On the water with Iyobe

The newest Japanese angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series completes his first practice day on the Sabine River.

It was hard to miss Ken Iyobe’s truck in his motel parking lot.
It was hard to miss Ken Iyobe’s truck in his motel parking lot.
Iyobe makes final preparations before leaving his motel.
Iyobe makes final preparations before leaving his motel.
Iyobe is the fifth, and newest, Japanese Elite angler in the field of 113 for the 2015 season.
Iyobe is the fifth, and newest, Japanese Elite angler in the field of 113 for the 2015 season.
Though we were running a little behind the scheduled launch time, we finally got on the water for the first official practice day of the 2015 Elite Season.
Though we were running a little behind the scheduled launch time, we finally got on the water for the first official practice day of the 2015 Elite Season.
Iyobe makes a few casts while preparing his tackle before takeoff.
Iyobe makes a few casts while preparing his tackle before takeoff.
Soon he caught a non-keeper with a spinnerbait.
Soon he caught a non-keeper with a spinnerbait.
Next he wanted to have snack. The bag said 'bites,' and he expected it to be small pieces inside.
Next he wanted to have snack. The bag said ‘bites,’ and he expected it to be small pieces inside.
Surprise! The candy had melted and turned into one big chocolate snack.
Surprise! The candy had melted and turned into one big chocolate snack.
Back to business.
Back to business.
Iyboe pitches and flips.
Iyboe pitches and flips.
After another bite, he showed that a bass had nibbled the Gary Yamamoto Craw.
After another bite, he showed that a bass had nibbled the Gary Yamamoto Craw.
He soon grabs a zipper bag filled with his favorite plastic.
He soon grabs a zipper bag filled with his favorite plastic.
Iyobe is very happy that he is getting a few bites.
Iyobe is very happy that he is getting a few bites.
Soon he caught another non-keeper.
Soon he caught another non-keeper.
Iyobe loves power fishing.
Iyobe loves power fishing.
He flips again.
He flips again.
Iyobe's signature smile with a baby bass.
Iyobe’s signature smile with a baby bass.
Iyobe said he is just happy to be a part of the Bassmaster Elite Series this year. He is enjoying every moment of his journey.
Iyobe said he is just happy to be a part of the Bassmaster Elite Series this year. He is enjoying every moment of his journey.
It's time for more snacks while moving to next area.
It’s time for more snacks while moving to next area.
Looking for more bites.
Looking for more bites.
Some of the Shimano weapons Iyobe will fish in the Elite Series.
Some of the Shimano weapons Iyobe will fish in the Elite Series.
An alligator was located where he was fishing...
An alligator was located where he was fishing…
...but he kept fishing.
…but he kept fishing.
Up next were more changes to hopefully land a few more bites.
Up next were more changes to hopefully land a few more bites.
His family, friends and fans from Japan made him good luck charms, and he wears them all the time.
His family, friends and fans from Japan made him good luck charms, and he wears them all the time.
A few times during the practice day his smiles were gone, and he showed me some serious faces.
A few times during the practice day his smiles were gone, and he showed me some serious faces.
Then he got back to work.
Then he got back to work.
We returned to the boat ramp at sunset.
We returned to the boat ramp at sunset.
This is his Skeeter/Yamaha combo for his first Elite Season.
This is his Skeeter/Yamaha combo for his first Elite Season.
Iyobe even enjoys gassing up his boat after practice.
Iyobe even enjoys gassing up his boat after practice.
His first official practice day of the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series is in the book.
His first official practice day of the 2015 Bassmaster Elite Series is in the book.