Spanish mackerel game is in full swing from autumn. Pick up a model of blade jig of interest!

What is blade jigging?

Before introducing each product, we would like to give a brief explanation of blade jigging. Blade jigs used for blade jigging are models with a blade and hook attached to the back of the jig. The offshore lures with blades attached to the tail of the metal body have long been used for targeting sea bass, but blade jigging, introduced here, became popular for targeting Spanish mackerel, which became popular nationwide around 2020, as this reporter recalls. The method is said to have originally originated off the coast of Iwakuni in the Seto Inland Sea, and was created to attract Spanish mackerel to bite while avoiding hits from small bluefish such as yellowtail and yellowtail when jigging for bluefish. Regular anglers and fishing boats subsequently studied the method for catching Spanish mackerel when retrieving the jig, as they found that Spanish mackerel were frequently hit when the jig was being moved at high speeds. As a result, they developed a style of targeting Spanish mackerel in which a small jig is fitted with a blade and hook in the rear, and the fish is lured by fast reeling. This style of fishing quickly spread throughout the country as it produced a high probability of catching Spanish mackerel with a good eating quality.

This style of fishing involves finding the Spanish mackerel’s reaction or bounce, casting a jig with a blade to it and reeling it in fast. The season is from autumn to winter and it is now a popular game at this time of year.

First of all, what tackle should be used? Use a specialised rod or a light, short offshore light casting rod (spinning type) and select a reel with a PE of about 1.5. For leader, select fluorocarbon type, considering the possibility of line breakage due to teeth, and tie about No. 6 or No. 7. Jigs should weigh between 30 and 100g, depending on the depth of the water and the speed of the current. The basic method of attracting fish is to cast the jig, let it sink to the bottom or to the captain’s target depth, and then reel it in quickly to search for fish. The angler simply reels the jig in, without any enticement. If the water is deep enough, the angler may return the bail of the reel halfway and let the jig sink to the bottom again to entice the Spanish mackerel to swim in the water. The only enticement is to reel in the jig, so anyone can easily enjoy fishing as long as they can throw it.

The blade jig is basically reeled in fast. The best time is when the jig hits with a ‘thud’ during the retrieve.

Jigs with blades and hooks for use in such blade jigging (Tortume jigs are specially designed for this purpose,) are being introduced every year, and here we would like to introduce some of the items of note that will be released in 2024.

Not shrimped.
Zesta shrimp run blade

One of the problems that can occur when casting a blade jig is the tailing of the hook picking up the line, commonly known as ‘shrimping’. The EBILAN blade jig was developed to prevent this from happening. The shrimp run system is based on research into the mechanism of shrimping, and automatically releases the shrimp state by means of a tail eye with a wide range of movement even if the hook picks up the line. When reeling, the lure produces an I-shaped action with little blurring even when reeled at high speed, and the intense flashing of the blades attracts the target. The line-up is available in 20g, 30g and 40g and is ideal for targeting Spanish mackerel in shallow waters. This model is also useful for light shore jigging. Available in nine colours, priced 1,210-1,320 yen including tax.

Product details
https://xesta.jp/ebiran-blade/
Buy here
https://xesta.shop-pro.jp/?pid=181848243

Keeps its posture even when reeling at ultra-high speeds.
Jackal Flag Trap Blade

In blade jigging for Spanish mackerel, which is lured by high-speed reeling, a stable posture during retrieval is important. This model is designed to maintain a stable straight line posture at a wide range of speeds. The thick, compact body has an asymmetrical design with a low centre of gravity, and the line eye is deliberately offset from the central axis to produce a straight retrieve without body rotation. Its shape also makes it light in terms of reeling resistance. The hook is a single hook with a thick shaft and a flattened surface, connected by a strong bearing swivel and a flattened reinforced ring. It can be used not only for Spanish mackerel but also for large yellowtails. The line-up is 40g, 60g and 80g, available in a total of eight colours. Priced from 935 to 1,100 yen including tax.

Product details
https://www.jackall.co.jp/saltwater/offshore-casting/products/flag-trap-blade/

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/jf9eLC5

Exploring the range slowly.
Shimano O’Shea Tangman Blade

The Tangman, which boasts a great deal of success in SLJ, is now available in blade type. The compact silhouette made from tungsten material is ideal for small bait patterns, and is also characterised by its quick bottom catching. This good bottom catching ability also leads to a good hand-over. The compact, slim design also allows the lure to run out of water and responds well to fast reeling speeds. In addition, the lure’s slow lifting performance allows anglers to carefully search for the target area where Spanish mackerel are responding to the lure. Previously available in 60g and 80g, 40g and 50g have been added for 2024. The fine line-up of 40g, 50g and 60g in 10g increments allows the angler to pull the lure at the best speed and keep it firmly in range, as well as to attack shallow points. Available in 12 colours. Priced from ¥2,860 to ¥3,080 including tax.

