Daiwa Deka Pokokuro 80mm Soft Body Crawler Bait

The Daiwa Deka Pokokuro is an upsized soft-body winged crawler designed for slow and controlled topwater presentations. Measuring 82 mm and weighing 28 g, it combines the subtle landing of a hollow soft body with the wide surface disturbance produced by lightweight aluminum wings.

Its larger profile makes it easier to cast accurately around weed edges, laydowns, docks, overhanging vegetation, and other shallow-water cover. Once the retrieve begins, the wings engage quickly and produce a steady side-to-side crawling action, creating visible surface movement without requiring a fast retrieve.

Daiwa also equips the Deka Pokokuro with a stainless steel belly guard, two #2 SaqSas treble hooks, and the flexible NIGASAZU rear hook system. Together, these features help protect the soft body and improve hook movement during aggressive surface strikes.

Daiwa Deka Pokokuro Technical Specifications

Soft-Body Design for a Quieter Surface Entry

Conventional hard-bodied crawler baits can land with a firm and noticeable impact, especially when cast into shallow or calm water. The Deka Pokokuro uses a flexible hollow body that helps soften its contact with the surface.

This more natural entry is useful when targeting cautious bass around shallow flats, docks, overhanging trees, weed pockets, and other high-percentage areas. The soft body also gives the lure a distinctive prey-like profile while maintaining enough buoyancy to support its aluminum wing system.

Responsive Aluminum Wings and Slow Crawling Action

Lightweight aluminum wings open and engage as the retrieve begins, allowing the Deka Pokokuro to produce a consistent crawling action at slow speeds. The body rocks from side to side while the wings push water outward, leaving a visible wake and a rhythmic surface disturbance.

A slow, steady retrieve is the primary presentation. This keeps the lure inside the strike zone longer and allows it to move naturally beside cover without travelling too quickly.

The lure can also be worked with short pauses or gentle rod-tip movements when additional time near a dock, laydown, weed opening, or shaded pocket is needed.

NIGASAZU Rear Hook System and Stainless Belly Guard

The rear treble hook is mounted on Daiwa’s NIGASAZU flexible hook hanger. Its elastic construction gives the rear hook greater freedom of movement during short strikes, suction-style bites, and sudden changes in direction.

When a hooked fish twists, rolls, or jumps, the flexible hanger can rotate and absorb part of the direct leverage placed on the hook. This helps the treble hook move more naturally with the fish instead of remaining completely rigid against the lure body.

An ultra-thin stainless steel belly guard is installed beneath the lure to help prevent the front treble hook from catching or puncturing the soft body during casting, retrieval, and storage.

Factory-Installed #2 SaqSas Treble Hooks

The Daiwa Deka Pokokuro comes equipped with two #2 SaqSas-treated treble hooks. Daiwa’s low-friction surface treatment is designed to improve hook penetration by reducing resistance at the hook point.

Because the lure is fitted with large treble hooks, anglers should use a controlled sweeping hookset rather than an excessively forceful upward strike. Maintaining steady line pressure after the fish is hooked will help keep both trebles engaged.

Recommended Tackle Setup

• Rod: Use a medium-heavy casting rod rated to comfortably handle lures around 1 oz. A moderate-fast or fast action can provide casting control, hook-setting power, and enough flexibility for treble-hook fishing.
• Reel: A standard baitcasting reel with a medium-speed gear ratio provides good control during slow, steady retrieves. A faster reel can also be used as long as the retrieve speed is kept consistent.
• Line: Monofilament or braided line is generally preferred for topwater presentations because both help keep the lure riding high. Select the line strength according to cover, target species, and fishing conditions.
• Leader: When fishing braid in open water, a short monofilament leader can add stretch and reduce the chance of pulling treble hooks free. Around heavy vegetation, anglers may prefer straight braid.

Three Effective Ways to Fish the Daiwa Deka Pokokuro

1. Slow and Steady Crawl:
   Cast beside shallow cover and allow the lure to settle. Begin a slow, consistent retrieve that keeps the aluminum wings moving in a regular rhythm. This is the most reliable presentation for calm water, low-light periods, and pressured fish.
2. Plop-and-Pause:
   Cast beneath overhanging vegetation, beside docks, or into small openings in surface cover. Let the soft body settle before using short turns of the reel or gentle rod-tip movements. Pause between movements to keep the lure near the target area.
3. Moderate-Speed Search Retrieve:
   When fish are actively feeding, increase the retrieve speed slightly to create stronger surface disturbance. Use this approach along extended weed edges, shallow flats, and open lanes between vegetation.

Where to Fish the Deka Pokokuro

The Deka Pokokuro is particularly effective around shallow cover where bass are watching the surface for frogs, insects, rodents, and other vulnerable prey. Productive areas include:

• Shallow weed edges and isolated grass patches
• Laydowns, fallen trees, and flooded timber
• Docks, pontoons, and shaded marina cover
• Overhanging bushes and tree branches
• Calm flats during early morning or evening
• Open lanes beside lily pads and emergent vegetation

For the best action, cast beyond or alongside the target and retrieve the lure through the strike zone. Avoid retrieving too quickly at first; the lure is designed to produce strong surface movement even at a slow pace.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Daiwa Deka Pokokuro