DUO Beach Walker Wedge 80S: The Smallest Wedge for Micro-Bait Days
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Minagiman's Fishing Adventures in Japan
Aquawave Step Magic 120S: A Jerkbait for Pressured Spanish Mackerel
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Blade jigs have become the default for shore-based Spanish mackerel (sawara) in Japan, but every regular knows the days when the fish follow a blade and refuse it. Aquawave — the maker of the hugely popular Metal Magic blade jig — now has an answer for those days: the Step Magic 120S, a sinking minnow designed specifically for jerking.
Step Magic 120S specs
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 mm |
| Weight | 21 g |
| Type | Sinking minnow, built for jerking |
| Japan price | 2,000 yen (excl. tax) |
| Colours | 8 |
| Main targets | Spanish mackerel / sagoshi, other pelagics |
120 mm is a very easy size to match to the sardines and anchovies sawara chase in autumn, and at 2,000 yen you will not be afraid to throw it at a fish with teeth that regularly cut leaders.
Five key features
- Weight transfer with spring support: the internal weight slides back for casting, and a spring pushes it forward on splashdown so the lure darts properly from the very first jerk.
- Slim front: sheds water when you snap the rod, giving a sharp side-to-side dart.
- Flat sides: each dart produces a strong flash, like a fleeing baitfish.
- Round, thick tail: keeps the lure level during the pause — the moment sawara usually strike — and acts as a brake after each dart.
- Low resistance: less strain on your wrist over a full day of jerking.
Why a minnow for sawara now?
When everyone on the pier throws the same blade jig, sawara quickly learn the steady spin and flash. In my experience they are fish that lose interest fast if they see the same action over and over. An irregular dart-and-pause is the opposite of a blade, and that is exactly where the Step Magic fits. It also lets you draw fish right to your feet and make them eat in front of you — honestly more exciting than blade fishing.
How it compares
| Step Magic 120S | Metal Magic (blade jig) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Sinking minnow | Blade jig |
| Retrieve | Jerk and pause | Straight retrieve |
| Best when | Fish are pressured or following without eating | Searching, active fish |
| Casting | Good for a minnow | Even further (metal) |
| Difficulty | Needs rhythm | Very easy |
They are a pair, not rivals: I would search with the Metal Magic at first light, then switch to the Step Magic when bites slow to pick up the pressured fish. Compared with a floating minnow like the DUO Tide Minnow Slim, the Step Magic can be counted down to fish holding a little deeper. Compared with jerking a metal jig, a minnow darts wider and hangs in the pause instead of dropping straight away.
How to fish it
| Step | How | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 jerks | Short, sharp rod snaps | Dart left and right like fleeing bait |
| Pause 1–2 s | Take up slack and stop | Give a following fish the chance to eat |
| Repeat | Keep the rhythm steady | Draw the fish all the way in |
- Depth control: if nothing shows on top, count it down 3 or 5 seconds before starting to jerk.
- Boils: cast just past a sawara boil and start jerking straight away — a great way to catch fish that ignore blades.
- Learn the rhythm at your feet: watch how far it darts with each snap before you fish it at range.
Colours
| Colour | When to use |
|---|---|
| A106 Blue Pink | First choice — morning to midday |
| A70C Pink Back | Dawn, slightly stained water |
| A104E Green Gold | Murky water, cloudy days |
| A108 Pink Zebra Glow | Low light, deeper ranges |
| A118 UV Magic Shirasu | Small bait, clear water |
| A163 Full Mirror Silver | Bright sun, maximum flash |
| A230 Chart Back Signal O.B. | Dirty water, high visibility |
| A231 Matt Flash Sand Orange | Pressured fish, less flash |
Suggested tackle
| Part | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Rod | 9–10 ft seabass / light shore jigging rod rated to about 30 g, with a crisp tip |
| Reel | Size 4000 high-gear spinning reel |
| Line | PE 1–1.5 |
| Leader | 25–30 lb fluorocarbon (go heavier for sawara teeth) |
Things to keep in mind
- Until you find the rhythm it may feel harder to catch with than a blade jig.
- At 21 g it will not cast as far as a blade into a strong headwind.
- Treble hooks mean the fish’s teeth can reach your leader — check it often.
- Counting it down too deep over rough ground risks snags.
Minagiman’s take
If you have ever had a day when blade jigs simply stopped working on sawara, this lure is the next move. It belongs in the box alongside your blade jigs, not instead of them.
Read next
- Spanish mackerel (sawara / sagoshi) in Japan
- Aquawave Metal Magic Slim
- Daiwa Blind Bolt 140
- Drag setting guide
ABOUT ME
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.
