Why Is Tuna Casting Tackle Mostly Japanese-Made? — Over 10 Rod Makers Competing【Chapter 2】

Introduction

Tuna casting is now practiced in more than 25 countries and regions worldwide. Yet no matter which ocean you visit, a peek inside any angler’s tackle box reveals the same thing: most of the rods, reels, lines, and lures bear the mark “Made in Japan.” Why is Japanese-made tackle so dominant? In Chapter 2, we explore the reasons behind this phenomenon. Note: this fishing method is known in Japanese as “maguro casting”（マグロキャスティング）.

The Global Fishing Tackle Market and Japan’s Presence

The global fishing tackle market was estimated at approximately ¥1.9 trillion (about $13 billion) in 2022 (Source: Travesia). Within this market, DAIWA (Globeride) posted overseas sales of approximately ¥120.1 billion, while SHIMANO recorded approximately ¥111.0 billion. The third-place company, America’s Pure Fishing, managed only about ¥60 billion — making it clear that Japan’s two giants hold an overwhelming share of the global market.

Rods — Japan’s Strength in Purpose-Built Design

Outside Japan, anglers typically use general-purpose offshore rods for tuna casting. In Japan, however, more than 10 manufacturers produce rods specifically designed for tuna casting. Each company brings its own design philosophy, and the intense competition between them continuously drives quality higher.

SOULS
The brand founded by Mr. Ichiro Sato, the pioneer of tuna casting. The Level series offers 9 models covering PE6 through PE14, built on the philosophy of “pursuing function and performance to the absolute maximum, with zero compromise and no regard for cost-performance ratio.” The Ashura series features a one-piece blank from tip to grip and has proven itself against monster-class tuna on expeditions to the United States. (Reference: SOULS SALT ROD)

DAIWA
The “SALTIGA C DOGFIGHT,” released in 2025, is a tuna-specific casting rod fully supervised by Mr. Ichiro Sato. It comes in 4 models ranging from PE6 (84-6) to PE12 (72-12). Designed for single-fight scenarios, its thick, resilient blank can handle bluefin tuna exceeding 200 kg. The existing SALTIGA C series also covers mid-size tuna through yellowtail amberjack. (Reference: DAIWA SALTIGA C DOGFIGHT)

SHIMANO
The “OCEA Plugger BG BLUEFIN TUNA” series is the flagship, built to handle super-giant bluefin tuna in the 300 kg class. Its FLEX ENERGY design delivers stable casting and high-load fighting performance. The mid-range “OCEA Plugger Full Throttle” is rated for PE8 and has an extensive track record. (Reference: SHIMANO OCEA Plugger BG)

Ripple Fisher
A specialist big-game rod manufacturer. The BIG TUNA series carries the “Japan Special” name and offers an extensive lineup: the 70 (PE14, monster class), 73 (200 kg+), 76 (with a 290 kg catch record), 83, 85F, 86, 87AS, and 710RT. Designed specifically for Japan’s bluefin tuna fields, these rods are trusted by many veteran anglers. (Reference: RippleFisher BIG TUNA)

Gamakatsu
The 2026 new release “LUXXE RAYGRIT TC” puts bluefin tuna over 200 kg within range. It embodies Gamakatsu’s rod-building philosophy of “bend it to land it,” designed to sustain high-load fights with the rod held above 90 degrees for over two hours. The existing RAYGRIT series also covers yellowtail amberjack, GT, and large tuna. (Reference: Gamakatsu RAYGRIT TC)

MC works’
The EXPLOSION series features a soft tip and hard butt design, covering everything from yellowtail to GT and tuna. The 807CTR “FULL CONTACT” is a super-heavyweight model designed for 200 kg-class tuna that sells out instantly. In 2025, the “SLOW HAND ALL THAT TUNA” series was added specifically for large bluefin. (Reference: MC works’ EXPLOSION)

Carpenter
The Blue Chaser BLC series comes from the only manufacturer that develops both rods and lures in-house. The BLC 83/40 R-Power MAX is built for monster bluefin tuna, achieving a high-level balance of casting distance and fighting recovery power. (Reference: Carpenter BLC)

ZENAQ
The Tobizo series has been field-tested in tuna games around the world. The TC84-100G features a stiffer tip design that excels at long-distance casting of 60–150 g lures. The monster-class TC77 Tuna Monster Buster is a limited-edition model with a record of catching and releasing a 213 kg bluefin in just 40 minutes. (Reference: ZENAQ Tobizo)

TENRYU
The Spike series is known for its design philosophy centered on “resilience.” The rod flexes smoothly along its entire length to absorb sudden dives by tuna, preventing line breaks. The Spike XPG is a tuna-specific model rated for PE10–12 with proven catches over 100 kg. (Reference: TENRYU Spike)

YAMAGA Blanks
A purely domestic blank manufacturer. The BlueSniper 81/8 Blacky targets yellowfin tuna, emphasizing ease of underhand casting on party boats and fighting stability. The 81/10 Blacky is a heavy tuna model capable of handling 100 kg-class fish. In 2025, a new boat casting series was also released. (Reference: YAMAGA Blanks BlueSniper)

Additional manufacturers include Major Craft (Giant Killing), Abu Garcia (Salty Stage), and CB ONE (Enfinity), among others. From entry-level to high-end, Japan alone offers more than 30 tuna-specific casting rod models.

Reels — The DAIWA vs SHIMANO Battle at the Top

In the world of tuna casting reels, DAIWA and SHIMANO effectively dominate the global market.

