Takahiro Omori Is On Top Again At Grand Lake Bassmaster Elite

Takahiro Omori of Emory, Texas, takes the lead on the first day of the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake, bringing 23 pounds, 12 ounces to the scales on Thursday.

                                                                                                                         Photo by Seigo Saito/B.A.S.S.

GROVE, Okla. — Japanese angler Takahiro Omori, who now calls Emory, Texas, his home, recently earned his seventh Bassmaster title at the first event of the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series season on Alabama’s Lake Martin.

Today his dominating streak continues thanks to a pair of 6-pound bass that anchored a 23-pound, 12-ounce five-bass limit at the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake in Grove, Okla.

“I didn’t have a very good practice earlier this week,” he said. “I knew the fish were about to spawn, but I was surprised with what I caught today. The rest of the field also caught quite a few big fish, and that’s going to keep things interesting for the next three days.”

The 47-year-old angler has been fishing with B.A.S.S. for over 27 years, and he said this was his best day ever on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.

“The best finish I’ve had on this lake was 30th place, so I’m very happy with how I did today,” said the 2004 Bassmaster Classic champion. “I know more fish are moving to shallow water, but it will be tough to catch this much again tomorrow.”

The last angler to win back-to-back Elites was the 2016 Classic Champion Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla., who won on Kentucky Lake then again at the next tournament on the St. Lawrence River in 2015.

Looking at a second $100,000 paycheck in a row, Omori is cautiously optimistic.

“I probably fished over 50 different spots today. It’s important to keep moving,” he said. “Grand Lake is fishing very well right now, and I expect the fishing to only get better with the forecasted weather over the next few days.”

The weather is also a factor for third-year pro Brock Mosley of Collinsville, Miss. After catching five fat bass that weighed 23-5, the 29-year-old angler will be starting the second day of competition in second place.

“I knew I had a good sack of fish, but they ended up being heavier than I figured. There was a 6-pounder and a 5-10 in the mix, and that helped tremendously,” he said. “I think the fish are moving in to spawn, so I’m confident my spots will reload again tomorrow, but that should make the fishing better for the bulk of the field, too.”

Typically sight fishing is a very productive technique at this time of the year. However, the darker waters of Grand Lake will make consistent sight fishing a challenge.

“I think there are some fish to be caught sight fishing this week, but I’m not committed to it at this point,” Mosley said. “If I see a good fish on a bed, I will slow down and try to catch it. But my plan of attack is a little different.”

While Omori showed winning form at Lake Martin, Bassmaster rookie Kyle Monti, of Okeechobee, Fla., finished dead last in that tournament — his first Bassmaster Elite event ever.

Monti showed up at Grand Lake with an axe to grind. The 26-year-old pro caught 22-6 during Thursday’s opening round, and he will be starting Friday’s second round of competition in third place.

“I am very happy with how today went, and I’m confident my pattern will stay productive,” he said.

At this point in a tournament, most anglers won’t provide many details about how they are catching their bass, but Monti did say that fishing slow was key.

“I feel like these fish are very spooky, and that means fishing very slow is important to being successful,” he said.

Rounding out the Top 5 are bass fishing superstar Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., with 21-15, and California pro Brent Ehrler with 21-8.

Daily takeoffs will occur at 6:15 a.m. CT out of Wolf Creek Park, and weigh-ins are scheduled in the same location beginning at 3 p.m. CT. each day.

