Flashback: 1993 on Kentucky Lake

Look back at the 1993 Kentucky Invitational where Japanese pro Norio Tanabe made a splash becoming the first international angler to win on the Bassmaster stage.

Posted on
This week, June 3-7, 2015, 111 Elite anglers and 13 invited anglers from the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens circuit will hit the waters of Kentucky Lake. The second annual BASSfest starts Wednesday on this popular fishery and will include five days of exciting competition.
Take a look back at the 1993 Kentucky Invitational where Japanese angler Norio Tanabe made a splash on this famous fishery. Tanabe became the very first international angler to win on the Bassmaster stage.
Through the decades, Kentucky Lake has hosted numerous B.A.S.S. tournament events. In 1993, it was the site of the Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational held in early April. With nearly 300 competitors including many of the best bass anglers in the sport at that time, the winner was definitely a surprise for fishing fans.
Through the decades, Kentucky Lake has hosted numerous B.A.S.S. tournament events. In 1993, it was the site of the Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational held in early April. With nearly 300 competitors including many of the best bass anglers in the sport at that time, the winner was definitely a surprise for fishing fans.
Norio Tanabe, a 35-year-old angler from Tokyo, Japan, climbed from third place to first during the final day of the abbreviated tournament.
Norio Tanabe, a 35-year-old angler from Tokyo, Japan, climbed from third place to first during the final day of the abbreviated tournament.
Tanabe’s victory on Kentucky Lake made him the first foreign angler to beat professionals like Rick Clunn and Gary Klein in B.A.S.S.’s 25-year history.
Tanabe’s victory on Kentucky Lake made him the first foreign angler to beat professionals like Rick Clunn and Gary Klein in B.A.S.S.’s 25-year history.
Though he was the first competitor from outside the U.S. to win a major Bassmaster event, Tanabe was an accomplished angler even before fishing with B.A.S.S. He was the Angler of the Year twice in Japan, and he worked for TIFA, a fishing tackle company.
Though he was the first competitor from outside the U.S. to win a major Bassmaster event, Tanabe was an accomplished angler even before fishing with B.A.S.S. He was the Angler of the Year twice in Japan, and he worked for TIFA, a fishing tackle company.
For Day 1 of the Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational, skies were clear and sunny, and Kentucky Lake’s water had begun warming slightly after several days of clouds and below-normal temperatures.
For Day 1 of the Kentucky Bassmaster Invitational, skies were clear and sunny, and Kentucky Lake’s water had begun warming slightly after several days of clouds and below-normal temperatures.
Tanabe had located fish in the mouths of creeks while practicing for the tournament, but during the first day of competition, those fish were nowhere to be found. Tanabe decided to try a new tactic.
Tanabe had located fish in the mouths of creeks while practicing for the tournament, but during the first day of competition, those fish were nowhere to be found. Tanabe decided to try a new tactic.
Rick Clunn, the four-time Bassmaster Classic champion from Missouri, had an amazing Day 1 on Kentucky Lake. He boated a six-fish limit with an impressive weight.
Rick Clunn, the four-time Bassmaster Classic champion from Missouri, had an amazing Day 1 on Kentucky Lake. He boated a six-fish limit with an impressive weight.
As the anglers filed in for the weigh-in, ESPN cameras were rolling and tournament workers were gathered to document the Day 1 fishing on Kentucky Lake.
As the anglers filed in for the weigh-in, ESPN cameras were rolling and tournament workers were gathered to document the Day 1 fishing on Kentucky Lake.
Current Tournament Director Trip Weldon assisted Clunn with his Day 1 catch. “That first day was one of the best fishing days I ever had,” Clunn said at the time. “I couldn’t do anything wrong. I could catch a fish and the wind would blow me 50 yards. Then I would cast and catch another 5-pounder.”
Tournament Director Trip Weldon assisted Clunn with his Day 1 catch. “That first day was one of the best fishing days I ever had,” Clunn said at the time. “I couldn’t do anything wrong. I could catch a fish and the wind would blow me 50 yards. Then I would cast and catch another 5-pounder.”
Clunn’s spectacular day fishing paid off, but the results meant he only visited three of the six areas he believed would yield fish. Even so, he still landed 32 pounds of bass.
Clunn’s spectacular day of fishing paid off, but the results meant he only visited three of the six areas he believed would yield fish. Even so, he still landed 32 pounds of bass.
To the surprise of almost everyone including Tanabe, he caught a six-fish limit that weighed 28 pounds, 10 ounces. The limit included a 6-pound smallmouth and a 7-pound largemouth. This total left him just over 3 pounds behind the accomplished Clunn.
To the surprise of almost everyone including Tanabe, he caught a six-fish limit that weighed 28 pounds, 10 ounces. The limit included a 6-pound smallmouth and a 7-pound largemouth. This total left him just over 3 pounds behind the accomplished Clunn.
Day 1 was a success for many of the pros. The bass weighed in by the Top 9 anglers on Day 1 averaged more than 4 pounds apiece.
