Chug-Chug! Rush at ease!

I did it

2012-01-31T21:40:00.000+09:00

Today, I ran 18.5 km and totaling 304.8 km during January. I covered twice of >30 km running, three times of 20 km, and four times of 15-20 km, and more times of shorter ones. It's already the end of Jan, and I don't have to run anymore this month!

Nothing in the real world is as beautiful as the illusions of a person about to lose consciousness. Haruki Murakami

Making a short list of WTB

2012-01-21T22:30:00.000+09:00

On the new year's day of 2012, I decided to run 300km in Jan. I've run 202km so far including an exercise of 30km running I underwent today in the rain. I routed an about 5km course around my house, and I ran around it 6 times. My pace in each lap was 04:55, 04:50, 04:53, 04:50, 04:49, and 04:42, which was, all in all, so-so as I expected.
Recently, I want a running GPS watch badly, because I can know how far and how fast I run very easily with it. I'm checking Garmin website to find one suitable for my use. I'd rather like one with a water-resistant covering (I may wear it when I go fishing), but such models are made for triathlon races and very expensive. For instance, their brand-new high-end 910XT looks extremely gorgeous, but would cost me more than $400 at least.

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This reminds me, I'd like to list up some items I'm interested in or WTB during 2012.

Vintage Lures
Heddon
   210 (wood, nice colors)
   200 (RH, GE)
   Original Zara Spook (SO, PSWB)
   Magnum Torpedo (BH, RH, BLKH, GRA, SO)
   Zara II (NF, XRW, XBW)
   Lucky 13 (14KCD, XBW)
   Baby Torpedo (XRS)
   Crazy Cralwer (NF)
   Wounded Spook (RH, BH, XRS)
Gilmore
   Spooker (large)
   Jumping G (large)
Smithwick
   Gandy Dancer
   Wood Chug
   Chug Horse
   Carrot Top
Boone
   Zig Zag Jr
Southbend or Evans
   Bass Oreno (silver/black)
Cotton Cordell
   Crazy Shad (large)

Other fishing tackle
Daiwa Certate 2004CH, 2506H
Daiwa Cardia 2004
Knipex 2053-125, 2505-140, 2505-160, 2506-160
G-sakai Sabiknife

and so on and on and on.....

Make ready, one by one

2012-01-14T22:30:00.000+09:00

I'm still running long almost every day (about 70 km/week), and will keep doing so until my fishing season starts in March. When I can spare time during weekends, I'm getting my tackle ready, one by one. I recently got another ABU reel and I overhauled it today. I used no special parts and no special lubricants, but just carefully cleaned each inner-part and oiled (Shimano spray oil). I took this video for my future reference, and you can see how smoothly the spool turns around. Though the spool works less smoothly after I attach the level-winder and related gears, but I believe you never have stress when you cast using this reel.

Last run

2011-12-31T23:00:00.000+09:00

Today I ran 16.6 km, totaling 202.2 km during this month. I've kept running 200 km or more per month since October (three months in a row), and I'd like to keep this pace for a while more. Since I was not satisfied with my latest race, I decided to run another race (full marathon) in February. It will be my first race in 2012, and I'm looking forward to it.

Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.

Last fishing 2011

2011-12-29T22:30:00.000+09:00

We (I mean we as some fishing friends and I) make it a rule to charter a fishing boat on 29 Dec to enjoy the last fishing for the year. We look forward the fishing trip every year, but it is in mid winter, so the weather doesn't permit every year. This year, we're very lucky to go out to be on the sea, though it was very windy and the wave was large. Fish (about 2lb yellowtail) were very active to chase our lures (3-6 oz metal jig), and we could catch as many as we could fill up our ice box. I caught more than 30 of them in the forenoon. Unfortunately, we could not catch a special large one, but we could enjoy a lot. After I went back, I started to clean the fish I caught, but I gave it up on the way...too many to finish. I have to get up early tomorrow and do it again.

Finished a full marathon, but...

2011-12-23T22:00:00.000+09:00

I'm believing that the aim of long distance running is almost over when you stand at a start line of a race, because you must have kept doing everything what you can for months, or for years, in order to run the race. I finished a full marathon today, and my time was 3:46:04. The time was not too bad, but I totally could not race well. I did finish the race, but could not run all through it. After 35km, both of my legs sometimes cramped up, so I had to walk very often (even as I NEVER wanted to walk). I tried to stretch the muscles with my hands, but they did not say yes to me. Many runners passed me away, and I was just like a drowned mouse.

I can call many reasons for my failure to mind. I caught a cold just before the race, after the half-marathon I ran early this month. The air temperature was very low during the race, and I could not fully address it. The road surface was unexpectedly hard and deteriorated (the race was held along a big river and the road looked as paved long before). My pace was too fast during the first half. And more and more. Anyway, the most crucial thing is that I could know my exercise was not enough to finish sub-3.5 hours (I secretly tried to finish within 3:30:00). I'd like to get revenge someday, as soon as maybe.

Finished a half marathon

2011-12-11T17:49:00.001+09:00

I ran a local half marathon today. My goal is a full marathon held soon, so I just ran this race to condition myself. I tried to keep pace running until 18 km from the start, and then built up the speed and pressed on toward the finish line. My time was, 4'45"/km (0-5 km), 4'38"/km (5-10 km), 4'39"/km (10-15 km), 4'24"/km (15-20 km) and 4'03" (20- km), totaling 1:36:35 (net, my personal best). In the last 2-3 km, I still had some energy to go the distance, and I passed many runners (I was passed by only two, who both were women 10 km runners belonging to a different category from mine). In almost all the races I have so far run, I slowed down after hitting the three-quarters point, and I felt very sorry to hear 'Hang in there!' from the audience before the finish line. But not so this time. It was an exhilarating race for me.

I used Simms Windstopper Half-finger gloves today, and I find they're super good for not only fishing but also running during cold season.

35th Anniversary

2011-11-27T18:07:00.001+09:00

Here are my ABU Garcia 35th Anniversary collection. I recently got a 35th Anniversary F.I.V.E. in my collection. It is near mint in box, and I'm very happy with it. I like ABU Ambassadeur F.I.V.E. reel very much, because it holds many memories of mine. When I first visited the USA (I was 19 years old), I picked up one for myself at a K-mart. I bought it because it was the cheapest Ambassadeur at the shop. I used it for bass fishing in Lake Biwa very often in my twenties, and I caught a lot of bass with it.

Counting my age, I'll also soon have 35th anniversary since I first tried bass fishing in my childhood. Time really does fly.

If weather permits, I'd like to go out for bass fishing one more time during this year. Since the water temperature is going down, I'd like to use these baits for steady action.

Size doesn't matter

2011-11-13T09:58:00.001+09:00

We still have warmer fall, and I've been busy both running and fishing during weekends. Yesterday, a school concert was held in our daughters' school, and I ran 18.5 km before I attended it.

