourced from Japanese retailers for cheaper prices than in your local fishing store.

The manual will be in Japanese

If you buy fishing gear from a Japanese store, expect the manual to be in Japanese. Other details, such as product information and customer support, are predominantly written in Japanese. Even if many businesses offer English help, it might not be as thorough or easily accessible.

 Japanese fishing gear is renowned for its high-tech advances and precision engineering. Innovative technologies, meticulous attention to detail, and skilled craftsmanship are the hallmarks of brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Yamaga, and Evergreen, which produce aesthetically beautiful and functional gear. 

A lot of Japanese-made fishing gear, especially rods and hard body lures, is handcrafted, and this is a trait you don’t see in non-Japanese tackle. Premium materials are also often used, enabling advantages such as robustness, strength, and lightweight. This means better performance in specific applications, such as ultralight finesse fishing with tiny lures, being able to cast heavy lures from land, or jigging squid jigs at greater depths.

However, fishing tackle manufactured in other parts of the world prioritizes durability, adaptability, and utility. Due to their broad price range, they are generally affordable and available to many anglers.