Arma Joint 150S Flash Boost (XG-X15V)

The Armor Joint is a big bait designed specifically for surf fishing. It allows you to approach flounder and flathead, which are typical targets in surf fishing, from a completely new angle. Shimano's unique Armor Boost solves the problem of not being able to fly, and the joint body gives it a seductive action and presence that appeals to a wider range.

To experience unprecedented fun

Big baits, with their distinctive joint structure and large presence, have the ability to attract fish from afar and are comparable to worms in terms of their feeding ability. They are also fun to manipulate with various techniques, and are a lure that has the potential to make you want to catch a fish with them. Is it possible to realize the same fun of big baits in surf fishing? Development began with Shimano's proud technology and ideas in mind, in a world that no one has yet ventured into. The biggest challenge was to achieve a casting distance that would work in the vast expanses of surf. However, navigating this uncharted territory was not an easy road.

The joint structure of the big bait creates a natural and smooth action that other lures do not have. On the other hand, this structure is susceptible to air resistance, and not only does the lure not fly, it also rotates at the crucial moment and the line hook often gets tangled. No matter how good the lure swims, if there are frequent problems, you cannot take advantage of the opportunity. The new technology Arma Boost has solved these problems.

The secret to stable flight of big baits

The biggest secret to the flight distance and armor boost is in the structure of the joint part. One of them is that the body folds into a round shape when casting, making it less susceptible to wind resistance. The stable flight posture makes it less likely to rotate, which not only increases the flight distance but also improves accuracy. It is comfortable and easy to use even in surf, where the wind can easily affect the lure.

Equipped with a petit lock to prevent the line from getting tangled on the hook

In order to reduce the chance of the line getting tangled with the hook, we made detailed adjustments to the position of the hook eye and repeated testing. This allowed us to set the hook eye in the best position, but for even more comfortable use, we equipped it with Shimano's original Petit Lock. This is a mechanism also installed in NESSA's "Metal Drive", and is a function that semi-fixes the hook eye to the body. Normally, the line would get tangled more frequently when the body is folded, but through repeated testing during development and this function, we have achieved both increased casting distance and ease of use that is less likely to cause problems.

The power of magnets, semi-fixed ideas

The folding body dramatically improved the casting distance, but it was extremely difficult to achieve both. It is no exaggeration to say that this was the most difficult part. In the test stage, the Arma Boost had a wide range of motion in the joint, so it could not naturally deflect water resistance, resulting in an obviously unnatural action. The idea of utilizing the power of magnets was used to solve this problem. The plate used in this joint is designed to be semi-fixed by the built-in magnet when the lure swims. This determines the range of motion of the joint, and the lure's action also becomes natural and smooth. It also supports fast and slow retrieves. And when casting, the magnet lock is released, so it folds up firmly and the casting distance is stable. The idea of semi-fixing it with the power of magnets realizes the original seductive movement of big baits.

Another big problem arose when considering using it in the surf. That was the problem of sand getting caught in the joint. Naturally, if sand gets caught in this area, the lure loses its original action. To solve this problem, we conducted repeated tests, paying close attention to even the smallest details, such as the width and depth of the groove in the joint and the length of the plate used. As a result, the groove has an optimal shape that allows sand to flow away naturally with the force of the water current. Furthermore, the plate is strong enough to handle hits by big targets, including bluefish.

Nessa's "Arma Joint 150S" is a sinking type lure with a size of 150mm. The reason for this is that, first of all, when considering ease of use in the surf, an environment that is easily affected by wind and waves, sinking types are more compatible. The size of 150mm is designed to be usable all year round and to be less affected by the size of the bait. However, making it too small will ruin its presence, so it is set to 150mm, which is easy to balance. The action is a wide wobbling roll, and the joint body makes an appealing move with a seductive movement. It is also easy to use, as it can be used for a wide range of actions such as free winding, stop & go, and twitching.