Japanese first-year Elite Series angler Taku Ito came into this tournament leading the rookie of the year standings. After one day at Lake St. Clair, he’s leading the Angler of the Year standings. And after one hour this morning, he’s leading the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
In the first hour today, Ito caught four bass conservatively estimated to weigh 14 pounds, 12 ounces. He started the day in 4th place after weighing 21-11 Thursday.
He’s had a great northern swing on smallmouth bass fisheries. But he’s going to be strong all year long, based on his record in Bassmaster Opens, like his second-place showing at Toledo Bend in 2019. Here’s his record in the previous four Elite Series events this year: 21st at the St. Johns River, 42nd at Lake Eufaula, 6th at the St. Lawrence River and 10th at Lake Champlain.