Osaka Tackle Show 2013 - Day 2

Looking at the title you may thing that the days in Japan last a little longer than any where else in the world, sadly one of the things not on my list of things to do was get sick and that was exactly what happened, for the last few days I have been couped up in a hotel room in Tanabe City only getting out for a few hours each day for medicines and so forth.

Getting back to the good stuff though, I am going to have a hard time explaining what the public day is like, there is no other experience I have witnessed in my life to give it the comparison needed to give it the credit it deserves. To start things off you would have to take the boxing day sales and multiply that by 100 that's what the crowd was like, the line went west about 500 meters and 10 people deep and east the same but only 4 people deep, being part of a company with a display we had access to the show early so I went in and set up for a few photo's. When the gate opened people literally ran in to be the first to see the new product releases as if they were going to be the last one to ever see something. Incredible. In the first 5 minutes more people came through the door of the first hall (by the way this was only one of two halls LOL) than would go through the entire AFTA Show on the Gold Coast over 3 days. The masses of people and the energy that it created was insane. Many of the displaying companies link this energy directly with some sales.

I thought being the strange guy from oversea's I could keep myself out of the lime light and just watch what happens at the show, this was not to be, while I was down on one knee trying to take photo's of the masses coming in I was already being asked to get my photo taken with a customer of Gan Craft. Although this humbling experience was not normal to me by the end of the day after more than 50 of these requests and autographs just while walking around the show it became the normal thing. I though maybe that most of these people were just getting a photo because I was twice their size and wearing the only XXXXL Gan Craft T-shirts in the world but no they actually knew who I was and asked to sign pictures of me in Magazines of on other Gan Craft material. Oh dear what have they created???????? LOL

For those of you who are not aware, in Japan there is a 24 hour fishing channel called Fishing Vision, they had a stand at the show where they recorded heaps of material for the channel, one of the best shows for me on this channel is Egi Para, a show dedicated to squid fishing. Soon after arriving at the show for day 2 I was ushered to a small room at the rear of the stand where I was able to meet in person Yuko Oneisan the host of the show and really nice chick. It was then I found out I would be up on stage and reciting lines given to me in Japanese not more than 5 minutes before getting up...... er... um.... now I am no fading flower nor am I known for my shy tendencies but the pressure was on, learn some new Japanese and then yell it out on stage in an accusation form as part of the show, this was going to end in disaster, as I got up on stag I was comforted in the fact that Mr. Kake was standing behind me translating most of what was happening, when a slap on the back came and a whisper "OK GO", now I am not sure if it was just me but I came out, I do not know how well but it came out LOL, most honored to be sharing the stage with some of Japans best known squidding folks and terrified that I will bring their show down with my poor Japanese. It seemed to work as there was lots of laughter and applause after and it was set up as a comedy type of routine. It was a lot of fun.

  I was on my way back towards the Gan Craft stand again stopping for more photo's along the way when on arrival I find Gekizo filming with fishing vision on the stand and some how before I knew it I was somehow worked into this footage also. Geki is a very famous Bass fishermen in Japan, and many people know me from featuring in some of his video clips so if anything would boost my profile in Japan time on screen with Geki does just that. He is a ball of energy and from the time he starts up in the morning till the time he rests he does not stop and I do not think any where I have been in Japan I have ever heard a bad word said about him , he is a very genuinely nice guy, when he was signing autographs at the stand for a short time it was amazing how quick the line grew and he stopped to talk to every person, sign what ever needed to be signed  got photo's with people and did what needed to be done to make others happy. I also met with Gekizo's brother Yu, now if Geki and Yu stand side by side I can not see the resemblance, the personality is the same but body not the same, if Yu and me stand side by side we share a common stomach so we are more physical brothers than Gekizo is.

I did manage to get around the show in short bursts with out too much stopping it was a very big and tiring day, so as the show finished we made a quick stop to the hotel and got ready for dinner with every one. Again the hospitality shown to me and also Steve was incredible, after a big feed some of us headed for the Sky bar at the Hyatt known for its views I did try and take some photo's but so much light on the levels made it hard to get a clear photo. While I was sipping away at a few Yamazki's I noticed a familiar face walk past, strangly enough with this being the Osaka Tackle show it could have been who I thought it was, I got my camera ready for when he came back past and sure enough I was right it was the great Skeet Reese from the US, a very famous Bass angler in his own right and ultimately one of the worlds best. Not only a cracking angler after a conversation it was easy to work out he was a great guy too.

