I'm Going To Japan!

[Glenn]

Hey guys, just a quick check-in before we head out to Gamakatsu Headquarters.

 

Visited Mr. Fuji's home yesterday for lunch.  His sons, wife, and mother were there too (his mother and father started Gamakatsu).  It was an amazing experience I can't wait to tell you about later.

 

Then we toured a century's-old castle (another great experience), took bullet train (300mph!), had an amazing dinner, then capped the night off with karaoke.  Good times!

 

Here's a photo of the group at Mr. Fuji's home.  Mr. Fuji is on the right side flanked by his mother and wife, his two sons are behind him.  The rest of the crew is mostly East/Western executive teams from Gamakatsu and SPRO.  

 

 

More updates to come!

[Swamp Girl]

I know you're busy, so thank you for the updates. I'm just happy for you. How happy? Seven-pound bass happy!

[Glenn]

Just a quick update (it's a packed schedule every day, so I don't have time to post a lot). We visited the Gamakatsu headquarters yesterday for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation. 

 

We met with Mr. Fuji again, and this time I gave him a BassResesource hat.

 

 

I learned that Gamakatsu has been a family-owned and run operation all this time.  It is not a corporation (owned by Mr. Fuji's family).  However, that will soon change as that is the old-school way of running Japanese businesses.  Mr. Fuji outlined his vision of transforming Gamakatsu into a corporation - a move designed to ignite growth while removing the inherited restrictions and vulnerabilities that plague small businesses. 

 

After the visit, we headed to a tackle store to check out Japanese tackle and.... wow.  This place was literally stacked to the ceiling with tackle!

 

 

 

I spent an hour and a half there and it wasn't nearly long enough!  It's the Bait Monkey's dream!  I managed to walk away with only $50 worth of damage.  However, we're visiting an even bigger store tomorrow.  My wallet is going to take a big hit. Oy! 

 

But today, we're off to the giant tackle show to get a preview of all the newest tackle hitting the market in the next few months; then it's off to a fantastic restaurant known for incredible Kobe beef steak!  I believe Mr. Fuji will be joining us too.

 

More to come!

[Mike L]

Whew!

That place is something!

 

Have fun and travel safe 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[ATA]

44 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Just a quick update (it's a packed schedule every day, so I don't have time to post a lot). We visited the Gamakatsu headquarters yesterday for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation. 

 

We met with Mr. Fuji again, and this time I gave him a BassResesource hat.

 

 

I learned that Gamakatsu has been a family-owned and run operation all this time.  It is not a corporation (owned by Mr. Fuji's family).  However, that will soon change as that is the old-school way of running Japanese businesses.  Mr. Fuji outlined his vision of transforming Gamakatsu into a corporation - a move designed to ignite growth while removing the inherited restrictions and vulnerabilities that plague small businesses. 

 

After the visit, we headed to a tackle store to check out Japanese tackle and.... wow.  This place was literally stacked to the ceiling with tackle!

 

 

 

I spent an hour and a half there and it wasn't nearly long enough!  It's the Bait Monkey's dream!  I managed to walk away with only $50 worth of damage.  However, we're visiting an even bigger store tomorrow.  My wallet is going to take a big hit. Oy! 

 

But today, we're off to the giant tackle show to get a preview of all the newest tackle hitting the market in the next few months; then it's off to a fantastic restaurant known for incredible Kobe beef steak!  I believe Mr. Fuji will be joining us too.

 

More to come!

You are in my heaven 🤤

 

[roadwarrior]

Dreams do come true.

 

 

 

                                                                    

[Terry_]

Very cool Glenn!

Someone should start a "Guess what Glenn Buys" thread ..LOL

[Swamp Girl]

Thanks for another update, Glenn. I love the tackle shop photos and Mr. Fuji smiling in your cap.

[Glenn]

Well we hit the Tackle Show today, and boy howdy is it a big one!  Lot's of things to see - tons of lures, brands, reels, rods, and more that we never see in the states.  Here's a quick sample.

 

BEWARE!!  PIC HEAVY!!  The Bait Monkey made me do it!!

 

 

[bait__Monkey]

[king fisher]

Do not fly home.  Book you and the Monkey on a freighter along with a dozen shipping containers full of tackle.  It will take some time, but crossing the ocean with that much tackle could be considered therapeutic, and definitely well worth it.

