Gear

Elite Series pros go bassin’ in Japan

In mid-November, a highly-accomplished quartet of bass pros visited Japan to experience the culture, learn about products, and fish legendary Lake Biwa, where a world-record-tying largemouth was landed just a few years ago.

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<p>In mid-November, a highly-accomplished quartet of bass pros visited Japan to experience the culture, learn about products, and fish legendary Lake Biwa, where a world-record-tying largemouth was landed just a few years ago.</p>
In mid-November, a highly-accomplished quartet of bass pros visited Japan to experience the culture, learn about products, and fish legendary Lake Biwa, where a world-record-tying largemouth was landed just a few years ago.
For reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, it was his second trip to Japan, the first in 15 years. He said that in many ways the country reminds him of his native California.
For reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Aaron Martens, it was his second trip to Japan, the first in 15 years. He said that in many ways the country reminds him of his native California.
It was the first visit for eight-time B.A.S.S. winner Edwin Evers, fresh off of his best Elite Series season yet.
It was the first visit for eight-time B.A.S.S. winner Edwin Evers, fresh off of his best Elite Series season yet.
2006 Bassmaster Classic winner Luke Clausen said,
2006 Bassmaster Classic winner Luke Clausen said, “It was an incredible experience. The communication barrier was sometimes rough, but underneath that the common denominator with the people we met was bass fishing.”
Fresh off qualifying for his first Bassmaster Classic, 29 year-old California pro Chris Zaldain soaked in the culture and ate almost nothing but sushi the first four days in Asia.
Fresh off qualifying for his first Bassmaster Classic, 29 year-old California pro Chris Zaldain soaked in the culture and ate almost nothing but sushi the first four days in Asia.
They were there on behalf of their mutual sponsor Megabass. Martens and Clausen use both Megabass lures and rods. Evers uses only the lures. Zaldain endorses the company’s rods.
They were there on behalf of their mutual sponsor Megabass. Martens and Clausen use both Megabass lures and rods. Evers uses only the lures. Zaldain endorses the company’s rods.
While product development and education was ostensibly the purpose of the trip, there was also time for a little bit of sightseeing. Here, Clausen and Zaldain, who arrived a few days before the others, visit Sensō-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo.
While product development and education was ostensibly the purpose of the trip, there was also time for a little bit of sightseeing. Here, Clausen and Zaldain, who arrived a few days before the others, visit Sensō-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Martens, Zaldain and Clausen pose in front of the Megabass building in Hamamatsu, Japan. Martens said that the last time he visited the main plant had not yet been built. Now the company retains the personal touch of its founder’s vision, but has also become an international powerhouse. Lures such as the Vision 110 jerkbait are staples in the tackleboxes of anglers in the United States and elsewhere.
Martens, Zaldain and Clausen pose in front of the Megabass building in Hamamatsu, Japan. Martens said that the last time he visited the main plant had not yet been built. Now the company retains the personal touch of its founder’s vision, but has also become an international powerhouse. Lures such as the Vision 110 jerkbait are staples in the tackleboxes of anglers in the United States and elsewhere.
The Knuckle 60 crankbait was one of the key search tools in the superlative 2013 season enjoyed by Evers. Here, two of them await the next stage in the finishing process. Each Megabass lure must meet exacting standards.
The Knuckle 60 crankbait was one of the key search tools in the superlative 2013 season enjoyed by Evers. Here, two of them await the next stage in the finishing process. Each Megabass lure must meet exacting standards.
A Megabass craftsman hand paints a group of Shading-X ripbaits. The company has pioneered many color patterns that have become standard for other mainstream manufacturers.
A Megabass craftsman hand paints a group of Shading-X ripbaits. The company has pioneered many color patterns that have become standard for other mainstream manufacturers.
A limited-release Japan color of a Megabass topwater lure sits patiently on the drying rack. Japanese consumers are known to covet collectors’ items and many join “Members Clubs” to get access to products that are otherwise nearly impossible to obtain.
A limited-release Japan color of a Megabass topwater lure sits patiently on the drying rack. Japanese consumers are known to covet collectors’ items and many join “Members Clubs” to get access to products that are otherwise nearly impossible to obtain.
Megabass founder and chief designer Yuki Ito flanked by two-time Toyota Angler of the Year Aaron Martens (left) and 2006 Bassmaster Classic champion Luke Clausen. Martens first met Ito nearly two decades ago when the tackle designer hired him as a guide on California’s Lake Casitas. Despite commanding rock star caliber adulation in Japan, all of the pros agreed that he is a low-key ambassador for the sport. “You can tell that he’s very serious and wants to make the best products around,” Clausen said. “But it’s also obvious that he’s very fun to be around.” Zaldain said that he was cautious at first – “I didn’t want to screw up, but it turned out I was nervous for nothing. He’s really very personable and laid back.”
