Interview with Japan's Monster Bass Hunter: Yasumura
Story by Russ Bassdozer
Question #1: How long have you been fishing for trophy bass? How did you get started?
Yasumura: I think it’s been about 10 years now. There was not one thing in particular that got me hooked on fishing for monsters but ever since I was a child and I went fishing in the ocean or in rivers, I only remember targeting big fish. Now it’s just very natural for me to target big black bass.
Question #2: Please tell us a brief "fishing bio" about yourself (200 words or less) such as: how many days do you fish, if you are pro tournament angler, if you are in the fishing tackle business, if you are sponsored by companies in the fishing tackle business, if you are a fishing guide, if you have written or been written about in trophy bass articles/books, on fishing TV shows or videos - none of those things are necessary, but just establishes who you are with the unfamiliar reader. Basically, please share 200 words or less "fishing bio" about yourself.
Yasumura: It was about 10 years ago when I first came to my now home lake, Lake Ikehara in Nara, Japan. I was very surprised about the size of Lake Ikehara and overwhelmed by the breathtaking waterfalls from the surrounding mountains, the wild goats roaming the rocks and shoreline, and that you can see Monster Bass swimming in the gin clear water.
It was then that I asked myself the magical question, “How am I going to catch these Monster Bass?” I believe that these bass put me under a spell and since then my bass hunting journey began on the sacred waters of Lake Ikehara. Now I am working for Y Kikaku Boat Rental Marina at Lake Ikehara. This allows me to be on the lake full time and continue my search for Monster Bass.
Question #3: How many trophy bass have you caught (definition/size of a "trophy" is whatever you prefer)? What is the size of your biggest trophy bass?
Yasumura: The magic mark to say you have caught a ROKU MARU (trophy bass) is 60 cm in Japan. I’ve caught 26 fish over the 60cm mark. Most of those fish were over 10 pounds. My personal best is 66cm long for 6,180 grams (13.75 lbs).
Question #4: What rod and reel combos do you use most often for trophy bass hunting? What line and pound test do you use most often (mono, fluoro, braid) for trophy bass hunting? We are not asking so much about brands and models, but about general features of the rods, reels, lines you most often use for trophy bass hunting. Also, we are not asking about every rod, reel, line you use - that can be many different outfits. We wish to give the reader (who may be unfamiliar with trophy bass fishing in Florida) a general feel for what you most often would prefer to use in terms of rod, reel, line - understanding it is not the only outfit you use - but the one you would prefer to use, or tend to use most often.
Yasumura: For the type of fishing I predominately do, I need a rod that has a lot of butt power in order to turn the heads of the Monster Bass when they make their first run. I am not that particular with reels but most importantly. the reel has to be able to handle thicker diameter and heavier rated line, and also be able to hold a lot of line. I use 30lb fluorocarbon. Lake Ikehara has an abundance of submerged tree lines and lots of rocky areas, so I use a little bit heavier line than most because I know I’ll only have one chance to land the right fish!
Question #5: What are your top three techniques for catching giant bass?
Yasumura:
- Sight Fishing. This allows me to selectively target only Monster Bass. Under normal conditions, bass of this size do not typically eat lures. So during the spawning period, sight fishing allows me to target these trophies and get them to eat my lure.
- Approach. Big bass are very spooky and the way you have to approach them is very important. I take into consideration the way the wind is blowing, the way the boat sits and the way the fish are positioning themselves. Taking all of these factors into consideration, I approach them very quietly so I do not spook them.
- Timing. Monster Bass are very territorial so the timing on when you target these fish is critical. Try to time the weather, when and where the amount of big bait is plentiful and go after the big ones then.
Question #6: What are your top three lures for attracting trophies?
Yasumura:
- Big Baits/Swimbaits. Chucking and winding big swimbaits.
- Realistic Looking Minnow Plugs (Large Jerkbaits). Twitching and long stays (pauses).
- Topwater Plugs. Large wakebaits or surface walking type baits.
Question #7. What is the best time of the year for trophies in Japan?
Yasumura: You’ll have the highest percentage to catch Monster Bass from mid-April to mid-July in Japan because that is when the bass spawn here. During this time period there are more quantity of bigger fish caught than any other period. However for me, there is no one specific big bass season since I target them all year around.
Question #8. What role do electronics play for you when hunting for trophy bass?
Yasumura: It depends upon the season (for example sight fishing or not), but overall I think it is better to use electronics. The main purpose I use my electronics is to know the water temperature and to look for where the big bait is on that particular day.
Question #9. Once you are on the water, how do you divide your fishing day trying to locate trophy bass?
Yasumura: Lake Ikehara’s water level has potential to change so drastically overnight that the structure that are actually holding bass also changes all the time. Therefore, I always start out by checking the water level first and deciding which point to run to first. A lot also depends on the time of day and my hunches (instinct) but factors like the weather, wind and big baitfish all determine where I start locating fish.
Question #10. What is the main trophy bass forage in Japan's waters?
Yasumura: At Lake Ikehara, the main baitfish changes by season but for the most part 20-30cm Ugui (8-12") are considered the main baitfish year round. During the spawning season or in the spring, hera (related to carp) are abundant and are the main forage. During these times you often see Hera in the mouth or throat of the Monster Bass that you catch. You sometimes see the bass floating with Hera stuck in their throats. The bass at Lake Ikehara also get fat on rainbow trout, Japanese Trout and eels.
Question #11. Do you do any night fishing for trophy bass?
Yasumura: Most lakes in Japan do not allow night fishing, including Lake Ikehara.
Question #12: Do you feel there is a particular time of day or night when it is best to catch trophy bass?
Yasumura: I believe it changes slightly depending upon the season, but I think from 9am to 11am is better than the first thing in the morning or at dusk. I have caught most of my ROKU MARU (60cm bass) during the 9-11am time window.
Question #13: What do you feel that trophy bass do different, that ordinary size bass do not do?
Yasumura: Big bass have their own territory and they swim or eat on their own schedule. Obviously this is only my assumption but they are very efficient and spend less energy than smaller bass.
Question #14: What do you do different when hunting trophy bass, that you do not do when fishing for ordinary size bass?
Yasumura: It is common knowledge that there are far fewer big bass than regular size bass and that these monsters have lived longer and thus through their experiences are smarter and aren’t fooled as easy. I seldom fish for regular size fish so I really have only one style of fishing. I know that I am not going to get bit much so I slow down my fishing and try to stay in tune with my lure more. I try to deeply concentrate on what the lure is doing and where it needs to be in relationship to the forage. I search for larger baitfish and target those points all day. When fishing for big fish, I constantly have to tell myself that she is out there waiting for me and that she will come with perseverance and time on the water.
There is nothing like the feeling I get when I net or hold up the Monster Bass caught on a lure.
