LMB Fishing in Japan

[Pat Leach]

Writing to get other peoples past experiences on the matter, LMB fishing in Japan. 

I am active duty USMC in the Iwakuni area and having difficulty finding reachable by walking biking or taxi nearby fishing spots. 

I have had limited success at the mouth of the Imazu and Monzen river and at this time of year (November-January) I haven't even had a hit. What do you suggest I throw? The water is cold flowing down from the mountains, moving fast but on average 1/2 oz can hold bottom, clear enough to see to the bottom at the deepest part roughly 7 feet, and almost no structure with the exception of an abandoned water inlet for a long gone paper factory. I am interested to try new techniques so do not hesitate to throw an idea out there.

[TnRiver46]

Suspending jerkbait sounds good for 7 ft deep fast clear water. 

[roadwarrior]

I hope some of our members can suggest specific water for you, but the lures you use will be the same ones you would fish in the same situations here in the States.  

 

 

[jbw252]

First off - Thank you for your service.  Is there a local tackle shop that you can visit for some area advice?  Or is there a local fishing club that you can visit and gather some info?  I would try some Kastmaster style spoons to fish with.  You should be able to catch a variety of fish with spoons or an inline spinner.  Good luck!

[Pat Leach]

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. There are at least two tackle shops that I know of nearby, however the language barrier is always an issue. As far as tackle goes, most of it around here is geared towards saltwater species like Japanese Sea Bass (Suzuki) which are pretty difficult to find fishing from banks not unheard of though. I have had luck with LMB in warmer temps with the 4 inch watermelon senkos. I just put in a massive spinner/ buzzbait/ jig order with TW but i will check out what the local places have in the way of spoons.

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Pat!! Thanks for your service.

Japan is on my wife's and my bucket list -- not for
the bass fishing, but that's something I'd love to
do there, too.

 

I know some of the Japanese bass pros here in the
states do a lot of drop shot... I wish you the best.

[J._Bricker]

Semper Fi Pat, and I would suggest contacting Jun Sonoda of Japan Tackle for suggestions via email. I hope this suggestion is helpful. JB

[Pat Leach]

I appreciate the responses, you guys are very helpful. Japan is very different and was a big change when I got out here. I am used to outdoors with the pine barrens, and Delaware river tributaries within a 15 minute drive in any direction or an hour shot to Long Beach Island. Unfortunately I do not have a vehicle here and for the most part it is very built up. This is my last fish I caught in late August on a senko Texas rig it weighed around 2.8lbs. 

[12poundbass]

My father in-law used to work in China and I always hoped he would pass through Japan and snag some lures for me. If I were you I'd buy buy buy. They have a lot of bass lures over there that haven't made it to the States. Your fellow Jersey boy Mike Iaconelli recently went to Japan and brought back some interesting lures. You can find the 2 part article on Bassmaster. Good luck and thank you for your service!  

[deaknh03]

On Monday, January 02, 2017 at 9:52 AM, Pat Leach said:

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. There are at least two tackle shops that I know of nearby, however the language barrier is always an issue. As far as tackle goes, most of it around here is geared towards saltwater species like Japanese Sea Bass (Suzuki) which are pretty difficult to find fishing from banks not unheard of though. I have had luck with LMB in warmer temps with the 4 inch watermelon senkos. I just put in a massive spinner/ buzzbait/ jig order with TW but i will check out what the local places have in the way of spoons.

Whoa!!! Your in Japan and you ordered from tw?? Holy smokes, guys dream about hitting Japanese tackle shops. The tackle market in Japan has lots of hard to and impossible to find in the states stuff. Good luck in your fishing, and perhaps hit those local shops and get some unique lures.

[Pat Leach]

took your advice visited a pretty well stocked tackle shop roughly 20 minute drive from me on the way to Hiroshima. I picked up a number of odd lures including a top water cicada that looks handmade and high quality, as well as two swim baits which were hard to turn down for the price. Now that I have a means of transportation I should be able to reach some promising looking locations in the area. Thanks again for all the replies.

[jbw252]

WTG.  Now get out there and fish 'em.  Enjoy the fishing & report back to us with pics!