2018 Bassmaster Elite At Grand Lake Title Sponsor: Academy Sports + Outdoors

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine

2018 Bassmaster Elite Series Elite Partner: Black Velvet Canadian Whisky

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Series presented by Magellan Outdoors, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Elite at Grand Lake 4/26-4/29
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove  OK.
(PROFESSIONAL) Standings Day 1
Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Takahiro Omori         Emory, TX                5  23-12  110
Day 1: 5   23-12
2.  Brock Mosley           Collinsville, MS         5  23-05  109
Day 1: 5   23-05
3.  Kyle Monti             Okeechobee, FL           5  22-06  108
Day 1: 5   22-06
4.  Kevin VanDam           Kalamazoo, MI            5  21-15  107
Day 1: 5   21-15
5.  Brent Ehrler           Redlands, CA             5  21-08  106
Day 1: 5   21-08
5.  Gerald Swindle         Guntersville, AL         5  21-08  106
Day 1: 5   21-08
7.  Cliff Pace             Petal, MS                5  21-04  104
Day 1: 5   21-04
8.  Stetson Blaylock       Benton, AR               5  21-00  103
Day 1: 5   21-00
9.  Stephen Browning       Hot Springs, AR          5  20-08  102
Day 1: 5   20-08
10. Chris Groh             Spring Grove, IL         5  20-04  101
Day 1: 5   20-04
10. Jordan Lee             Grant, AL                5  20-04  101
Day 1: 5   20-04
12. Josh Bertrand          San Tan Valley, AZ       5  19-15   99
Day 1: 5   19-15
13. James Elam             Tulsa, OK                5  19-13   98
Day 1: 5   19-13
13. Greg Vinson            Wetumpka, AL             5  19-13   98
Day 1: 5   19-13
15. Bill Weidler           Helena, AL               5  19-12   96
Day 1: 5   19-12
16. Cliff Crochet          Pierre Part, LA          5  19-11   95
Day 1: 5   19-11
17. Paul Mueller           Naugatuck, CT            5  19-03   94
Day 1: 5   19-03
18. Bradley Roy            Lancaster, KY            5  18-12   93
Day 1: 5   18-12
19. Fred Roumbanis         Russellville, AR         5  18-09   92
Day 1: 5   18-09
20. Boyd Duckett           Guntersville, AL         5  18-07   91
Day 1: 5   18-07
20. Seth Feider            Bloomington, MN          5  18-07   91
Day 1: 5   18-07
22. Jared Lintner          Arroyo Grande, CA        5  18-05   89
Day 1: 5   18-05
22. Randall Tharp          Port St. Joe, FL         5  18-05   89
Day 1: 5   18-05
24. Matt Herren            Ashville, AL             5  18-02   87
Day 1: 5   18-02
25. Justin Lucas           Guntersville, AL         5  17-12   86
Day 1: 5   17-12
26. Keith Poche            Pike Road, AL            5  17-09   85
Day 1: 5   17-09
26. Scott Rook             Little Rock, AR          5  17-09   85
Day 1: 5   17-09
28. Brandon Card           Knoxville, TN            5  17-07   83
Day 1: 5   17-07
29. Jamie Hartman          Newport, NY              5  17-06   82
Day 1: 5   17-06
29. Brandon Lester         Fayetteville, TN         5  17-06   82
Day 1: 5   17-06
31. Adrian Avena           Vineland, NJ             5  17-05   80
Day 1: 5   17-05
32. Gary Klein             Mingus, TX               5  17-04   79
Day 1: 5   17-04
32. Ish Monroe             Hughson, CA              5  17-04   79
Day 1: 5   17-04
34. John Crews Jr          Salem, VA                5  17-03   77
Day 1: 5   17-03
35. Randy Howell           Guntersville, AL         5  17-02   76
Day 1: 5   17-02
36. Clifford Pirch         Payson, AZ               5  17-01   75
Day 1: 5   17-01
37. Roy Hawk               Lk Havasu Cty, AZ        5  16-15   74
Day 1: 5   16-15
37. Brandon Palaniuk       Hayden, ID               5  16-15   74
Day 1: 5   16-15
39. Drew Benton            Panama City, FL          5  16-12   72
Day 1: 5   16-12
39. Aaron Martens          Leeds, AL                5  16-12   72
Day 1: 5   16-12
41. Brian Snowden          Reeds Spring, MO         5  16-11   70
Day 1: 5   16-11
42. Caleb Sumrall          New Iberia, LA           5  16-10   69
Day 1: 5   16-10
42. Jacob Wheeler          Harrison, TN             5  16-10   69
Day 1: 5   16-10
44. Tommy Biffle           Wagoner, OK              5  16-09   67
Day 1: 5   16-09
45. Alton Jones            Lorena, TX               5  16-03   66
Day 1: 5   16-03
46. Hank Cherry Jr         Lincolnton, NC           5  15-14   65
Day 1: 5   15-14
47. Alton Jones Jr.        Waco, TX                 5  15-12   64
Day 1: 5   15-12
47. Andy Montgomery        Blacksburg, SC           5  15-12   64
Day 1: 5   15-12
47. Fletcher Shryock       Dennison, OH             5  15-12   64
Day 1: 5   15-12
50. Jonathon VanDam        Gobles, MI               5  15-11   61
Day 1: 5   15-11
51. Gerald Spohrer         Gonzales, LA             5  15-09   60
Day 1: 5   15-09
52. Greg Hackney           Gonzales, LA             5  15-07   59
