Masami’s kebari (#8)

The video “Greatest Level Line”, featuring Dr. Hisao Ishigaki and Masami

Sakakibara, shocked the Tenkara community in Japan with Masami Sakakibara

catching many fish using #6, #4, and at times #2 kebari. His display of making

perfect casts using long and light level lines with his large kebari was seen in

disbelief.  He also caught his record Agamo (37.5cm) during the shoot.

Masami would often use these large kebari for scouting, to determine the activity

level of the fish and also as a stimulator. “Sasoi” translates “to lure” in English.

Masami has invented many “Sasoi” techniques to make his Tenkara more effective.

“Placing the kebari in the vicinity of a fish is not enough.  At times you have to

implement more bold and aggressive action with the kebari so the fish “has to react.”

When asked why he uses such large kebari, Masami would just say,

“they (fish) get excited when you show them a large kebari.”

Masami likes to imitate mayflies with kebari and presentation

Masami always casts so the kebari touches the water first.

Masami likes black body/pheasant hackle combination