Unstoppable Daiwa innovation.
The next day after enjoying plenty of fishing, we will go to the main event of the trip, "FISHING SHOW OSAKA 2025. This exhibition is the largest of its kind in Japan, bringing together more than 150 fishing-related manufacturers and attracting some 40,000 visitors. Last year, we visited on the first day of the show, which was open only to buyers and related parties, but this time we went on the general public day, when various events are held. Nakai-san and Machan joined us on this day as well. We visit various booths together.
First, we went to the DAIWA booth, which caught our attention at the venue. Especially large was the "DAIWA CONNECTED" booth, which was the talk of the town at the "Fishing Fest 2025" exhibition held in Yokohama in January.
It is a revolutionary new feature of the reel that connects to a smart phone and allows you to graph the depth of the water, manage the speed of reeling and falling, and record the depth of the water where you hit the fish. Information on the environment in which you fish is essential for improving your skills and it is the information you need to know when you want to make steady catches. It can also be used with a smartwatch, which is very convenient. The first release is for use on boats, the "TIERRA" reel for jigging. IC 300-C and SALTIGA IC 300H-SJ-C, and the reel for tilefish, BENIKI IC 150-C.
Ishii: I had heard about this reel from someone who went to the "Fishing Fest" in Yokohama and was looking forward to it. It was great to be able to record my jigs and look back on them. Daiwa's technology is advancing day by day, really.
Komatsu: I was amazed at the linkage with smartphones with the "IM Z" released the year before last, but it's getting more amazing. I am sure it will be applied to reels other than jigging and tilefish from now on. I am looking forward to it.
The reel that kept Mr. Murayama and Mr. Saisu on their toes was the "SALTIGA" reel, trusted by anglers who target big fish, and both of them use it when fishing for tuna. The new model to be released this year has a renewed internal structure and increased power. When we compared the old and new models side by side, the difference was obvious. Even though it was heavier, it could be reeled smoothly.
Saisu: Tuna are heavy and it's hard to make one turn on the reel. I have no complaints at all about my current "SALTIGA," but I would want one if I knew how smooth it is.
Murayama: I can see the difference when I compare them. The new one winds really smooth, I have the 14000 and was thinking of getting the even bigger 20,000.
One of the best parts of the event is that professional anglers also stand at the booth and explain about their products. Ryota Segawa, a professional angler whom Mr. Saisu and Mr. Murayama admire, recommended the new SALTIGA as follows.
Segawa: The best thing about it is that it doesn't tire you out. The SALTIGA is a reel that has changed everything and is even better.
