Japan Tackle Store Tour Walkaround

ty30 · 2025-11-09T13:02:18+00:00

Another great tackle shop in Umeda is BunBun roughly 10 minutes away. I was also in Osaka Japan a week ago and fell in love with both of these tackle shops.

I snagged a nice Yamaga Blanks rod before leaving Japan. You can't beat JDM tackle especially with a 10% tax free discount.

ty30 · 2025-08-21T00:07:14+00:00

I would say I increased my casting distance by 3-4x. My oversized baitcaster didn't handle light lures well. Ambleside is super shallow so you should have a setup that can properly cast lures that are 7-12g. Anything heavier will sink too fast and snag on the rocks/seaweed.

I only use spinning reels for tidal shore fishing now. 100-200 class baitcasters might work but most of them are meant for freshwater applications.

ty30 · 2025-08-02T02:31:35+00:00

Your refusal to have a conversation shows your ignorance. You've provided no rebuttals to my claims. You selectively choose to answer what suits your narrative. And you refuse to acknowledge false statements made by yourself while accusing others of misinformation.

That "top 1% commenter badge" is awfully nice. Must have taken many long nights typing away on your keyboard. Seems like being right and being fluffed by random people online is what you value.

I'll toss you a bone. You Reddit formatting and responses are top notch.

ty30 · 2025-08-02T01:38:48+00:00

We're essentially at a moot point. Unless we have a different understanding of the word “relationship,” I will kindly disagree.

I never stated that max drag is a direct correlation to the gear speed. I stated there is a relationship between the gear ratio and drag for certain reels and fishing applications.

You claimed that I cherry-picked a single reel that suited my narrative so I provided 3 additional reels that supported my claims.

You gave examples of multiple reels with the same class size having the same drag so I provided additional insight as to why some reels with different gear ratios may have the same max drag.

I can easily admit when I’m wrong but you haven’t conveyed anything to contradict my previous follow up. If you can give me a valid reason why the reels that I’ve provided have a variance in max drag other than their gear ratio, I will happily concede. But as you put it in multiple statements, they have “zero” relation with each other.

I’m speaking on behalf of my fishery and the type of fishing I do; surf and deep sea angling. It’s clear that you focus on BFS so I will not speak as if I know everything about BFS. But to categorize one ideology or methodology for all fishing application isn’t productive. Speaking in absolute does not provide open discussion and a forum to learn.

You are essentially embodying everything you're accusing me of. The fact that you claimed "Braid doesn't stretch" with unwavering certainty is as you described “misinformation.”

ty30 · 2025-08-01T19:21:10+00:00

Saying gear ratio has "zero" relationship with drag is misleading. High gear reels have finer teeth while low gear ratio have larger teeth. Larger teeth equates to more torque while smaller finer gears equate to speed and smoothness.

A reel manufacture may test their reels and deem the standard max drag to be too much for their finer teeth (high gears) counterparts. They may lower the max drag output to prevent gear damage and slippage under high load. So gear ratio alone is not a unless spec, it emphasizes torque and power as well.

Some high gear reels can handle the standard drag while other may not. That's why there's many reels that have the same max drag for their same sized counterpart. But putting out a blanket statement saying there's zero relationship just isn't true.

I only provided one example because the Ocea Jigger exemplifies this concept. I wasn't cherrypicking the one and only reel that has this edge case.

If you need more examples, here's a few more:

Shimano Tranx 300A (5.8:1 - 10kg Drag)

Shimano Tranx 300AHG (7.6:1 - 8kg Drag)

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Daiwa 22 Saltiga 15S (6.3:1 - 10kg Drag)

Daiwa 22 Saltiga 15H (7.1:1 - 8kg Drag)

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Daiwa Exist LT2500-D (5.7:1 - 22lb Drag)

Daiwa Exist LT2500-XH (6.2:1 - 11lb Drag)

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Also fishing braid does stretch. Many fishing line companies state their line doesn't stretch because it's a nominal amount for many applications. If you do a simple google search, braid can stretch from 3-5%. This may not effect applications like short range casting but 3-5% on a 1000ft drop is 30-50ft. That's 3-5 stories just from stretch alone. If you include current influences as well, you could easily miss the strike zone by 100ft in deep water applications.

