What Bryan New Learned on His First Trip to Japan (And the JDM Gear He Couldn't Resist)
Bassmaster Elite Series champion Bryan New has long been a fan of JDM fishing tackle. While many coveted Japanese lures and rods eventually make their way to U.S. retailers – notably through his sponsor, SPRO -- nothing compares to seeing the selection firsthand in Japan.
Bryan recently made his first trip overseas to experience Japan's renowned bass fishing culture, browse legendary tackle shops and, of course, add more than a few hard-to-find pieces to his collection. We caught up with him at ICAST 2026 to hear about the fishing, the food, the gear he couldn't resist buying, and why he'd drop everything to go back if given the chance.
Bass pro Bryan New shares what he learned on his first trip to Japan, from world-class bass fishing and JDM tackle shopping to food, culture and travel.