![<p>Morizo Shimizu is arguably Japanâs best-known and best-loved angler. When heâs not fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series, heâs back in Japan fishing tournaments and filming his television show, <em>Burning Heart</em>. In Japan, Shimizuâs celebrity is almost on par with that of Mike Iaconelli in the United States, partly because of his on-film antics and charisma, and partly because of his work in the lure design market. Heâs added his input to dozens of baits and now Evergreen International, a Japanese luremaker, has given Shimizu his own line of bait dubbed MoDo. In general, any bait with MoDo on it sells like hotcakes in Japan. Why? Fishing tackle designers in Japan are likened to fashion designers in the US; in other words, if a bait has a certain designer's name on it, his following will snap 'em up. Every designer's works catch fish, but Shimizu has the added benefit of wetting his plugs in both Japanese and American waters in front of both Japanese and American cameras. Even if you aren't familiar with Morizo, hereâs a little insight into his design and creative process, as well as a few of his favorite plugs.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/shimizu_morizo_0.jpg)
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: When designing/testing a lure, what trait or characteristic is most important? Action? Color? Sound? All of the above?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Shimizu: The most important thing is catching fish. But one other thing is what I want the most at the moment, and Iâll keep working on it till I am satisfied.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130503wpga_1022.jpg)
Shimizu: The most important thing is catching fish. But one other thing is what I want the most at the moment, and Iâll keep working on it till I am satisfied.
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: How do you know when an action is perfected?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Shimizu: When you catch bunch of fish, especially in a tournament!</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130314srtx_1106.jpg)
Shimizu: When you catch bunch of fish, especially in a tournament!
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: Whatâs the longest youâve ever worked on a single bait?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Shimizu: I spend at least three years on most of them; right now I am working on lipless crankbait that Iâve been tinkering with for more than five years.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dhj_8321.jpg)
Shimizu: I spend at least three years on most of them; right now I am working on lipless crankbait that Iâve been tinkering with for more than five years.
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What do you enjoy most about designing lures?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: When you catch lots of fish with your new ideas.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dhj_8336.jpg)
Shimizu: When you catch lots of fish with your new ideas.
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What bait is your proudest achievement?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: All of them!</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/130503wpga_0267.jpg)
Shimizu: All of them!
![<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What was the first bait you designed ever, not necessarily for Evergreen?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: D-Zone, the spinnerbait.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/dhj_8305.jpg)
Shimizu: D-Zone, the spinnerbait.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Bubble Tornado</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What did you want to achieve with this buzzbait?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: I wanted to make a buzzbait that threw well and also tracked straight on the retrieve.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: In what conditions will it work best?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Clear water in spawning season.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: Why did you design it the way you did?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Compact design to match the Japanese field, but also I wanted the blade to have a high-pitched sound.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bubble_tornado.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: What did you want to achieve with this buzzbait?
Shimizu: I wanted to make a buzzbait that threw well and also tracked straight on the retrieve.
B.A.S.S.: In what conditions will it work best?
Shimizu: Clear water in spawning season.
B.A.S.S.: Why did you design it the way you did?
Shimizu: Compact design to match the Japanese field, but also I wanted the blade to have a high-pitched sound.
![<p><strong>Evergreen D-Zone spinnerbait</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What did you want to achieve with this buzzbait?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: I wanted to make the most productive actions with a high hookup ratio and good castability. Itâs realistic-looking, too, so itâs good for clear and stained water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><span style=](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/d-zone-spinnerbait.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: What did you want to achieve with this buzzbait?
Shimizu: I wanted to make the most productive actions with a high hookup ratio and good castability. Itâs realistic-looking, too, so itâs good for clear and stained water.
B.A.S.S.: In what conditions will it work best?
Shimizu: Surface retrieve in spawning season or slow rolling in grassy areas.
B.A.S.S.: Why did you design it the way you did?
Shimizu: After a long period of testing, I designed this bait from scratch. The combination of the lower centered head, irregular wire arm and the original blade shape gave me the results I was looking for.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Oneâs Bug</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What is your favorite way to retrieve this?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Fast action or walk the dog.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: Why did you shape the mouth like you did?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: You can make big bubble, or make a big splash toward front by using different retrieves. </p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ones-bug.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: What is your favorite way to retrieve this?
Shimizu: Fast action or walk the dog.
B.A.S.S.: Why did you shape the mouth like you did?
Shimizu: You can make big bubble, or make a big splash toward front by using different retrieves.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Wild Hunch</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: When is the best conditions to use this crankbait?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: I like it best in tough conditions in cold water.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What color is your favorite?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Clown and blue back chartreuse.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/wild-hunch-2.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: When is the best conditions to use this crankbait?
Shimizu: I like it best in tough conditions in cold water.
B.A.S.S.: What color is your favorite?
Shimizu: Clown and blue back chartreuse.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Wild Hunch (deep)</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: How did you know when this was perfected?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: After working on the prototype for three years, I caught lots of fish in a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open event.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/wild-hunch.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: How did you know when this was perfected?
Shimizu: After working on the prototype for three years, I caught lots of fish in a Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open event.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Reaction Football Jig</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What different about your jig than others?</strong></p>
<p><span style=](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130403-dsc_9696.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: What different about your jig than others?
Shimizu: It snags less than other football jigs.
B.A.S.S.: What trailer do you like best?
Shimizu: A twin-tail grub.
B.A.S.S.: Do you modify this at all, like trim the weedguard or skirt?
Shimizu: Iâll usually take a few strands of the weedguard off, sometimes Iâll cut some skirt.
![<p><strong>Evergreen Faith</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What are ideal conditions to use this?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Cold water in winter time. It suspends.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: How did you know the design was perfect?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: I caught bunch of big mamas in cold winter in Japan when I was filming my TV show!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: How did you manage to make the markings say your name? Do Japanese anglers notice since itâs in English? (it's mirrored in this image)</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: I explained that lure is just a lure, so I wanted to play with it.</p>
<p>I am sure they can read, but I tried to make it not easy to read.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>B.A.S.S.: What is the best retrieve for his bait?</strong></p>
<p>Shimizu: Rip then pause, thatâs the best.</p>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/20130403-dsc_9673.jpg)
B.A.S.S.: What are ideal conditions to use this?
Shimizu: Cold water in winter time. It suspends.
B.A.S.S.: How did you know the design was perfect?
Shimizu: I caught bunch of big mamas in cold winter in Japan when I was filming my TV show!
B.A.S.S.: How did you manage to make the markings say your name? Do Japanese anglers notice since itâs in English? (it’s mirrored in this image)
Shimizu: I explained that lure is just a lure, so I wanted to play with it.
I am sure they can read, but I tried to make it not easy to read.
B.A.S.S.: What is the best retrieve for his bait?
Shimizu: Rip then pause, thatâs the best.