Seiji Kato's Lunker

A few weeks ago, Prof. Seiji Kato caught this monster in Lake Ikehara on 3.5 lb test. The bass weighed 10 lbs 4 oz.




Rod:Jackall Poison Heritage "Super Primal Spin" HS-63UL
Reel: Daiwa Exist
Lure: Jackall Super J Reaper 3 inch
Line: Sunline 3.5 Fluorocarbon

Rod: Jackall Poison Heritage "Hyper Approach" HC-68MH
Reel: Shimano Chronarch 50Mg
Lure: Jackall Super J Reaper 5" Coayu





Please Catch and Release

One hour to kill...

Went to the local pond to kill some time. My goal was to get a fish on a spinnerbait, and with the weather looking the way it was, it looked like a perfect time to accomplish that goal. The sky was somewhat cloudy due to the small amount of rain we had the night before. It was actually supposed to rain today with thunderstorms but other than the clouds, there was no signs of rain to come.

I started with a new Jackall crankbait I bought, the Jackall D Cherry 48. I immediately changed the lure as it was running a bit to the left. Went with the spinnerbait and within 10 minutes, a fish was hooked. Nothing large, but it was fun catching it on a bait I rarely throw.



After that fish I tied on the Cherry and tuned it to run true. Set the rod down and grabbed my Texas rigged Dum Dum Hog for a few casts. About 4-5 casts with the lure, there was the tick; I set the hook and bring in a fish slightly larger than the first. Great way to kill that hour...



Also I would like to say good luck to Chris Jackson of Fins n Grins Fishing Adventures. He is currently fishing a tournament in Tennessee. Go check out his blog for some very good information and his approach to fishing. Fins-N-Grins

Tackle List:
Rods:
Jackall Poison Heritage "Hyper Approach"
Jackall Poison Heritage "Master Stroke"

Reels:
Shimano Core 100Mg
Shimano Chronarch 50Mg

Lures:
Jackall Super Eruption
Jackall Dum Dum Hog

Jackall Seira Minnow

The Jackall Seira Minnow is a straight retrieve hard lure that is the new hottest technique in Japan. The concept to this lure is of a bait fish swimming straight as if it was unaware of the predators surrounding it. It has a hydro hull design that allows water to enter through the mouth and out of the gills to aid in the straight direction it is designed to do.

I bought two a while back when I ordered an Ultra Light setup but my rod has yet to come in. Finally decided to throw this with light baitcasting gear. Loving the lure already, was the only producer of fish at the park today.



This lure works best for clear water situations where bass are feeding on the surface and is best thrown with light line, especially 4-5 lb test. I noticed some bass fry scattering away from a predatory bass, the bass would swarm in on the school, circle the rock and repeat the cycle. I threw on the Seira Minnow 70 next to that rock and immediately the bass goes for it but turns at the last second. A few casts later, the bass charges but misses my lure. Finally it charged it as my lure came passed the rock ambushing my lure.

Not a big bass by any means but a nice catch considering it was the only fish I saw caught the whole day.



Tackle List:
Rod: Shimano Cumara CUC68M
Reel: Shimano Core 50Mg (8lb Seaguar Fluorocarbon)
Lure: Jackall Seira Minnow 70s "Coayu"

To fish the lure, use light line, as light as you can get away with, preferably 4-6 lb. test and with a spinning setup(although I used 8 lb test with a baitcaster). Cast as far as you can and point your rod tip to the lure and slowly retrieve the lure back to the boat/shore.

Although this bait is VERY small at 70mm, roughly 2.75 inches and will catch small bass, it WILL catch the big ones also, just watch the end of the following video. Not all big bass want a big meal, just like us, sometimes they just want a snack! Here is Hata Takuma fishing the Seira Minnow (note the angle of the rod as he retrieves):

BassFans "Conversations with a Genius", Seiji Kato

After posting the other articles by Jon Storm, I completely forgot to put up the one with Seiji Kato, the man behind the T.D. Minnow, Sammy, Pointer, Aragon, and my favorite jerkbait, the Jackall Squad Minnow, just to name a few.

Read Part 1 here "A Day With Master Lure Designer Seiji Kato"

and part 2 here "A Sitdown With Legendary Lure Designer Seiji Kato"



Seiji Kato was the winner of the "Battle on the Border" Co angler side in Lake Amistad, TX. His secret technique at the tournament? Inchi-wacky! Unknown outside of the U.S. at the time.

You can go and visit Seiji Kato's site here: Seiji Lures

Hata Takuma Secrets Revealed! Plus Nakazy's Hyper Muscle Deep

Great article written by BassFan's John Storm who recently spent a week in Japan. It is on Japans Jackall Pro, and JB Top 50 Angler Takuma Hata, known as the "Rig-Meister" for coming up with many different rigs. Takuma Hata is one of those behind the secrets of the "Inchi-Wacky" or as we know it here, "The Flick Shake"

Read it here!



While I'm on the subject of Japanese Fishing Secrets, BassFan's John Storm also fished with Jackall Pro guide Shigenori Nakajima, known as "Nakazy", during his stay in Japan. Nakazy revealed a technique to him called the "Hyper Muscle Deep", basically using a Texas rig bullet weight while fishing the Jackall Muscle Deep Crank Bait. You can read the article by clicking here, "Hyper Muscle Deep" Here is a video of Nakazy fishing the technique.