Gear

Inside Elite Boats: Kenta Kimura

Posted on
In his first season fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, Kenta Kimura ran a BassCat Cougar 203 Hybrid powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury ProXS.
In his first season fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, Kenta Kimura ran a BassCat Cougar 203 Hybrid powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury ProXS.
The bow of Kimura's BassCat is home to a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
The bow of Kimura’s BassCat is home to a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
Much like many of his Bassmaster Elite Series competitors, Kimura runs two different brands of electronics on his boat.
Much like many of his Bassmaster Elite Series competitors, Kimura runs two different brands of electronics on his boat.
Two Garmin Ecomap Ultra 10 inch units and a Humminbird Helix 10 are mounted with BoatLogix mounts.
Two Garmin Ecomap Ultra 10 inch units and a Humminbird Helix 10 are mounted with BoatLogix mounts.
An overhead view of the bow.
An overhead view of the bow.
Kimura caries a ton of unique Japanese baits in his boat.
Kimura caries a ton of unique Japanese baits in his boat.
His frog box has holes drilled into it to allow ventilation to the box and allow moisture to flow out.
His frog box has holes drilled into it to allow ventilation to the box and allow moisture to flow out.
Kimura has quite the collection of Deps Evoke crankbaits.
Kimura has quite the collection of Deps Evoke crankbaits.
Kimura shows off a Deps Evoke Zoro. This is a bait he is working to bring to the market with Deps.
Kimura shows off a Deps Evoke Zoro. This is a bait he is working to bring to the market with Deps.
He's been testing out different props to find the best action possible.
He’s been testing out different props to find the best action possible.
A new size of the Deps Evoke – the 1.8 – is soon to be released.
A new size of the Deps Evoke – the 1.8 – is soon to be released.
Kimura's signature series frogs, the Deps Busterk and Deps SlitherK.
Kimura’s signature series frogs, the Deps Busterk and Deps SlitherK.
More Deps Evoke crankbaits.
More Deps Evoke crankbaits.
Kimura shows off the Deps Evoke 4.0, which is a larger version of the original Evoke crankbait.
Kimura shows off the Deps Evoke 4.0, which is a larger version of the original Evoke crankbait.
His box of Deps Evoke 4.0 cranks.
His box of Deps Evoke 4.0 cranks.
Kimura uses Strut Numeri, which is a scent formula for hard baits.
Kimura uses Strut Numeri, which is a scent formula for hard baits.
He applies Numeri on his crankbaits.
He applies Numeri on his crankbaits.
During tournament days, Kimura tries to lighten the amount of tackle he carries in his boat.
During tournament days, Kimura tries to lighten the amount of tackle he carries in his boat.
Now he opens the rod box.
Now he opens the rod box.
Kimura uses rods that are custom built by a friend of his back in Japan.
Kimura uses rods that are custom built by a friend of his back in Japan.
The Abu Garcia Revo Black 10 designed by Kimura.
The Abu Garcia Revo Black 10 designed by Kimura.
Kimura carries a wide variety of hooks in his BassCat.
Kimura carries a wide variety of hooks in his BassCat.
Ryugi Pierce Quad designed by Kimura.
Ryugi Pierce Quad designed by Kimura.
He usually receives big bulk bags of hooks from Japan.
He usually receives big bulk bags of hooks from Japan.
Kimura always changes out the hooks of his crankbaits during tournaments.
Kimura always changes out the hooks of his crankbaits during tournaments.
...
…
Another hook designed by Kimura, the Ryugi Infini.
Another hook designed by Kimura, the Ryugi Infini.
A look inside Kimura's hook bag.
A look inside Kimura’s hook bag.
Berkley Powerbait Power Wiggler, Kimura's design for Berkley Japan.
Berkley Powerbait Power Wiggler, Kimura’s design for Berkley Japan.
Kimura shows off the Berkley Powerbait Power Flutter, another bait he helped design for Berkley Japan.
Kimura shows off the Berkley Powerbait Power Flutter, another bait he helped design for Berkley Japan.
Over the course of Kimura's career, he has helped design numerous baits for companies in Japan. Here is a portion of the baits that he has helped design.
Over the course of Kimura’s career, he has helped design numerous baits for companies in Japan. Here is a portion of the baits that he has helped design.
Kimura keeps the main compartment on the deck of the boat pretty simple.
Kimura keeps the main compartment on the deck of the boat pretty simple.
Two Humminbird Helix 10 units are mounted at the console of the boat.
Two Humminbird Helix 10 units are mounted at the console of the boat.
The console units are also mounted with BoatLogix mounts.
The console units are also mounted with BoatLogix mounts.
Kimura mounts his GoPro to the console of his boat.
Kimura mounts his GoPro to the console of his boat.
...
…
Kimura mounts his cellphone to the console during practice to use the GPS mapping.
Kimura mounts his cellphone to the console during practice to use the GPS mapping.
...
…
Kimura says that the Power-Pole Charge is a must for any tournament angler.
Kimura says that the Power-Pole Charge is a must for any tournament angler.
A Bob's Machine Shop jackplate raises and lowers his Mercury outboard.
A Bob’s Machine Shop jackplate raises and lowers his Mercury outboard.
Thanks for the tour of the boat, Kenta!<br> <br> Now we'll move over to his truck and camper shell.
Thanks for the tour of the boat, Kenta!
Now we’ll move over to his truck and camper shell.
Kimura removed the back seats from his Toyota Tundra for added space to store fishing gear.
Kimura removed the back seats from his Toyota Tundra for added space to store fishing gear.
From this angle, it looks like a tight fit but there's more room than you think.
From this angle, it looks like a tight fit but there’s more room than you think.
See, it's pretty spacious.
See, it’s pretty spacious.
...
…
The camper shell has a built-in refrigerator as well as a cooking stove.
The camper shell has a built-in refrigerator as well as a cooking stove.
Kimura stocks up on Wagyu beef for tournament days and keeps it in the freezer.
Kimura stocks up on Wagyu beef for tournament days and keeps it in the freezer.
A look at Kimura's bed which is elevated above the rest of the shell.
A look at Kimura’s bed which is elevated above the rest of the shell.
...
…
Here is the kitchen space.
Here is the kitchen space.
Kimura does all of his work from his iPad Pro.
Kimura does all of his work from his iPad Pro.
Kimura hangs clothing in the camper to keep it nice and dry.
Kimura hangs clothing in the camper to keep it nice and dry.
Kimura's signature logo, KIMKEN.
Kimura’s signature logo, KIMKEN.
The next six photos show the evolution of the camper shell going down.
The next six photos show the evolution of the camper shell going down.
...
…
...
…
...
…
...
…
Now it's ready to roll.
Now it’s ready to roll.
Thanks for showing us around, Kenta!
Thanks for showing us around, Kenta!

Related