Thunder Shad Baits

[Hollywood]

Anyone using them? Them Thunder Shad crankbaits are VERY popular here in Japan amongts them Japanese anglers. Just curious if anyone is using them on the west coast.

Kevin

[TTCal]

I've used them. Know some guys that love them in the SouthEast too, but i wasn't very impressed:

Thunder Shad Review

We've been informed that they re-formulated their top coat and that the cracking problem has been resolved. I've not reacquired any to re-test.

[Hollywood]

I haven't had any problems with there coating cracking or anything here and I know many guys in Japan that chuck them exclusively.

We have a few Japan only colors that the pro staffers designed that is not sold in the USA or Japan and are pretty neat. They were made for BiwaKo.

For a USA hand made balsa bait they are not to shabby.

The new "bait to get" here is the new T.D. "RPM". That sucker is actually taken names and making winners! HA.....

Kevin

[TTCal]

The durability of their finish was my only real issue, so if they're holding up for you, that's great. Probably the new formula? I forget how long ago I purchased those baits.

I love the fact they're wood and have a huge array of colors from which to choose. Maybe if I fished them exclusively for a year or more I'd have had different results, but I have too much gear to go through for that

[Hollywood]

I understand that, the only reason I have used them is because for the W.B.S. Pro Tour I room with a few of there Japanese Pro Staffers and they handed me a bag or so of them to toss around. Other than that it's Evergreen, wink wink...

[Triton Mike]

Hollywood, I've been reading your posts for a while and notice your over there in Japan. I have a HUGE fetish on Japanese baits and bait trends. Whats big out there and do you see any COOL must have baits . One of these days I'd LOVE to visit a Japanese tackle shop in Japan . Thats on the long list of things I want to do . Any cool websites?

T Mike

[TTCal]

Ya got a live one Hollywood.. SET HOOK!

[Triton Mike]

Dennis, I don't know what they call your level of Fetish but your wayyyyyy over my head LOL.

Tee

[TTCal]

Dennis, I don't know what they call your level of Fetish but your wayyyyyy over my head LOL.

Tee

I prefer to refer to my affliction as an "addiction" rather than the term you're using bud

That having been said, I've never claimed to be a good influence on tackle decisions

LOL

[Hollywood]

Hi Mike,

The new bait that everyone is after is the "RPM" crankbait by Team Daiwa. It is a Japan only lure and I don't see it going to the states anytime soon. It was designed by Yusuke Miyazaki who is a B.A.S.S. Elite Angler. He spent the last 4 years tweaking it to perfection and I have thrown them on my last few outings. They are pretty good.

O.S.P. makes teh Blitz which is very popular and I have caught more bass than I can count on them.

The new line up from Evergreen is not too shabby and always have one tied on.

As for soft plastics the popular items that we are pitching and flipping is the new Lake Police cover craw usually in 4". You fish it weightless as it weighs 16grams.

The Flapping hog by Yamamoto is not as popular as the Cover craw.

I fish a shallow, dirty water lake/river system so I am not much into the loop on tackle for deep clear lakes but I can get just about anything from here.

Kevin Johnson

[77sunset]

Here is biggest tackle store<popeye>
Take a look ....... I’m sorry, you cannot read Japanese.javascript:emoticon(':(')
Sad
Just forget about Japanese, click mindlessly Blue hyper link
so that could see many baits.javascript:emoticon(':D')
Very Happy
http://www.popeye-web.com/onlineshop/

[Hollywood]

Popeye's is a great shop. There is one 1 hour drive from my house and there is one 25 mintues from where I will be living come May. It is on the other side of the lake that I will be living on. They have everything except for what I am looking for.....GRRRRRRR

[mark poulson]

Kevin,
How do the prices for tackle in Japan compare to the U.S.?

[Hollywood]

Items here are a bit more expensive. We pay 7-9.50$ per bag of Senko's. If you have an in with the shops you can get them for 6.50$ or 7$.

Hard baits that you can't get are typical 12-20$ and some of the other handmade baits are up around 25$.

Spinnerbaits are 8-14$ each depending on who's you are buying.

I have so much tackle I usually don't have to buy anything unless it is last minute at a tourney. Other than that I have it at my house.

Kevin

[mark poulson]

I've been hearing about the slow Japanese economy the last three years or so. Has that affected the prices for tackle there?

[TTCal]

I think i've personally been keeping their tackle industry alive and well with my monthly purchases...

[Hollywood]

The economy has been slow since I shut down USATackle back in 2002 but that hasn't stopped the fisherman from buying new lures, rods and reels and line at 30$ per 100m.

Stores can't keep items in stock.

Kevin