2026.10.09

Shimano Nessa Nina 120S: A Lipless Minnow for Shallow Surf, From the Hirame Minnow III Line

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Shimano has released a new lipless minnow for the surf: the Nessa Nina 120S.

Shallow surf is hard to fish. A lipped minnow grinds along the bottom, and a sinking pencil either rises too much or sinks too much. The Nina 120S is Shimano’s answer to one question: how do you fish a shallow beach properly?

It is based on the well-known Nessa Hirame Minnow III. Here is what is inside the Nina 120S and where to use it, based on Shimano’s official information.

Contents

Nina 120S specification
Features
Its relationship to the Hirame Minnow III
Nina 120S vs Shimano Hikage 125S
Where to use it
Target fish
Things to watch
Colours
Summary
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Nina 120S specification


Product code	XG-212Z
Type	Sinking (lipless minnow)
Length	120 mm
Weight	24 g
Hooks	#5 x 3
List price	2,400 yen (excl. tax)
Colours	10
Release	September 2026

Developed under the supervision of surf expert Mitsuya Hotta.

The first thing to notice is 24 g at 120 mm. Surf sinking pencils and heavy sinking minnows of this size are often 30-40 g. 24 g is light – a weight chosen not to “sink and drag the bottom”, but to keep running in a shallow layer.

Features

1. Lipless, so it does not hammer the bottom in the shallows

The key feature is that it has no lip. A lipped minnow’s lip sticks out below the body, so in shallow water it hits the bottom too much. The Nina’s lipless shape is designed to release the force when it touches bottom and keep its swimming posture. Rather than “hitting” the bottom, it “brushes” it – which is said to make changes in the bottom easier to feel.

Shimano says it is at its best in water of around 2 m; tester Mitsuya Hotta says around 1.5 m.

2. Jet Boost rebuilt for the surf

The moving-weight system is Shimano’s familiar Jet Boost – but not simply carried over. It is a surf-specific version with a lower centre of gravity and a weight that travels further to the rear. It also inherits the Hirame Minnow III’s aerodynamics, so it casts well even at only 24 g.

3. The Hirame Minnow III’s wobbling roll

The action is the wobbling roll that made the Hirame Minnow III popular: it pushes water for appeal while the roll adds a bait-like look – neither too strong nor too weak. The body carries Shimano’s highly reflective “Scale Boost” holographic finish, so it works both for searching and for getting bites.

Its relationship to the Hirame Minnow III

According to Mitsuya Hotta, the Nina 120S started from the very refined Hirame Minnow III, keeping its body shape, weight layout and air-chamber design, then fine-tuned it. In other words, it is a spin-off that keeps the Hirame Minnow III’s casting and action but is specialised for shallow water. If you already use the Hirame Minnow III, it should slot into your rotation easily.

Nina 120S vs Shimano Hikage 125S

Released the same month, also with Jet Boost, is Shimano’s Hikage 125S. The sizes are close, so some people will be torn – but their jobs are very different.

	Nina 120S	Hikage 125S
Type	Lipless minnow	Heavy sinking pencil
Size / weight	120 mm / 24 g	125 mm / 40 g
Best depth	Shallow water around 1.5-2 m	Far out, deeper water, rough days
Where	Shallow beaches, falling tide	Big rivers, rocks, casting at boils – very versatile

In short: fish shallow water carefully with the Nina; hit distant or deeper water with the Hikage. With a 16 g difference, they will run at completely different depths even in the same spot.

Where to use it

Shallow, gently sloping beaches

This is where the Nina shines. On a flat beach where minnows keep hitting the bottom, being able to run just above the sand at a near-level angle is something a lipped minnow cannot do.

From high tide into the falling tide

Shimano describes it as efficient for searching areas where the water level has dropped from high tide through the falling tide. Bring it out when the water has dropped and other lures have become hard to fish. (See tide, wind and swell.)

Rip outflows and side currents

According to Hotta, it grips the water well, so it keeps swimming slowly with only slight line tension. Holding it in place in an outflow or a side current is also said to be effective. (See how to read a surf beach.)

Basic retrieve: straight or stop-and-go

No need to overthink it – a straight retrieve or stop-and-go. Being lipless, it has little winding resistance, so it should be one of the easier lures for beginners.

Target fish

Mainly flatfish – flounder and flathead. As a minnow that can run shallow, it is also said to handle seabass and pelagics that come into the surf. (See the hirame guide.)

Things to watch

At 24 g it may fall behind heavier lures for distance and depth control into headwinds or big waves.
Being shallow-specialised, it will see less use on deeper beaches or for distant drop-offs.
Three hooks: watch for snags on cobble or rocky ground.

Put the other way: its purpose is clear – fishing shallow water carefully. Its job does not overlap with your sinking pencils and jigs, so it earns a place in the box.

Colours

Ten colours: A Hirame Gold, S UV Hade Iwashi, A Akakin Glow, A Gold Punch, A Bubblegum Chart, A Rame Hirame Pink, A Sicily Glow, Matt Pink Iwashi, T Suke Iwashi and A Clear P Iwashi. In line with surf convention: Hirame Gold or Gold Punch for dawn and stained water, T Suke Iwashi or Clear P Iwashi for clear water.

Summary

Nina 120S: a 120 mm, 24 g sinking lipless minnow, released September 2026.
Based on the Hirame Minnow III, specialised for shallow surf.
Surf-specific Jet Boost for distance despite the light weight.
Lipless, so it does not hammer the bottom; best in about 1.5-2 m.
Hikage 125S or jigs for far and deep; Nina for the shallows.

If you have ever struggled on a shallow beach – “minnows hit the bottom, sinking pencils run at the wrong depth” – this lure is aimed squarely at you.