Major Craft Break Back 120: A Long-Casting Sinking Minnow for Yellowtail and Blue-Water Fish

Major Craft has released the Break Back 120, a minnow made specifically for aomono, the Japanese term for fast blue-water fish such as yellowtail, amberjack, bonito and Spanish mackerel.

Shimano, Daiwa and plenty of other makers already sell minnows for these fish, and most use weight-transfer systems with similar casting distance, so it can be hard to choose. What sets the Break Back apart is balance.

Price

¥1,900 (¥2,090 incl. tax).

Features

The Break Back 120 was developed as a dedicated blue-water minnow for everything from shore to boat. Its 120 mm body and 26 g weight are tuned for these fish.

Designed for overall balance

The biggest feature is a design focused on overall balance. Distance, action and depth control, the three key qualities of a minnow, are all stable. Stability at high retrieve speeds stands out: it keeps a steady swimming posture and holds the set depth even on a fast retrieve.

Long casts from a tungsten weight and aero shape

A high-density tungsten ball inside moves smoothly on the cast for a big boost in distance. Combined with a streamlined aero form that minimises air resistance, it delivers outstanding casting range. Studying airflow to this extent feels like car or motorbike design.

Strong Japanese hooks

It comes with Japanese-made Gekisasu hooks for durability and strength. The thick-wire hooks handle the hard runs of blue-water fish and unexpected big bites, so the lure can perform at its best.

Action

It runs to a maximum depth of 2.5 m. As well as a steady retrieve, it responds well to jerks such as the one-pitch jerk.

Specs

Recommended rod: Crosride 1G-class

Major Craft’s own Crosride 1G-class is a good partner. It has two groups: Light Shore Jigging (LSJ) models for lighter 10–50 g jigs and lures, and Shore Jigging models for more serious work.

• XR1-942ML/LSJ: versatile, covers small blue-water fish such as mackerel, frigate tuna and young Spanish mackerel
• XR1-1002MH: handles small to large fish and works with metal jigs, minnows and topwater plugs
• XR1-1002HH: the strongest model, rated up to 120 g for big fish from offshore rocks

All models share a forgiving blank that is easy to cast and casts far, Fuji K-guide frames and a grip that reduces fatigue.

Light Shore Jigging models

Shore Jigging models

Prices shown as before tax, with the tax-inclusive price in brackets.

Colours to note

• #9 Edge Orange
• #10 Clear Pink Head Chart

For more on targeting these fish from the shore, see how to start shore jigging and yellowtail season on the surf.

Summary

• A 120 mm, 26 g sinking minnow built for blue-water fish
• Balanced distance, action and depth control, stable even on fast retrieves
• Tungsten weight transfer and aero body for long casts
• Thick-wire Japanese Gekisasu hooks
• Runs to 2.5 m and responds to steady retrieves and jerks; ¥1,900 before tax

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.