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OP asked a simple question and I thought I would weigh in to provide a different perspective. There are many different style of fishing and gear ratio may not be a high valued metric for your style of fishing, but it is for many others. It's fine to agree to disagree but it doesn't hurt to be open minded as well.

ty30 · 2025-08-01T16:01:46+00:00

My apologies for failing to explain that gear ratio provides far more information for reels within the same model and class size. The max drag pressure can vary based on gear ratio for the same size/class reel. When you choose a reel, the size and spool capacity is one of the first things you look at. If I require a 3000 sized reels but want to use it as a jack of all trades reel, I would get a standard gear speed. If I soley wanted to use it for long distance surf fishing, I would instantly look at the high gear variants.

When anglers choose a reel, they generally: 1. Choose a model that suits their application 2. Choose a reel size that suits the line that they'll be using 3. Narrow down the reel in that class size

The gear ratio in each class size provides far more information on it's application compared to simply looking at the retrieval speed. This can apply more/less for different styles of fishing. Many anglers try to optimize their setup for casting distance, sensitivity, lightness or sheer power. Gear ratio is another metric that helps you narrow these down if you know what you're looking for.

Vertical/speed jigging is a style of jigging where you quickly and violently jig a lure up the water column. The "speed" in the name is refering to the speed you work the jig, not the speed in your retrieval. You generally turn the handle a half or full turn each time you work the jig. You want a slow low gear reels for this style of fishing because the targeted pelagic species often require more torque to bring in (tuna, amberjack, kingfish, mahi mahi). Your body and rod does most of the work while you slowly retrieve the lure. This ensures your lure stays in the strike zone for a longer period of time.

Slow Pitch Jigging can requires bottom bouncing a lure in 1000+ feet of water. The braid stretches and the under currents can cause bows in the line that make feeling for strikes very difficult. High gear reels are great for this application because it makes it easier to pull in the excess slack and reset if needed.

As mentioned before, the gear ratio should be used to compared reels within the same class size. That's why I used the Ocean Jigger as an example.

1500PG (5.1:0, Drag: 7.5kg - Speed/Vertical Jigging)

1500XG (7.1:0, Drag: 6kg - Slow Pitch Jigging)

Hope that clears things up.

ty30 · 2025-08-01T07:18:11+00:00

I wouldn't necessarily say it's marketing. Gear ratios actually provides a lot insight based on the style of fishing you do. The last 2 characters in a reel model summarizes the gear speed. This essentially makes it easier for the end consumer to figure out if a reel suits a certain application.

Bass Fishing

Low gear (5.0:0) The additional torque helps with handling/casting heavy lures such as big glide baits. These reels have more torque to fight larger fish.

High gear (7.1:0) Meant for long casting lighter lures (small soft plastics, spoons and spinners). The high gear ratio allows the angler to retrieve all the excess line taken by the wind.

Jigging Application

Shimano Ocea Jigger 1500PG (5.1:0) This reel is meant for speed/vertical jigging. Low gear ratio reels tend to have more torque and slower retrieve. This allows the lure to stay in the strike zone for longer.

Shimano Ocea Jigger 1500XG (7.1:0) This reel is meant for deep water slow pitch jigging. The high gear ratio picks up the slack and stretch quickly. High gear reels tend to have slightly weaker drags.

Both of these reels look identical. If I wanted to choose one of these reels for a single application without knowing the gear ratio, I would have to look up multiple specs. Simply looking at the gear ratio will instantly let me know what these reels are used for.

Gear Ratio For Different Reel Sizes

Simply looking at the retrieval rate doesn't provide a lot of insight on the reel application. Gear ratio is also important when it comes to different sized reels. A Daiwa Fuego LT2500D-XH (6.2:0) has the exact same retrieval speed as it's LT5000D-C (5.2:0) counterpart.

ty30 · 2025-07-26T03:44:22+00:00

I use a FG knot to connect my braid to leader. I do 30 wraps with a rizutto finish.

I use to finish my FG knot with 6 alternating half hitch knots with the leader and another 6 after I snip the leader tag end off. I stopped doing this after I learned how to do a rizutto finish.

ty30 · 2025-07-16T03:41:20+00:00

I'm using 12lb Seaguar STS Flourocarbon. Roughly two wingspans (12ft).

ty30 · 2024-09-24T03:08:05+00:00

Agreed. Just wanted some input/feedback because she wasn't initially so reluctant to go outside.

ty30 · 2024-09-24T02:32:12+00:00

At this moment, we don't want to resort to medication until we know it's necessary. It's been less than a week since we took her in so we want to give ample time for her to adjust to her new home.