This was a big day so enough of the typing I could go all day I will just post pictures as they tell the better story a lot clearer.

More photo's and signing autographs

This is my friend Akio

LOL billboard

filming with Geki

Dinner

Mr Iwamoto and his Banana's

view from Sky Bar

Dinner

Gosen Stand

Mr Hiraiwa and Gekizo talking at Segaur stand

Que for Gekizo autograph goes a long way around the corner.

Kids painting their own lures

Mt Hiraiwa on Fishing Vision stage

Girl from Gosen

Casting in the pool with Jackall

Sharcrazy and Kuma

Famous Rui Ueda from Damiki Japan

Gamakatsu more interested in fashion in Japan

trying to remember my lines so I write them on my hand

green room

Crowds running in after doors open

que 1

que 2

que 3

breakfast after too many beers the night before LOL

Osaka Tackle show 2013 - Day 1

I woke fairly early this morning excited about going to play with all the shiny toys at the Osaka Fishing show, and catching up with my mates who would also be at the show today, we are staying at the Hyatt Rgency at Intex, a cracking hotel with a cracking buffet breky, amazing mix of eggs, bacon and custard filled doughnuts  for me with plenty of coffee to wash it down, I met a wholesaler from France who operates out of Hong Kong named Eric and Steve from Gladiator for the morning feed, was interesting talking to Eric about how the world fishing market varies so much.

Staying at the Hyatt I was sadly informed that I would have to walk to the exhibition  I thought hang on a sec, I dont do walking and was prepared to get a cab to the show, I was directed out a back door and sure enough no more than 200 paces in front of me was the Intex Building where the show was being held so a quick morning stroll and we were on our way, this place is huge, it makes jeffs shed look tiny in comparison.

We got inside to find a very formal ceremonial opening of the show with speeches and ribbon cutting a very different experience to the other shows I had been to. After much applause and what sounded like the bells ringing in wall street the doors were open. For those who have been to the AFTA show in Australia to try and explain how many people were there for business only talks on the first day, there was more people in the foyer in 1/2 an hour than there were people for the whole show over 3 days at AFTA it is a huge event.

As I walked in one of the first stands I came across was the Gan Craft and Gosen Stands, I walked over to the Gan Craft stand to meet with some of my friends to find the surprise of a bill board with my mug on it, after the shock and horror wore off I went to have a look at it, holy crap I cant believe I have my own billboard. After expressing my humbling thoughts to Mr Kake from Gan Craft he then tells me that the bill board is nothing much and I should see the full page ad in Lure Magazine. Oh dear who would have thought I could have ever put the word international model next to my name....piss funny but very humbling.

I am not going to talk too much about the show from today as the first day is a day for business talks only and it would not do it any justice, tomorrow and Sunday are the public days of madness so I will keep most of the show stuff for then, all I will say is WOW.

So I had been walking around looking at big boys toys from 0900 till 1700 I was starving, I was asked to join the Gan Craft friends and family dinner at a local Izakaya Resturaunt. Thank god I had some where to put my legs under the table as a table on the floor is not built for a man of my carriage.

Massive thanks to Mr Yuki Kitagawa for sorting out most of the language barrier, to every one at the show that made me feel welcome and my Gan Craft family for their amazing hospitality

Hotel view

Hotel View

Intex from the lobby

Hyatt Wedding chapel from rear exit.

opening

sneak peak of show

love these hats, they have their own hair

Pirates take over the Damiki stand

Geki goes curly lol

some TV stuff

Dress reel parts dress up

good to catch Esuke in Osaka

Gan Craft Staff

Gosen Girl looks happy.

My mug in a magazine in Japan

all beered up with more of the Gans Family

Osaka Tackle Show 2013

Well its no secret as I have been harping on about it for ages that I was coming to the Osaka Tackle Show 2013. I have arrived in Osaka today and look forward to the show starting tomorrow.

Osaka Bay views

My day started in Melbourne at about 0300 where I got into a cab to the airport, when I left the temp was about 10 degrees, I flew out of Melbourne to Cairns where it was about 35 degrees with a humidity of about 20 million % (well maybe not but it was horrid) I met up with Steve from Gladiator and then got on another plane to Japan where it is about 6 degrees at the moment. To say my body is in a bit of shock is an understatement.

Nice rooms

I was great to meet Mr Kitagawa at the airport who was not only kind enough to give us a lift to our hotel but was the one who organised our accommodation prior to us arriving and a Tonkatsu feast upon our arrival.

