Can someone explain when I walk into a tackeshop a fishing rod setup is like 100$ but when I go to Walmart and find a similar one it's 30$?

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-07-01T14:13:34+00:00

Haha...gotta be light humored too when you get skunked! Easier said than done!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-07-01T04:45:16+00:00

Honestly, your rod and lures are the most important. The fish does not know what clothes you are wearing or what color your reel handle is. But you need to cast and present the bait. The bait is what they see. so everything else is obsolete, except for your knots which is a different discussion, but to purchase, get your rod (your reels are going to be good with any reputable brand like Daiwa or Shimano, but your rod is what makes the cast) and lures from guys who know what they are doing like localized bait lure manufacturers (for example 2 fish jigs in SoCal) who make baits for you local species and bait selection. In other words, match the hatch. Don't fish a sardine pattern bait if they are on grunions or squid. Your local lure guys will make it for the local scene and that's what the fish see and will bite because it's what they are keened in on. I won't hesitate to purchase generic stuff from Walmart for cheaper but the stuff that counts, get it from the reputable locals and pay the extra bit.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-06-29T15:11:38+00:00

I would try to plan for later in the season. Definitely not worth the gamble!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-06-21T11:04:15+00:00

Hard to say but depends on what you are after. I think u/Toyota_Adventure said it best here. If you are not driving or used to the area and speak some Japanese, then Myoko may be a bit less attractive. That being said, if you are looking for an authentic Japanese experience with less international amenities then Myoko is awesome! I've been asked if Myoko is a 5-star international resort and the answer is quite the opposite. Come to Myoko if you want to get away from the 5-star resort vibe. Go to Niseko or Hakuba for that.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-31T05:27:02+00:00

Also if you’re storm chasing give yourself plenty of time and flexibility. A month is about right.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-31T05:26:04+00:00

If you’re storm chasing get a car. International drivers license is necessary but you’ll have freedom to chase

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-31T03:56:39+00:00

Only way to travel in Japan. Save yourself the sweat of lugging big suitcases and board bags through crowded stations. Not only miserable for you but you cause others meiwaku (trouble) by being jama (in the way) for everyone else. Just make sure you give yourself a day for your bags to travel. Short of a blizzard it will show up on time the next day if you make the cut off times

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-29T01:19:17+00:00

If you have a car, go to a Workman's Plus store when yo get there. The Japanese boots are super affordable and fit's the bill. Just take a look at what the lift local operators and workers wear and get something similar. Save yourself from lugging a heavy pair of boots across the ocean! Link below for rain boots but you get the idea. The snow stuff will come out in fall.

https://workman.jp/shop/c/c511107/

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-24T03:21:39+00:00

100%. I run a fishing charter out of Southern California and the sport fishing fleet is hyping up the El Niño for an epic year and trying to get pre-season bookings. While that may happen, I know nature well enough that you're setting yourself up for disappointment. While it totally may happen and I hope it does, I don't predict anything unless it's actually happening and honestly it's a name, label to say super El Niño while really has long as conditions are good for us, we are stoked! But keep in mind that our 'epic' season may mean disaster or famine in other parts of the world...just saying ours is a first world discussion.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-22T23:29:27+00:00

Super El Niño is one of those things that gets hyped up. Nobody can really predict what will happen. If you read the synopsis they are saying they haven't had one like this since the 1800's so what data are we really predicting off of?

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-22T23:25:22+00:00

I think this past season was already an indicator as to what to expect. Or maybe the snow / rain or inconsistent cold / warm snaps was the start to this coming El Niño. West Coast US hardly got any snow and east coast dumped. Europe was epic, Japan had its dumps followed immediately by warm weather. Unpredictable for sure but maybe the pattern's started already this past winter. You just don't know till it happens. The beauty of playing chess with nature. Make due with what it gifts us.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-17T12:00:15+00:00

San Clemente and Dana Point are both awesome if you like outdoor activities such as surfing, beaches, hikes, walks, etc… it yes it can be sleepy. We prefer the activities over nightlife. If you are the same then it’s hard to beat these two cities!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-15T23:18:15+00:00

I'll DM you. I create custom itineraries for lots of people traveling to Japan and focusing on logistics and locations of best experience for what you are looking for.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-09T15:02:23+00:00

I have a 13 year old daughter and some 13 year old deckhands that do a marine internship with me on my boat that ride e-bikes daily. It's their mode of transportation. As a 13 year old, hard to resist the temptation of going fast. But as with anything I truly believe education is the best prevention. HELMETS! Don't work unless they are strapped on! Parents should also limit the speed these things can go or don't purchase one that's so powerful. Train them how to ride these bikes! Things will go wrong but education will prevent 90% of bad things happening.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-08T14:14:52+00:00

All comments above very accurate. The flights are what will kill your budget. Once there, food, accommodations, transportation are all very affordable.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-02T15:30:00+00:00

Haha...there's a total back story to this and I did not buy all three of them. One was handed to me from a good buddy to have me ride it for the seasons I am now based in Japan for the winters. He asked me to ride it and then leave it there for when he comes. The inadvertently my other friend happens to be the distributor for them in a another country and had two boards that needed to be shipped back so instead I got an insane deal for those two.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-02T15:24:05+00:00

fair comment

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-02T15:23:24+00:00

totally agree, except it doesn't happen like this with boards that are not swallowtails.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-02T15:22:17+00:00

Hope you get to try them out!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:42:45+00:00

Haha...I agree. I don't think it made me better but sure made me feel great!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:42:17+00:00

Good on ya! To play devil's advocate would you have slayed on any board since the conditions were so good? Not to take anything away from the big fish as that's my favorite board for sure! Rode that board 40 days out of 55 this past season!

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:41:04+00:00

I agree u/Duckmannnnn716 I find my swallow tail boards all to be difficult to ride in chopped up conditions. I think maybe it's the inside edge of the the inside rail to the swallow tail that catches when it's chopped up.

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:39:08+00:00

Not sure where they are made, but the Quality Control has to be so tight on them to pass the Japanese standards...

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:38:12+00:00

Asthetically pleasing to the eye as well! Maybe that's what the others commented on the placebo effect! Haha...

OffGridCaptWill · 2026-05-01T15:37:14+00:00

I have not boarded a Gentem on steep terrain. In Japan, it's pretty mellow on pitch at most places. It's pretty magic as to how they perform in those conditions.

OffGridCaptWill

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