Christian Meinke is a Berlin based designer blogging at Surfacediary.net about his staggering and inspiring journeys into the realms of Japanese Surface Game and of course about the joys of his own Topwater adventures and fishing trips.

This page is meant as a brief introduction into the highly unique and fascinating microcosm of custom tackle and handmade lures and will give a glimpse of the cultural background of todays Surface Game.

The Surface Game scene and the popularity of bass fishing in Japan in general have their origins in a lively exchange between old lure collectors, builders and tackle manufacturers from the U.S. and Japan in the late 70′s. Of course wooden and hand-crafted fishing lures where already made since the early tens and twenties of the 90′s century with manufacturers such as Heddon (- Dowagiac), South Bend and Pflueger leading the way, but the breakthrough happened in the early 80′s.

With gaining popularity and interest amongst Japanese bass anglers, a Game Fish association and first bass clubs where founded. Promoted by the contribution of Smith Co. Ltd. the foundations for the success of Japan’s bass fishing scene were laid.

Todays Topwater Scene has different backgrounds and approaches to bass angling. While the connecting link to vintage lure collectors and tackle building history is omnipresent, there are tendencies of generating some kind of counter-culture to Japan’s well-known and popular tournament scene.

There are a few main styles and directions that are loosely connected to each other. One of them has it’s focus on casting performance and is characterized by smaller lure sizes and more filigree rod blanks, while the other can be described as the more ‘bold’ style – featuring bulky 1oz plugs and heavy-duty tackle. Other aspects are individual local and geographical conditions, so it’s no surprise that a big and popular lake like Biwako has a special influence on lure characteristics and tackle concepts.

Overall it’s fascinating to see all these different approaches by independent tackle and lure builders, who are constantly rethinking existing lure concepts and styles while keeping alive the vintage look and feel.

–

But despite all that history and tradition, in the end it boils down to one common thread: Enjoying Topwater style angling in close communion with nature.

–