Today, I got up at 04:00 AM, left my house at 05:00 and start fishing at 06:00 in my float tube. As I mentioned before, I wanted to try Smithwick lures such as Wood Chug, King Snipe, and Devil's Horse for starters. When I reached a tip of a small cape, I cast my Wood Chug into a small spot between bushes. I gave a small action on it, and then the water surface broke up with splash. I caught a breath and then set a hook! This bass was not so big, but, as most topwater fishing freaks know, catching bass in this time of the year is a lot of fun. Yes, size doesn't matter. I took some pictures and thankfully released it.

After I caught the fish, I could not get a hit for a while, and changed lures to Heddon ones. I could catch another bass with a Zara Spook in XRS color.

I was also impressed with the actions of King Snipe (a fat double-prop bait), which are totally different from those of other lures. The props are very light and rotate smoothly, and their sounds are great, even though I could catch no fish with this bait.

The water surface was calm, mirroring the clouds in the sky.

After I got home, I changed into running clothes and ran 22 km on sloping roads around my place. I had worked my legs hard during my fishing in the float tube before I knew it, so I felt exhausted, almost knocked out in the last 2 km, maybe because of my lack of stamina.

BF=20/27

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear blue), Smithwick Wood Chug, King Snipe, Devil's Horse, Heddon Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Zara Spook, Lucky 13, Zara II, etc.

Smashed my own record

2011-11-09T21:13:00.001+09:00

When I can spare time, I make it a rule to run routine 7 km during lunchtime around my place of work. Today, I could break my own record for the first time in two years. I'm feeling very happy to renew myself, being in my mid-forties. I've applied to two races, one half marathon and one full marathon, held in Dec 2011, and I'm feeling I'm getting in good shape so far.
In most years, I close my bass fishing season not later than late Oct, but it is still warm this year. I have to be very busy for both fishing and running during weekends. I've recently got more and more interested in these keen-eyed wood lures, and I'd like to go out with these next time, if it is still warm in this coming weekend.

The end of the season?

2011-11-05T12:43:00.001+09:00

It has been very warm this past weekdays. My bass fishing season is about to be over, but I tried again today. I went to a pond in a woodland area, where I had to walk almost 1 km after I parked my car to get. It was a big job to carry all my heavy tackle including float tube and fins to go there, and I got sweaty inside my waders. I started fishing at 06:00, just before the dawning time. When I lightly cast my nose-line-tie Zara Spook for starters and it reached the water, I lost visual contact with it. Then, I just -- set a hook, and the line became tight. I find a nice fat bass swim on the other end of my line, and enjoyed the good fight. I did not expect to catch a bass by the first cast, but of course I felt very happy with it.

In the next point, another bass chased my lure and dived into water biting my lure. It was also a very active bass (a little smaller than the first one) and I was satisfied with catching two bass in this time of the year using topwater lures.

The leaves were still greenish around this pond. I may be able to go bass fishing a couple of more times this year, as we now have warmer fall days this year than usual. Thinking of last year, the last fish I caught was with a nose-line-tie Heddon Zara Spook, which suggests...?

BF=19/26

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear), 1st Zara Spook, Chugger Spook, Lucky 13, Zara II, Wounded Spook, Meadow Mouse, etc.

Active but small bass

2011-11-03T22:30:00.000+09:00

It is a holiday and I went fishing for a couple of hours early in the morning. I caught five bass, but all were very small, just as large as my lure.

BF=18/25

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear), Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, Wounded Spook, Meadow Mouse, etc.

Achieving my goal of this week

2011-10-30T17:17:00.000+09:00

I finished running 75 km this week, totaling more than 200 km during this month. Good long distance.　

Work out

2011-10-26T20:14:00.001+09:00

It's getting cooler and cooler, and now is a good season for workout. Last week I ran a total of 60 km, and I'd like to run 70 km or longer this week. Speaking of running, I have recently started to read a book (essay) written by Haruki Murakami, titled as 'What I talk about when I talk about running'. I seldom read his novels, but did know he keeps running for years. What I'm reading now is written in Japanese, and it is so interesting that I would like to read an English edition as well next time (I've just ordered from Amazon). He ticks off what I'm feeling when I'm running. Just accurately...

Slow fishing

2011-10-20T19:51:00.000+09:00

Too slow! It was lucky for me to catch some (three) fish, but all were very small.

BF=17/24

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear), Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, Smithwick Devil's Horse, etc.

Yellowtail fishing

2011-10-16T20:11:00.002+09:00

Today, I went yellowtail fishing in the Seto Inland Sea for the first time this fishing season. It was so windy that we felt difficulties to let jigs fall down to the sea bottom. Even in 30-40 m depth area, we had to use 150-180 g (5-6 oz) jigs to touch the bottom. A huge fish bit my jig early in the morning (though I didn't notice it at first), and I could almost catch it, but it had gone to deep sea by bending my Gamakatsu hook at odd angle (nearly straight). My fight was a little too strong, after I reeled the leader line into the spool. I could kick myself for making a heedless mistake!

A couple of minutes later, my friend caught another big fish, 1 m long, maybe 11-12kg or heavier, yellowtail. Too huge fish! It was one of the biggest live yellowtail I've ever seen. As for my result, only fish I caught was a Japanese Spanish mackerel (65.5cm in fork length, just above the big one in the picture).

Toby or

2011-10-14T23:25:00.000+09:00

not Toby: that is the question.

ABU Toby is one of my favorite spoons. I've just made a list of my stock and counted how many I have. Now, I find I have almost one hundred. Some are new on old ABU board, and some are in fishing condition. I'm feeling it is too bad that the smallest one (4g) is already discontinued, though more than half of my stock are in that size.

Sea bream fishing

2011-10-08T23:48:00.000+09:00

Sea bream fishing has been kind of difficult for me, but today, how lucky I was, I could catch 5 of them. It was just too good for me. I also caught a horse mackerel and some other breams. While we're fishing, the captain of the fishing boat caught many swordtip squid (Loligo edulis) using artificial jigs, and he gave them to us. The species is very delicious and one of my favorite squid to eat.

Go east, get wet

2011-10-05T22:54:00.000+09:00

I went east, and got almost wet to the skin in the rain. As always, I expected a bonanza, but the weather did not take my part. I caught a nice bass with a Zara Spook (VRB) early in the morning, and another small one with a Timber Rattler (NBL), but could not catch any more. I hope to go out for bass fishing several more times before this season is over.

This old Original Zara Spook (VRB) is in a swayback shape, and always works very fine. I picked it up from my old tackle box to cast for the first time in these years. I have five or six of them in the same color, but this well-used one is my favorite.

