Have you ever been on your favorite stretch of water, your rod rigged with the Trusty Rusty, the spinner that has never let you down, and seen someone else arrive with a strange lure, the likes of which you have never come across, and which you would never have believed could work? Yet by the end of the session, they have outfished you to the point that you want to try the strange contraption on the end of their line for yourself. You're not alone.
With the wide variety of prey that form part of a fish's diet, it’s no surprise that a wide variety of lures and techniques work for catching them. Let's take a look at some fishing lures that you may want to consider adding to your arsenal.
Shop Fishing Lures from Japan
5 Unique Japanese Fishing Lures That Deliver Results
Tiemco Ocean Dominator Slow 130g
Slow-pitch jigs are worked close to the bottom, generally with a sharp lift up, followed by a drop of the rod tip and a pause while the jig sinks back down.
Many of these jigs are designed to wobble or “flutter” their way down. This movement is thought to imitate wounded or dying baitfish, and man is it effective! A large variety of predatory and omnivorous fish are taken on these jigs. Everything from the elusive snapper to the ferocious grouper can be targeted successfully. All lake and deep sea anglers should have some of these in their tackle box!
Price: ¥1,000-2,500
Weight: 130g.
Application: Jigging. Predatory reef and game fish.
Shop Tiemco Ocean Dominator Slow 130g
GL Kobo Metal Jig 270g
Vertical jigs are longer than flutter jigs and are worked by pumping and winding them rapidly to the surface, or through the desired depth of the water column. These Japanese fishing lures came to light when angler Norihiro Sato was searching for a way to catch fish that were refusing other baits.
They are used for targeting free swimming pelagic fish, such as tuna, and kingfish, and have become quite commonly used in many countries. They do require some muscle and stamina to use effectively, so make sure you are on the right spot before you commit to dropping one
Price: ¥500-2,000
Weight: 270g.
Application: Jigging. Game fish.
Shop Metal Jig Lures
Bird Teaser Lures
Teaser birds present a concept that is not often seen in other types of fishing. The lure itself is only there to convince would-be predators that they need to hurry, as there is competition for the prey. The teaser bird itself has no hooks and is only there to compliment the skirts or baits in the spread.
Price: ¥500-1,000
Weight: 39g
Application: Trolling. Game fish.
Shop Topwater Bird Teasers
Attic Parasol Umbrella Rig
The Umbrella rig is designed to mimic a small shoal of baitfish. This rig is not for the minimalist! Some local waters may have a rule regarding the number of hooks that can be fished at once, which may render these unsuitable, but they sure are an interesting option to have in the tackle box for those days when the bass are keyed in on tiny baitfish, and refusing everything else that you throw at them.
Price: ¥500-1,500
Weight: 17g.
Application: Spinning. Largemouth bass, Striped Bass.
Shop Attic Parasol Umbrella Rig
Jointed Mouse
At first glance, this lure may seem like it was invented as a joke! Is that actually the case, though? Many fish have been known to eat small rodents as they cross streams, rivers, canals, or ponds.
As our goal is to imitate something that the fish are feeding on, maybe, this lure is not so crazy after all.
Price: ¥1,500-3,000
Weight: 15g.
Application: Spinning. Largemouth bass. Pike. Wels Catfish.
Shop Jointed Mouse Lures
5 Rare Japanese Fishing Lures You’ll Want in Your Tackle Box
Megabass Live-X
There is one thing that no lure, rod, or fancy piece of equipment can substitute for. Confidence!
The story of Yuki Ito embodies confidence. It's built into his Megabass products, as Yuki proved by traveling to the US and challenging shop owners to fishing duels. The rules were simple, if he won, they had to stock his lures. If he lost, he would buy from them!
Shown above is one of the original injection-molded Megabass Live X lures. The condition of this lure, some 20 years old, is a testament to the quality of Japanese fishing lures.
Price: ¥1,500-2,000
Weight: 12g.
Application: Spinning. Bass.
Shop Megabass Live X
Daiwa Top Cavy
Found here
Wow! The Daiwa Top Cavy could easily pass as rare and interesting! The hole in the head was designed to spray water up, creating a lot of surface disturbance. Very impressive ingenuity.
Price: ¥1,500-3,500
Weight: 12g.
Application: Topwater. Bass.
Shop Daiwa Top Cavy
Daiwa Connery 
Found here
Another Daiwa lure worth mentioning is the Connery. The design may make it look like a popper of sorts, but these were produced with lips as well! The strange shape may imitate deep-bodied fish such as perch and small carp, or maybe it was just made for simplicity? We may never know.
Price: ¥500-15,000
Weight: 9g.
Application: Spinning. Freshwater game fish.
Shop Daiwa Connery Lures
Nories Hira Top 140f
Found here
You may not have come across this rare Japanese lure before, but the Nories Hira Top is well worth a look. The scale pattern, shimmer, and colors give it unparalleled realism! And with a soft wiggle tail, the action of the lure does not disappoint!
Price: ¥5,000-15,000
Weight: 34g.
Application: Spinning. Freshwater game fish.
Shop Nories Hira Top 140f
OSP Dice Rubber
Found here.
The rubber dice may appear to be some kind of toy or decoration, but it is in fact a very effective fishing lure! This model by OSP may make a convincing shrimp from the perspective of a chasing fish. With each twitch, all of the legs will pulse, a very life-like movement for a variety of bait types. If you ever have the chance to fish one of these, give it a go, in fresh or saltwater.
Price: ¥1,000-15,000
Weight: 1.7g.
Application: Spinning. Small to medium-sized fresh and saltwater species (Numerous).
Shop OSP Dice Rubber
Final Thoughts
Have you come across any of these lures/techniques? If not, give them a try. Fishing is a school we never graduate from! So whether it is bringing back an old lure you heard works well, or learning a new technique, there is always something you have yet to master. Tight lines!
Here is a Japanese video showing the top votes for rarest fishing lures.
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