K-RO Guide Service Top Water

The K-RO Guide Service Topwater series is a handmade line of topwater lures created by Keiichiro Watanabe, a guide based at Lake Hibara, based on the lures he uses during his own guided trips. Designed primarily to remain floating and visible to fish focused on insects on the surface, the lures also allow anglers to impart subtle variations through delicate manipulation. The representative Sandalun model features an insect-inspired body combined with rubber and is equipped with a treble hook. As these are handmade lures, specifications such as the hooks and the rubber colors may vary between individual lures.

In addition to simply leaving the Sandalun floating on the surface after casting, anglers can use an extremely subtle shake—just enough to suggest movement—to create delicate vibrations in the rubber. It is suited to a presentation that combines stillness after landing with only the slightest movements, rather than continuous, aggressive action. The lure can also be used not only when fish are focused on insects, but also to target shrimp-feeding fish by taking advantage of its presence on the water’s surface. In addition to the Sandalun, the series includes models such as the Bekorun, while the Sandalun is also available in two-tone colors and different sizes. When using the Sandalun, the official recommendation is PE 0.4 with a 5 lb fluorocarbon leader.