Vegetation community was still very good in the water, and I could imagine many fish among it when I closed my eyes......Hopefully.

Today's tackle:
ABU Ambassadeur black 5500C(1981) & Fenwick Boron-X 953 (rebuilt), Stren 14lb., Zara Spook, Timber Rattler Minnow (w/ a tail prop), Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Gilmore Jumper, etc..

BF=16/23

Two too-small bass

2011-10-01T10:23:00.003+09:00

They were very active and lusty, but TOO SMALL.

Today's tackle:
ABU Ambassadeur black 5500C(1981) & Fenwick 2053, Stren 14lb., Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Dalton Twist, etc..

BF=15/22

Dynamic Views

2011-09-30T21:15:00.001+09:00

If you would like to see Blogger's weblogs in a Dynamic View, here's an example.

Drop Flex

2011-09-28T21:02:00.001+09:00

I could finally collect these ABU spinners. I was thinking the name of these lures was 'Droppen', but after I checked my old ABU (EBISU) catalog, I found the correct name 'Drop Flex'. I've wised up a little about ABU lures!

Got skunked in a muddy pond

2011-09-24T11:00:00.000+09:00

I started fishing before it was light, and I could see countless numbers of stars in the sky. Because of radiative cooling, it was the coolest morning in this fall season, and I put on a light fleece jacket. Anyway, it was a mistake to start early. When I knew it, I was in very muddy water, maybe because of the typhoon last week. I cast and cast to good spots, but got skunked.

Today's tackle:
ABU Ambassadeur black 5500C(1982) & Fenwick HFC-555, Ambassadeur 5500ST & Fenwick HFC-555, Stren 12lb., Heddon 210, Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Dalton Twist, Meadow Mouse, Mepps Aglia #5, etc.
I used Fenwick 5-power rods for the first time in these years, and rediscovered they're not bad when I take only one rod with me.

BF=14/21

Fur (flocked mouse) lures

2011-09-23T19:45:00.009+09:00

I like fur finished mouse lures very much and collect Heddon Meadow Mouse and similar lures. I recently know that a German fishing tackle company, D.A.M., also made mouse lures long before, and at last I got one in my collection. It's a very cute lure and I'm very happy with it.

Dog Walk

2011-09-18T20:00:00.004+09:00

Heavy rain

2011-09-17T12:00:00.000+09:00

Now, two typhoons are approaching here and an autumn rain front is staying over the Japanese archipelago. I never forgot to put my gore-tex rain jacket and waders in the car, and went fishing from early in the morning. As forecast, it rained, sometimes very heavily, but fish were not as active as I expected. I caught only one small bass (about 25-30cm) with a Heddon Zara Spook (CHT). I was believing that small bass would never hit this lure because of its size, and when the water surface was exploded, I hoped a big one. However, the bass was small enough to be easily retrieved to me. I released it without taking a picture, because I felt it was a pain to take my camera from the bag.

Today's tackle:
ABU Ambassadeur black 5500C (1981), Fenwick Boron-X 953 (rebuilt), Daiwa line, Zara Spook, Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Dalton Twist, etc.

BF=14/20

Wounded Spook XRW

2011-09-10T13:21:00.001+09:00

Today, I went fishing with a good friend of mine. We left my house at 04:15 and headed for a pond. Thanks to the heavy rain last week, the water level was recovered, but the water has become very muddy. Anyway, we started fishing.

I'm trying to work at double-prop lures as often as possible this fishing season (I'm not so good at them). At the dawn (05:30), I cast a Heddon Wounded Spook (XBW) to a flooded cement outlet, and when it got to the water, it disappeared into the water. I immediately set a hook and dragged the fish from there. It was very powerful and I first thought it may be a catfish, but I soon found it was a fat bass (48cm, about 1.7kg- 3-3/4lb). I'm very happy to catch with a prop lure, but on second thought, I may have caught her (yes, the fish was female) even if it was not a prop lure. I caught a couple of more bass, but they all were very small. It was a nice sunny fall day, and we enjoyed a lot.

Today's tackle:
ABU Ambassadeur Record (1984, Japan Special), Garcia Conolon (5-1/2 ft), Stren 12lb (Hi-Vis Gold), Wounded Spook, Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, Lucky 13, Bassassin, etc.

BF=13/19

Typoon

2011-09-03T08:27:00.007+09:00

Now, a major typhoon (#12, Talas) is passing through our area, and I can't go out fishing this weekend. I have to stay home, and I decided to clean my room.

I found an ABU spinner (Sonnet) in my old tackle box. I remember it was one of the lures I bought for the first time in my life (to be precise, my parents bought for me, more than 33 years ago).

Last night, a good friend of mine in Europe (Germany) sent to me a bunch of old ABU spinners and spoons. I like these small ABU metal lures very much. Not only they're good for nostalgic days reminding me of old-day's fishing, but also very productive even now for trout fishing in Japan.

Bass Oreno

2011-08-31T20:40:00.002+09:00

I like 'Bass Oreno' very much, but I may have bought too many of them.

Low water

2011-08-27T21:45:00.009+09:00

Since we have little rain these days, my favorite ponds around here are evaporating. The water level is getting lower and lower in this pond as well.

The fishing today was very slow, and I caught one each small bass with Chugger Spook and Zara Spook. They both were very small, but even tried to eat my lures.

In the evening, we had thundershower for about 2 hours. I hope this rainfall will resume the water level and stimulate fish activity.

Today's tackle:
ABU 5500C (1982), Mr Don FS-60, Daiwa's line 16lb (clear), Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, Wounded Spook, Lucky 13, Big Hedd, Gamefisher, Bassassin, etc.

BF=12/18

Camping

2011-08-22T18:50:00.006+09:00

We went to Lake Biwa to enjoy camping. Unfortunately, the weather was bad and we had to stay there with a lot of raindrops.

I found schools of small fish (sweet fish, Ayu), but bass were very slow. I fished for a very short time and got skunked.

This is the only fish I caught, Hasu in Japanese (Three-lips in English, Opsariichthys uncirostris).

Our dog likes to swim and to be on the bow of my canoe. He was very interested in all the ball-buoys on the water.

It was a lot of fun to take underwater pictures. Our daughters also enjoyed to take pictures and to be taken pictures.

I took this photo using an Olympus Art Filter (dramatic tone).

BF=11/17

Two small bass

2011-08-18T10:57:00.004+09:00

I fished in two ponds today. One of my recent favorite lures is Heddon Gamefisher, a vintage wooden 3-piece jointed lure. How beautifully it is painted, and how actively it moves on the water! I could catch no fish with it today, but I'd like to keep trying.

Today's tackle:
ABU Royal Gold LE & Daiko PBC-56L, Stren 12lb (Hi-Vis Gold), Jointed Jitterbug, Heddon Gamefisher, Zara Spook (2nd), Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, Bass Frog, etc.