Day 1: 5   15-07
52. Hunter Shryock         Newcomerstown, OH        5  15-07   59
Day 1: 5   15-07
52. Chris Zaldain          Laughlin, NV             5  15-07   59
Day 1: 5   15-07
55. Mark Daniels Jr.       Tuskegee, AL             5  15-04   56
Day 1: 5   15-04
55. David Walker           Sevierville, TN          5  15-04   56
Day 1: 5   15-04
57. Jake Whitaker          Fairview, NC             5  15-01   54
Day 1: 5   15-01
58. David Fritts           Lexington, NC            5  15-00   53
Day 1: 5   15-00
58. Jacob Powroznik        North Prince George, VA  5  15-00   53
Day 1: 5   15-00
60. Dustin Connell         Clanton, AL              5  14-13   51
Day 1: 5   14-13
61. Brent Chapman          Lake Quivira, KS         5  14-11   50
Day 1: 5   14-11
61. Skylar Hamilton        Dandridge, TN            5  14-11   50
Day 1: 5   14-11
61. Mark Menendez          Paducah, KY              5  14-11   50
Day 1: 5   14-11
64. Mike McClelland        Bentonville, AR          5  14-10   47
Day 1: 5   14-10
65. Chris Lane             Guntersville, AL         5  14-08   46
Day 1: 5   14-08
66. Marty Robinson         Lyman, SC                5  14-07   45
Day 1: 5   14-07
66. Wesley Strader         Spring City, TN          5  14-07   45
Day 1: 5   14-07
68. Ott DeFoe              Blaine, TN               5  14-04   43
Day 1: 5   14-04
68. Micah Frazier          Newnan, GA               5  14-04   43
Day 1: 5   14-04
70. Brett Hite             Phoenix, AZ              5  14-03   41
Day 1: 5   14-03
71. Edwin Evers            Talala, OK               5  14-02   40
Day 1: 5   14-02
71. Dave Lefebre           Erie, PA                 5  14-02   40
Day 1: 5   14-02
73. Keith Combs            Huntington, TX           5  14-00   38
Day 1: 5   14-00
74. Tyler Carriere         Youngsville, LA          5  13-14   37
Day 1: 5   13-14
74. Todd Faircloth         Jasper, TX               5  13-14   37
Day 1: 5   13-14
74. John Murray            Spring City, TN          5  13-14   37
Day 1: 5   13-14
77. Jason Christie         Park Hill, OK            5  13-12   34
Day 1: 5   13-12
77. Jesse Wiggins          Cullman, AL              5  13-12   34
Day 1: 5   13-12
79. Dean Rojas             Lake Havasu City, AZ     5  13-09   32
Day 1: 5   13-09
79. Morizo Shimizu         Suita, Osaka JAPAN       5  13-09   32
Day 1: 5   13-09
81. Chad Pipkens           Lansing, MI              5  13-08   30
Day 1: 5   13-08
82. Bill Lowen             Brookville, IN           5  13-03   29
Day 1: 5   13-03
83. Skeet Reese            Auburn, CA               5  13-01   28
Day 1: 5   13-01
84. Russ Lane              Prattville, AL           5  12-15   27
Day 1: 5   12-15
85. Rick Morris            Lake Gaston, VA          5  12-14   26
Day 1: 5   12-14
86. Michael Iaconelli      Pitts Grove, NJ          5  12-13   25
Day 1: 5   12-13
87. Bernie Schultz         Gainesville, FL          5  12-12   24
Day 1: 5   12-12
88. Tim Horton             Muscle Shoals, AL        5  12-10   23
Day 1: 5   12-10
89. Steve Kennedy          Auburn, AL               5  12-08   22
Day 1: 5   12-08
90. Robbie Latuso          Gonzales, LA             5  12-07   21
Day 1: 5   12-07
91. Kelly Jordon           Flint, TX                5  12-05   20
Day 1: 5   12-05
92. Brandon Coulter        Knoxville, TN            5  12-00   19
Day 1: 5   12-00
93. Shin Fukae             Palestine TX JAPAN       5  11-14   18
Day 1: 5   11-14
94. Casey Ashley           Donalds, SC              5  11-13   17
Day 1: 5   11-13
94. Bobby Lane Jr.         Lakeland, FL             5  11-13   17
Day 1: 5   11-13
96. Rick Clunn             Ava, MO                  4  11-12   15
Day 1: 4   11-12
96. Randy Sullivan         Breckenridge, TX         4  11-12   15
Day 1: 4   11-12
98. Cliff Prince           Palatka, FL              5  11-11   13
Day 1: 5   11-11
99. David Mullins          Mt Carmel, TN            5  11-09   12
Day 1: 5   11-09
100. Jeff Kriet             Ardmore, OK              5  11-03   11
Day 1: 5   11-03
101. Matt Lee               Guntersville, AL         5  11-02   10
Day 1: 5   11-02
101. Darrell Ocamica        New Plymouth, ID         5  11-02   10
Day 1: 5   11-02
103. Shaw Grigsby Jr.       Gainesville, FL          5  09-14    8
Day 1: 5   09-14
104. Terry Scroggins        San Mateo, FL            5  09-04    7
Day 1: 5   09-04
105. Kelley Jaye            Dadeville, AL            4  09-04    6
Day 1: 4   09-04
106. Ray Hanselman Jr       Del Rio, TX              4  08-14    5
Day 1: 4   08-14
107. Paul Elias             Laurel, MS               3  05-08    4
Day 1: 3   05-08
108. Jason Williamson       Wagener, SC              2  05-08    3
Day 1: 2   05-08
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day   #Limits    #Fish      Weight
1       102       531      1674-05
———————————-
102       531      1674-05