Rod brand introduces Japanese urchin bait to US

A US brand – better known for its award-winning line-up of fishing rods – is bringing in a Japanese-inspired urchin bait to US bass anglers

The Duckett Fishing-imported ¥EN brand has expanded its Japanese-inspired soft-plastics range with the ASHI, an ultra-reactive urchin-style bait designed for subtle presentations around pressured bass.

Named after the Japanese word for “legs”, the ASHI’s action centres on 42 oversized 50mm appendages, which move independently during the fall, at rest and on the retrieve. The design is intended to create continuous visual movement without demanding aggressive rod work from the angler.

The bait is made from JDM-formulated GOMU TPE C90 material, selected for its responsiveness with minimal angler input. Its slim 33mm x 15mm body combines an elongated profile to support hook placement with enough presence to attract fish.

A moulded 1mm central channel is designed to make rigging quicker and more consistent, while allowing the bait to work naturally with ¥EN terminal tackle, including the Qwik Rig system.

¥EN said each component of the ASHI serves a specific purpose: the material provides reactivity, the 42-leg layout delivers layered movement, and the elongated body and central hole support repeatable, efficient rigging.

The launch reinforces the brand’s focus on pairing technique-specific soft baits with purpose-built terminal tackle for American bass anglers, particularly in clear-water, technical and high-pressure situations.

ASHI at a glance

• Style: JDM-inspired urchin soft plastic;
• Material: Premium, ultra-reactive GOMU TPE C90;
• Legs: 42, each measuring 50mm;
• Body: 33mm x 15mm;
• Rigging: Moulded 1mm centre hole;
• Distribution: Imported by Duckett Fishing.

¥EN is a Japanese-inspired soft-plastics and terminal-tackle brand built around clean profiles, subtle action and practical presentations for pressured bass.

The Qwik Rig is a purpose-built system designed to simplify rigging for any urchin-style bait while delivering a stable, natural presentation. The single-piece harness combines a rear treble hook and weighting into a single streamlined solution, helping anglers spend less time assembling tackle and more time fishing effectively.