01 Announcement: Mockingbird 245 Orders Closed

The 10-day pre-order sale for the "MOCKINGBIRD 245" has successfully concluded. We sincerely thank you for your many applications. We are currently preparing for shipment, so please wait a little longer for your delivery.

Please check as soon as possible as this is the final small quantity of stock

Members-only page here ❯

02 The Solvent Shock: The Reality Aftermath

Regarding the "soaring price of thinner due to naphtha shortage" that I mentioned in the previous article. The situation on-site continues to be even more severe. It's not just about price increases; there's also the risk of supply disruptions where certain solvents "cannot be obtained." This means that current production routines will no longer be viable for maintaining the quality of hologram adhesion on jigs and the final coating on plugs.

Currently, we are exchanging information with manufacturing factories across a wide range, from Kyushu to Kansai, Tokai, and Kanto, and this is a common, real voice from the field. Protecting domestic production is a continuous battle against these unseen chemical changes and costs. In the manufacturing sector, further cost reduction and process improvement are major challenges.

03 PROLOGUE: LOMBOK GT EXPEDITION

Now, let's talk about my personal travels. My next destination is Lombok Island, Indonesia. My target is GT (Giant Trevally). While I've only ever caught GT by jigging, this time it's a completely solo expedition, including casting. I plan to depart from nearby areas, starting from Kuta, where I'll be staying.

EXPERT PACKING LIST

【Checked Baggage 3 items / Total 30kg】

• Rod Case: Couldn't find my old bazooka case, so I packed two rods in a simple cardboard case (1.8kg).
• Main Suitcase: 70L, 17kg. My heavy Rimowa has retired; I'm using a China-made one purchased on Amazon (approx. 10,000 yen~). Hoping for good storage capacity, but what about durability?!
• Dokatto: 1 unit, 11kg. These three items together make exactly 30kg.

【Tackle & Item Details】

• ROD: Takami Technos (Casting / Renegade prototypes)
• REEL: Saltiga 14000XH (PE8) / Ocea Jigger 1500HG (PE2)
• LURE: Mockingbird, Balsam, Snecon 180, Vigop, etc.
• OTHERS: Merino wool t-shirts & underwear, protein, shaker, supplements & antibiotics, travel detergent, disposable bath towels, etc.

04 Real Cost of Living and Life in Lombok

Lombok Island during the dry season is stable at around 30 degrees Celsius, offering a very comfortable climate. As for the cost of living, the Indonesian Rupiah currently feels almost equivalent to the Japanese Yen (※depending on the exchange rate). At local eateries (warungs), you can enjoy Nasi Goreng for about 400 yen and a bottle of Bintang beer for around 400 yen.

Foreign capital is concentrated in the Kuta area! Western and Australian shops offer lunch for about 1,500 yen and dinner for about 3,000 yen. A ramen shop opened last year by a Japanese person serves bowls for 1,500 yen and up, with a seafood and chicken broth base. If you choose cheaper, locally run warungs, you can save surprisingly a lot. Hotels with pools and villas start from around 10,000 yen. Infrastructure has also significantly improved since before COVID-19 (hot showers, flush toilets, etc.). Prices are rising year by year, and modernization is accelerating rapidly. If you're going, it's "now or never." Also, security is much better than in urban areas like Jakarta or Bali, as everyone has opportunities to earn a living. I used to hear many stories from the old days about bandits cutting off arms with machetes, and anecdotes unique to their warrior culture...

Despite the anxieties of a solo expedition, I venture into foreign waters.

Solo expeditions come with many anxieties, but they are also filled with freedom and discovery. I will do my best to ensure I can fish and bring you a real report from the local sea.

Upon returning from this trip, it's finally time for the Genkai Tuna Fishing Trip