Exclusive: A First Look at the Bean Rig
IN FRENCH, IT’S je ne sais quoi — that something special, something different that makes one stand out from the rest. While decidedly less poetic, the bean rig certainly fits the concept. And while this Japanese import is still fairly new to the U.S. bass scene, it’s sure to gain serious near-term traction.
Like the essence of free-market competition, this clever weighting system does the job other weights and rigs do, only better. “Strategically” and “more effectively” also fit here.
We’re typically used to seeing weights slip onto our fishing line through central channels (Texas rigs, Carolina rigs) or hang from our line by a top-end line tie, tension clip or pass-through (drop shot, Jika rig/punch shot, free rig, etc.). The bean weight blends the best of both with a unique, angled orientation.
“The bean rig is an evolution of rigs,” said Gamakatsu General Manager Kazutomo Nakamura, who designed a version called the Pea Sinker, due for an ICAST release. First was the Texas rig. Then Japanese anglers came up
