Summer 2024
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For angler Yusuke Hino, his Benkeibori largie came on a Free-rig setup fishing a 4.8 inch BULLFLAT on a weed line just off to the left of the historic Benkeibashi bridge and adjacent to the nearby subway station exit.
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Keeper size for this tournament was 40 centimeters (15 inches), which was a higher mark than a typical small boat tournament keeper size of 25 cm (10 inches). On this day, no “keepers” were caught and five fish in total were registered with the largest fishing coming in at 37 cm.
TECHNIQUES TO CATCH BASS AT BENKEIBORI
Despite the body of water not holding lunker-size fish, bigger baits are typically used by anglers here. “The best time to fish is in March with swimbaits and other big baits,” said Taiyo. “I have experienced many spring bites on glide baits, Tiny Clash, and devil swimmers.”
In talking with the anglers who caught fish, the largest fish of the day was caught using the now famous mid-strolling technique (without scoping).
ALWAYS UNIQUE IN JAPAN
No matter where my fishing ventures in Japan take me, I’m always taken aback by the unique culture that is formed around bass fishing in particular in this country.
The oddity of me sitting on a floating dock, which is part of a former castle moat, surrounded by skyscrapers and busy pedestrians in suits walking by as 25 determined anglers give it their all to catch a largemouth bass from a rowboat, just makes you chuckle at what an odd situation you’re a part of here.
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, a man appears from under the bridge rowing gently towards me in a multi-colored fish suit.
As the tournament came to an end, the five anglers who caught fish that day battled it out on the dock with a customary “junkin” showdown, which is Japan’s version of “rock, paper, scissors” to determine the winner since no ‘keeper’ fish were caught. While a winner was determined, all anglers who caught fish and even those who didn’t, received goodies from sponsors who supported this unique bass tournament.
As with most avid bass anglers in this country, Taiyo now sets his sights on the “Mother Lake” in Shiga to begin his next challenge as a shore angler trying to hook a coveted Biwa bass. •