Summer 2024
Y
ou have probably seen the typical fiberglass
bass boat setups used by Japanese
professional anglers competing in the US, but for many of them, their bass fishing journey started
either from the shore or fishing out of a modified
rowboat.
Japan is well known for making reliable, innovative,
compact vehicles, but that same innovation also applies
to the water.
Many of Japan’s freshwater lakes have strict
restrictions on boat regulations – including the usage
of private watercraft vs rental boats. With so many
restrictions to adhere to, it has fostered some pretty
innovative ways to setup a boat for bass fishing.
THE HISTORY
Largemouth bass were first introduced to Japan in 1925 at Lake Ashinoko and Oujagaike Pond.
At the time, small wooden boats were used for aquatic agricultural purposes, including fishing for crucian carp. These wooden boats were eventually replaced by fiberglass row boats, which became common
watercraft for
anglers to use
for bass fishing
as well.
Japan’s regulations for personal watercraft are also quite strict, especially for operating a boat with an engine. Rowing a tiny boat by hand was, and still is used for bass fishing, however, today’s modern tiny bass boats are usually operated by a foot-controlled trolling motor.
Tatsuhiko Tsugaru, field staff of Norie’s recalls, ‘“When I started bass fishing in the mid-90s, tiny rental boats in their current form already existed. However, they were generally rowed by hand, and there were very few people who owned electric motors.”
SETTING UP A TINY BASS BOAT
First things first, lets consider where people live. The majority of bass anglers in Japan live in densely populated areas, many in confined apartment buildings with no garages. Equipment is often stored in the apartment, much to the shagrin of most wives.
“Getting my wife’s permission to buy a trolling motor”, says Akinori Manoshi, was the biggest hurdle to make his tiny bass boat setup dreams come true.
Waking up in the middle of the night and quietly lugging your trolling motor, batteries, and makeshift front deck out of the apartment half asleep without waking your family is half the battle! If successful, you will pile it all into a tiny elevator and transport it all to your vehicle to be loaded up.
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