We checked in to the Hyatt Regancy in Osaka where the staff are amazing as are the rooms before sneaking down to the secret bar for a couple of night caps before getting some sleep for the big day ahead. Also vey happy staying on the 23rd floor that I do not have to go out for a smoke, smoking rooms are handy and something I miss when I am in Australia.

I will keep the blog updated throughout the trip, especially the part where i get to go and play with all the new toys at the tackle show.

Chillin with the locals in the bar

Mitsuya and Mild Sevens, does it get any better

Osaka Bay Views

Outside view

(**CLICK ON IMAGES FOR FULL RESOLUTION**)

Sitting at home on a Sunday night I had the urge to go and have a squid bash, like many last minute trips I had nothing organised so quickly put some gear together and made the decision to launch at Hastings in Victoria.

Like many things when I plan a last minute trip I find myself going alone so on most occasions I turn to facebook to see who is keen on a squid session. On this occasion Kane Knos O'Rourke answered the facebook post and plans were made to meet at Hasting boat ramp at about 0500 in the morning. Like all good plans they never quite wok out. I realized once I left my house that both the car and boat needed fuel after my last 2 trips. I managed to squeeze 102 litres of petrol into the boat which meant I was very lucky I remembered to fuel up as the boat only holds 120 litres (could have been a close one) this meant I was running a little late for my meet up with Kane. A quick message and I was on my way again.

Arriving at the ramp I loaded the boat up and a good thing that Kane knew how to reverse a trailer meaning our launch time was reduced and we were on our way to the squid by 0545. We made a passage to the southern end of the Port, it is no secret to any one that when I go squidding I am normally targeting big squid and the first stop was at one of my big squid locations. Although we managed a squid in the first few minutes the trend was not to follow. We made a few drifts and only managed a few squid over a half an hour or so, I wanted to make my way outside the port and fish in some sheltered water offshore but the wind was not being a willing participant, a stiff South East wind was the only thing holding us back. We persisted in my normal haunt for a further half an hour landing a couple more small squid but not the big girls I am after.

We finally got a break in the wind so I made the dash outside, still far from great conditions I made the trip around to a spot that I had fished a few weeks prior with Dale. To say we did it tough was an understatement, I lost a few jigs to the friendly Pike that reside in the bays and coves at the rear of Philip Island and we only managed a few more small squid. Kane landed a couple using a Shimano Sephia Keimura white 3.0 and I picked up a couple on Gan Craft UO-Jya 3.5 Mookie and Gan Craft EGI-JYA 3.5 in Pink Shrimp head. With things moving slower than I was hoping for I decided to go back into Western Port and fish some of my normal spots for numbers rather than size.

Slowly making our way back up the port we made a few drifts along the way but again only managing a few smaller squid on each drift, I think we ended up with 12 squid for the day. Happy not have a doughnut day I managed to clock up 128.4km on the Lowrance HDS and use 33 litres of fuel. Kane was great company and he is welcome to fish on my boat again at any time.

 Upon our return to the boat ramp another indication of the state of affairs with our launching facilities, it was a 40 minute wait at a 4 lane ramp with things all running smoothly, a further example of how our government is happy to take millions of dollars off recreational boaters and not give a cent back. Considering that in Victoria we have 170,000 registered trailable boats and only 1500 boat and trailer car parks at our ramps we should expect more for our money and take note any ministers who may see this, we will be voting next time round with our boats and fishing rods

Jiggy Jig

Just for something different I grabbed my mate Dale and went for a slight offshore jaunt on Friday gone, more exploration than anything else but I did not forget the egi gear either.

I have been waiting for a forecast like this for a little while now, light north winds, this keeps the swell down when spending some time outside Western Port or on the other side of Phillip Island. I have recently started mucking around with some slow and some light jigging gear and wanted to try for something a little different to the snapper we had been catching. I did not want huge deep water, just enough to get the jigs moving so we started in the 12 meter area and drifted out to about 30 meters. Dale has a lot more time on the water outside than me and he runs a successful guiding service doing just that, taking people outside to learn the way the water works and teaching them where to find various species of fish. If any one is keen they can contact him on 0421177731. Tell him I sent ya.

