The origin of Ken Iyobe’s quest to become a bass pro originated during childhood. Of course, that’s not unusual. The inspiration behind his dream and where it begins is the difference.
Iyobe, 36, is from Japan and he’s now a rookie entering his first season of competition in the Bassmaster Elite Series. Growing up, he dreamed of fishing for bass in America. That wasn’t easy, but he managed.
Iyobe couldn’t read the print in borrowed copies of Bassmaster magazine. Yet he could see through the pictures and visually make a connection with his dream. He embraced any other form of visual media that fueled his desire to join the likes of Takahiro Omori and other successful Japanese anglers.
His quest to join the ranks of the Elite Series began six years ago. That’s when he decided it was time to put his Japanese bass fishing skills to the test. Since then, he’s competed in 22 events, most of them in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens presented by Allstate.
“I chose the Central Opens because the fishing on the lakes fits my style of fishing in shallow water,” he said. “Texas offers the best chance for me to learn big bass fishing and challenge me more.”
That makes sense, considering that shallow water fishing and techniques are common where he honed his skills.
Iyobe is a lure designer like many talented Japanese anglers. He channels his creative talents through Ten Feet Under, his company that offers a line of soft and hard baits. Ten Feet Under also markets a lineup of technical apparel, one of the fastest growing segments of the industry in both countries.
His biggest challenge admittedly is the language barrier. Immersion will certainly help. The Japanese contingent of anglers is a tight-knit group. So are their American peers. The support Iyobi receives from both sides influenced his decision to keep coming back from his hometown of Takoname.
“It is very difficult to learn the language, but I enjoy the challenge,” he said. “Everyone who is helping me learn it is a fisherman, and we speak the same language.”
Iyobe will maintain a base camp in Texas. Following BASSFest, he returns to Japan to renew his travel Visa for the home stretch of the season that concludes in September.
Iyboe’s first goal is now reality. What comes next is an admirable aspiration that takes him full circle.
“Educating anglers in Japan so they can follow me to America is important to me,” he said. “So is inspiring young Japanese to dream about becoming a bass pro like me.”