Gary Yamamoto Baits Same as Wagyu Beef
Tak On The
Question Block 12/17/2005
 | Photo: BassFan Takahiro Omori failed to make the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, but said he's not too disappointed. |
He won twice, which is no small task. First, he triumphed at the Toho Bassmaster, which immediately followed his Classic victory. And he won in October � the Norfork Bassmaster Central Open. So in all it was a strong year.
But how does he feel about it? And what's he doing right now? The answers are found below.
You've had some major career highpoints the past 2 years. But was the Bassmaster Open Championship at the Alabama River, where you failed to qualify for the next Classic, one of your major career disappointments?
No. As much as success as I've had, I can still can take it.
To be honest, I won a Classic in 2004, so I have a different attitude now. I achieved my lifetime goal to win the Classic, so now I don't have the same attitude as compared to a couple of years ago.
I'm not too disappointed. But don't get me wrong. I still got mad right after the tournament.
What have you been doing since the Open Championship?
I'm doing some work on my tackle. And I'm taking a mental-conditioning course. The person doing it, he coached Michael Johnson � the Olympic gold-medal runner.
I paid him $350 and took him fishing to show him what bass fishermen do in the water. Then I took him to a campground to show him what I do there.
Hopefully it will help me mentally. None of those (mental coaches) know about fishing. But the funny thing is, he said, "I watch TV and I saw you in an earlier tournament on ESPN."
Is there a particular bait you're excited to throw on tour this year?
I don't have any new ones I'm excited about. I haven't seen any new ones. I have the same old baits.
I use whatever works. I don't care what bait it is. Hopefully, if it's a sponsor's bait, that's perfect. But I don't have any (contracts) that say I can't use different baits.
What's your favorite food?
Sushi. I have to drive out to Dallas for Japanese food � 1 1/2 hours to get the Sushi. That's bad.
What's your favorite sushi dish?
I like yellowfin tuna. I like to go to one place in Dallas owned by Japanese, and 50% of the customers are Japanese. Every now and then I find those in a big city and I go crazy.
Do you eat any of Gary Yamamoto's Kobe beef?
I like to eat fish more than beef. But that beef is such a fine beef. It's Japanese-style beef. The only time I ate it was because he (Yamamoto) invited me. Otherwise it's like $150 a pound.
Looking at this year's schedule, is there a certain event you think you have the chance to win?
I don't look that way at the tournaments anymore. If I make it to day 4, then I fish to win. Until then, I just fish wide-open. I never know in which tournament I'll do good.
Sometimes if I narrow it down too much before a tournament starts, I screw up the tournament. So for practice I'll be out there trying to figure out everything in the tournament to win.
When was the last time you went home to Japan?
Right after I won the Classic, with the Lucky Craft Classic-winning tour.
My brother is going to have a wedding, but it's tough to go. I missed my sister's wedding, and I missed Mother's Day. I'd like to go back to Japan more often, but I get so busy out here in the States.
My brother's wedding is Jan. 2, so I'm thinking I might be going back. But at the same time, I only have 2 weeks of off-season, and I have to get a new boat, get my tackle ready, and I want to spend some time at home in Texas.
It's tough because it takes 24 hours to get to my parent's house. Plus, I was thinking an airplane ticket was $1,500, but business class is like $4,000. So I'd spend $5,000 or $6,000 for just 5 days in Japan.
It's tough, but that's what I have to sacrifice to be a pro fisherman.
Source: http://bassfan.com/ontour_lucky_article.asp?ID=52
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