Last season rookie Taku Ito became somewhat of an overnight sensation when the Elite Series took its northern swing into smallmouth waters. After claiming to have no previous experience with smallmouth bass, Ito finished 6th at the St. Lawrence River, 10th at Lake Champlain and 10th at Lake St. Clair. At one point, he was leading both the Rookie of the Year and Angler of the Year points standings.
Over the last two Elite Series tournaments, we’re starting to see why Ito was so successful on the smallmouth waters. He basically fishes the same for both species – with a spinning rod in his hand – no matter where he is. The 34-year-old Ito finessed his way to a 3rd-place finish at the Sabine River with a wacky-rigged worm, and he’s doing the same here at Lake Fork.
Ito was in 73rd place after Day 1, but he has put himself inside the top 10 with a monster limit today of 27-13. It includes an 8-12 and a 7-10. His smallest bass are a 3-8 and a 3-9. All have been caught on a wacky-rigged worm on spinning tackle.