Gear

Photo gallery: A $400-plus swimbait?

Record-holder Kurita claims he battled a 28-pound bass with one of these high-end beauties.

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<p> Before you balk at the idea of a $400 swimbait, take a look and see what goes into these fishy masterpieces. Once these beauties have their hooks they'll be ready for local tackle stores. </p>
Before you balk at the idea of a $400 swimbait, take a look and see what goes into these fishy masterpieces. Once these beauties have their hooks they’ll be ready for local tackle stores. 
<p> Each of these baits will require 12 hours of manual labor to complete.</p>
Each of these baits will require 12 hours of manual labor to complete.
<p> Further along in the process, a swimbait emerges from wood.</p>
Further along in the process, a swimbait emerges from wood.
<p> A Roman Made is born.</p>
A Roman Made is born.
<p> These are receiving paint.</p>
These are receiving paint.
<p> Mothers approaching completion.</p>
Mothers approaching completion.
<p> The Mother is the flagship bait in Roman Made’s line.</p>
The Mother is the flagship bait in Roman Made’s line.
<p> Attention to detail is evident in every aspect. The plastic rectangle is to dampen the “clicks” the bait makes when it moves through the water.</p>
Attention to detail is evident in every aspect. The plastic rectangle is to dampen the “clicks” the bait makes when it moves through the water.
<p> Note the tiny, perfect scales, hand-cut tail and hand-signed “Roman Made.”</p>
Note the tiny, perfect scales, hand-cut tail and hand-signed “Roman Made.”
<p> The Mother weighs in at more than 10 ounces and is nearly 12 inches long.</p>
The Mother weighs in at more than 10 ounces and is nearly 12 inches long.
<p> Make no mistake, this bait is a heavy-hitter.</p>
Make no mistake, this bait is a heavy-hitter.
<p> This is a billed Trick model. It’s a wakebait that will also dive to 3 feet.</p>
This is a billed Trick model. It’s a wakebait that will also dive to 3 feet.
<p> The same attention to detail goes into each Roman Made bait as the Mother gets.</p>
The same attention to detail goes into each Roman Made bait as the Mother gets.
<p> Note the same hand-signed name.</p>
Note the same hand-signed name.
<p> Most of the Roman Made lures end up at local tackle shops, throughout Japan.</p>
Most of the Roman Made lures end up at local tackle shops, throughout Japan.
<p> Proven success on Lake Biwa.</p>
Proven success on Lake Biwa.
<p> Toshinori Takeyama with one of his creations.</p>
Toshinori Takeyama with one of his creations.
<p> This giant couldn’t say no to Mother.</p>
This giant couldn’t say no to Mother.

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