About Us
Crafted in Japan. Trusted Worldwide.
Decoy is the premium hook brand of Katsuichi Co., Ltd.—a company with over a century of expertise in precision metalwork and fishing hook manufacturing. Our journey began in 1920, when Takeyosuke Nakagawa founded the Nakagawa Needle Works in Kamie-cho, Nishiwaki City, a region renowned as the birthplace of Banshu traditional fly tying. Through postwar shortages and changing industry demands, the company never lost sight of its mission: to create superior tools for anglers by mastering every step of the process in-house.
After incorporating as Katsuichi Co., Ltd. in 1983, the company shifted from fly tying into producing fishing hooks tailored to the emerging needs of sportfishing. Rather than rely on mass-market iron hooks, Katsuichi pioneered the use of high-carbon steel for its precision and strength—setting a new benchmark for recreational anglers. By integrating direct feedback from Japanese tournament anglers and adapting to the influence of overseas lure fishing, Decoy developed a product range that consistently meets the highest demands of modern anglers.
That commitment to in-house craftsmanship is what truly sets Decoy apart.
Unlike many manufacturers, we never outsourced production. Instead, we engineered our own furnaces and production systems tailored specifically to the needs of hook making. In 1994, Katsuichi developed a proprietary heat treatment process called K-Grit, using a purpose-built, movable furnace designed to precisely harden fishing hooks—not generic steel. This method delivered an ideal balance of hardness and flexibility, while drastically improving processing speed and consistency.
As demand grew for stronger hooks capable of handling larger offshore species, Katsuichi pushed the limits even further. In 2015, we introduced the K2-Grit system—a next-generation furnace with digital environmental control. By eliminating oxygen exposure during heat treatment, we were able to minimise decarburisation, distortion, and unwanted structural changes in the steel. This leap in thermal control enabled us to produce ultra-durable hooks for game fishing without sacrificing sharpness or consistency.
All Decoy hooks are still heat-treated in-house across three custom-built furnaces, optimised for different hook types. From finesse trebles to heavy-duty offshore jigging models, every product is subjected to a level of manufacturing precision rarely seen in today’s industry.
But craftsmanship doesn’t end with steel.
Decoy continues to innovate in hook shaping, surface treatment, and tempering techniques—many of which are difficult or impossible to fully automate. That’s why our approach blends modern production with the intuition of experienced craftsmen. We digitise decades of sensory knowledge, transforming traditional skills into repeatable, high-precision processes—without removing the human element. It’s not about resisting change. It’s about evolving without compromise.
In the 10-year span from 2007 to 2016, Decoy earned “Tackle of the Year” in Japan’s Lure Magazine eight times in the hook category—a recognition of the lasting performance and trust we’ve built with anglers.
At its core, Decoy is driven by one idea:
We make our products with care, so you can fish with confidence.