Product details
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorelure/metaljig/a155f00000ds01oqar.html

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/d/16bEMsn

Able to explore a wide area at a fast tempo.
Shimano Fall Shot Blade

In contrast to the Tangman blade above, this is a lead blade jig. We got the opinion from the captain of a pleasure boat in Hiroshima, where blade jigging was born, that blade jigging with a fall shot is the best for blade jigging, so we have added a blade and hook to our line-up. The body design eliminates flat surfaces and edges as much as possible. This allows the lure to get to the bottom quickly, maintain a clean posture when casting and achieve light reeling resistance. The lure also floats quickly, enabling anglers to explore the full range of the lure at high tempo. The large area of the body also gives the lure a strong push through the water, making it highly appealing. In addition, the thin front of the body makes it light to reel in and produces a stable retrieve. It is recommended to use the Tangman blade, which floats slowly, and the Fall Shot blade, which floats quickly. Weights are 40g, 60g, 80g and 100g, with a total of 24 colours. Prices range from 1,298 to 1,474 yen including tax.

Product details
https://fish.shimano.com/ja-JP/product/lure/offshorelure/metaljig/a155f00000eogoqqah.html

Shimano product video

Compact silhouette but high wave action!
Abu Garcia Nut Blade

This blade jig is made of lead material, but has a compact silhouette for microbait patterns, and also has a performance that makes it hard to be spotted. Its silhouette and low centre of gravity design make it fall fast and hard to spin on retrieve, and it is also hard to lift off the water when reeling up. The tail is fitted with Owner Bari’s Meji Bonito Keimura #13, which is safe even when large Spanish mackerel and yellowtail hit. The blade is fitted with a slit model, and this blade also supports treble hooks. Weights and sizes are 30g/ approx. 33.5mm, 40g/ approx. 37mm, 55g/ approx. 47mm and available in 6 colours. Prices 990-1100 yen including tax.

Product details
https://www.purefishing.jp/product/abugarcia/cat4/salt-lure/nuts-blade.html

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/d/9iHQ4Ea

NEW colours for popular models
Cormoran Aquawave Metal Magic TG

One of the blade jigs that made blade jigging for Spanish mackerel popular is the Metal Magic TG, now available in a new colour. The tungsten material and front-heavy shape allow it to sink quickly to the bottom and to the tana, while its small silhouette makes it suitable for microbait patterns. The triangular, ultra-low centre of gravity design provides outstanding stability and keeps the lure in a solid swim position from low to high speeds without spinning. The line-up is wide in 20g, 30g, 40g, 50g and 60g and can be used in a variety of situations. The new colours are UV Cross Orange Zebra, Chart Back Zebra and Glow/UV Holo Berry for 30g and 40g, and Zebra Glow, Silver, Chart Back Zebra and Glow/UV Holo Berry for 50g and 60g (Tortoiseshell is added below). Tax incl. price 2,200-3,520 yen.

Special low centre of gravity design allows a stable retrieve without rotation.

UV Cross Orange Zebra on the left, Chartback Zebra on the right.

Glow/UV holoberry on left, zebra glow on right

Silva Colour

Product details
https://vivanet.co.jp/aquawave/metalmagic-tg/

Explanatory video

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/d/giRbMHF

New sizes and colours have expanded the range of strategies.
Major Craft Giant Killing Bomber Spin.

The rear plate acts as a keel, and the performance bomber spin appeals to the target without causing discomfort, even when reeling at high speeds, with a stable, straight line and without losing its posture. The front eye has a slit shape that stabilises the flight and fall posture when casting and quickly delivers the jig to the bottom. For 2024, the Bomber Spin is available in 80g and 100g. New colours Pink Glow, Zebra Glow, Blue Pink (Keimura) and Pink Candy (Keimura) have also been added. Prices 715-1,100 yen including tax.

Product details
https://www.majorcraft.co.jp/lureitem/17385

Product description video

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/d/47FsWIn

New colour ‘Kibinago Glow’ changes colour at different angles.
Hayabusa Jack-eye Makimaki

The Jack-Eye Makimaki is a jig equipped with a holo-equipped blade and an assist with artificial bait as standard, developed based on the concept of catching fish by simply reeling it in. It has a slow jig-like shape and falls slowly to reduce missed bites. For 2024, the Jack-Eye Makimaki is now available in Kibina Glow Polarised Purple and Kibina Glow Polarised Green, which change colour at different angles and have a maximum raw feel. The centre glow specification stands out even on the bottom. Available in weights 20g, 30g, 40g and 60g, priced 990-1,140 incl. tax.

The centre glow is placed in the centre to appeal in the morning and evening at mazes and in deep water.

Product details
https://www.hayabusa.co.jp/hayabusa/products/FS417/

Product video

Buy here
https://amzn.asia/d/4qdWnav

Summary: Angler’s Time editorial team