DAIWA 25 SALTIGA
The 2025 model features Magseal (magnetic fluid waterproofing) and DRD Drag (a new mechanism that produces drag sound). With sizes ranging from 4000 to 30000, it covers everything from light shore games to giant bluefin tuna on PE14. For tuna casting, the 14000–30000 sizes are primarily used, with drag performance designed for single fights against large bluefin based on Mr. Ichiro Sato’s tuna theory. (Reference: DAIWA 25 SALTIGA)

SHIMANO STELLA SW
Equipped with Infinity Drive, HAGANE Gear, and X-SHIP gearing for smooth retrieval and outstanding durability. Available in sizes from 4000 to 30000, it covers everything from sea bass and light shore fishing to large tuna casting and jigging. For tuna casting, the 14000–30000 sizes are the primary choice.

Overseas manufacturers like Penn and Van Staal also produce spinning reels, but in the world of tuna casting, Japan’s two companies hold an overwhelming advantage in precision drag performance and saltwater resistance.

Lines — The Standard VARIVAS Built

In tuna casting line selection, VARIVAS has established the de facto standard.

VARIVAS AVANI Casting PE Si-X
An 8-braid PE line using the Si-X manufacturing process, primarily offered in PE8, PE10, and PE12. It achieves both high abrasion resistance and linear strength, making it the first choice for many tuna casting anglers. Shock leaders are available in the AVANI Casting Shock Leader Nylon series, ranging from 170 to 300 lb. (Reference: VARIVAS AVANI Casting PE)

YGK Yotsuami ODDS PORT
A PE line featuring an inner-core construction that resists line flattening and tangling far better than standard PE lines. It reduces the trouble of line digging into guides during long fights with large tuna. With its unique core-braid approach, it expands tuna casting line options in a direction different from VARIVAS.

Other manufacturers including DAIWA (UVF SALTIGA DuraSensor), SHIMANO (OCEA 8), and SUNLINE (SaltiMate PE) are also in the market, further demonstrating that Japanese manufacturers lead the world in fishing lines as well.

Lures — A Flourishing Ecosystem of Japanese Lure Makers

Tuna casting lures represent the category with the most Japanese manufacturers. They broadly fall into three types — diving pencils, poppers, and sinking pencils — each with highly specialized products. The major manufacturers include:

SOULS, Carpenter, SHIMANO, DAIWA, Maria, CB ONE, DUO, TACKLE HOUSE, HAMMER HEAD, LOCAL STANDARD, Fish Trippers Village, Native Works, Wild Gambler, and more.

From major corporations to small-batch handmade producers, more than 50 types of tuna-specific lures are available in Japan alone. This is a phenomenon seen in no other country, and this fierce competition continuously pushes lure quality and diversity to new heights.

Why Is Most Tackle Japanese-Made? — Five Reasons

① Material Technology
In 1972, Globeride (now DAIWA) developed the world’s first carbon fiber rod, and Japan has led the cutting edge of fishing tackle carbon materials ever since. Prepreg resin content is adjusted in 0.1% increments, and lamination angles are controlled in 0.5° steps — precision on par with aerospace engineering.

② Precision Machining
Reel gears are machined to tolerances of 1/1000 mm (micron level). Waterproofing and dustproofing technologies like DAIWA’s Magseal and SHIMANO’s HAGANE Body are domains where Japanese manufacturers stand unchallenged.

③ Field Testing Environment
Japan alone offers diverse tuna fishing grounds — the Tsugaru Strait, Sagami Bay, Genkai-nada Sea, Tango Peninsula, Ibaraki coast, and Okinawa — covering everything from yellowfin to giant bluefin. Manufacturers conduct over 500 field tests per year, feeding results directly back into product development.

④ Deep Bench of Specialist SMEs
Companies like Fuji Industrial (rod guides with ceramic rings offering 3× wear resistance and 40% weight reduction), Takahashi Manufacturing (gear machining), and Matsubara Weaving (carbon fabrics) form the supply chain backbone of Japan’s fishing tackle industry. Boutique manufacturers like SOULS, Ripple Fisher, CB ONE, Carpenter, ZENAQ, and YAMAGA Blanks can produce high-quality specialized rods and lures precisely because this supply chain exists.

⑤ Region-Specific Product Lines
Japanese manufacturers introduce over 500 new models annually, tailored for North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, matching local fish species and ocean conditions. This “exactly what you need” product approach is why anglers worldwide choose Japanese-made tackle.

Cross-Industry Technology Spillover

Another reason Japanese tackle leads the world is technology transfer from other industries. Carbon fiber comes from aerospace and automotive, precision machining from smartphones and semiconductors, and anti-corrosion treatment from medical devices. The comprehensive strength of Japan’s manufacturing sector converges in the tackle used for tuna casting — one of the most extreme forms of fishing on the planet.

Current Major Tackle Overview

Afterword

In Chapter 1, we established that tuna casting was born in Japan. What Chapter 2 reveals is that precisely because Japan is the birthplace, it has attracted more specialized manufacturers than anywhere else in the world — all competing fiercely and refining their craft. From pioneer brands like SOULS, to industry giants like DAIWA and SHIMANO, to specialist makers like Ripple Fisher and ZENAQ, this multi-layered competitive structure is the ultimate answer to “why is most tackle Japanese-made?”

In the next chapter, Chapter 3: “Tuna Casting Around the World,” we will explore how this Japanese-born fishing method has spread to more than 25 countries and regions.

Sources

Next: Chapter 3 — “Tuna Casting Around the World”