From Passionable Fishing, our Japanese-language journal.

There are aji that take the lure in strong current without moving off.

I caught fish doing this several times on the same day.

There is a definite pattern to the fast water here.

In a way, it is like sitting before a meal tray beside the alcove in a fine Japanese restaurant. When the time comes, the delicacies are brought to you.

Bring the delicacy—the soft lure—right to the guest’s mouth, and…

The faintest interruption

There is no distinct bite. Just the tiniest extra weight.

Even “weight” is too strong a word. It feels more as though the movement has been held back for an instant.

The aji has taken the lure and carries on swimming in the strong current, apparently without sensing anything wrong.

That is when I take the liberty of setting the hook.

Time to settle the bill.

Good grief. Life is hard, wherever you are.

With a weighted jighead, though, there is a discernible bite.

Related: the separate-sinker rigs I prepare at home, and watching a rod-and-hook combination do the work.

Originally published on our Japanese-language site, Passionable Fishing, on 13 Feb 2020. Translated for Avantgarde Fishing. These are the author’s personal observations at the time of writing. Product availability and fishing conditions may have changed.
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