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JDM vs Non-JDM Rd 2: Size Matters

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Top to bottom: Daiwa Shoreline Shiner Vertice 120F SSR, Shimano Shallow Assassin Flash Boost, Shimano Waxwing Baby, gold Kastmaster 3/8 oz (Matt’s didn’t have the teaser and single hook)

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.

Whipping Lure Recommendations by Junior Angler

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Matthew: Over the past few years, I have been experimenting with lures, from bottom dragging lures to subsurface, to topwater. I found that topwater is generally better from around 6 am to 9 am and 4pm to 7pm. Subsurface lures still work well during those hours, but I feel that due to the low light the fish can see a topwater lure better because there’s less glare in their eyes. During those midday hours is when those subsurface lures work the best. Here is a list of some of the lures I like, although some I can only provide limited information about. I only use lures I have good faith in.

Editor: 3/8 oz gold Kastmaster was the Moana killer from the surfboard

Kastmasters: Kastmasters are good because like the name suggests, they cast very far. They also catch fish. I use Kastmasters in just about any type of water, whereas other lures are limited to certain conditions, tides, and water clarity. I cast them out as far as I can and burn it in pretty fast. You can also jig it like a jig or run it on the surface like a topwater lure, but I find it best to burn it fast. ¼ or ⅜ size is my favorite, anything over ½ is too big for my style.

Editor: This Sammy came from Japan in coloration not seen in the US market.

Lucky Craft Sammy: I like the Sammy as one of my favorite topwater lures because of the great walking action it has. However, it is a little too chubby to be the best lure, and due to the chubbiness, the Kaku often hit it and miss the hooks. However, it has some of the best walking action out there. Great lure to learn how to “walk the dog”.

Editor: Stainless steel Japanese trolling hook installed.

Shimano Waxwing Baby: The Waxwing is good because of its small profile (2.68 inch) and the great motion. The lure has “wings” that make it move from side to side, but I don’t rip it because in my opinion if it swings too aggressively it scares away the fish. The double hooks it’s supposed to be used with make it pretty snag proof, but 75% of the time the fish will miss it. I’ve been experimenting with treble hooks on the Waxwing and the hookup ratio has increased, but the snag ratio has also increased. Uncle Scott recommends using the stronger, shorter, stainless steel double hook used for small aku squid skirts that the tackle shops sell. They are expensive but the hookup ratio greatly improves.

Duel Hardcore Heavy Shot: I like the Heavy Shot because it punches through the wind even better than a kastmaster and has a good sinking and swimming action. It is classified as a Heavy Swimmer. Only bad part about this lure is that it sinks pretty fast, so I don’t use it on the flats too often.

Ima Komomo Counter: I really like the Komomo because like a lot of other lipless minnows, it has a wide, more natural side to side action than traditional lipped minnows, and is also heavy yet floats, so it punches through the wind very well. All the color patterns on Ima are pretty fit for Hawaii if you don’t chose the Akakin (reddish orange) color.

Shimano Coltsniper 80F Twitch: The Coltsniper is a solid lure, like the Kastmaster, functioning in all types of water. The pink-silver color draws in the fish and on a choppy day, helps them zone in on the bobbing lure. I fish it by dipping its head, which drives the Kaku insane.

Daiwa Shoreline Shiner Vertice Z: The Vertice is a floating that dives to about a foot, with a very lifelike side to side wiggle that gets Papio to commit unlike other lures. When fished fast however, Kaku sometimes aim ahead and cut the line. Best to use a slow to medium speed retrieve for maximum wobble. It casts very well into the wind due to its weight transfer system and streamlined body, and comes in a variety of realistic colors. The slim profile matches mullet, oama, and all of the baitfish in our waters.

Shimano Flash Boost: This new product by Shimano has an interesting new feature – a vibrating metallic foil plate in the middle. When it shakes, it creates a huge flash that is supposed to increase the catch rate. It also has more realistic scales. It is 99mm and floats. True to its name, Shallow Assassin, it dives shallow and has a wobbling action similar to the Vertice Z. It does not come with a split ring, so I’ve found for certain lures I have to add the split ring to make the action right.

Note that my experience is limited to shoreline fishing no deeper than 15 feet deep, and only a few spots. All of these lures will work but each shines in its own conditions. I throw them on a Medium-Light spinning rod and a Medium baitcasting rod. I throw the heavier lures on the baitcaster for more distance and less tangles.