Why do brands like abu garcia and shimano make reels and only sell them in Japan? Is there a lot of bass fishermen over there(I know the world record was just caught there.)? Alot of the Japanese reels look awesome and im curious why they would not sell them here?

You can buy Japanese equipment here if you know where to go.

i don't know if there's a LOT of bass fisherman in japan but, from what i can tell, the ones that are there are extremely passionate about the sport.

i once read an interview with one of the head honchos for (i think) daiwa and they asked him why we in the U.S. don't get the cool reels the japanese domestic market does. basically, what he he said was that we're too rough on our equipment.

sorry, i wish i remembered where it was exactly that i saw that.

Fishing is considered a more expensive hobby in Japan than it is in the United States. There are a lot less "value" rods and reels in the Japanese market. That's why there is much more expensive (and cooler looking) equipment in Japan. You can still get most of the same tackle if you shop at JDM based sites.

The real question is does USDM equipment have the same cool cachet in Japan as JDM has here?

*Tongue firmly planted in cheek.

The real question is does USDM equipment have the same cool cachet in Japan as JDM has here?

*Tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Can't you just hear it (in japanese of course) but translated to say... " dude check out this Daiwa Excellor and Shimano Castillo I picked up!!  They are a USDM and I got them both for 192 Yen!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D

Were finally starting to see some JDM quality gear here in the US.  Unfortunately, most of the really cool gear is still JDM only.

www.plat.co.jp  is a great site to buy from.  

There's a lot of consumer electronics that the Japanese get that we don't.

A lot of it is similar to the fishing equipment,  more bling that doesn't really enhance the functionality of the equipment.