Gear

Taku Ito’s Japanese tacklebox

Posted on
Nine Top 10 finishes. A Bassmaster Elite Series win. Already one world championship appearance and another on the way. A check in 22 of 24 Bassmaster events. Takumi Ito came here from Japan in 2019, having never before fished for American bass.
Nine Top 10 finishes. A Bassmaster Elite Series win. Already one world championship appearance and another on the way. A check in 22 of 24 Bassmaster events. Takumi Ito came here from Japan in 2019, having never before fished for American bass.
Ito caught smallmouth for the first time in 2020, and he twice competed in northern Championship Sundays. He then won his first blue trophy in 2021 on the St. Lawrence River.
Ito caught smallmouth for the first time in 2020, and he twice competed in northern Championship Sundays. He then won his first blue trophy in 2021 on the St. Lawrence River.
He might be new to the American game, but Ito has a legit knack for catching northern smallmouth. He’s also good at largemouth too, having used Japanese finesse tactics on the likes of the gnarly Sabine River to finish third this season.
He might be new to the American game, but Ito has a legit knack for catching northern smallmouth. He’s also good at largemouth too, having used Japanese finesse tactics on the likes of the gnarly Sabine River to finish third this season.
Ito has an edge and he knows it. Let him tell it, in his own English. “Taku use Japanese baits that American bass never seen before.” That’s a legit statement, considering some of the oddities appearing in our top lure galleries.
Ito has an edge and he knows it. Let him tell it, in his own English. “Taku use Japanese baits that American bass never seen before.” That’s a legit statement, considering some of the oddities appearing in our top lure galleries.
We asked the champ to choose baits a first timer’s Japanese tacklebox. Go get ‘em if you can find them, knowing they might be just the secret bait you need to win, or catch more bass. You can look elsewhere in our top lure galleries for other Japanese treasures.
We asked the champ to choose baits a first timer’s Japanese tacklebox. Go get ‘em if you can find them, knowing they might be just the secret bait you need to win, or catch more bass. You can look elsewhere in our top lure galleries for other Japanese treasures.
The first lure Ito chose is a topwater. It’s the Nories Upper Cutter 95 (95mm). The rattling lure has a balanced body design for a continuous slide action across the surface without diving. The unique action creates waves that run just below the surface.
The first lure Ito chose is a topwater. It’s the Nories Upper Cutter 95 (95mm). The rattling lure has a balanced body design for a continuous slide action across the surface without diving. The unique action creates waves that run just below the surface.
Ito favors the Upper Cutter in low light conditions during shad spawns, and in summer when bass feed early. He said just a twitch of the rod tip sends it gliding far across the surface, which is a plus when covering water before the sun gets too high is a goal.
Ito favors the Upper Cutter in low light conditions during shad spawns, and in summer when bass feed early. He said just a twitch of the rod tip sends it gliding far across the surface, which is a plus when covering water before the sun gets too high is a goal.
No tacklebox is complete without a spinnerbait. Go Japanese with this 3/8-ounce Nories Crystal S, made with ultra-thin wire that transfers the vibration from blade to head for a shivering, pulsating skirt action.
No tacklebox is complete without a spinnerbait. Go Japanese with this 3/8-ounce Nories Crystal S, made with ultra-thin wire that transfers the vibration from blade to head for a shivering, pulsating skirt action.
Ito chose this model for its lighter weight. Slower retrieves keep the bait moving horizontally, instead of dropping out of the strike zone too soon. The thin wire also enables the bait to slip through branches and vegetation without hanging up.
Ito chose this model for its lighter weight. Slower retrieves keep the bait moving horizontally, instead of dropping out of the strike zone too soon. The thin wire also enables the bait to slip through branches and vegetation without hanging up.
This is a bladed jig of a different kind. Ito likes the 1/2-ounce Nories Hulachat Snagless Bladed Jig. What makes it different is the head design.
