DECOY - SPLIT RING EX R11 EXTRA STRONG MADE IN JAPAN

Decoy Split Ring EX R-11 Extra Strong (Made In Japan)

The R-11 Split Ring EX sits at the top of Katsuichi's Decoy split ring ladder — Light Class (R-1 / R-4), Medium Class (R-3), Heavy Class (R-5), then EX. It is built on a heavier-gauge wire than the standard rings, and Katsuichi rates it at roughly 50% stronger than the equivalent normal-type ring. The plus notation (#1+ to #6+) marks that upgrade — a #3+ keeps a similar footprint to a standard #3 but carries more wire. That matters where the ring is the weak point of an otherwise heavy chain: GT and tuna casting, deep and slow-pitch jigging, large stickbaits, and heavy freshwater work. The wire uses an inner-cut structure so hooks and solid rings still slide on cleanly despite the heavier gauge, and the silver finish is anti-corrosion treated for saltwater.

Key Features

• Extra-strong (EX) split ring — the heaviest step in the Decoy R-series ladder
• Heavy-gauge wire rated by Katsuichi at approximately 50% stronger than the standard type
• Inner-cut structure so hooks and solid rings still attach cleanly on thick wire
• Compact footprint for the strength, so lure balance is largely preserved
• Anti-corrosion silver finish for saltwater and heavy freshwater use
• Six sizes, #1+ to #6+, covering upgraded light-tackle plugs through to GT hardware
• Made in Japan by Katsuichi

How To Rig It

• Full stickbait and popper upgrade — Strip the factory rings off large casting lures and rebuild with EX rings sized to the trebles you intend to run. Use heavy split ring pliers; #4+ and up will not open with light lure pliers.
• Jig, solid ring, assist — Leader knot to solid ring, solid ring to R-11, R-11 to jig eye. Keep the split away from the assist cord so nothing sits across the step.
• Do not over-size — Extra size adds weight at the nose and dulls a stickbait's walk. Step up one size and check the action first.

Specifications

Katsuichi does not publish a tensile figure per size for the R-11, only the approximate 50% uplift over the standard type, so no kg or lb rating is stated here.

Recommended Pairing

• Heavy casting and jigging tackle, PE 3–8 with 60–130 lb fluorocarbon or nylon leader
• Strong trebles, heavy single hooks and assist hooks on 140–220 mm stickbaits, poppers and 100–300 g jigs
• Pair with a solid ring of matching class so the knot never bears on the split ring
• Drop to R-5 Heavy Class for standard shore jigging, R-3 Medium Class for general lure fishing, or R-1 / R-4 Light Class for finesse and trout lures