BF=11/16

Chugger Spook in PS color

2011-08-06T09:27:00.010+09:00

It is a little windy today, maybe because of the typhoon No.9 which is now hitting Okinawa.
I left my house at 03:40 and started fishing before the sun rose. I could not get even one bite for about one hour, so I moved to an inlet area of the pond where I expected cooler water. I long-cast a Chugger Spook (purple scale color) and slowly retrieved it. Then, when I quickly changed the speed of dog-walk actions (faster tempo), this fish (3-1/2 lb, 48cm) pounced on it like a savage beast just before my eyes. I guess she responded reflexively to my actions. I kept fishing for another couple of hours, but I got no more hits and bites.

Today's tackle:
ABU 5500C (1982), Fenwick 2054 (restored), Daiwa's line 16lb (clear), Big Bud, Wounded Spook, Chugger Spook, Lucky 13, Zara Spook, etc.

BF=10/15

Good fishing again

2011-07-23T09:45:00.007+09:00

Yes, I went fishing in a small pond this morning again. It was a little cool early in the morning, maybe because of the typhoon that passed away a couple of days ago. I first tied line with a Heddon Wounded Spook (XBW). I'm not generally good at double-prop baits, though I try to cast them as often as possible. Today, I decided to use Wounded Spook as a 'bug' and not to be conscious of their props on both ends. As a result, this nice fish (about 17 inches, 2-1/2lb) attacked it with a big splash. She was the first bass I caught with a double prop bait during this fishing season.

At another site, I cast a Chugger Spook (XRW) into a recess of the pond and retrieved it with a dog-walking action. Then I gave it a pause and started retrieving again. Thereupon this fat bass grabbed it away! She was almost as long as the first bass, but weighed more (3lb). I find many small fish and crawfish in this pond, and I don't think bass have difficulties to feed on them now.

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear), Wounded Spook, Chugger Spook, Pico Pop, Lucky 13 (Wood), Zig Wag, etc.

BF=9/14

Good fishing as intended

2011-07-16T08:23:00.011+09:00

I left my house at 03:40 and headed for a pond near our place. I got there before daylight, so I first tied a Jitterstick (5/8oz, RH), because it makes a big nose on the water surface. I found a school of small minnow near the shore, and cast it over the school. Then, this fish suddenly hit my lure while I was retrieving it. It was a very good start I made.

Then, I cast the same lure near bushed shore, and gave it a few dog-walk actions. Again, another fish (larger than the first one) went over it.
When the sun rose, I could not find the school any more, so I cast to spots near the shore. At a reedy area, I changed lures to a Lucky 13 (D) and gave it various kinds of actions. When this fish rushed at it, I immediately realized it is a lunker. Her fight was very hard, but I could manage to catch her. She was a 4-1/2lb (about 21 inches long) bass, the record of myself during this fishing season.

Today's tackle:
ABU 3500CDL & Mr. Don SH-56, Stren 12lb (Hi-Vis Gold), Jitterstick, Lucky 13, Zara Spook, Zig Wag, Chugger Spook, Wounded Spook, 210, Moss Mouse, etc.

BF=8/13

Got a hole

2011-07-09T08:14:00.003+09:00

I went fishing with a friend of mine. Today, I had him use my newer float tube, and I used an older one. When I checked it last night, I could pump it up and found no hole on it. However, when I tried to start fishing, I got a hole in it. What a mess! He fished for a while with the new one, but got skunked. I finally dropped off to sleep on the bank. Anyway, it was good to go out during the weekend.

BF=7/12

Kobe Marathon 2011

2011-06-30T20:37:00.002+09:00

It's too bad again. I've just received email notice of ex drawing of Kobe Marathon 2011. Now, I'm wondering which race I should run this fall.

Lake Biwa

2011-06-30T20:06:00.005+09:00

I make it a rule to go to Lake Biwa at least one time during the rainy season every year. Today, I left my house at 00:40 and headed for a northern part of the lake. The quality of water was a little muddy and the water level was high, so it was very difficult for me to find good weedy areas. However, I managed to catch a couple of nice bass with topwater lures.

BF=7/11

Left the nest

2011-06-26T08:42:00.005+09:00

Last week, the birds (both the parents and at least three hatchlings) left the nest in our garden. It was 22 days since we found the nest, and 11 days since the eggs were hatched. We now miss them, but are hoping to see them next year as well.

Nice bass, good fight

2011-06-18T10:37:00.012+09:00

We are in the middle of rainy season. Raindrops make the flowers of hydrangea in our garden much more beautiful.
I got up at 03:00 AM and went fishing. I hoped that fine rain could activate fish, but in reality fish were very slow maybe because of heavy rain we had a couple of days ago. The water was muddy, and I had hard time to get a strike from fish. I changed my lures and their colors very often, but nothing had worked. By chance I looked at a near-shore area, I noticed a subtle ripple between submerged trees. Then, I took some time and distance off from there and long-cast a Pico Plunker (wood lure) just at the point. I gave it two dog-walking actions, and then a nice bass grabbed it in her mouth. I could see all the little details of this scene, and it was the real thrill of topwater fishing! She was a good fighter and it took a while until she got near to the water surface, but I could successfully catch her.

After I caught this fish, it started to rain hard from time to time. I found some small flowers fallen on the water surface. They were beautiful and smelled good.

BF=6/10

Nest of White Eye bird

2011-06-11T14:18:00.004+09:00

A pair of small White Eye birds built a nest on a dogwood tree in the garden of our house. Our daughters get up a little earlier than usual every morning and make it a rule to observe and take some pictures of them. Now, they're sitting in the eggs in relays (one goes out while the other sits on the eggs). Almost 10 days have passed since we found them, so we're hoping to see some hatchlings soon.

One-day trip

2011-06-10T19:12:00.011+09:00

I went to Shikoku today to attend a meeting. It was cloudy by bad luck, but I decided to take a camera (Olympus E-P2 and Voigtlander Super Wide-Heliar 15mm F4.5) with me.

Getting on a long escalator, I climbed up to a bridge beam, where a bus stop for Shikoku and other places is.Green plants were laid at each bench for passengers.When I arrived at my destination, I found the same plant there. I like going out during this season, the season of fresh greenery.

Went far, but

2011-06-09T21:00:00.012+09:00

I left my house at 00:30 and headed east passing through a couple of prefectures. I went by a famous tower in Osaka, Tsutenkaku. It (the original one) was modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. And I got to beautiful places to enjoy fishing with good guys.But fish were TOO slow, and I finally got skunked for the third times in a row. Raindrops cheered green leaves, but diminished the activity of bass???

BF=5/9

Got skunked

2011-06-08T22:47:00.002+09:00

I exchanged lines and went fishing, but got skunked for the second time in a row.