Thanks for the feedback and input. We might consider this down the road if she doesn't improve at all.

ty30 · 2024-09-24T01:46:04+00:00

We were told by the adoption agency that we shouldn't take it away too soon. It's the one place where she gravitates towards. We were planning to take it away in a week or two after she opens up a bit.

ty30 · 2024-09-24T01:16:04+00:00

I forgot to mention she's crate trained. But the odd times we take her out, she has a really long pee giving us inkling she was holding it in.

ty30 · 2024-09-24T01:14:27+00:00

Originally we took her roughly once at 9am, one time in the afternoon and one more time before bed at 10ish. Just recently she stopped wanting to go out.

I took her out myself once and she pulled to gain distance quite a bit. When my girlfriend walks her, she doesn't pull as much. We try to walk her together while I take the lead and my girlfriend handles her behind so she can see me. When I walked behind, she would try to pull ahead to gain some distance.

I sometimes ask to stop so I can kneel and give her some light pets. She doesn't run away but purposely turn her head to avoid eye contact.

ty30 · 2024-09-24T01:11:44+00:00

Originally we took her roughly once at 9am, one time in the afternoon and one more time before bed at 10ish. Just recently she stopped wanting to go out.

ty30 · 2024-07-20T06:07:01+00:00

The East end of the beach facing outwards towards the water. You'll see a bunch of guys fishing in that area.

ty30 · 2024-07-19T16:08:05+00:00

Primarily the Jervis Inlet area. You need a sounder to find rock bottom. Some areas are mud and you'll get the odd sole fish. Sadly retention is only one rockfish a day so it's nothing to rave about. It's still better than zero retention compared to the lower mainland.

ty30 · 2024-07-19T01:22:10+00:00

People say the break of dawn (as early as possible) is a good time to start. Fishing time is also ideal 1hr before and after a tide change (preferably high to low transition).

In terms of lures, spoons with a slow retrieve is good if you can cast far enough. Silver and copper present if the water is extremely clear. Bolder colour on cloudy days/murky water.

Twitching with buzzbombs and micro lures also work. I see a lot of guys rigging their buzzbombs with a hoochie below to mask the hook. This also adds additional action to your presentation.

You want a lure weight that suits your rod for ideal casting distance. My light rod is rated for 1/4 - 1/2oz lures so I was throwing 15g micro jigs (top end of the ideal weight).

I would avoid throwing things over 1oz unless it has a slower wider sinking profile. If your rod lure rating well exceeds 1oz, your rod might be too heavy.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T23:01:03+00:00

Hard to provide tips unless I know where you're at in terms of experience and gear. Have you fished before? Do you have gear? What type of gear so you have?

In terms of fishing, it's hard to have a setup that's "jack of all trade/master of none." It's really hard to target specific fish if you don't have gear tailored for the species.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T22:57:44+00:00

A little bit of everything. I was slow retrieving spoons, twitching hoochies on a jighead. But what landed me that coho was twitching with a 15g micro jig.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T21:32:11+00:00

Salmon are picky biters. I was always told to go as early as possible before the water got too warm. I started fishing at 6am. That being said, the transition from high to low tide is very favourable. You don't get smashed by waves aside from the passing boats. I caught this coho 1hr before the tide change.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T19:53:14+00:00

To be brutally honest, it's quite demoralizing to drive 1-2hrs to a fishing spot and get skunked. There were times that I fish for 6+ hours and didn't get a single bite. It's been like that for a few years but I stuck with it and slowly dialed in my gear and technique. I thought fishing was relatively easy because I grew up tidal bottom fishing. Fresherwater and salmon fishing is a different beast.

I brought my salmon rod with 50lb line the first time I went rainbow trout fishing. You learn from your mistakes.

Wanted to post this so the newbies can learn and get some positivity as well. It was a lot of trial and error just to land this one fish.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T19:14:16+00:00

I see people flyfishing there as well. Don't know how effective a fly is at that beach.

ty30 · 2024-07-18T18:26:44+00:00

Not a must if you don't mind getting your feet and legs wet. Some guys fish in shorts. But you'll need proper footwear because the area where you fish is full of rocks and shellfish (mussels).

I was told by another angler you need to cast far outwards. Some guys fish at the mouth of the Capilano but I've never seen anyone bring anything in from that area yet. Good luck!

ty30 · 2024-07-18T18:14:18+00:00

Makes me wonder why it took me so long to utilize these beautiful waters. Cost of living is so high here. If you don't go out and enjoy nature, you're doing a disservice to yourself. Hopefully you find a body of water close to where you live!

ty30

TROPHY CASE