Th e T ok y ® o r i g – i t was s ometh in g th a t
Spring 2019
B a ssm a s ter Clas s ic c hampio n M i ke I a co n elli
c a ll e d a gam e-cha n g er .
how-to
TOKYO RIG
like Mike Iaconelli
by Jody Only
Photos VMC
Ike explained that although the technique is being called the Tokyo rig here in the States, it also known by another name – Leadered Punch Shotting – in other regions.
FROM JAPAN
“I first laid my eyes on it, a few years ago, at Lake Biwa in Japan,” Ike recalled. “I was fishing there, using what we would call more ‘traditional techniques’ and guys were catching all kinds of fish behind me with it. I remember it like yesterday!
“At first, I was fishing with a guide from the lake. He was in front me and constantly outfishing me and
my punch rig. I took a look at his system and figured
I could use a short-leader dropshot; but he was still
crazy outfishing me. Finally, I got one of his, tied it on
and saw the effectiveness of it.”
page 50
N
ot using the term lightly, Mike Iaconelli likened
it to the success and industry-marker of the
Yamamoto Senko or the Alabama rig. “It is one of those and truly exciting,” the Jersey pro added.
STILL AN UNKNOWN
“It’s so new and it’s so good, we haven’t even figured out the full scope of the Tokyo rig yet,” began Ike. “That is great; because as it develops, you will see guys come out with even more ways to fish than we will even talk about today.”
The line attaches to a two-way barrel swivel that holds the hook and a separate offshoot of
the rigid wire that holds the hook.