BF=5/8

High expectations, but

2011-05-28T20:34:00.007+09:00

Now, a typhoon is approaching here and it has been raining calmly since yesterday. I expected fish would be more active than usual, and went fishing with my favorite tackle. However, things were not so cut-and-dried, and......I got skunked. Only one fish I saw today was a nice bass that followed my wood Lucky 13, but it never caught up my lure.

While I was fishing, I felt something was wrong with my reel, and I overhauled it after I got back. I found one of the centrifugal brake block (a very small part) was broken and went into a cog inside the reel. I cleaned it up and replaced the block with a new one. The reel was made more than 50 years ago, but it is still working very fine. I'd like to take care of it for many years to come.

BF=5/7

Reel handle

2011-05-23T18:24:00.003+09:00

Reel handles are user-replaceable, which means you may have a lot of difficulties until you find your best ones. My favorite ones are double knobs (7cm between them) with a double-screwed retainer. As I mentioned before, longer ones (8cm between the knobs) are easy to reel steadily, but when I give a lure dog-walk actions, shorter handles are much better for me because I can reel more quickly (you can turn the handle in a smaller radius).

Pico Pop again

2011-05-21T09:20:00.008+09:00

I went bass fishing again early this morning. I got a bite in the first pond and caught this fish with the same Pico Pop that I fished with last week. She was not so big but showed a good fight.

I also visited two more ponds, but could not get any hits any more. Today, I tried longer reel handle than usual, but it was not good for me, especially when I use stick baits and poppers. The difference between the long and short handle is only 1cm (shorter than 1/2 in.), but I have and am bothered by discomfort feeling so much. I'd like to replace them before I go fishing next fishing.Today's tackle:
ABU 5500ST (Striper) & Fenwick Boron-X 953 (rebuilt), ABU 5500C & Daiko Prestige PBC-56L, Stren 14lb (Low-Vis Green), Pico Pop, Lucky 13, Bass Oreno, Wounded Spook, Zaragossa Jr., etc.

BF=5/6

Brand-new Zara

2011-05-17T07:22:00.006+09:00

I seldom cast brand-new Pradco lures, but I have bought these lures because they're great bargains (JPY440 = USD5.50 each).

I'll be honest with you. I'm not any good at these rattle-sound lures and have never caught a bass with them. Blow are what I found in my tackle box (I didn't notice I have that many), and I'd like to try to use them harder this year.

Splash on Pico Pop

2011-05-15T10:39:00.016+09:00

I went out for bass fishing again early this morning. A nice fat bass (44cm, 2-1/2lb class) rushed at my Pico Pop, and fought hard. It took a while to catch her.
I like beautiful eyes of bass.
Today, I tried ABU 5500ST (Striper), which outfits bushes to hold the spool, not ball bearings. This is another good reel to use.
'Striper' reminds me of this old commercial film by SUNTORY.

The sun rises from the east. The water reflects it.
Then, I went to some more ponds but got skunked after the sun rose up. Brilliantly blue sky, green trees, and clear water. It is a lot of fun to fish in this early summer season.
Today's tackle:
ABU 5500ST (Striper) & Fenwick GFC-60, ABU 5500C & Fenwick 2054, Stren 14lb (Low-Vis Green), Pico Pop, Heddon Chugger Spook, Zara Spooks (1st and 3rd), Zara II, Wounded Spook, Magnum Torpedo, Crazy Crawler, Cotton Cordell Redfin, etc.

BF=4/5

Cloudy in the morning, shinny later

2011-05-07T11:41:00.018+09:00

Today, I wanted to use an underwater case for my digital camera for the first time after I bought it, and I decided to go to a clear-water pond located around the top of a mountain.
It was cloudy early in the morning, but fish were much slower than I expected. I could manage to get a bite, and caught a nice bass with a Chugger Spook in WBSRG (white black spots with red gill) color. She was long (48cm), but a little skinny (about 3lb, maybe she was post-spawning).

Then, I visited two more ponds, but it gradually cleared up, though I expected it would continue cloudy. I ended up getting skunked in both of them, despite all my efforts to keep casting many kinds of topwater lures.
Today's tackle:
ABU 4600 Plus (4600FL) & Fenwick 2053, ABU 84- Record & Fenwick SP634 (custom-built), Stren 12 and 14lb (Hi-Vis Gold), Heddon Chugger Spook, Zara Spooks (1st, 2nd and 3rd), Zara II, Wounded Spook, Magnum Torpedo, Meadow Mouse, 210, etc.

BF=3/4

It's already May

2011-05-03T08:32:00.013+09:00

I got up at 03:00 AM and went out for fishing for only two hours early in the morning (05:00-07:00). It's already May, and leaves of trees green up every week. I also watched Japanese wisteria start to bloom beautifully.

A nice bass struck my bait, Heddon Original Zara Spook (GRA color).

Today, I tried a different set of rod and reel, Fenwick Boron-X that I restored in this past winter and ABU 3500CDL. I need a tune-up of the reel to cast longer, but I felt this set is not too bad.

BF=2/3

Some pictures I took during this month

2011-04-29T21:36:00.012+09:00

Green leafy plant in the room

Taking a picture of myself taking a picture
An airship floating in the sky of Kobe

Osaka Marathon 2011

2011-04-25T22:31:00.004+09:00

It's too bad, I've just received a notice of ex drawing. I hope to win another chance to run the Kobe Marathon 2011, instead.

Started with the same lure

2011-04-16T10:52:00.021+09:00

I got up at 03:00 AM and left my house at 04:10. I got skunked in the first pond I visited, then I drove to another. When I cast my Gilmore Hoodler to sunken trees near the shore and slowly gave it a small action three times, an unexpected big explosion occurred at the water surface. I set a hook firmly and immediately found the fish big. Very luckily, the hooks were tightly placed at the side of the mouth, and I could take a movie before landing.

She was a very beautiful bass with reddish eyes. I guess maybe she has never been fished before. The size was about 3-3/4lb (1.7kg) and 19-1/2 in (49cm).
After I finished fishing in this pond, I tried to go to other ponds, but it started to get very windy and then I went home. I felt greatly pleased with today's fishing.

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (BLK), Phillipson Challenger (9055 rebuilt), Stren 14lb (clear), Gilmore Hoodler and various kinds of Heddon lures.

Giimore lures are very simple with thin kind of artless paint, but they are very productive.

BF=1/2

First fishing (skunked)

2011-04-04T10:46:00.001+09:00

I went out for fishing, but got skunked. I saw a bass chase this lure, and I hope to catch one next time.

BF=0/1

Even if I knew...

2011-03-27T20:36:00.022+09:00

While I was out walking my dog, I found a tree in full bloom in a park near my house. I'm not sure, but I guess it is an apricot tree.
He's always cheering us up.
He says, "Let's relax with a cup of coffee, shall we?"
My lures are also waiting to go out for fishing.

