Kaesu

Kaesu at Charlie's Fishing: Japanese big baits, joint crankbait and spinnerbait

Kaesu is the lure brand of MIX Ltd. in Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan, a company founded by Makoto Yanagihara in 2003 that also works in precision sheet metal, cutting, model moulding and surface treatment. The Kaesu brand followed in 2004, with lures developed around Lake Biwa for its big bass. That industrial background shows in the details: adjustable weight systems, replaceable parts and lures that each do one job very well. At Charlie's Fishing we stock the KRK 165 and KRK 205 big baits, the OHIRA joint crankbait, the RANKA spinnerbait and the original spare parts that keep them fishing. Below you find what each one is for.

Kaesu KRK 165 and KRK 205: adjustable jointed big baits

The KRK is a flat-sided jointed big bait that you steer with the rod: an S-curve on a steady retrieve, a wake just under the surface, walking the dog, sharp slides and darts on rod input, and stop-and-go. A stabiliser fin keeps the head up during hard twitches and cuts down on line tangles. With the Reload Weight System you set the buoyancy yourself with up to four tungsten weights, from high floating for surface work to sinking for deeper water, and three hook eyes let you change the hook position. The Kaesu KRK 165 (16.5 cm, 49 to 57 g, hooks #1) is the compact version for pike and other predators around weed edges and in open water, on a medium big bait setup. The Kaesu KRK 205 (20.5 cm, 86 to 98 g, hooks #1/0) brings a much bigger profile for large pike. Both come with four tungsten weights, four plastic balls and a spare weight cover. More in Swimbaits & Glidebaits and Pike Hardbaits.

Kaesu OHIRA: flat-sided joint crankbait

The Kaesu OHIRA (16.5 cm, 42 to 49 g, floating, hooks #3) is a jointed crankbait for big bait cranking. Its high, flat-sided body gives a strong wobble without rolling over, and the elastomer tail keeps moving during pauses and as the lure rises. The Reload Weight System with two tungsten weight balls and two float balls sets the depth: high floating for 0 to 1 m, floating to crank down to 2.6 m, or slow floating to reach 2.8 m. Fish it with a steady crank, stop-and-go along structure and cover, or walk it just below the surface for pike, bass and other predators. Read our blog Kaesu Ohira: five ways to fish Japan's clever cranking joint bait, and see more in Crankbaits & Twitchbaits.

Kaesu RANKA: spinnerbait with Knocking Blade System

The Kaesu RANKA is Kaesu's first spinnerbait: a compact head on 1 mm stainless steel spring wire with a closed eye and a wide gape #3/0 hook. It weighs 10.6 g (3/8 oz), and the included 3.5 g tungsten weight takes it to 14.2 g (1/2 oz) for longer casts, more depth or a faster retrieve. Its Knocking Blade System lets the narrow front blade touch the wide rear blade, so the lure gets irregular speed changes and head movement. Switch it off with the spacer tube on the upper arm and the RANKA runs as a stable spinnerbait for slow rolling near the bottom, coming through weed or working around structure. Vibration and flash help fish find it in coloured water. More in Chatterbaits & Spinnerbaits.

Original Kaesu spare parts

These are lures you keep fishing rather than replace, so we stock the original parts. The Kaesu KRK Joint pads (four per pack, left and right) fit both the KRK 165 and KRK 205. The Kaesu Spare Weights and Cap (two tungsten weights, two plastic balls and a weight cover) fits the Reload Weight System of the OHIRA and the KRK 205. For the OHIRA there are the Kaesu OHIRA Spare Lips and the elastomer Kaesu OHIRA Spare Tails. Keep the tails away from softbaits, as plasticisers can deform them. See all Spare Parts.

Which Kaesu lure for which situation

• A big bait you can steer on medium tackle: KRK 165.
• Maximum profile for big pike: KRK 205.
• Cranking a big profile over shallow structure or down to 2.8 m: OHIRA.
• Vibration and flash in weed or coloured water: RANKA.
• A worn joint, lip or tail: the original spare parts. See Pike, Perch and Black Bass.

Why buy Kaesu at Charlie's Fishing

We stock the Kaesu lures together with the spare joint pads, weights, lips and tails, so you can keep your lures in shape. Every product ships from our own stock in the Netherlands with fast delivery across Europe, and we are happy to help you choose the right model and weight setting for your water.

What is the Kaesu Reload Weight System?

It is a weight chamber in the KRK and OHIRA that takes tungsten weights and plastic balls, so you can set the same lure from high floating to slow floating or, on the KRK, sinking.

Which Kaesu KRK size should I choose?

The KRK 165 (16.5 cm) for a compact big bait on medium tackle, the KRK 205 (20.5 cm) when you want maximum presence for big pike.

Can I replace parts on my Kaesu lures?

Yes. We stock the original KRK joint pads, spare weights and cap, and OHIRA spare lips and tails.