Open: Japanese anglers’ day off

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Follow along with B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito as he visits nine Opens anglers from Japan to see how they spent the cancellation day. <br><br> First up, Ken Iyobe relaxing in his hotel room. He is the CEO and designer for his company, 10TFU. He takes care of his business while he's back in Japan between Bassmaster Open tournaments, so he doesn’t have to worry about it while he fishes for his dream: to re-qualify for the Elites and compete in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Here he listens to his favorite music and checks out social network comments from fans.
Follow along with B.A.S.S. photographer Seigo Saito as he visits nine Opens anglers from Japan to see how they spent the cancellation day.

First up, Ken Iyobe relaxing in his hotel room. He is the CEO and designer for his company, 10TFU. He takes care of his business while he’s back in Japan between Bassmaster Open tournaments, so he doesn’t have to worry about it while he fishes for his dream: to re-qualify for the Elites and compete in the GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Here he listens to his favorite music and checks out social network comments from fans.

The 2017 AOY champion from Japan, Daisuke Aoki, joins the Bassmaster Central Opens this year. His goal is to qualify for the 2020 Elite Series and also the Classic.
The 2017 AOY champion from Japan, Daisuke Aoki, joins the Bassmaster Central Opens this year. His goal is to qualify for the 2020 Elite Series and also the Classic.
In addition to the Japanese AOY title, Aoki has wins from the Basser All Star Classic and several other Japanese tournaments.
In addition to the Japanese AOY title, Aoki has wins from the Basser All Star Classic and several other Japanese tournaments.
Aoki runs a company called DStyle. He is the CEO and designer.
Aoki runs a company called DStyle. He is the CEO and designer.
This is Aoki’s Skeeter Yamaha for the 2019 season.
This is Aoki’s Skeeter Yamaha for the 2019 season.
Takumi Ito, who is from Chiba, Japan, fished the Logan Martin Open last fall and now fishes on the pro side of the Central Opens. He was changing hooks on a crankbait after Day 2 was canceled. He wanted keep his adrenaline up for this tournament by touching his fishing tackle.
Takumi Ito, who is from Chiba, Japan, fished the Logan Martin Open last fall and now fishes on the pro side of the Central Opens. He was changing hooks on a crankbait after Day 2 was canceled. He wanted keep his adrenaline up for this tournament by touching his fishing tackle.
Ito also has hopes to qualify for the Elite Series and garner a Classic berth. He was very excited to fish the first Open at a giant lake like Toledo Bend.
Ito also has hopes to qualify for the Elite Series and garner a Classic berth. He was very excited to fish the first Open at a giant lake like Toledo Bend.
In his spare time, Ito enjoys checking his social media and communicating with his fans in Japan.
In his spare time, Ito enjoys checking his social media and communicating with his fans in Japan.
Ito helps his sponsors, designing soft plastics like the Neko rig.
Ito helps his sponsors, designing soft plastics like the Neko rig.
Bassmaster writer Craig Lamb is interviewing Ito for a story.
Bassmaster writer Craig Lamb is interviewing Ito for a story.
Long-time Central Open pro Kenta Kimura is not doing much. He is all set for tomorrow to bring in a big bag. Here he enjoys his coffee on the off day.
Long-time Central Open pro Kenta Kimura is not doing much. He is all set for tomorrow to bring in a big bag. Here he enjoys his coffee on the off day.
While he is in the United States, Kenta communicates with Japanese partners for business.
While he is in the United States, Kenta communicates with Japanese partners for business.
The World Challenge Road to B.A.S.S. presented by Abema TV was held in Japan last year. The winner of the event, Soushi Kataoka, is registered as pro in the 2019 Bassmaster Central Opens.
The World Challenge Road to B.A.S.S. presented by Abema TV was held in Japan last year. The winner of the event, Soushi Kataoka, is registered as pro in the 2019 Bassmaster Central Opens.
Kataoka receives coverage from Abema TV for shows.
Kataoka receives coverage from Abema TV for shows.
Like other Japanese anglers, Kataoka helps design baits for his sponsors, like Jackall.
Like other Japanese anglers, Kataoka helps design baits for his sponsors, like Jackall.
Daisuke Kita is another accomplished angler from Japan who has joined the Bassmaster Central Opens this year. He won several big tournaments in Japan and now is competing in his long-time dream tournament series: Bassmaster. After the tournament he'll head back to Japan until the next Central Open at Smith Lake in April.
Daisuke Kita is another accomplished angler from Japan who has joined the Bassmaster Central Opens this year. He won several big tournaments in Japan and now is competing in his long-time dream tournament series: Bassmaster. After the tournament he’ll head back to Japan until the next Central Open at Smith Lake in April.
Kita brought a Japanese rice cooker with him to prepare his favorite foods during the tournament.
Kita brought a Japanese rice cooker with him to prepare his favorite foods during the tournament.
Kita helps Kitajima edit his film footage and photos for his media outlets in Japan, so his fans can see what Kita has been doing in the States.
Kita helps Kitajima edit his film footage and photos for his media outlets in Japan, so his fans can see what Kita has been doing in the States.
Back to Ken Iyobe, who was relaxing at his room earlier, now working on his core muscles so he can fish the tournaments strong.
Back to Ken Iyobe, who was relaxing at his room earlier, now working on his core muscles so he can fish the tournaments strong.