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple trees.
Martin Luther, cited by Gheorghiu

Let the morn come.....

2011-03-20T20:50:00.011+09:00

Living a little far from the area of the disaster in Japan, our family can now live with a very little patience.

What should we do to normalize Japan?
What can we do for the sufferers who need helps?

We should carefully pay much attention to them and try to do out best for them, but at the same time it may be very important to live our life as usual, though it may sound imprudent. Of course we should not buy and stock too much food and other items, which may be needed by the people in the afflicted areas, but we also should keep daily economic activities as usual, which I believe leads to activate Japan. We have a lot of natural disasters so far in Japan, but our forerunners could reconstruct everything. Japan now has a lot of difficulties, but I am sure we can recover.

The earthquake

2011-03-12T20:13:00.016+09:00

I would like to express condolences for the victims of the disaster, and I am strongly hoping we can save as many lives as possible.

When I was on a Shinkansen (bullet train) on the way back from Tokyo yesterday (I attended some meetings there), it suddenly stopped. The conductor said an earthquake occurred in the east Japan and the power went down. Then, the power was resumed in about half an hour and I could get back safe in the evening. I did find how extensively the earthquake and tsunami stroke in our country, when I watched TV in my house. I'm very surprised to know it is with one of the largest magnitudes ever recorded in Japan, and the damage is so enormous and serious.

Today, I have many kind emails from my friends in the world to check on myself and my family. Thank you very much, we're all right. Now, Japan is entering a challenging period, but I believe we can recover.

Prosperity is a great teacher, but adversity is a greater.
William Hazlitt

Flu and plum

2011-03-05T20:25:00.013+09:00

One of my daughters has had a high fever since yesterday, and our doctor diagnosed the flu (A　virus). We took care of her all day, and I went out from my house only for dog-walking.

It was a very sunny day, and Japanese plum trees were in bloom around our place. I took some pictures during the walk.

Olympus E-420 & Quarry Optics 28mm F2.8 Macro

Lessons from the past

2011-02-24T21:17:00.006+09:00

I have recently started to use old lenses to newer digital cameras. This is just like what people of former days said, "Use the things of the past the way they were originally used."

Olympus E-420 & OM G. ZUIKO AUTO-G 28mm F3.5

Too sleepy......ZZZZZZ

Went to Osaka

2011-02-19T19:23:00.013+09:00

I went to Namba (=Nanba), Osaka, to see an exhibition featuring a Japanese novelist, Takeshi Kaiko (dear departed). He was born in Osaka and the exhibition was a memorial to his 80th birth. He was also very famous as a fisher visiting all through the world, and I collect his books and fishing tackle that he used. After carefully watching every showpiece, I bought a new book and a calendar for myself.

This exhibition is held in a redeveloped building (there was a baseball stadium before). It reminds me that around this place there once was a good fishing tackle shop. When I was a teenager, I often bought reels and lures there.

Today, I took my two daughters with me, because they wanted to go to an Okonomiyaki restaurant in Osaka. They make it a rule to watch this program every day and are more and more affected. Anyhow, what huge appetites they have!

Bought a new camera

2011-02-11T18:10:00.012+09:00

I've got a new (but second-hand) camera, and it is a lot of fun to take pictures with it. I busily read the instruction handbook every night before I sleep, but have not finished reading it, yet.

This is a good CF, isn't it?

Mine is the same as her camera. I'd like a single-focus lens like hers.

Munk Mouse

2011-01-25T22:02:00.004+09:00

This lure is a Heddon Munk Mouse (made in the 1940s), which is famous for the reversed lip. I have many Heddon Meadow Mouse lures, but this is the first Munk Mouse in my collection.

Broken

2011-01-10T19:56:00.009+09:00

Yesterday, we went for a drive to an old town in the western Japan. After we enjoyed sightseeing and walking a lot, I dropped my camera on the ground by mistake, and the zooming mechanism of it crashed. I got depressed because it like it very much. According to OLYMPUS, they started to offer flat-rate charging system to repair their compact digital cameras, and the cost to fix mine will be JPY 12,600 plus shipping. I'm wondering if I should replace it to a new one, Olympus E-420, 620 or one of the PEN cameras. I'm also intrested in Richo CX4 and GXR.

This was the last shot image I took using the broken camera.

A Happy New Year

2011-01-04T20:17:00.005+09:00

Wish you a happy happy new year!

-------------------------------------------------
I've just listed up items I'm interested in or WTB during 2011.

UFM Stinger Deep SST-77H, 82H
Daiwa Certate 2004CH, 2506H
Daiwa Revros MX 1003, 2004
Simms Windstopper half-finger glove
Knipex 2053-125, 2505-140, 2505-160, 2506-160
G-sakai Sabiknife
Lindberg glasses
Avail ABU 2500C spool
Olympus E410, 420, PEN
Mont-bell camera rain cover
and so on and on and on.....

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T20:51:00.003+09:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you.

I have another plan to go fishing in the Sea of Japan (offshore jigging) before the end of 2010, but I'm afraid it will be very difficult as far as I see the recent weather forecast. Wish us GOOD LUCK.

Heddon Wood Lucky 13 with a very cute expression of glass eyes

Landing Net infromation

2010-12-16T05:41:00.002+09:00

I've just noticed a couple of comments on my article about landing net. My net is a Daiwa and its name is One-touch Landing Net. According to their catalog, they sell two sizes, large and small.

I also find they sell another similar net named One-touch Keiryuu (=stream) Damo (=net).

I hope this info helps you.

Cool Fenwick blank

2010-12-15T23:01:00.006+09:00

I'm still suffering from the bad eye illness, but am keeping my eyes open for nice fishing tackle as always. I've recently got a used but cool Fenwick Boron-X rod. Although the logos are almost going off, I guess it is 4- or 5-power, presumably a XCA 554 (=XC 554) or XCA 555 (=XC555). I've already removed all the guides and threads, and I'd like to build it up again using new parts during this winter season.

My bass fishing season is over

2010-11-20T20:51:00.004+09:00

I wanted to go out for bass fishing a couple of more times, but I'm still having an eye trouble inside my left eye, so it seems my bass fishing is over this year. I'd like to clean my tackle, build up some rods, change and sharpen hooks of my lures, and so on, when I can spare time.

Hyperemia

2010-11-14T14:05:00.012+09:00

My left eye has got bloodshot since the end of last month, and I often go to see a doctor these days. Yesterday, I went to see another opthalomologist to take a detailed- and blood-test, and have to go there again on Monday afternoon. I am spending so many stressful days, because I can't go fishing, and run long, either.

This is a Heddon Dying Quiver in KYG/G color (a Smith's Japan Market color), which eyes are also bloodshot like mine.