No secret I was actually looking for King Fish, we did find some fish but the low temps and green yuk water conditions kept the fish off the bite, I tried a range of jigs from vertical knife style jigs through to Kubara and Inchiku Jigs but nothing could get them on the chew. We did however encounter the usual suspects with Flathead, Blue Throat, Barracouta and Pike along with a few other big toothed oogly googs that bit some of my assist hooks off, persistence in this case did not pay off but rest assured that we will be back soon to have another crack at them.

I would not have gone any where with out a handful of Gan Craft Violence Jerks and an arsenal of Egi, once outside it was amazing to see how much squid filled water we have access to outside the bays. Best of all the drifts are longer and better timed with a nicer speed, clean water all over the place and a plethora of bait fish all over to feed them, I have no doubt that there is a fair bit of spawn happening outside that does not even get noticed. I found some good mops of spawn in one area that was about 8 meters deep, next time I reckon I will get out the snorkel and mask and have a deeper look at things out there. In the end we managed a nice bag of squid and a few bait fish that Dale wanted for an upcoming Mako Shark trip he had planned.

The water was the calmest I had ever seen before, Dale also commented about the same, we have both experienced it glassing off of a night but this was the flattest I had ever seen it during day light hours, you dont need a massive cruiser or game fishing weapon to get out there, when the conditions are right I reckon a Kayak would be in its element. My boat is only a 5.4m Center Console and it loved the conditions, that said I have also been out there is stupid condition and the boat loved that too. So next time you launch your boat along with half of Melbourne and you struggle to get any where near your fave fishing spot take some time if the conditions allow and get out side the box, or in this case the bays and have a play, you will like what you see.

Hooked Up Magazine Feature

For those who have do not have access to Australian tackle stores you can find a copy of my feature article in Hooked Up Magazine at their web site HOOKED UP MAGAZINE its a 4 page spread on squid fishing from the very basic to the more advanced, I hope you enjoy.

Finding small squid for a feed

I was faced with a challenge last week, normally the challenge is to find some big squid, however when your mates want some smaller ones for a recipe it had my mind wondering where to go to find small squid.

In the past I have attempted to focus all my squid fishing on finding big squid so when asked to present some smaller squid I had to think back some time to the places where I could consistently find smaller squid, still not talking babies but looking for squid between 25 and 30 cm because apparently they taste nicer. I knew that Western Port has plenty of squid in all sizes so we headed to Hastings boat ramp and planned the rest of the day from there.

We started off with a forecast saying it was going to be about 10-15 knots from the south so I thought a trip to the eastern entrance of the port was in order, however, the 35 knot south west wind we were presented with was not what I would call ideal for a long trip. That said we powered on down towards Cleeland Bight the ports eastern entrance through the chop and rubbish wind. It took a little longer than first planned but we made it all the same. We spent about 30 minutes down here landing about 1/2 a bag of just the right sized squid, I had to down size my jigs to size 3.0 as I was looking for smaller versions. The place was just not firing like I had expected so after the first round of punishment through the weather another move was made towards Stoney Point where the wind and tide were playing nice for a good drift. It did not take too long to find our bag of squid with a couple of Cuttlefish thrown in for whiting baits another day.

No matter how bad things are with weather in the boat it beats the hell out of working.

2012 Greatest year in my short life.

I have noticed many saying that 2012 was just another year and it is done and dusted, however, for me it was one of the most eventful and exciting years of my life.


It started off a little sad with the passing of a family member in Lois Stewart (Mother in Law) at the end of 2011 but it gave me an excuse to dedicate the name of my new boat to this beautiful woman who was able to bring me her beautiful daughter Kim who I was able to secure with a ring in Melbourne shortly after during a cracking wedding in the city of Melbourne. Yes I had to wear a suit but it was well worth it.

Kim has been my biggest support thus far and without her in my life I would not have been able to achieve so much with my fishing projects. Time on the water and time travelling around the country and the world in aid of the humble squid, this could not have been possible without her support and I thank my lucky stars every day for the forgiving and understanding wife that I have.

Things were not always smooth in 2012 like every one else I suffered hardship with health, finances and limitations with a few injuries but my passion for the water was always stronger than the pain and I just kept fishing, I remember getting in a car with my 2 best mates Dan and Dale and heading for Portland shortly after surgery on my mouth and keeping the good folks that make pain killers in business. Could hardly stand up by the end of the day but we got  a nice Tuna to make up for it.

