After winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake presented by SEVIIN, I didn’t know exactly how to feel. But going to shows like the Bassmaster Classic Outdoor Expo in Fort Worth and having people congratulate me for the win, that made me realize I had done something special and people know me because of it.
I went to takeoff on Day 2 of the Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts, and I kept thinking that this is the place I will be next year. It was a great feeling to think about.
My dream was not initially to be in the United States. I wanted to be the Japanese champion, and that dream began when I was in high school. I won several tournaments in Japan, and two years ago I began to think about bass fishing in America and thinking winning bass tournaments in America was the thing to do.
There are a lot more 5- and 6-pounders in Kentucky Lake than people realize. People think there are more 3- and 4-pounders, but there are plenty of big bass. Unlocking the key to the big bass bite is so super important.
Before the tournament began, I thought I could maybe finish in the top 20, but I didn’t think I could win the tournament. Then, on the first afternoon of the tournament, I found a productive pattern, and that’s when I first thought I could win it.
My strengths are not in shallow water; I am more of a deep-water fisherman. Fishing at Kentucky Lake wasn’t necessarily my favorite pattern, but I was able to find big bass there.
While I was confident, I tried not to think about winning the tournament too much after the first day. I wanted to be my usual self and maintain my calmness. I had a pretty good feeling about it though.
After the success of Day 2, I was very confident I could win, but to start Day 3, I lost a 5- or 6-pounder close to the boat. When that happened, I knew that was the obstacle I needed to overcome to win this tournament. After winning tournaments in Japan, I have realized there is always some obstacle to overcome in order to win. So that bass was the obstacle.
I wasn’t too anxious at the time. I stayed calm. I was catching one bass per hour, and I was focusing on the big ones. So I knew if I kept up that pace, everything would work out in my favor.