ABU 5000C, 1984 model

2010-11-10T20:44:00.009+09:00

This is a scan of a 1984-85 ABU catalog distributed by Ebisu Fishing in Japan. According to it, ABU once stopped making Ambassadeur 5000C in 1978, but they started making again in 1984. The 1984 model is so called 'replica' but its parts were mixed through the production ages.
The rims are grooved (-1973), but the spool cap without a skirt (1976-). The logos on the left plate are those of new ones (1974-).The handle nut is without 'Oil' mark engraved, and the drag star (wheel) is with angular ends (1972-). The EF decal shows it was imported and sold by a Japanese distributor, Ebisu Fishing. The foot is numbered as 840400.

ABU 5000C, another earliest

2010-11-06T20:06:00.005+09:00

This is another very early ABU 5000C. The grid (checker) on the left spool cap is a little deeply engraved, which is different from those of later ones. Unfortunately, the flame of this reel is without a foot number (maybe the former owner replaced it as soon as he/she bought it), but judging from the parts it must be one of the earliest 5000Cs.

ABU black Ambassadeur, engraved as 5000

2010-11-06T19:49:00.011+09:00

Who can recognize the earliest ABU Ambassadeur 5000C, if it is not marked as 5000C? This reel is very precious to me.

ABU 5000C, misc

2010-10-27T20:14:00.012+09:00

I have a nice decal of Ambassadeur 5000C. Judging from the parts of the picture, the reel painted on this decal must be one made in 1972 or in an earlier year.I also have a beautiful relief (display board) of 5000C. It is mint and has not even been pulled out from the plastic bag. The reel on it may be one of 1974 or later models (The logo design of Ambassadeur is the same as that of one of the reels).

ABU 5000C, 1977 model

2010-10-25T21:39:00.004+09:00

The 1977 models look very similar to 1976 models.

ABU 5000C, 1976 model

2010-10-25T21:16:00.008+09:00

In 1976, the spool cap was simplified. The bottom skirt of it was removed, and a dial indicator is made on the surface to adjust the brake correctly.The level winder was also changed. Some dash lines were engraved on the front surface.
Mine is #761104, as you can see.

ABU 5000C, 1975 model

2010-10-25T21:09:00.002+09:00

I found no differences between 1974 and 1975 models. My #750603 looks the same as one of the 1974 model.

ABU 5000C, 1974 model

2010-10-25T21:01:00.007+09:00

The engraved logos on the left side were changed in the early 1974. The positions of Ambassadeur and ABU logos were replaced with each other, and the font of Ambassadeur was also changed.
The front surface of the level winder looks flatly cut, while older ones have a semi-spherical one.

ABU 5000C, 1973 models

2010-10-25T20:39:00.013+09:00

In 1973, some major changes were made. Fine lattice (checkered) pattern was engraved on the top of the skirted spool caps on both sides. At the same time, the number 4 on the dial plate of the mechanical brake system on the left side returned to the same as earlier ones, in which the vertical bar of number '4' is long and the top part of '4' is closed.
The nuts on the right plate were also changed from those hand-screwed to those that need a screw driver.
The rims were also changed from so called 'grooved rim' to 'beveled rim' in 1973. Later ones such as #730902 (below) have the latter, simple 'beveled' rims.
Almost at the same time when the rims were changed, the drag wheel was also changed to one with square ends, but not simultaneously. I sometimes find one with beveled rims and a star drag with round ends.

ABU 5000C, 1972 models

2010-10-24T21:28:00.018+09:00

Around 1972, the logo on the left side was changed to a simper one, just marked ABU (with out SVANGSTA). This is a scan of one with a foot number of 057200. The foot bottom is smooth like older ones.
Then, the foot bottom started to get dotted (the serial number of this reel is 087200).

This is another 1972 reel with a dotted foot. An angular large drag wheel also started in 1972, but you can find some reels with the older small round drag wheel. I guess the leather reel case was also changed from the buckled brown one to the black double-buttoned one in 1972.

ABU 5000C, 6-digit numbers

2010-10-24T21:22:00.010+09:00

I have many 5000Cs with a 6-digit number on the foot. As far as what I have in my collection, the logo of 'ABU SVANGSTA (the former A has an umlaut mark, to be exact)' is engraved on the left side. The later ones may have a beveled-head handle nut marked 'Oil', which is different from earlier ones with a round head. These models were supposed to be made until 1971 or 1972.

ABU 5000C, 96XXX

2010-10-24T20:59:00.007+09:00

A very minor change was made in this reel. Please carefully take a look at the number 4 on the dial plate of the mechanical brake system on the left side. In this reel (#96XXX), the vertical bar of number '4' is so short that the top part is open.

Older ones, however, has a number 4 with a closed top (this is a scan of #54XXX). I'm not sure when they changed it, but it is a key to see how old your reel is.

ABU 5000C, 43XXX and 54XXX

2010-10-24T19:43:00.009+09:00

I find no differences in these reels compared with those with foot numbers of 3XXXXs. The inner place is smooth without dots. I also have one of the latest 5-digit numbered ones (96XXX), and it apparently comes with the same parts. I guess no major changes were made among 5-digit ones after around #35000.

ABU 5000C, 3XXXXs

2010-10-24T19:15:00.013+09:00

One is with a foot number of 31XXX and the other is with 35XXX. Some parts are different between these reels.
31XXX: 4 pillar screws on the left plate, dotted inner plate, Oil-Oil marked handle nut.
35XXX: 3 pillar screws on the left plate, smooth inner plate, Oil marked handle nut.
The spool is all black with a thin core in both reels.

ABU 5000C, 26XXX

2010-10-24T18:58:00.011+09:00

I got this mint reel at a charity auction in Germany, and the specification is that of the European market. The drag wheel is a larger one in black color and the handle is with a single knob . It has the 4 pillar screws on the left side plate, Oil-Oil marked handle nut, and dotted inner plate, but the emblem changed to a bright silver one. The center core of the spool is fat silver.

ABU 5000C, 12XXX

2010-10-24T18:53:00.016+09:00

The foot number of this reel is 12XXX, which has the 4 pillar screws on the left side plate, Oil-Oil marked handle nut, black (oxidized silver) emblem, and dotted inner plate. The thin center core of the spool is silver. I got this reel from a collector in the US, and it has a small drag wheel (skirted star drag) for US market. I have two more reels with foot numbers of 18XXX and 19XXX, and the emblems of these are bright silver (not oxidized).

ABU 5000C, 106XX

2010-10-24T18:42:00.014+09:00

I collect black ABU Ambassadeur 5000C reels, and would like to keep a record of their differences with foot number and/or production age. This is one of the earliest 5000Cs I have in my collection, and its foot number is 106XX, which has 4 pillar screws on the left side plate, Oil-Oil marked handle nut, black (oxidized silver) emblem, and dotted inner plate. The center core (arbor) of the spool is silver. This reels was presumably made in 1967.

