Spring 2024
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freezing out, there were a ton of boats on the lake proving the amount of pressure that Biwa bass get year around.
“Since I only got one day on the lake, I just took a seat and watched Kenta break things down for me. It was a cool experience to see our differences and similarities in fishing style. What I learned from Kenta is when approaching pressured fish quietness is everything, staying at a far distance and making long cast is crucial in sneaking up on a pressured group of fish.”
And how did Biwa fishing compare to lakes in the United States?
“What I learned from this lake was pretty similar to other lakes I’ve fished around the US; there’s great bite windows but you need to know when those are,” he said. “These fish see a ton of lures daily. Making repetitive casts are important when fishing isolated deep cover and having a finesse follow up bait close at hand.”
Although Matty wasn’t able to hook up with a dream Biwa bass it made him hungry to return.
“I’d love to go back to Biwako,” he said. “I’d also like to come back and to try Wagasaki fishing, seems like a good time. A few other styles of fishing I’d love to do next trip would be squid fishing, Yellowtail jigging and even try fishing for Tako (octopus).”
JAPANESE TACKLE SHOPS
No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to a tackle shop. “I got to visit Centerfield near Lake Yamanaka & Mt. Fuji,” he said. “This was a great small mom and pop tackle store. Great selection of everything Japanese. From finesse micro jigs, dice baits and tiny creature baits.
“I got to check out multiple different shops while in Shiga. The biggest fishing store I’ve ever been to in my life, rows, and rows
Mini Battle
of everything you could possibly think of not to mention their saltwater selection. One of my favorite shops was this cool little shop located inside of a shipping container called “Fish!” It had a really cool esthetic along with some hard- to-find swimbaits and lures.”
To take in Japan as a visitor is an incredible experience but experiencing it with comrades through bass fishing is even better.
“I’d say one of the highlights of my trip was watching the sunset behind Mt. Fuji on Lake Yamanaka after eating a delicious Udon meal with Taku and his family,” concluded Matty.” “I’d love to encourage people to visit Japan. The people are friendly, the food is amazing, there’s a ton of
rich culture and the fishing is a ton of fun,
although if you want to catch bass, come
in the springtime. It’s a modern-day
adventure in what seems to be a whole
other world. I’m a huge fan of Japan
and its culture and I can’t wait
to return.” •
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