JDM vs Non-JDM Rd 2: Size Matters

For this version of JDM vs Non-JDM testing, Holoholo writer Matthew and I decided to test our various JDM and Non-JDM lures against each other and not so much limit ourselves to using or not using JDM lures. We also wanted to fish with the lures available in the Store to make sure we’re selling something that catches fish. Matt would be using a 3/8 oz gold Kastmaster, JDM Lucky Craft Sammy 100, Daiwa Shoreline Vertice 97F (not sold in Store), Shimano Shallow Assassin Flash Boost and his secret top water lure. I would be using a Daiwa Shoreline Vertice 120F SSR with stronger VMC 4X treble hooks, Shimano Waxwing Baby with stronger, shorter double hook (not sold in Store), and Shimano Shallow Assassin Flash Boost. Matt carried 2 spinning rods and a bait casting rod with him, pre-rigged, so he could easily use a different lure as conditions dictated. I used a 13 Fishing bait casting travel rod with Tactical Angler Power Clip to easily change lures.

The spot we fished was a shallow, murky flat with a few pockets of small bait fish. Matt started with his gold Kastmaster and I started with the Vertice 120F. We fished murky water without any bites until we saw small iao being whacked by a few predators. Matt casted into the fray an immediately hooked up with a chunky white papio. I casted my 4.75″ Vertice 120F all over the bait school with not a single hit. After releasing his papio, Matt registered more hits on his kastmaster that didn’t stick. He figured they were smaller whites that were bumping the spoon but not getting stuck on the rear treble.

Feeling left out of the action I put on the smallest lure I was carrying, the Waxwing Baby, which is 2.7 inches long and about half an ounce. A little ways down from the bait school I finally hooked something, a small kaku. Whew, I was getting tired of being schooled by Matt! As we made our way down the beach, Matt went through his arsenal of lures and the kaku boiled on his top water lures but didn’t stick.

Nothing else hit my Waxwing Baby so I put on a brand new Flash Boost and fished it for the first time. For a lure just shy of 4 inches and weighing less than half an ounce, it casted really well due to Shimano’s spring loaded weight transfer system. It swam in a fairly aggressive wobble/zig zag, and dove about 10 inches at the speed I was retrieving. I really liked how it matched the small bait and was expecting it to be slammed but had to wait for the witching hour to start. About 45 mins before sun down, we returned to where Matt caught his white papio and my Shallow Assassin got hit just 15 ft in front of me. Another small kaku. That was only my second hit of the day; Matt probably had at least 5 hits by this point. But being the witching hour, it really turned on and I had 3 more kaku hits that I missed on the Flash Boost, and it was time to go.

Not a lot of fish, and those caught were babies, but what we learned was that our lures had to match the small iao in order to see any action.

I really like the construction of the Shimano Shallow Assassin. It looks and feels well made like the Shimano Waxwing, and has a pronounced wobble/zig zag that gets looks. We’re down to 1 Shallow Assassin left in the Store because I took one to do this test, but our supplier said he will restock us very soon. He’s buying them retail from Japan so there’s not much margin to mark up, but we really just wanted to expose you guys to some great JDM equipment. There isn’t a domestic lure under 4 inches that casts far, doesn’t dive more than a foot, and attracts fish. The Shallow Assassin is legit.

And the Non-JDMs won this round because the Kastmaster and Shimano Waxwing can be bought in stores here.