Part 6
KVD Interview


@Hello anglers! I have interviewed one of the world's greatest anglers, Kevin VanDam about the influence Japanese fishing has had on bass fishing in North America. I have known Kevin for years and just called him on the phone. I find him to be very generous with the information and very professional. I like to call him, the 'Tiger Woods' of fishing, because he is the best in the world. It doesn't matter what he fishes for...salmon, bass, walleye...he always does well. I chose him for an interview because I knew every basswaver would love to hear him speak about Japan. He was very open and was happy to speak to basswavers!
Jon Bondy: Kevin, what a tremendous opportunity this is. When it comes to lures, can you tell us a little about the products coming out of Japan and what your impression is of them.
Kevin VanDam: The biggest difference I see between the lures from Japan and those from the US is the appearance of the bait and attention to detail. Japanese are very meticulous when it comes to fishing, whether it be the cleanliness of their equipment, to the designs of their lures. Baits such as Lucky Craft have really caught on in the US because they work well. There have been some Japanese lure companies in the past that have spent so much time focusing on the outside appearance of the bait, that they go a bit overboard and spend not enough time on the action of the bait itself. Some baits look great, but don't catch fish well. Japanese lure companies have been working with US pro anglers in recent years to increase the effectiveness of many lures. Most Japanese baits made now are very good fish catchers after pro anglers in the US provided input.
Bondy: We've seen several Japanese pros do well on the FLW Tour and the BASS Tour. Who comes to mind as a great angler?
VanDam: Well one terrific angler is Takahiro Omori. He has done extremely well and has paved the way for some newer pros to come from Japan to fish. Takahiro is very much a student of the sport. He pays a lot of attention to detail, maybe too much some time. He studies the other pros very closely. In fact, at the first BASSMASTER E-50 event this year, he fished with Rick Clunn during the practice round, but never picked up a rod all day, he told Rick he just wanted to watch him work and study how he fishes. At the end of every event, if I do well, Takahiro is always trying to ask questions of me about my pattern and how I caught my fish.
Part6
KVD Interview

2004/05/20
I called up a long time friend of mine, Kevin Vandam for an interview with time. It seems like he likes Japanese bais like I do.
Part1
Fishing on Lake St. Clair

2002/03/09
Hello. My name is Jon Bondy of Wondsor, Canada. I am a full time fishing guide on Lake St.Clair, and today I start off my column on basswave.jp.
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Part2
With Mickey Bruce

2002/06/13
I had a time to fish with Mickey Blues, a long time friend of mine and a famous Tour compeditor. We caught tons of bass and stripers.
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Part3
Walleye, another great game-fish

2002/07/15
Walleye is one of the most popular types of game fish in North America, but they don't live in Japan. I thought I should introduce a walleye story a little bit.
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Part4
Smallies!

2002/08/28
When you wish to fish smallmouths, I bet St. Clair is the best choise. Thanks God, I live near by. So, I tell you how fun to fish smallies here.
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Part5
Monster Fish

2004/03/12
In Japan, I heard big long muskie lures are used to catch monster sized bass even though muskies don't exist over there. I will introduce how brual a real monster muskie can do.
Bondy: Does Takahiro employ a lot of finesse techniques that Japanese anglers are known for?
VanDam: At first he did, but now I think he is starting to get away from those techniques and is starting to fish more American styles of lures, and patterns. You know, 'power' techniques I like to call them. Big crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs. Those fit well with the lakes we fish.

Bondy: Back to lures, what improvements do you see in Japanese baits lately?
VanDam: Well some of the companies are really open to what anglers have to say. There have been improvements in how the baits wiggle, or the action of the bait, the placement of the line tie, etc. The lures coming out of Japan now are much better fish catchers than just a few years ago.
Bondy: Would you say the drop shot is Japan's biggest influence as of late?
VanDam: Yes, definitely the drop shot has really caught on here. Anglers are really employing that technique a lot and it has won major events here.


Bondy: Have you ever wanted to visit Japan to greet Japanese anglers?

VanDam: Yes in fact, there is a good possibility of that happening real soon. All of my sponsors, especially Mercury and Motorguide want me to go to Japan, and it looks like it probably will happen in the Fall of 2004 sometime.

Bondy: Well Kevin, thank you for your time, and good luck on the Tour.
VanDam: No problem, thank you Jon.