One thing from this year that will always be in my 2012 memory bank is having the privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with the masses of recreational anglers on the Super Trawler protest, watching the line of boats heading over the Westgate bridge was a sight like never before, that was not the only rec fishing political stand point and particular thanks go out the the team at WEFISH Dale McClelland,  Daniel Stanilovic and Ben Scullin who I proudly worked with on many issues through out the year that many would not have even been aware of, Daniel in particular spent countless hours supplying research to many groups who had never had it in the past and showed that the WEFISH group was a well organised and well oiled machine with nothing that could push hard enough to make us not push back twice as hard. Every angler who is looking for some one to thank for doing heaps behind the scene they should look these guys up and give em a pat on the back.

Something that I have always loved is spending time in Angling Clubs and tackle stores talking all things squid, 2012 took me to 5 states in Australia and 2 countries sharing with squid like minded people, its amazing how far we have come in the squid fishing market in such a short time, in the year gone I managed to pump out 28 talks in angling clubs and tackle stores, 3 radio programs, 2 tv shows, 4 days at the Melbourne Boat Show and publish 3 articles all in the name of squid.

Apart from my wedding my greatest highlight was my Japan trip, not only was it a cracking awaking of a whole new culture but the quality of people I came in contact with was nothing short of humbling, thanks to my friends already in Japan who I now call my Gan Craft Family my experience was surreal  spending time in the Gosen Factory sussing out how line is made to having a perusal at how Gan Craft lures are put together. I also had the opportunity to see a true craftsman playing with a new range of lures that came out on the market in Japan last week, watching the founder of Gan Craft in his office with his tools was like nothing I had experienced before and noting short of amazing, but the best bit was the Bass. I had a guided trip on Lake Gogawa with Mr Hiraiwa himself, this is not an opportunity that comes often, it was a once in a lifetime, although I had never really used a bait caster before Mr Hiraiwa's patience was incredible (I would have pushed me overboard) and to top it off I landed 3 cracking Large Mouth Bass, 1 at 55cm one at 51cm and one at 36cm I still get giggly like a school girl thinking of that day and then to play a joke on Mr Geki Yoshida with the electric motor and get it on film for endless laughs for years to ome topped it off, these 2 guys are considered to be 2 of Japan's if not the worlds best Bass Fishermen so to be able to learn from 2 true masters of the sport and absolute gentlemen was an honor. I am not gonna start on the food because we dont all have a week to read this so all I will say is MOS Burger and Akio Ogawa Stock up I am coming back in a few weeks.

All in all its been a spectacular year and one that is going to be hard to beat this year, however, already a few things happening with a new job, a new car another trip to Japan and maybe one to Malaysia along with a few other things that I will talk more about as the year progresses. None of my achievements last year could have been possible without the support of my wife, my mates and my sponsors. Special mention goes out to Stephen Blackmore from Gladiator Tackle, Yuki Kitagawa from Tsuda Group and my Gan Craft Family for giving me the ability to do what I needed to do.

Last year I had more than 50 000 visits to this blog and am currently averaging more than 4000 a month so I thank you all for your support and stick around we got heaps more where this lot came from!

Marron Madness in Victoria

Many people in Australia will know well that Marron are an indigenous species of fresh water cray fish to Western Australia, now we dont know how they got to Victoria and at this stage I dont think any one is complaining too much as apparently they taste great. That said we do not like the idea of them making their way into rivers and streams that hold numbers of Spiny Fresh Water Cray Fish, Murray Cray Fish or Snowy River Cray Fish as it is believed that the Marron would win in the fight of habitat and food share and would render our local species losers in the fight to compete for food and territory. We do know that at this stage they are fairly contained but what people need to understand is that if they are to take Marron from waters in Victoria, as an invasive species they must not transport them live any where, making an ice slurry is a great way to euthanize Marron, the temperature drop puts them to sleep fast causing the least amount of stress. If you fins some Marron in a waterway near you in Victoria it is paramount that you do not take them home or move them about as the spread of an invasive species could have serious effects on the local environment.

When you do find a waterway that contains Marron if you do want to catch them you will need a bright torch, a prawning net and something on your feet that will give you traction in slippery mud, idealy you will find some one else to tag along as being near the water at night on your own just aint safe.

I reckon thats enough of the hints and tips, I wont promote the locations as some folks just could not help them self and we would end up with Marron all over the place.

We arrived at our location at around 1930 and looked at the area's we were going to tackle, as night fell we made our way around the perimeter of the waterway in our search for these snappy little critters, after a few hours we had more than enough for a feed so we called it a night and went home so I could go to work. Was a cracking evening with 3 mates who I enjoy spending time with on and in the water.