Jackall 180 Jr. ~ S Ji Kei Lure

Leading Japanese tackle manufacturers like Jackall have taken big swimbaits and they've added a new twist that no fish anywhere has ever seen. They've created a whole new category of big surface-swimming hard baits that flex and move in an S-shape crawling across the top of the water.

This is one of the latest and hottest styles of big baits in Japan, called "S Ji Kei" lures.

Following is some info about "S Ji Kei" lures. The original version of this information was published in :Lure Magazine" by its editor, Hideyuki Nomura.

From 2001 through 2004 there was a major craze over big bait fishing throughout Japan. Soft plastic, hard plastic and wood type lures were used by everyone. Because these big lures of all known styles were used so much, many believed that their effectiveness also lost some impact over time.

Starting around  2005, a new style of big bait called "S Ji Kei" lures, took Japan by storm. Today, they are considered an everyday type lure in Japan.

"S Ji Kei" embodies a new lure concept. They swim with an action that traces the letter S through the water throughout the retrieve.

Translated into English, "S Ji Kei Lures" could be called "S Action Lures" if they were on the market in the USA, but they are not here yet.

The lure produces an action that traces the letter S throughout the water with just a simple steady retrieve. The action is very similar to a jerkbait that requires twitching and rod action but produces an irregular zigzag back and forth. The bait moves with a natural slide side to side. It doesn't produce the typical wiggling and wobbling like a crankbait or lipped hard bait.

In order to produce this type of action the lure has to be jointed. This is so that when the lure’s slide comes to a halt the line can be reeled tight which causes the lure to be pulled in the opposite direction. Fish haven’t seen this type of action before.

The difference in action and thus the difference in application of S Ji Kei lures comes about through the construction of these lures. The S Ji Kei lures do not feature plastic lips like other big swimming lures. However, simply taking the lips off of baits won't make them swim in an S motion on the water. The S Ji Kei lures are balanced differently. They are made with balancers in the head portion of the lures, which are usually tungsten or stainless steel weights. These strategically balanced lures will then swim in an S motion through the water. Since they are weighted, they are categorized as slow sinking, but they can ride on or close to the surface when retrieved.

Another key difference is the physical action these lures produce. The big baits used in the USA that feature a lip produce a body rolling and kicking action that leaves more of a wake and displaces much more water. On the other hand, the S Ji Kei lures will slide through the water in a swooshing type motion.

This type of lure is designed predominately for steady retrieve use. While winding, the rod tip should be facing downwards and with a slow retrieve the lure tracks in a wide S configuration. When retrieved faster, the lure produces a narrower shaped S configuration. When fishing for deeper fish you should slow down the retrieve.

The stop and go retrieve is also a productive method. When paused, the bait slowly sinks and while it sinks the jointed part of the bait bends in a manner of an injured bait fish. This technique will work well for followers because the angler can add a twitch to trigger the strike from the chasing fish.

Also use a "Twitch and Flash" technique when fishing these S style lures. Because these lures produce an action that resemble that of a jerk bait, throwing in a twitch will also produce good results for the angler. The flat side will add a flashing appeal when twitched which also causes the chasing fish to strike.