Over the last few years, Japanese native and current Texas resident Takahiro Omori has distinguished himself as one of the best professional anglers in the world. And one way he has done that is by how he fishes wood.
When he finds bushes and laydown trees in less than 5 feet of water, he has a two-part strategy that involves spinnerbaits and flipping. And though his flipping strategy is fairly basic, he has a few interesting nuances when it comes to spinnerbaits.
Spinnerbaits
Omori recommends fishing spinnerbaits parallel to the main trunk and/or major branches, depending on the size of the tree. No secret there. But whereas many other anglers use a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce spinnerbait in those situations, he opts for a 1/2-ounce bait.
The heavier bait gives him two main benefits. One is that it allows him to make "long and accurate casts." Another is that he can make it sink quicker, to trigger strikes. "Once you get used to (the 1/2-ounce bait), to me it's easier to fish," he says.
Omori says that on the retrieve, which he characterizes as "medium" speed, it's critical to give the bass every opportunity to bite the lure. "Try to get a reaction bite. Hit a branch, let it sink a little."
Another interesting nuance is that Omori only uses double Colorado-blade spinnerbaits around wood. "For some reason, in wood that combination of blades just gets more bites," he says. "Maybe the bass can feel it better."
His spinnerbaiting equipment consists of a Daiwa 7-foot composite rod, Team Daiwa TDX reel, Sun braided line (not sold in the U.S.) and T.O. (for Takahiro Omori) spinnerbait, only sold in Japan. His preferred spinnerbait colors are white/chartreuse or all chartreuse.
Flipping
Omori's flipping strategy is simple: "When I see flooded bushes I flip right into the heaviest stuff," he says. "The big fish are hiding there. Most people - - most average fishermen -- don't fish the heavy stuff."
Omori uses a Daiwa flipping stick and Daiwa TDX reel, Sun line, a Yamamoto craw- worm (black/blue, black/red or green pumpkin) and Gamakatsu hook. For weight, he uses 3/16-ounce unless the bushes are "very heavy. Then I'll use 3/4-ounce." He doesn't use a rattle.
His flipping strategy also is efficient: When the lure hits bottom, Omori shakes it once and then picks it up and heads to the next target.
When and How
When Omori pulls into a cove that has flooded brush and laydowns, how does he decide which to fish?
"If it's cloudy and a little breezy, a spinnerbait is (also) good around bushes," he says. Also, "if the water is clearer or green, I'll use a spinnerbait more. If it's muddier, I'll flip more. Use of both techniques depends on the conditions."
