Ultra-Realistic Premium Handcrafted Baits by Japanese Artisans: Maki Handmade Lures Have Arrived!
We've received a limited quantity of Maki Handmade Lures' most premium offerings featuring Hakusei finishes, each meticulously crafted by Japanese artisan! These rare baits are impossible to mass-produce, as they require several hours of precise craftsmanship to apply carefully selected genuine fish skin to the balsa wood body. Due to the small workshop size, most models won't be restocked until spring, so don't miss out!
1. What is HAKUSEI Finish?
HAKUSEI means ‘taxidermy’ in English. Taxidermy is a preservation technique used for creating animal specimens for academic research, display, and appreciation. Hakusei finish refers to the meticulous process of hand-applying real fish skin to the bait body.
The stunning beauty achieved through this process far surpasses that of mass-produced painted baits. The natural silver scales create a unique shimmer and texture, with delicate color gradations that will take your breath away. In sunlight, these baits become even more spectacular as the scales produce subtle shifts between silver and iridescent hues depending on the angle.
2. Natural Fish Skin Creates Authentic Flash and Realistic Appearance
Beyond aesthetic beauty, Hakusei finish outperforms conventional painted baits functionally. Using real fish skin produces incredibly natural flash that artificial paint simply cannot replicate, effectively drawing in bass from a distance. This is particularly effective in clear water and bright sunlight conditions.
Of course, when bass approach, the ultra-realistic appearance triggers strikes without hesitation.
3. Our Featured Color - HAKUSEI Wakasagi
First arrival features skin from Wakasagi*, a flash-producing baitfish that maximizes the effectiveness of the Hakusei finish (*Wakasagi is a silver-colored native Japanese baitfish known for its flash).
Given that Wakasagi played a crucial role in the development of mid-strolling techniques, its effectiveness is undeniable.
Even in waters where Wakasagi aren't present, these baits excel in areas with other flash-producing baitfish like shad, golden shiners, or blueback herring.
*Carefully Selected Wakasagi Skin
4. Introducing Three Available Series
These three series are available:
SOLD OUT
Model 1: ST Series
This is Maki Handmade Lures' basic jerkbait model. It features a simple yet effective swimming action on straight retrieve. Available in 2.4-inch size only, in both floating and sinking models.
Model 2: ST-MD Series
With a slightly more bent body shape than the ST series, this model targets slightly deeper 5-6.5 foot ranges. Like the ST series, it performs well on straight retrieve while maintaining aggressive appeal. During twitching or jerking, the balsa wood's responsiveness combined with the fish skin finish creates stunning flash. Available in floating models only in three sizes (2.6-inch, 3-inch, and 3.7-inch).
(MD series exclusively features a limited quantity in HAKUSEI Himemasu - check it out!)
Model 3: AT Series
This series features a straight, thin, and slim body profile focused on maximum natural presentation. It produces a tight rolling action and handles beautifully from fast to slow retrieves. Particularly effective when bass are highly pressured. Available in floating models only, in two sizes (3-inch and 3.7-inch).
5. Fall - Prime Season for Hakusei finish
Fall is one of the most effective seasons for Hakusei finish baits, as their realism shines when baitfish are key. During this season, bass are particularly sensitive to baitfish movements, and locating them is crucial for success. Hakusei finish baits effectively replicate the realistic baitfish that bass prefer, efficiently appealing to scattered bass across wide areas. These baits are especially worth trying if you have clear water fisheries nearby.
6. Next Restock Not Until Spring
Due to Maki Handmade Lures' small workshop setup, carefully selected fish skins, and meticulous artisan crafting of each bait, production quantities are limited. Most models won't be restocked until spring, so don't miss this opportunity!
7. Great as Display Pieces and Gifts for Fishing Friends
(Photo by MAKI HANDMADE LURES)
These Hakusei finish baits transcend mere fishing tools, representing items of exceptional value. As premium handcrafted baits by Japanese artisans, these masterpieces combine unmatched beauty and functionality that mass-produced items simply cannot achieve. While the natural flash from genuine fish skin proves devastating on the water, their visual appeal makes them equally suitable as display pieces. These baits, combining artisanal craftsmanship with natural beauty, are more than fishing tools - they're pieces of art. As gifts, their premium quality and unique character make lasting impressions.
8. About Maki Handmade Lures
Maki Handmade Lures has been crafting handmade baits since the early 2000s in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, about two hours from Tokyo. In this quiet, nature-surrounded environment, artisans carefully handcraft each bait, achieving quality and attention to detail impossible through mass production. They particularly excel at leveraging Japanese craftsmanship and extensive experience for meticulously calculated designs and finishes.
Maki Handmade Lures' artisans aim to deliver surprise and excitement to anglers. In their words, "We strive to create baits that first amaze visually while remaining easy for anyone to use. We want customers to experience that 'Wow!' moment of excitement when they first see and touch our baits." Indeed, our staff was breathless when first handling these baits.
Born in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture - a quiet town known for lake trout fishing - this brand deeply understands angling enjoyment and continues providing trusted products to anglers. From performance as fishing tools to the special value felt from first touch - that's the magic of this brand's baits.
