On the night of a full moon, a traditional craft that lights up the sea
Hikigata trolling, handed down across the seas of Japan. With the perfect balance born of artisan craftsmanship, it quietly lures its prey beneath the moonlight.
On the night of a full moon, the boat glides forward in silence. Targeting the moment when bigfin reef squid (Aori squid) reach peak activity, you troll slowly to entice them——this is hikigata trolling, a traditional craft handed down across the seas of Japan.
The "Hikigata" that drifts along the surface, and the "Hiki-omoku-gata" that works the depths. From autumn through winter, these two styles become the weapons of veteran fishermen.
Once, in every region, wooden hikigata egi were carved out one by one by the hands of craftsmen. The artisans who hold that skill are dwindling with the times.
But as long as there are people who need them——KEYSTONE will keep making hikigata egi. To carry tradition into the future.
"Trolling behind a boat"——an action utterly different from jerking (shakuri), this demands the utmost in balance performance from a hikigata egi.
KEYSTONE cleared this challenge through the perfect control of buoyancy. At rest and while trolling alike, it holds an unwavering orientation.
When floated on seawater, only the crown hook (kanna) peeks slightly above the surface——this millimeter-precise design promises sure hooking.
Balance and swimming action, both at once. This is a domain many makers gave up on, yet KEYSTONE achieved it with the finest technology in Japan.
A square lead weight——this simple shape makes fine adjustment possible right in the field.
Salinity, line, snap. Every condition affects buoyancy. That is exactly why KEYSTONE chose a customizable design.
With a single pair of nippers, you can optimize it for your own waters. That is the essence of the hikigata egi.
TUNING GUIDE
Cut ① + ② evenly → increase buoyancy while keeping balance
Cut only ② → when you want to raise the crown hook (kanna)
Cut only ① → when you want to lower the crown hook (kanna)
Cut little by little. Proceed carefully while checking the buoyancy. There is no undoing it.
The Goto Islands——a traditional form refined in those seas. Where beautiful curves and balance merge, this is truly a work of art among fishing tackle.
Even fitted with a triple-crown stainless hook, it holds a perfect orientation. This weight distribution, normally impossible, was made real by KEYSTONE's buoyancy-control technology.
On a full-moon night, a beautiful color scheme that shines in the moonlight. A product that pursues both visual appeal and function.
Four carefully selected colors that carry on tradition.
The proven body of the jerking-style MonroEgi, tuned exclusively for hikigata trolling. A well-regarded form steps onto a new stage.
The rounded shape produces a distinctive swim——perfectly reproducing the autumn baitfish that dart side to side. A modern approach set apart from the Goto-gata.
Of course, there is no compromise in buoyancy control. Hook position at rest, perfect balance. Everything is calculated to the last detail.
Carefully selected gold-base colors.
Custom orders are also welcome.
The Oita-gata——the root of every egi. Most modern egi are derived from this form. That is how perfected the shape is.
The traditional Oita-gata, refined exclusively for hikigata trolling. Its slender body keeps water resistance to a minimum, delivering an easily controlled swim.
There is no flash. Yet a calculated, quiet swim can, at times, become the greatest weapon.
A simple color lineup made for real fishing.
GOTO-GATA size 4.5 —— open price
MONRO HIKIGATA size 4.5 —— open price
OITA-GATA size 4.5 —— open price
On the night of a full moon, amid the silence that lights the sea's surface——
traditional craft comes to rest in your hands.
Available at tackle shops nationwide
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