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When it comes to lures, perhaps no one is more heralded for their contemporary designs than Hiroshi Nishine so Daiwa turned to him for its first-ever saltwater underspin jig, the Smelthead DX.

His website decalres: “Hiroshi Nishine’s missions is simple – to stop at nothing and develop the most effective fishing lures in the world. His obsessive attention to detail, precision engineering, and endless testing ensure that nothing is left to chance. Even in mass production, Hiroshi still hand-carves the master prototype from which each mould is made.”

Daiwa field marketing manager Chris Martin explained: “We wanted to bring the new and popular bass fishing jig to saltwater.”

As with everything Daiwa does, the Smelthead DX is fully intellectualised in design, starting with its extraordinary head shape. Chris said: “The line-tie placement on the sculpted head forces the nose of the jig downward, almost like a lipless crankbait. This downward angle allows the short arm of the underspin the freedom to spin and flash.”

The shape of the blade is unique, too, with its upper and lower curves causing the blade to spin in a tight rotation, not striking the body of the jig. Keeping the blade tight to the body is also crucial as it forces predators to take the entire lure rather than merely striking the flashing blade.

The Smelthead DX’s hooks are sharp and nickel plated for maximum corrosion resistance. And its elongated bait-keeper is designed to keep plastics sturdily in place without requiring a dot of superglue.

Martin added: “In the most elementary style, you can simply cast and retrieve it, either maintaining a steady pull or letting the Smelthead DX swing pendulum-style to explore depths. You can also let it settle and then bump it along the bottom in less snaggy areas. It also performs well straight-up vertical jigging, especially if you’re on a drift and covering water.

“Consider the Smelthead DX a winner for striped bass, flounder, cod, cobia, snook, tarpon, redfish and jacks.”

The heavier weights of the Smelthead DX – 1oz and 1.5oz – make it effective out to 100 feet of water and everything therein.

Although the Smelthead DX pairs perfectly with a wealth of larger soft plastic swimbaits and grubs, Daiwa’s new 6in Tournament D-FIN swimbait was created specifically to partner with the Smelthead DX. The size, shape, length, and action are a match made in heaven. 

It’s available in seven colours: Chartreuse Green Back (UV), Fire Orange (UV), Motor Oil (UV), Flake Pearl, Smelt, Gun Meta, and Black Back.

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