Ike’s Japan adventure

Mike Iaconelli has already traversed America from his home in Pitts Grove, N.J., to Los Angeles, before heading over the Pacific for Japan.
Mike Iaconelli has already traversed America from his home in Pitts Grove, N.J., to Los Angeles, before heading over the Pacific for Japan.
It’s a long flight but Ike is happy to announce he made it to Toyko.
It’s a long flight but Ike is happy to announce he made it to Toyko.
No Japanese McDonald’s or KFC for Iaconelli. “My first meal in Japan, and it’s GOOD!”
No Japanese McDonald’s or KFC for Iaconelli. “My first meal in Japan, and it’s GOOD!”
Ike arrives at the Fishing Vision offices and picks up the JDM Abu Garcia combos he’ll be using to fish Japan. “Boy these combos feel great!”
Ike arrives at the Fishing Vision offices and picks up the JDM Abu Garcia combos he’ll be using to fish Japan. “Boy these combos feel great!”
Ike said Japan has many wonderful things.
Ike said Japan has many wonderful things.
Among the amazing things for a pro angler are the tackle shop, this one called Manics. “Had to, just had to pick up some sick swimbaits!”
Among the amazing things for a pro angler are the tackle shop, this one called Manics. “Had to, just had to pick up some sick swimbaits!”
Ike’s host for the trip was fellow Elite Series angler Morizo Shimizu, who Ike had over to his place to shoot some fishing film. Ike is embarking on his first fishing trip in Japan.
Ike’s host for the trip was fellow Elite Series angler Morizo Shimizu, who Ike had over to his place to shoot some fishing film. Ike is embarking on his first fishing trip in Japan.
“I caught my first official bass in Japan today fishing with Morizo! What a cool moment!”
“I caught my first official bass in Japan today fishing with Morizo! What a cool moment!”
On his second day fishing in Japan, Ike caught a nice limit on the Tone River on Missile Jigs, Rapala cranks and Rapala jerkbaits. Check out the rock breaks which double as habitat.
On his second day fishing in Japan, Ike caught a nice limit on the Tone River on Missile Jigs, Rapala cranks and Rapala jerkbaits. Check out the rock breaks which double as habitat.
On Lake Kawaguchi, Ike said they had a super tough day. “I have a new appreciation on how much pressure these lakes get! Caught one bass and one bluegill thanks to downsizing to 2-pound test!
On Lake Kawaguchi, Ike said they had a super tough day. “I have a new appreciation on how much pressure these lakes get! Caught one bass and one bluegill thanks to downsizing to 2-pound test!”
Iaconelli said he had an amazing day with Morizo in Kyoto, where they dressed in kimonos and toured historic places.
Iaconelli said he had an amazing day with Morizo in Kyoto, where they dressed in kimonos and toured historic places.
Ike and Morizo enjoy a meal in the traditional garb.
Ike and Morizo enjoy a meal in the traditional garb.
Ike has a little fun with a man who poses for photographs free of charge. “Don't mess with me. I'll cut ya!” Ike wrote.
Ike has a little fun with a man who poses for photographs free of charge. “Don’t mess with me. I’ll cut ya!” Ike wrote.
Ike said he found the “history and culture in Japan absolutely amazing! Best trip ever!”
Ike said he found the “history and culture in Japan absolutely amazing! Best trip ever!”
Shimizu was fun to be around and gave Ike a real insider’s tour, he said.
Shimizu was fun to be around and gave Ike a real insider’s tour, he said.
“While y'all are waking up and eating breakfast, I'm having a traditional Osaka dinner with Morizo!”
“While y’all are waking up and eating breakfast, I’m having a traditional Osaka dinner with Morizo!”
Day six in Japan put Ike and Shimizu on a small boat with big bass -- yeah, right down there.
Day six in Japan put Ike and Shimizu on a small boat with big bass — yeah, right down there.
Ike said he got some revenge on the world famous Lake Biwa, where the world record tying bass was caught. “One more day left to catch the world record!”
Ike said he got some revenge on the world famous Lake Biwa, where the world record tying bass was caught. “One more day left to catch the world record!”
Shimizu had to sit out Lake Biwa, and Ike was able to catch fish with this guide. Guides are the only people allowed to release bass back into Lake Biwa.
Shimizu had to sit out Lake Biwa, and Ike was able to catch fish with this guide. Guides are the only people allowed to release bass back into Lake Biwa.
“Wow! What an amazing end to a dream trip to Japan! Two giants 8 and 7 1/2 pounds caught at Lake Biwa!”
“Wow! What an amazing end to a dream trip to Japan! Two giants 8 and 7 1/2 pounds caught at Lake Biwa!”
“Octopus balls anyone? You better believe it! I'm loving me some delicious Takoyaki!”
“Octopus balls anyone? You better believe it! I’m loving me some delicious Takoyaki!”
A quick breakfast stop in Japan looks a little different than Ike’s normal breakfast stop at a Wawa in New Jersey. That’s coffee in the can but certainly not a sausage biscuit.
A quick breakfast stop in Japan looks a little different than Ike’s normal breakfast stop at a Wawa in New Jersey. That’s coffee in the can but certainly not a sausage biscuit.
“As your official Japanese translator, I can tell you that this sign means ‘No Fishing!’ Boooooooo!”
“As your official Japanese translator, I can tell you that this sign means ‘No Fishing!’ Boooooooo!”
Finding new baits and techniques in Japan really thrilled Ike and he brought home plenty of tricks. He plans to share in such places as Bassmaster University, Ike Live and his blog on Bassmaster.
Finding new baits and techniques in Japan really thrilled Ike and he brought home plenty of tricks. He plans to share in such places as Bassmaster University, Ike Live and his blog on Bassmaster.