Hi, I’m Asano bass fishing guide on Lake Biwa.
I provide bass fishing guide service and ground guide for some international guest in Japan.
Today, I’m gonna introduce most popular “Glide Baits” in Japan by local angler.
These are really excellent glide baits in the opinion of the Japanese, including me.
First I will introduce six glide baits that are generally popular in Japan, and then I will introduce my personal favorite glide baits that I actually use in my guiding.
Best Glide Baits in Japan: Top 6 Most Popular Lures for Trophy Bass
Glide bait fishing has revolutionized the pursuit of trophy bass in Japan.
Anglers use large, realistic swimbaits to trigger aggressive strikes from monster fish.
In this article, we introduce the six most popular big baits in Japan, known for their effectiveness, premium quality, and ability to attract giant bass.
Generally Popular Glide Baits
1、Klash 9 / DRT
Image from DRT inc. Website
https://www.divisionrebeltackles.com/products/bait/816/
Klash 9 – The Versatile Glide Bait
🎣 Length: 230mm | Weight: Approx. 140g | Type: Multi-Mode Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- Features a removable lip and tail, along with multiple optional parts, allowing for a wide range of customizable actions.
- Highly effective during the pre-spawn and post-spawn seasons, when bass are actively feeding.
- The first-ever hard bait released by DRT, with the smaller Tiny Klash introduced later.
Best Use:
- With the lip attached, it can be used for cranking or dead walking (a technique where the lure subtly wobbles in place with precise rod and reel control).
- Without the lip, it performs a wide “S” glide motion, mimicking a natural swimming baitfish.
2、Jointed Claw 178 / Gan Craft
Image from Backlash Website
https://www.backlash.co.jp/sp/item/4571334584208/
Jointed Claw 178 – The Legendary Glide Bait
🎣 Length: 178mm | Weight: Approx. 56g | Type: Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- One of the pioneers of Japanese glide baits, maintaining its popularity even today.
- Features a unique “S” swimming action, replicating the natural movement of a baitfish.
- Beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those new to big baits.
Best Use:
- Effective year-round, making it a versatile choice for different conditions.
- Slow retrieves combined with occasional twitches can trigger bites from hesitant fish.
3、Balam 300 / MADNESS
Image from MADNESS Website
https://www.madness.co.jp/products/bass/balam-300
Madness Balam 300 – The Ultimate Giant Swimbait
🎣 Length: 300mm | Weight: Approx. 170g | Type: Multi-Jointed Swimbait
Why It’s Popular
- One of the largest commercially available big baits, specifically designed to target giant bass.
- Realistic swimming action thanks to its multi-jointed body, mimicking a natural prey fish.
- Versatile usage – effective with slow retrieves, wake baiting, and dead-sticking techniques.
Best Use:
- Highly effective in clear water where bass feed on large baitfish like trout or herring.
4、Tiny Klash / DRT
Image from DRT Website
https://www.divisionrebeltackles.com/products/bait/3634/
Tiny Klash – The Ultimate Customizable Glide Bait
🎣 Length: 160mm | Weight: Approx. 56g | Type: Multi-Mode Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- Interchangeable tail and lip allow for a wide range of actions and presentations.
- Its subtle, finesse-driven action excels in high-pressure fishing conditions.
- Can be used with standard tackle, eliminating the need for heavy gear.
- One of the rarest and most sought-after glide baits in Japan.
Best Use:
- Like the Klash 9, it is highly effective for cranking and dead-walking techniques.
5、Mother / Roman Made
Image from Roman Made Website
https://www.roman-made.jp/products/mother/mother-natural-wood-premium
Roman Made Mother – The Ultimate Trophy Hunter’s Lure
🎣 Length: 300mm | Weight: Approx. 280g | Type: Handmade Wooden Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- Handcrafted from wood, producing a unique slow, wide glide action.
- Designed exclusively for monster bass, with a proven record of landing giant fish.
- The year before the world record bass was caught, an 8kg (approx. 19lb) bass was landed on this lure at Lake Biwa.
Best Use:
- Ideal for trophy lakes, where targeting one giant bite is the ultimate goal.
- With its beautiful craftsmanship, it’s also a prized collector’s item.
6、Slide Swimmer / Deps
Image from deps Website
https://www.depsweb.co.jp/product/new-slideswimmer250/
Deps Slide Swimmer – A Silent Killer
🎣 Size: 175mm / 250mm | Weight: 85g / 170g | Type: Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- Features a soft outer shell over an ABS body, creating an ultra-natural texture (previous models were made of foam urethane).
- Silent, natural swimming action excels in high-pressure waters where bass are cautious.
- Slow-sinking with a wide, S-shaped gliding motion.
Best Use:
- Effective with both slow retrieves and high-speed reel jerks & stops—two completely opposite approaches.
- Particularly deadly in Lake Biwa during summer, when bass are aggressively feeding on large Hasu (Japanese dace).
My Favorite Glide Baits
1、Grace 280F / Galápagos
Image from Galápagos Website
https://galapagos-fishing.com/products/grace280f/
Galápagos Grace 280 F – The Next-Generation Glide Bait for Both High-Speed and Slow Retrieves
🎣 Size: 240mm / 280mm | Weight: 54g / 182g | Type: Glide Bait
Why It’s Popular
- Features an impressive wide sliding action, with a maximum slide width of nearly 1 meter, while maintaining stability even at high speeds.
- Strong water-pushing action creates a natural swimming motion at slow retrieves.
- Equipped with a deep, resonating rattle, acting as a trigger to excite bass.
Best Use:
- Winter to Spring: Slow retrieves or continuous twitches.
- Summer to Fall: High-speed reeling jerks & stops for an aggressive reaction bite.
Bull Shooter 160 / Deps
Image from deps Website
https://www.depsweb.co.jp/product/bullshooter160/
Deps Bullshooter – The Legendary Bluegill Swimbait
🎣 Size: 100mm / 130mm / 160mm / 190mm | Weight: 28g / 56g / 104g / 180g | Type: Bluegill Swimbait
Why It’s Popular
- Pioneered the trend of bluegill-shaped glide baits in Lake Biwa, becoming a legendary lure in the big bait scene.
- Lake Biwa once had an abundance of bluegill, and during the post-spawn season, this lure was responsible for incredible catches.
- Features a deep, resonating rattle, packed with elements to trigger reaction bites from bass.
Best Use:
- High-speed retrieve jerking & stop for reaction strikes.
- Sight fishing, where bass actively hunt bluegill near the surface.