This is a bladed jig of a different kind. Ito likes the 1/2-ounce Nories Hulachat Snagless Bladed Jig. What makes it different is the head design.
The flattened nose and head resemble that of a small baitfish. Ito said the slender head makes it ideal for slipping through cover without getting snagged. He uses this bladed bait in heavy cover.
The flattened nose and head resemble that of a small baitfish. Ito said the slender head makes it ideal for slipping through cover without getting snagged. He uses this bladed bait in heavy cover.
This Nories Shot Over 3 is a top pick. Available in 21 colors, this is the Premium Gold Shad pattern. The bait runs up to 9 feet. The Shot Over 3 is one in a series of crankbaits designed to run in different depth ranges, like American versions.
This Nories Shot Over 3 is a top pick. Available in 21 colors, this is the Premium Gold Shad pattern. The bait runs up to 9 feet. The Shot Over 3 is one in a series of crankbaits designed to run in different depth ranges, like American versions.
Based on its depth range, Ito likes to fish the Shot Over 3 through cover, relying on the bait’s lip to deflect it off wood and rock.
Based on its depth range, Ito likes to fish the Shot Over 3 through cover, relying on the bait’s lip to deflect it off wood and rock.
A lipless crankbait is another staple going into the box. This is the Nories Rattlin’ Jetter, a tungsten weighted version designed to run straight even in fast retrieves. The bait by design is only available in a 1/2-ounce size.
A lipless crankbait is another staple going into the box. This is the Nories Rattlin’ Jetter, a tungsten weighted version designed to run straight even in fast retrieves. The bait by design is only available in a 1/2-ounce size.
The heavier weight is not a drawback to diminishing the vibrating action. Instead, the balanced design keeps it running true. Ito said it deflects well off cover, a tactic that he uses with success when casting this bait.
The heavier weight is not a drawback to diminishing the vibrating action. Instead, the balanced design keeps it running true. Ito said it deflects well off cover, a tactic that he uses with success when casting this bait.
What looks like a Tokyo Rig is called a Cherry Rig in Japan. Ito chose a 1/4-ounce size and rigs it with a 4.25-inch Nories Escape Twin. Available in 30 colors, this is the Light Green Pumpkin pattern. This extra bulky creature bait displaces more water, making it ideal for dingy water conditions. The larger twin paddle tails impart a wide swimming action, while the smaller forward appendages form a tighter, faster action.
What looks like a Tokyo Rig is called a Cherry Rig in Japan. Ito chose a 1/4-ounce size and rigs it with a 4.25-inch Nories Escape Twin. Available in 30 colors, this is the Light Green Pumpkin pattern. This extra bulky creature bait displaces more water, making it ideal for dingy water conditions. The larger twin paddle tails impart a wide swimming action, while the smaller forward appendages form a tighter, faster action.
Ito fishes this finesse rig through heavy cover, including submerged brushpiles, and even offshore in isolated rock and wood cover. It’s an all-around, versatile choice when pressured fish need a different look and action.
Ito fishes this finesse rig through heavy cover, including submerged brushpiles, and even offshore in isolated rock and wood cover. It’s an all-around, versatile choice when pressured fish need a different look and action.
The last bait has appeared more than once in our Elite Series Top Lures galleries. It’s the 5.25-inch Nories Latterie. In our galleries, we’ve seen Ito rig this on 1/8-ounce Neko rigs, weedless and weightless wacky style, and by inserting a nail weight into the head and then rigging it wacky style. Available in 15 colors, this is the Light Green Pumpkin pattern.
The last bait has appeared more than once in our Elite Series Top Lures galleries. It’s the 5.25-inch Nories Latterie. In our galleries, we’ve seen Ito rig this on 1/8-ounce Neko rigs, weedless and weightless wacky style, and by inserting a nail weight into the head and then rigging it wacky style. Available in 15 colors, this is the Light Green Pumpkin pattern.
This is Ito’s go-to finesse rig for finicky smallmouth. A Neko/wacky style rig using the Latterie was in his winning lure lineup at the St. Lawrence River.
This is Ito’s go-to finesse rig for finicky smallmouth. A Neko/wacky style rig using the Latterie was in his winning lure lineup at the St. Lawrence River.

Related