Japanese bass fishing

Want to know Japanese Bass fishing?

Welcome!

I am Tatsuhiko Tsugaru, a Japanese bass angler. On this site, I introduce bass fishing in Japan — covering tackle, techniques, and the culture that shapes our fishing scene. My primary sponsor is NORIES, the brand represented by Taku Ito, who competes on the Bassmaster Elite Series.

presented by Tatsuhiko ‘GARUTSU’ Tsugaru

The most widely practiced style of bass fishing in Japan is rental boat fishing.

The footage shown here was filmed at Lake Takataki in Chiba Prefecture. Many Japanese anglers fish from small rental boats like this. As the name suggests, these boats can be rented at a very reasonable price — typically between 3,000 and 5,000 yen for a full day. Anglers commonly equip them with a trolling motor, battery, fish finder (and increasingly FFS), and a livewell.

Japan offers a wide variety of rental boat lakes, including many located near Tokyo. While some waters allow engine-powered boats, most lakes in the Tokyo metropolitan area prohibit engine use due to their relatively small size.

I also own a SKEETER bass boat for competing on larger waters, but in Japan there are only a limited number of lakes where bass boats can be legally operated.

Many of the techniques now seen on the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bass Pro Tour were originally developed within Japan’s rental boat fishing culture.

I have been bass fishing for over 30 years, with experience fishing in the United States, and have competed as a co-angler in the Bassmaster Opens. If you are interested in learning more about bass fishing in Japan, please feel free to contact me.

Tatsuhiko Tsugaru