Elite

An exciting morning for Ito

Follow along with Taku Ito through all the highs and lows of his third morning on Pickwick Lake.

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Photography by
Andy Crawford
Japan’s Taku Ito headed out for the third day of the 2022 Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake sitting just more than 3 pounds out of the lead. He headed up the lake to the area from which he has caught 38-10 over the past two days of competiton.
Ito stopped on a hump near Kogers Island and checked out the situation with his electronics before he put a bait in the water.
A local angler was fishing nearby when Ito showed up, but he stopped fishing and watched as the young pro went to work.
It didn’t take long for Ito to hook up.
It wasn’t a big bass, but Ito dropped his first fish in the livewell barely 10 minutes after he started fishing.
Ito re-rigged to ensure he didn’t lose a bass because of terminal tackle failure.
After a few minutes without a bite, Ito hopped on plane and headed farther up the lake.
Soon he was working a ledge off the side of Kogers Island.
Mayflies were struggling in the water just off the island, testifying to the major hatch going on right now.
Time for a new rig.
Fellow Elite angler Bryan Schmitt was fishing near Ito’s second spot.
After two throwbacks, it was time to move again.
He didn’t go far, and continued working a ledge.
That was all it took for a hookup.
This bass sent Ito to the back of the boat to ensure he landed it.
The bass was fiesty, refusing to give up without a fight.
But he soon had the fish in hand to add to the livewell.
Another move was in order, so Ito pulled up his trolling motor.
He ran straight back to his starting spot, and began casting to the top of the underwater hump.
His first cast was rewarded by a bite, and Ito’s body language told the story of a heftier fish on the end of the his line.
And then the angler collapsed on the deck as the fish, which looked to be at least 5 pounds, launched into the air and spit the hook.
It took a moment for Ito to recover from the loss.
But he re-rigged so he could get back to to work.
A quick bite helped shake the nerves from the previous miss.
Unfortunately, it was a throwback, but Ito cold be confident bass were on the hump.
And another hookup.
Ito took no chances, running to the bottom of the boat to get into position to scoop the fish into the boat.
And the fish was in hand.
Another keeper goes into the livewell.
Ito often checked his line and ensured his plastic lure was perfect on the hook.
He also would refer to his electronics to ensure he was positioned correctly to make efficient casts.
The hump produces yet another fish.
He swung this one in the boat.
Not a huge one, but it marked the fourth of his limit.
Seeing somethng he liked on his electronics, Ito pitched his lure out …
A moment later, Ito set the hook again.
He prepared to swing the bass into the boat …
… but missed, and the fish splashed off the side of the boat to continue the battle.
Ito decides to reduce the odds of losing the bass and heads for the back of the boat.
He safely scoops the fish, roundng out his limit.
With a wave, Ito headed out to work on upgrading his five-fish stringer.

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