Day 1 was a success for many of the pros. The bass weighed in by the Top 9 anglers on Day 1 averaged more than 4 pounds apiece.
Though successful, calm fishing was the calling card of Day 1, a weather shift would bring the tournament to a grinding halt on Day 2.
Though successful, calm fishing was the calling card of Day 1, a weather shift would bring the tournament to a grinding halt on Day 2.
The weather forecast for Day 2 of the tournament called for heavy storms and winds of 30 miles per hour or more. B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Dewey Kendrick decided to cancel the second day of competition. Strong southerly winds can quickly build high waves on Kentucky Lake.
The weather forecast for Day 2 of the tournament called for heavy storms and winds of 30 miles per hour or more. B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Dewey Kendrick decided to cancel the second day of competition. Strong southerly winds can quickly build high waves on Kentucky Lake.
The storms ended up stalling west of the lakes and didn’t arrive until that night. As a result, many of the anglers wished the second day had not been canceled.
The storms ended up stalling west of the lakes and didn’t arrive until that night. As a result, many of the anglers wished the second day had not been canceled.
Clunn went on record saying he wanted to fish no matter the weather forecast. “We should never not go out,” he said in <em>B.A.S.S. Times</em>. “We have an extremely clean record. We’ve never had a serious accident due to weather. Now, we are being treated like juveniles and can’t go out on the water.” <p>“I really wanted to fish,” Tanabe said at the time. “Some people say, ‘You are lucky.’ But I wanted to go. I wanted to try.”
Clunn went on record saying he wanted to fish no matter the weather forecast. “We should never not go out,” he said in B.A.S.S. Times. “We have an extremely clean record. We’ve never had a serious accident due to weather. Now, we are being treated like juveniles and can’t go out on the water.”
“I really wanted to fish,” Tanabe said at the time. “Some people say, you are lucky. But I wanted to go. I wanted to try.”
In the end, Clunn felt the Day 2 cancellation killed his chances to win the Invitational. He was counting on visiting the three areas he hadn’t fished on Day 1. With the abbreviated schedule, Clunn would instead return to the proven areas that provided 32 pounds on Day 1 and find they wouldn’t produce a winning weight.
In the end, Clunn felt the Day 2 cancellation killed his chances to win the Invitational. He was counting on visiting the three areas he hadn’t fished on Day 1. With the abbreviated schedule, Clunn would instead return to the proven areas that provided 32 pounds on Day 1 and find they wouldn’t produce a winning weight.
On Day 3, the pros took to the water in an all-day rainstorm that included some blustery afternoon winds.
On Day 3, the pros took to the water in an all-day rainstorm that included some blustery afternoon winds.
Even in the rough weather, Tanabe showed skill was just as important as luck. Tanabe managed to weigh in three fish at an impressive 14 pounds, 12 ounces. He caught the fish early before the winds began, and he said he broke off another 5-pounder.
Even in the rough weather, Tanabe showed skill was just as important as luck. Tanabe managed to weigh in three fish at an impressive 14 pounds, 12 ounces. He caught the fish early before the winds began, and he said he broke off another 5-pounder.
“Because of the wind, it took us two hours to get back in,” Tanabe said. “I was scared, but my partner, Greg (Cole) from Ohio, he help me. He fishes Lake Erie. He is used to water like this.” Tanabe caught his bass by jerking a weighted Smithwick Rogue around pea-gravel bars along the eastern side of Kentucky Lake.
“Because of the wind, it took us two hours to get back in,” Tanabe said. “I was scared, but my partner, Greg (Cole) from Ohio, he help me. He fishes Lake Erie. He is used to water like this.” Tanabe caught his bass by jerking a weighted Smithwick Rogue around pea-gravel bars along the eastern side of Kentucky Lake.
As this illustration from <em>B.A.S.S. Times</em> shows, his strike zone was an 8- to 10-foot horizontal strip of water beneath the surface.
As this illustration from B.A.S.S. Times shows his strike zone was an 8- to 10-foot horizontal strip of water beneath the surface.
On Day 3, Clunn brought in only two fish weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. This bag ultimately landed him in third place with a $21,000 purse.
On Day 3, Clunn brought in only two fish weighing 6 pounds, 13 ounces. This bag ultimately landed him in third place with a $21,000 purse.
Tanabe finished the tournament with nine bass that weighed a total of 43 pounds, 6 ounces. He claimed the winner’s purse of $35,000 by more than 4 pounds.
Tanabe finished the tournament with nine bass that weighed a total of 43 pounds, 6 ounces. He claimed the winner’s purse of $35,000 by more than 4 pounds.
Tanabe’s historic win was cheered on by a large crowd that braved the strong winds and rain at the weigh-in site on the final day.
Tanabe’s historic win was cheered on by a large crowd that braved the strong winds and rain at the weigh-in site on the final day.
Rain gear and umbrellas definitely proved to be the fashion trend of the final day.
Rain gear and umbrellas definitely proved to be the fashion trend of the final day.