[Swamp Girl]

I would feel like Ralphie on Christmas morning. 

 

 

P. S. - I really like that boat. That would be perfect for me. Please try to bring it home, Glenn, as your carry-on. I will really, really appreciate it.

[Glenn]

That boat is a SportsPal.  It comes in several lengths and ranges from about $1,500 to $2,000

https://www.meyersboat.com/#/sportspal/models/X-13

I found several other boats that would be perfect for pond and budget-conscious anglers.  

 

I also wandered around the show and found a few more interesting things.  The we went to another tackle store where I dropped about $250 on random stuff that's not available in the U.S.

 

I don't have time to post about it now because we're about to head out for dinner and karaoke.  But I fill y'all in later.

 

Cheers!

[12poundbass]

I say we pool our money together, track down someone in Japan who has video of @Glenn singing karaoke, and slip them some money for the video. 

[TnRiver46]

My buddy found a mid 1950s sportspal online in excellent shape, he may get it. Apparently they make a great boat, I had only heard of their canoes 

[Smells like fish]

The bassness of Japan never disappoints!!

[Glenn]

Quick update: we played "tourist" yesterday and visited a couple of temples and toured a bamboo forest, then went to dinner where you had to catch your fish (yes, with a fishing pole), and then they prepared it for you however you wanted.  Kind of a unique experience. I embellished a bit on the tempura and sake.   

 

I'm too tired and worn out to resize and post pics right now, but I'll catch up once I get home. Today is a travel day, arriving tomorrow.

[Motoboss]

Love all of it!
The Wife couldn’t believe they had our Sportspal in Japan!

[Glenn]

And here's the video!

 

 

[Brian11719]

Arguably my favorite video from you @Glenn you could feel the enthusiasm. I probably would have had a hard time getting through customs on my way back...

[fin]

Is that tackle store normal for over there? I mean, do they all stock that much stuff? It’s hard to understand how different things are, like with Gamakatsu, how they produce and sell so many items over there. It seems like it would be hard to be profitable. How can they make it possible to produce and sell over there, but not sell here, even though they still have the production costs?

 

That Helter Twister on the shelf caught my eye. I hope that makes it over here.

 

I was surprised to see trash on the ground in Osaka (around 22:29). There must be a lot of Americans in that area lol. Right after that shot, the next thing you say is “I never saw any trash on the ground” lol. Easy to understand though, I can’t even imagine how much footage you had to put together in this video. Great job.

 

 

I noticed several fluke-type baits that were hooked backwards (around 13:47) at that expo. Even paddle tails. Is that a thing over there, or did some helper screw up? Or maybe that's a thing here that I never heard about. I've heard of hooking them upside down, but not backwards.

 

[Glenn]

1 hour ago, Brian11719 said:

Arguably my favorite video from you @Glenn you could feel the enthusiasm.

Thank you so much!

 

34 minutes ago, fin said:

Is that tackle store normal for over there? I mean, do they all stock that much stuff?

Yes.  We went to another tackle store that had much higher ceilings, so instead of going that high, they had sliding racks in front of the tackle to hold even MORE tackle.  It was crazy, but in a good way!

 

40 minutes ago, fin said:

How can they make it possible to produce and sell over there, but not sell here

Bear in mind that Gamakatsu is THE premier brand in Japan.  It's a lifestyle brand.  They're held in high regard.

 

42 minutes ago, fin said:

I was surprised to see trash on the ground in Osaka

I didn't catch that.  But that place is full of tourists, so....

 

42 minutes ago, fin said:

I noticed several fluke-type baits that were hooked backwards

Yes, that's a thing.  It was everywhere.  There's even special hooks for it, which is what that shot was showing.  I was hoping y'all would catch on to that.

 

And, ya....4 1/2hrs of footage plus over 100 photos.  Still wasn't enough. 

 

[Swamp Girl]

I agree that this is Glenn's best video. I loved all the fishing gear, but it was great to see Japan beyond the fishing passion too. 

[ike8120]

Sounds like a great trip

[volzfan59]

Heck yes Glenn, this should be fun. I would like to see some mom and pop tackle shops over there. See first hand some of their finesse tackle.