Megabass founder and chief designer Yuki Ito flanked by two-time Toyota Angler of the Year Aaron Martens (left) and 2006 Bassmaster Classic champion Luke Clausen. Martens first met Ito nearly two decades ago when the tackle designer hired him as a guide on California’s Lake Casitas. Despite commanding rock star caliber adulation in Japan, all of the pros agreed that he is a low-key ambassador for the sport. “You can tell that he’s very serious and wants to make the best products around,” Clausen said. “But it’s also obvious that he’s very fun to be around.” Zaldain said that he was cautious at first – “I didn’t want to screw up, but it turned out I was nervous for nothing. He’s really very personable and laid back.”
The anglers visited the Megabass Gallery in Osaka to talk about the Orochi XX series of rods with the Japanese bass media. The Orochi XX Dropshot and Shakey Head rods played a key role in Martens’ most recent AOY campaign, and he said that they are working on a new drop shot rod and crankbait rod that will be “the best out there.”
The anglers visited the Megabass Gallery in Osaka to talk about the Orochi XX series of rods with the Japanese bass media. The Orochi XX Dropshot and Shakey Head rods played a key role in Martens’ most recent AOY campaign, and he said that they are working on a new drop shot rod and crankbait rod that will be “the best out there.”
Edwin Evers showed up straight from the airport and started signing autographs right away. He spent three days working with the media from three different Japanese magazines and said he’d “go again in a heartbeat. The only cultural aspect that confounded him was the combination of taking off your shoes when sitting in a restaurant and then sitting on a table close to the ground. “If you’ve got stinky feet over there, you’re in trouble,” he said.
Edwin Evers showed up straight from the airport and started signing autographs right away. He spent three days working with the media from three different Japanese magazines and said he’d “go again in a heartbeat. The only cultural aspect that confounded him was the combination of taking off your shoes when sitting in a restaurant and then sitting on a table close to the ground. “If you’ve got stinky feet over there, you’re in trouble,” he said.
The Megabass Pro Team heads out onto legendary Lake Biwa. Biwa, which produced Manabu Kurita’s world record-tying largemouth, has a shallow grassy end and a deep rocky end. The pros said that portions of it reminded them of Amistad, Rayburn, Guntersville and Toho, but both Zaldain and Evers said that the overall experience is probably closest to California’s Clear Lake.
The Megabass Pro Team heads out onto legendary Lake Biwa. Biwa, which produced Manabu Kurita’s world record-tying largemouth, has a shallow grassy end and a deep rocky end. The pros said that portions of it reminded them of Amistad, Rayburn, Guntersville and Toho, but both Zaldain and Evers said that the overall experience is probably closest to California’s Clear Lake.
Megabass Japan pro Sugimura with a nice largemouth caught on the company’s Deep-X 300 crankbait. While deep cranking was the best technique on this trip, Biwa and other Japanese lakes gave rise to many of the finesse tactics used on the Elite Series today.
Megabass Japan pro Sugimura with a nice largemouth caught on the company’s Deep-X 300 crankbait. While deep cranking was the best technique on this trip, Biwa and other Japanese lakes gave rise to many of the finesse tactics used on the Elite Series today.
The U.S. pros were amazed by Biwa’s size and its ability to kick up in a hurry. Despite the expansive size, they all commented that the huge number of boats on the water made it fish small at times. Zaldain compared it to the famous “Monkey Box” area on Okeechobee.
The U.S. pros were amazed by Biwa’s size and its ability to kick up in a hurry. Despite the expansive size, they all commented that the huge number of boats on the water made it fish small at times. Zaldain compared it to the famous “Monkey Box” area on Okeechobee.
Aaron Martens poses for a photographer from Japan’s <i>Lure</i> Magazine with a hard-earned bass. Martens expressed surprise that the lake was loaded with a variety of grasses. “It had hydrilla, milfoil, peppergrass and cabbage,” he said.
Aaron Martens poses for a photographer from Japan’s Lure Magazine with a hard-earned bass. Martens expressed surprise that the lake was loaded with a variety of grasses. “It had hydrilla, milfoil, peppergrass and cabbage,” he said.
