What is/are Tanago?
Tanago is the Japanese word for Bitterling, a tiny species of fish in Japan that many Japanese anglers covet. The art of Tanago fishing involves the deliberate targeting of the smallest fish possible on hook and line! To do so, Japanese anglers developed the smallest fishing hooks in the world! They also use tiny extendable fishing rods and mini floats delicate enough for the target species.
Tanago and microfishing in the UK?
There is a species of Bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) found in some areas in the UK, however they are classed as an invasive non-native species. They are a very small fish species that most anglers overlook. It seems that only dedicated fish species hunters target them in the UK.
Microfishing is the term given to the style of fishing where the smallest of fish species are the main quarry. Tanago tackle is perfect for microfishing and it also crosses over well into LRF (Light Rock Fishing). Microfishing seems to be typically gaining in popularity as more and more anglers turn to fish species hunting in the hobby. Many fish species don't grow very big but that doesn't mean they can't be caught on hook and line! Some micro species are insanely difficult to hook due to their size! Microfishing in the USA has thrived in recent years but the craze still seems to be in its early stages here in the UK. I hope to introduce more anglers to the crazy world of microfishing!
What size are Tanago hooks?
Tanago hooks usually aren't given a hook size, instead they are given a pattern or style name. Tanago hooks vary in shape, hook gape and hook point length. The closest comparison to a UK hook size I can give would be that most Tanago hooks are smaller than a size 30!
Do you ship internationally?
Unfortunately no. I run Tanagomax in my spare time and due to some issues with previous international orders I no longer have the capability to ship outside of the UK. My apologies!
I'm after a specific item, can you get it for me?
I have several suppliers in Japan who can source basically any fishing-related item you can think of! If you are after a certain item please contact me using the contact form, or via Instagram or Facebook message. I may be able to source the item for a future shipment or restock.
-Max