Osaka tackle show 2007 update

[MarkR]

Hi guys,

Just got back from the Osaka show. Was a real eye opener, my first time at a tackle show this big, very impressed by the amount of resources and effort put in to organize this event. Most of the new gear maybe 80% was for freshwater Bass fishing. A very strong presence by Megabass, Jackle Bros & Evergreen. Not much jigging and popping stuff but a lot of bottom fishing electric reel tackle and accessories...huge Miya Epoch booth. Managed to say hello to Mogi-san and spotted Charmas as well as Papa Otsuru Pictures later but here's a short list of goodies to expect in 2007:

1. New Stella 2007- 6 models, from 1000 to 4000 size, the 4000 with a whopping 11kg max drag! Some reels with shallow spools, the S models. The new Stella boasts a new main gear and line lay mechanism among other refinements. Really smooth and gather that the reel was tested by Fukui Kenzaburo in Rompin

2. Not much from Daiwa but they do have a new Certate line called the Certat Hyper Custom coming up. Main difference is a new main gear- the hyper digi gear. Understand that a new gear upgrade kit will be made available for existing certate models. Also from Daiwa an Exist 1003.

3. A smaller model of the Blue Heaven will also debut this year, the L50 is about the same size as a Boss 870N.

4. Wando Kookai goes big game with a range of competitively priced GT rods.

5. Evergreen's Opus, old news but still on display.

6. For those into Valley Hill rods, Mr Mogi has a new model coming up called the Maori Spirit!!!! Seems like the rod will be available only in overhead specs and should be the heaviest jig rod in the Valley Hill range.

Mr Mogi had the video of his capture of the 95kg Doggie with Nomad playing...really awesome stuff

That's all for now folks but before I go a teaser...can anyone guess which booth Charmas/Kitamura-san was at and what manufacturer he was promoting? Hopefully i'll get to attend the Yokohama show in 6 days, so till then, tight lines guys!

[Jacktrevally]

Thansk fro the update Mark... I want a new stella! I'll go for a 3000 version this time.

I just received my Stella today and I want another one! Are they already on the market as on the shimano webby they said release date early Feb!

[stickbom!]

That's all for now folks but before I go a teaser...can anyone guess which booth Charmas/Kitamura-san was at and what manufacturer he was promoting? Hopefully i'll get to attend the Yokohama show in 6 days, so till then, tight lines guys!

That would either be Penn or CB ONE Thanks for the update buddy... if you see any hot chics at the show remember to take more photos!!

[MarkR]

That would either be Penn or CB ONE Thanks for the update buddy... if you see any hot chics at the show remember to take more photos!!

Hi Mikey,

Charmas was at the Okuma booth ... not sure but could Okuma be part of Penn or vice versa now? The Penn and Okuma booths were next to each other.

Both Tica and Okuma trying hard to get a foothold in the Japanese market with huge promotion booths at the Osaka and Yokohama shows.

Also realized that Fisherman products are now featured in the 2007 Valley Hill Catalog...wonder if there has been a take over? Looks like some cut backs on the Fisherman line up? No more crazy long jigs?

cheers

[Sportfisherman]

Hi MarkR ,

I heard from somebody who used to work for Penn distributor in OZ that Okuma is the O.E.M. for some of the Penn reels , mostly the freshwater versions and Okuma also do the same for a few other USA brands such as
Pflueger .

Penn has been taken over by a company ( K2 ) that also own Shakespeare and a few other brands ; TTnews: Shakespeare buys Penn reels

As for Fisherman situation , I heard from my source verbally that they were
in dire financially situation late last year , perhaps somebody bail them out ?

Jon .

[MarkR]

Some pictures from the Osaka tackle show

From top to bottom row, left to right- Blue Heaven L50, New Stella, Kookai GT rod, Collectable limited release Certates, New Certate with hyper gear, Opus-1, Valley Hill jig rods with the Maori spirit (extreme right), Charmas & Mogi-san.

[MarkR]

Hi Jon,

Guess you are right about Fisherman, heard a rumor along those lines as well. I think Valley Hill comes under the Taniyama corporation so perhaps they were the ones who bailed out Fisherman?

cheers

[stickbom!]

Woah Mark!! How come only side view of the Tackle Berry chics?! That's by far the most interesting photo of the lot

Fishermen products have been in Valleyhill catalogues for the longest time man... all kinds of weird stuff VH carries and that includes Quantum and some electric trolling motors.

[edylie]

MarkR,

Thanks for the report and pictures! Looks like you had lotsa fun there. If you are still in Tokyo, please do remember to check out Roponggi and Akasaka "talking" bar

Cheers,
Edy

[MarkR]

Hi Mikey,

You'd know better about Valley Hill Couldn't take many pictures of the sales promoters...had to be tactical

Edy,

Back home now. Went to Akasaka but not Roppongi...I miss the sushi

cheers

[hdmcgatha]

WOW!!! Shakespear takes over Penn !! I hope the International reels do not change...... Man I Love my Penn "V" reels !! Thanks for the info from the show.

[scarpie]

[QUOTE=stickbom!;13658]Woah Mark!! How come only side view of the Tackle Berry chics?! That's by far the most interesting photo of the lot

QUOTE]

Tackle berry chicks were a disappointment. I stood around the Gamakatsu booth for 15mins waiting for the chicks to start their routine. They were totally disorganised so I left and spoke to Konishi San instead.

Hey Mark I didn't know you were going to attend Osaka! Would loved to have meet you. Are you going to the Jigging Festival on March 10-11 also at Osaka? I'll be going. That makes 3 trips to Asia in 4 weeks!
Let me know.

The Blue Heaven reels have a new model released in June. Will have 20kg drags plus a taller drag lever. Also will replaceable pinion/gears for different ratios. That was the light grey reel they had on display.

Yes Charmas was on the A-Tec booth who are also Okuma and Seed distributors. He was on the same booth a couple years ago too so there probably is a tie up there and also with Papa Otsuka (spelling?).