Martens put his signature Orochi XX drop shot rod to good use in fooling and landing this healthy Biwa bass. In honor of his most recent AOY title, Ito presented him with a handmade baitcasting rod with a hardwood handle. Martens intended to put it on display as a keepsake, but Ito encouraged him to put it to better use on the water.
Martens put his signature Orochi XX drop shot rod to good use in fooling and landing this healthy Biwa bass. In honor of his most recent AOY title, Ito presented him with a handmade baitcasting rod with a hardwood handle. Martens intended to put it on display as a keepsake, but Ito encouraged him to put it to better use on the water.
Aaron Martens and Edwin Evers, number one and number two on the Elite Series this past year, fishing from the same boat … only on Lake Biwa.
Aaron Martens and Edwin Evers, number one and number two on the Elite Series this past year, fishing from the same boat … only on Lake Biwa.
Chris Zaldain loves to flip and he credited his switch to the Megabass Orochi XX rods this year, including the Aaron Martens Flipping Special, with his 8th place finish in the AOY race.
Chris Zaldain loves to flip and he credited his switch to the Megabass Orochi XX rods this year, including the Aaron Martens Flipping Special, with his 8th place finish in the AOY race.
Zaldain's rod bowed up, but it wasn’t a bass. Instead it was a Northern Snakehead, known in Japan as a “Raigyo.”
Zaldain’s rod bowed up, but it wasn’t a bass. Instead it was a Northern Snakehead, known in Japan as a “Raigyo.”
Edwin Evers with the Megabass Deep-X 300 and Deep-Six, the two primary lures used for cranking the deep grass on Biwa.
Edwin Evers with the Megabass Deep-X 300 and Deep-Six, the two primary lures used for cranking the deep grass on Biwa.
Zaldain slings the Neko rig, a nail-weighted wacky rig which is a popular finesse presentation in Japan. He said he learned it from a Japanese angler a decade ago, but was introduced to all sorts of new tweaks on this trip. “Everyone had it tied on,” he said. “Their whole approach is different. They might use weights with skirts or drop down to 4-pound line. It’s finesse at its best.”
Zaldain slings the Neko rig, a nail-weighted wacky rig which is a popular finesse presentation in Japan. He said he learned it from a Japanese angler a decade ago, but was introduced to all sorts of new tweaks on this trip. “Everyone had it tied on,” he said. “Their whole approach is different. They might use weights with skirts or drop down to 4-pound line. It’s finesse at its best.”
Key goals of this trip included introducing the American pros to new products and soliciting their input on product development. Here Chris Zaldain handles a prototype rod that he was hesitant to give back.
Key goals of this trip included introducing the American pros to new products and soliciting their input on product development. Here Chris Zaldain handles a prototype rod that he was hesitant to give back.
Aaron Martens, Luke Clausen, and Chris Zaldain assess rod blank prototypes and compare notes after a day on the water. Clausen said that there are lots of products he can’t yet disclose, but even he was surprised to learn how many products there are in the Megabass lineup. Martens, a noted perfectionist, offered up all sorts of suggestions on how to fit the rods to American anglers’ styles.
Aaron Martens, Luke Clausen, and Chris Zaldain assess rod blank prototypes and compare notes after a day on the water. Clausen said that there are lots of products he can’t yet disclose, but even he was surprised to learn how many products there are in the Megabass lineup. Martens, a noted perfectionist, offered up all sorts of suggestions on how to fit the rods to American anglers’ styles.
Luke Clausen and Aaron Martens give feedback on the new “STW” (Support To Win) initiative back in Osaka, reviewing tournament lure projects in multiple stages of development and testing. The STW program is a custom tuning and development initiative designed to craft one-of-a-kind lures for the Megabass pro team, exclusively for tournament use.
Luke Clausen and Aaron Martens give feedback on the new “STW” (Support To Win) initiative back in Osaka, reviewing tournament lure projects in multiple stages of development and testing. The STW program is a custom tuning and development initiative designed to craft one-of-a-kind lures for the Megabass pro team, exclusively for tournament use.
Back at Lake Biwa, the Megabass team enjoys the fading afternoon light, and makes final prototype reviews. It was a whirlwind trip, but each angler expressed a desire to return, and preferably to fish a tournament there.
Back at Lake Biwa, the Megabass team enjoys the fading afternoon light, and makes final prototype reviews. It was a whirlwind trip, but each angler expressed a desire to return, and preferably to fish a tournament there.
The Megabass pros line up for a parting shot with their Japanese guides and members of the Megabass factory.
The Megabass pros line up for a parting shot with their Japanese guides and members of the Megabass factory.

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