THE BASS COLLEGE

Kurita: On April 6, 2008 I caught a 70cm, 8480g (27.56", 18.7 lbs.) with a giant swimbait called “Mother” by Roman Made. It is the 3rd largest bass on record in Japan.

Interview with Japan's Top Trophy Bass Hunter:

 Kurita Question #1: How long have you been fishing for trophy bass? How did you get started?

Kurita: This is my 8th year targeting monster bass. It started when I caught a 64cm (25.2") bass, which was great, however the bass swimming next to my bass (64cm) was much larger than mine and it was a thrill to see that bigger one. Since then I have always wanted to catch just trophy bass.

Question #2: Please tell us a brief "fishing bio" about yourself (200 words or less) such as: how many days do you fish, if you are pro tournament angler, if you are in the fishing tackle business, if you are sponsored by companies in the fishing tackle business, if you are a fishing guide, if you have written or been written about in trophy bass articles/books, on fishing TV shows or videos - none of those things are necessary, but just establishes who you are with the unfamiliar reader. Basically, please share 200 words or less "fishing bio" about yourself.

 Kurita: I am a product field tester for Roman Made (www.roman-made.jp) which makes handcrafted lures and Fina (Hayabusa) a Japanese hook company. I do not compete in tournaments. I am just an avid angler who goes fishing on average 150 times a year.

 Question #3: How many trophy bass have you caught (definition/size of a "trophy" is whatever you prefer)? What is the size of your biggest trophy bass?

 Kurita: On April 6, 2008 I caught a 70cm, 8480g (27.56", 18.7 lbs.) with a giant swimbait called “Mother” by Roman Made. It is the 3rd largest bass on record in Japan. Kurita's 70cm, 8480g (27.56", 18.7 lbs.) bass is now 3rd largest in Japan. On July 2 of this year (2009), I caught the 73.5cm, 10.12kg (28.94", 22.31 lbs.) monster bass which is pending world record review on a live bluegill. These are my two largest that went over the 70cm mark, They are 1st and 3rd largest on record in Japan. .

 Question #4: What rod and reel combos do you use most often for trophy bass hunting? What line and pound test do you use most often (mono, fluoro, braid) for trophy bass hunting? We are not asking so much about brands and models, but about general features of the rods, reels, lines you most often use for trophy bass hunting. Also, we are not asking about every rod, reel, line you use - that can be many different outfits. We wish to give the reader (who may be unfamiliar with trophy bass hunting in Japan) a general feel for what you most often would prefer to use in terms of rod, reel, line - understanding it is not the only outfit you use - but the one you would prefer to use, or tend to use most often.

Kurita: For the most part I use a long rod. Typically 7’ – 8’ and one that has a fast taper and is rated heavy action. I use a high gear reel that is heavy duty. I use fluorocarbon line rated 20-30lb.

 Question #5: What are your top three techniques for catching giant bass?

 Kurita: Burning a big bait Jerking a monster lure, 30cm (12") 10 oz Stitching a big worm

Question #6: What are your top three lures for attracting trophies?

 Kurita: Big swimbaits Monster baits. 30cm (12") or over Big worm, or rubber jig

 Question #7. What is the best time of the year for trophies in Japan?

 Kurita: Based on my experience, my opinion is every month besides August and September. August is the hottest month in Japan and September is still hot but air temps begin to cool off. Still the water temperature has risen so high and that makes the grass so thick.

 Question #8. What role do electronics play for you when hunting for trophy bass?

 Kurita: I do have my boat equipped with electronics but I only use them when I want to see the water temperature, depth, or structure which is not that often.

Question #9. Once you are on the water, how do you divide your fishing day trying to locate trophy bass?

Kurita: I start out by throwing the Giant Bait and check to see if there are followers or not. I also just like to use my senses and search for places I have a good hunch about. It then depends upon that day's reaction from the fish whether I continue to use lures or I switch to live bait.

 Question #10. What is the main trophy bass forage in Japan's lakes?

Kurita: The main bait found in Lake Biwa are bluegill, hasu and funa. However bass will change what they feed on depending upon the season and the prevalence of bait.

 Question #11. Do you do any night fishing for trophy bass?

 Kurita: I used to fish at night but not now. At night, I usually caught bass between 30cm - 60cm (12-24 inches). So now I try to fish from morning to afternoon to catch bigger size bass

 Question #12: Do you feel there is a particular time of day or night when it is best to catch trophy bass?

 Kurita: I prefer fishing between 10am and 4pm.

Question #13: What do you feel that trophy bass do different, that ordinary size bass do not do?

 Kurita: Bass that are locked down to one spot grow quicker and larger than the bass that are always swimming around from place to place.

 Question #14: What do you do different when hunting trophy bass, that you do not do when fishing for ordinary size bass?

 Kurita: For me its all about mindset. I have to be committed and remain stubborn to only fish for giant bass of the hugest proportions. To succeed, it's imperative to stay loyal to your goals. It's all about mindset concludes Kurita, to be committed and stubborn to fish only for true giants.

Steve, is it yours questions or is it an interview that you read or heard and put here ?

Nice article

Steeeeve !!!

I need you to know if this interview was made with your questions or if it's a translation of something ! Finish your dinner and go back to your computer !

No It is from Gary Yamamoto interview.

Did Mr Yamamoto make the interview himself ???

I heard that yamamoto make beefs for eating too, call yama'beefs. Is it true ?

Yes it Is true do you want some? No It was Russ bassdozer I think who asked the questions.Gary doen't do much anymore. lol Just collects checks! lol

that must be nice.