Still active?

2010-10-20T22:49:00.000+09:00

Today, I took a day off to do a lot of domestic cares during the daytime, and before them, I could spare time just early in the morning for fishing. I spent short-time in small ponds near our place to enjoy bass fishing. It's already mid fall, but we have recently had relatively warm days here. Leaves of trees around the ponds were still green, and the water was also warm. I got several bites, maybe by very small bass, and caught a very small baby bass and a large bluegill. Just before running out of time, a nice bass grabbed onto my Zara Spook (NBL color). It was very luck for me to be able to catch this good fighting bass before the fishing season ends.

Today's tackle:
ABU Record, Phillipson Master M60, Stren 14lb (Clear Blue), Heddon Chugger Spook, Zara Spook (NLT), Lucky 13, Magnum Tiger, etc.

Saltwater fishing, 2-straight days

2010-10-17T23:01:00.001+09:00

Again, I went fishing in the Seto Inland Sea this afternoon. This time, we used artificial baits (jigs) and our target was yellowtail, Japanese Spanish mackerel, and largehead hairtail. I caught 14-15 of largehead hairtail, but could not catch other species. After the dusk, we also fished squids, and I caught a big oval squid. This squid is very delicious and one of my wife's favorite seafood. During fishing time in evening, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge was fantastically illuminated.

Saltwater fishing

2010-10-16T23:45:00.000+09:00

I went fishing in the Sea of Japan today. It was not fishing using lures but frozen bait (shrimp). The current around the sea floor was different from the direction of wind, so we had difficulties to fish from a boat. Fortunately, I could catch several fish species, which are very good to eat, such as tilefish, yellowback seabream, black scraper, whitefin trevally, mahimahi, and so on.

Training our dog

2010-10-02T21:15:00.002+09:00

He is getting more and more trained, especially when he finds treats in our hand. Now, he can sit down, lie down, hand, stay, heel, come, go where a mat is placed, go around, jump, weave, etc.

No fish

2010-09-25T21:12:00.004+09:00

Again, I got skunked. Today, I took two pairs of fishing rod & reel on my floating tube, because I wanted to compare them under the same condition. However, it was very bothersome to take care of them.

Slow fishing

2010-09-18T08:52:00.004+09:00

I prowled and prowled to catch a big bass. It's getting cooler and I expected to strike a bonanza, but all that actively hit were small ones.

Tuna fishing, canceled

2010-09-16T09:15:00.004+09:00

We planned to go on a tuna fishing trip in Kume Island, Okinawa, but it was canceled because of an expected typhoon. I was looking forward to catching big fish and have prepared lots of stuff such as fishing reels, lures, wear, and so on. The sea is very calm around my place in the western Japan, and would like to go another fishing, but it is too bad most of my saltwater fishing reels are still in the mail to Okinawa!

Quiet fight

2010-09-11T09:21:00.007+09:00

It's getting a little cooler early in the morning after the Typhoon No.9 passed away from Japan. Today, I went bass fishing around my area first time in a while. In the first pond I visited, I caught a bass with a Chugger Spook in WBS (white with black spots) color. The hit of this bass was so calm that I barely noticed it.

After I caught this bass, I also fished in a couple of more ponds, and caught another small bass (I took no pictures of it and released it immediately). The water temperature was still very high and fish were not more active than I expected, but It was very lucky to catch fish. Anyway, I enjoyed a lot.

Today's tackle:
ABU Record, Phillipson F562, Stren 14lb (Clear Blue), Heddon Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, Wounded Spook, Zaragossa, Lucky 13, etc.

Go camping with a dog

2010-08-22T11:48:00.012+09:00

It is a lot of fun to go camping with your dog. Our dog happily ran, swam, got on the canoe, dug to eat sands and make his bed, chased many insects and frogs, and deeply slept night and day.

We also enjoyed fishing, though we could not catch a big one.

Cotton Cordell lures

2010-08-01T23:23:00.005+09:00

I cast Cotton Cordell lures very often in clear-water lakes. One of my favorites is Boy Howdy in nickle silver w/ black back color.

They sold two types in this lure in the 1980s - the early 1990s. One is a double-prop bait and the other is a stick one w/o props. Then, they suddenly quit making the stick ones in the 2000s, however, they seem to make them again this year. I like the stick one much better, so I had to remove the props and attach a small round lead on the tail to use until last year (the top lure), but now I don't need to do so any more. I've just bought 10 of them and am ready to go out with them.

Condolences

2010-07-31T23:32:00.005+09:00

I heard Mr. Hirosuke Nori, the founder of Balsa 50 and Saurus, passed away today. I have ready many books he published since I was 10 years old, and thanks to him, I could learn how wonderful bass fishing is. I'd like to extend my deepest condolences on his sudden death.

On Nov. 26, 1988, I went to one of the biggest lure fishing tackle shop in Osaka, FSS at Shinsai-bashi, and I happened to meet him there. Then, he kindly wrote his signature and the date on these lures that I purchased. I remember his warm massive hands I shook with. May his soul rest in peace, just like a calm water surface of clear lakes he liked.

Got skunked

2010-07-24T20:20:00.001+09:00

I went fishing for about 2 hours early in the morning today, but got skunked. I got two bites, one with Heddon Wounded Spook and one with Heddon Zig-Wag, but both were not hooked. It's been extremely hot days since last weekend, and I felt it like a warm bath when I went into the water in my floating tube. Maybe water temperature was higher than 30 degrees C (86-87 degrees F)?? This year, we take our dog to obedience-training every other week, and I went home moping back with my tail between legs after my poor fishing result.

Today's tackle:
ABU Record 5000 (I changed the power handle), Phillipson Regal Lancer (too long to cast from a floating tube), Stren 14lb (Clear Blue), Heddon Wounded Spook, Zig-Wag, Chugger Spook, Southbend Bass Oreno, Sam Griffin(?) Bass Baffler, etc.

Lake Biwa

2010-07-16T19:15:00.009+09:00

Today, I took a day off and went fishing in Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. I left home at 00:30 and go to a shore around 03:00. Then, I made ready to fish from my canoe and headed for weedy areas. The water level was very high because of continuous rain falls these days. According to the weather forecast, today was expected to be the last day of the rainy season and I hoped calm rain with no or gentle wind, but it got shiny during the daytime. Anyway, some bass and two another species (its name is Hasu or Hass, not Bass, in Japanese) were very kind to play with me and I enjoyed a lot.

Today's tackle:
ABU 5500C (1979 black), Fenwick HMG GTC 724J (w/ Fuji grip), Cotton Cordell Boy Howdy, Red Fin, Heddon Chugger Spook, Zara Spook, etc.