The Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) has always been a great source for bass anglers in America looking for the next big thing. The pipeline of products from "The Land of the Rising Sun" to the United States has brought us a host of new products that have become staples here, and many more are on the way as they develop incredible fishing lures, often unlike the baits we use here.
American anglers in the know are always watching what is happening in Japan, trying these innovations before everyone else catches on. Thankfully, it's never been easier to spot new trends thanks to videos, social media, and online tackle stores specializing in the latest JDM tackle. Here's a quick look at some of the current trends and some new baits to try if you are looking for something different to show bass in your local waters.
Unique Vibrating Jigs
The ChatterBait, also known generically as a vibrating jig or bladed jig, is an American invention, but the Japanese market has some unique twists on the popular bait. They have used the general concept of bait and created their own version.
One of the most popular recent releases is the Bass Puzzle Grass Piece, which has a square-shaped blade that gives the bait a unique, tight vibration. They work very well, are in high demand, and are often hard to find at online tackle stores. If you can't find that version, American brand Game Changer Bait has a lure called the Double Take that shares a similar design and action.
Another spin on the vibrating jig is the Dstyle D-Blade, which has an egg-shaped blade and causes the bait to roll back and forth during the retrieve. It's a unique design and definitely shows the fish something slightly different. One more to look into is the Teckel Bladewaker, which has a large, bent metal blade. This bait can be fished like a traditional bladed jig, but when worked quickly, it acts like a buzzbait along the surface.
Extreme Deep Cranking
Deep-diving crankbaits are standard lures in American bass fishing, but the JDM market has a handful of baits that can reach extreme diving depths. This opens up crankbaits to a whole new group of fish that are not used to seeing a bait moving that quickly in deep water.
Two examples of this are the Deps Korrigan Break 800 and DRT Police. The Korrigan Break 800 is a large crankbait that will easily reach depths of over 30 feet, even with 16-pound test fluorocarbon line, and the DRT Police will go even further. It's a huge bait that weighs over 3 ounces, but can dig to over 40 feet below the surface. Neither of these lures is inexpensive by any means, but they will allow you to crank deeper than ever before.
Jumbo Worms
For the most part, many bass anglers think of Japan and think of finesse fishing and light line techniques. Indeed, many finesse techniques originate there, as they are needed in the highly pressured fisheries, but they also go to the other end of the spectrum with huge baits. Think of some of the giant swimbaits and glide baits that started there, as well as the recent trend of giant plastic worms.
Large worms are not new; Americans have been dragging 10-plus-inch soft plastics on the bottom for decades, but the Japanese versions are made to be fished on a Neko Rig. One good example of this is the Geecrack G-Crazy, an ultra-thin worm that is 18 inches long. It's made to be fished with a hook in the center and looks like a huge earthworm undulating like crazy on the hook.
Some other big straight tail worms that are popular there for this technique are the 12-inch Evergreen Bow Worm Noodle and the 13-inch Deps Kincoo Air. Try these big and unique worms if you are looking for something a little different the next time you are fishing a Neko Rig.
More "Dice" Baits
The "dice" baits have hit the mainstream in America, and now many brands make them, including staples like Strike King, Yamamoto, and more. They are everywhere you look, and there are more on the way. One trend is baits that are molded rather than just using silicon skirting material stuck through small pieces of soft plastic.
A perfect example of this is the Hideup Coike baits, which look like a sea urchin and can be fished on a drop-shot, dragged along the bottom, or with a weight inserted to fish in the middle of the water column. They are definitely unlike anything else out there, and even though they may not mimic what the bass are actually eating, they are different enough to get fish to bite.
Advanced Braided Line
While not lures, there has been a tremendous shift in the quality of braided line that helps to fish these baits more effectively and cast them even further. One trend from Japan is braided line made from IZANAS, an ultra-thin, very strong material. One example of a line using this material is Seaguar's PE-X8 braid that comes straight from the Japanese market.
The line diameter of this braid, as well as those made with the same material, is incredibly thin. This means anglers can use 18- or 21-pound test braid and achieve a diameter similar to that of roughly 4- to 6-pound test monofilament. This allows for greater casting distance and better contact with your lures, making it easier to detect bites.
If you are looking for the next big thing in bass fishing, checking out what is happening in Japan is always a good place to start. Many of the latest innovations are spins on classic lures that will show your local bass something different and hopefully get you a few more bites.
