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Have any of you heard that Japan is thinking about iradicating all bass in that country. Bass to them are an invasive species much like Asian carp are to us. WOW that would be something. You'd think after Omori won the title bass as a species would have become more popular. Just food for thought. Johnnie

Johnny,
I believe the thought for food, is the Japanese reasoning behind the irradication of the largemouth. They are competing with the native fish the fisherman in Japan need to sustain their livelihood. It is unthinkable for us to kill off bass, but faced with the problems we are now having with the snakehead fish it really doesn’t sound so off base.

No doubt about it, that's the problem. Sure will hurt the anglers that want to learn bass techiques so they can come over here. Everyone has a cross to bear I guess.

They have actually been doing this for a long time. You have to keep all bass that you catch. When TO went back to Japan after his Classic win, he took ESPN fishing with him in Japan, and one remark he made was he didnt like to keep the fish, but you have to in Japan. I think I read the article is Bassmaster magazine.

Scott

Guys - I was at the BassMaster University classes 2 weekends ago and this subject came up. Rich Tauber talked a little about it and what has been said here is true. They would like to eliminate bass all together. My question is how will this affect the Japan lure industries?? Maybe Jeremiah has some insight on this issue since he is with Lucky Craft??

Roger Spaulding

Unfortunately I have not been with Lucky Craft for just about a year now. They got rid of the guy that put me on the team and everyone that he put on the team.

However, I have been with Yamamoto for a couple of years now. I was discussing this topic the other day and I was informed that of every $1 spent on bass fishing in Japan, 50 cents of it is on Yamamoto products. They also send a cargo container (semi trailer sized container sent via ship) of soft plastics to Japan every week.

If Japan eliminates the Largemouth Bass, the financial repercussions are going to be felt by a lot of the industry's big hitters. Shimano, Daiwa, Yamamoto, Yamaha and several other companies have major stake in the Japanese bass fishing market. If it goes away, so will a substantial pile of corporate earnings.

It is also going to affect the little guys. The ones that own tackle stores, boat dealerships and things of that nature.

Hopefully we can convince them not to make this mistake.

JT Bagwell

I agree Jerry, it is hard to imagine them eradicating a species the gov't put there. This was not an illegal introduction like the snakehead was here.

Thanks guys, That's a good point about some of the Japanese lure companies. They will be hurt.