Soaked but dedicated fishing fans.
Soaked but dedicated fishing fans.
Due to illness, Ray Scott stayed off the stage during most of the final day’s weigh-in, but he couldn’t resist hopping on stage to introduce Tanabe as B.A.S.S.’s first international winner.
Due to illness, Ray Scott stayed off the stage during most of the final day’s weigh-in, but he couldn’t resist hopping on stage to introduce Tanabe as B.A.S.S.’s first international winner.
Clunn came in third with eight bass weighing a total of 38 pounds, 13 ounces.
Clunn came in third with eight bass weighing a total of 38 pounds, 13 ounces.
Rookie Randall Hutson, a 44-year-old Missouri cattle and turkey farmer, took fourth place over Gary Klein (above). Though Klein slipped to fifth place in the tournament, his finish allowed him to take a commanding lead in the 1993 Angler of the Year standings with only two tournaments remaining.
Rookie Randall Hutson, a 44-year-old Missouri cattle and turkey farmer, took fourth place over Gary Klein (above). Though Klein slipped to fifth place in the tournament, his finish allowed him to take a commanding lead in the 1993 Angler of the Year standings with only two tournaments remaining.
Mike Folkestad landed just outside the Top 5 with a total of 37 pounds, 10 ounces. He was behind Klein by just 2 ounces.
Mike Folkestad landed just outside the Top 5 with a total of 37 pounds, 10 ounces. He was behind Klein by just 2 ounces.
There were other notable anglers who participated in the 1993 Kentucky Lake Invitational. Basil Bacon ended competition in 61st with 19 pounds, 4 ounces. Through the years Bacon appeared in nine Bassmaster Classics and tallied two B.A.S.S. first-place finishes.
There were other notable anglers who participated in the 1993 Kentucky Lake Invitational. Basil Bacon ended competition in 61st with 19 pounds, 4 ounces. Through the years Bacon appeared in nine Bassmaster Classics and tallied two B.A.S.S. first-place finishes.
Stacey King from Reeds Spring, Mo., tied for 59th with a weight of 19-5. King compiled a total of 12 Bassmaster Classic appearances and 30 Top 10 finishes during his career.
Stacey King from Reeds Spring, Mo., tied for 59th with a weight of 19-5. King compiled a total of 12 Bassmaster Classic appearances and 30 Top 10 finishes during his career.
Zell Rowland ended up tied for 99th with a weight of 14-4. Rowland has punched his ticket to the Bassmaster Classic 16 times over the years, and he has amassed wins in two Invitationals, a Bassmaster Top 150 competition and two Bassmaster Tour events. <p>Currently a Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Rowland is one of more than a dozen anglers who took part in the 1993 event who will be fishing Kentucky Lake for BASSfest 2015. The other anglers include Rick Clunn, Gary Klein, Mark Menendez, Takahiro Omori, Mark Davis, Davy Hite, Kevin VanDam, John Murray, Tommy Biffle, Bernie Schultz, Kenyon Hill, Paul Elias, Shaw Grigsby and Charlie Hartley.
Zell Rowland ended up tied for 99th with a weight of 14-4. Rowland has punched his ticket to the Bassmaster Classic 16 times over the years, and he has amassed wins in two Invitationals, a Bassmaster Top 150 competition, and two Bassmaster Tour events.

A long-time Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Rowland is one of more than a dozen anglers who took part in the 1993 event and fished Kentucky Lake for BASSfest 2015. The other anglers include Rick Clunn, Gary Klein, Mark Menendez, Takahiro Omori, Mark Davis, Davy Hite, Kevin VanDam, John Murray, Tommy Biffle, Bernie Schultz, Kenyon Hill, Paul Elias, Shaw Grigsby and Charlie Hartley.

When accepting the keys to his new Ranger boat, Tanabe said, “Bass fishing is my life. We have tournaments in Japan, but I wanted to try it here, where they are big and you have many strong anglers. ... I wanted to come for five years, and now, finally, I am here. It is a dream come true. B.A.S.S. people have always been very kind to me. They teach me the American way.”
When accepting the keys to his new Ranger boat, Tanabe said, “Bass fishing is my life. We have tournaments in Japan, but I wanted to try it here, where they are big and you have many strong anglers. … I wanted to come for five years, and now, finally, I am here. It is a dream come true. B.A.S.S. people have always been very kind to me. They teach me the American way.”
A number of the anglers were happy for Tanabe and helped celebrate his win. In <em>B.A.S.S. Times</em>, Rick Clunn said, “I’m tickled to death. Norio is one of the nicer people I’ve met. It fascinates me that somebody who barely speaks the language can come over and perform at such a high level, to win a tournament.”
A number of the anglers were happy for Tanabe and helped celebrate his win. In B.A.S.S. Times, Rick Clunn said, “I’m tickled to death. Norio is one of the nicer people I’ve met. It fascinates me that somebody who barely speaks the language can come over and perform at such a high level, to win a tournament.”