Ito Lays Foundation For More St. Lawrence Glory

By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff

WADDINGTON, N.Y. — It was a case of quality over quantity, but Japanese superstar Taku Ito was just fine with the 5-bass limit of 26 pounds, 2 ounces that led Day 1 of the Bassmaster Elite Series event at the St. Lawrence River.

Ito, who won the 2021 St. Lawrence Elite event — also run out of Waddington — and claimed his second blue trophy June 30 at Smith Lake, heads into Day 2 with a 6-ounce margin over rookie Robert Gee.

One of the highlight-reel moments from Ito’s first Elite win was his crowd-pleasing tale of finding a brown-fish-laden spot he named “Smallmouth Disneyland.” The Lake Ontario goldmine that yielded a 26-pound final-round limit held so many fish that Ito claimed he got downright picky about only targeting the bigger ones on his screen.

Flash forward three years and Ito said he saw fewer fish, but the ones he saw were the ones he needed.

“The fish were alone today; I couldn’t find (schools) of bass,” said Ito, who makes his home in Chiba, Japan. “I only caught six or seven bass. It was so hard, but they were big ones.

“I think the 3-pounders and 2-pounders are schooling, but the 5- and 6-pounders are always alone.”

Making the 80-plus-mile run to Lake Ontario, Ito fished in 15 to 35 feet of water and looked for scattered rock bottom throughout a 2-mile area. This habitat, he said, holds lots of crawfish, which he believes attracts the bigger fish.

“I used the trolling motor a lot and went everywhere, shallow to deep,” Ito said. “When I’d finally find a fish, it was very simple: Cast, hold, shake, bite; easy.

“My area is not perfect. There are (fresher) areas somewhere, but I like the crawfish-eaters. They are swimming very close to the bottom.”

Anchoring his bag with a 6-pounder, Ito said he made a few casts with a Neko rig but ended up catching the majority of his fish on a dropshot. Using a 1/2-ounce weight, Ito tied his dropshot with an 18-inch leader — a detail he believes made a strategic difference in his presentations.

“With a short leader, casting accuracy is good, but a longer leader makes a softer fall and that’s (more stealthy),” Ito said. “When I cast, the fish find the bait (higher in the water column) and with a soft fall, I’ll get a bite.”

With Day 1 bringing mostly calm conditions and Friday’s forecast showing a similar complexion, Ito’s hoping to stack his numbers ahead of what’s expected to become a rougher weekend.

“For my fish, calm weather is good, because they’re swimming close to the bottom,” Ito said. “But in big waves I can’t see them.

“I have a couple of areas that I didn’t check today, so I will find some spots if (the weekend brings rough weather). I’m in a big area, so I’m always looking around.”

Hailing from Knoxville, Tenn., Gee is in 2nd place with 25-12. Doing most of his work in the lake with a dropshot, Gee ended his day by fishing areas close to takeoff. All of his weight came from Ontario.

“I stayed on one spot (in the lake) all day long, caught what I caught by noon and then ran back and threw a spinnerbait around Waddington,” he said.

Gee said he matched his drop shot baits to the gobies and crawfish he believes the big fish are eating.

Notably, Gee finished second to Ito at Smith Lake. Suffice to say, he’s planning to even the score, but he knows that doing so will require a crafty plan.

“The fish are very, very smart here now,” Gee said. “The first time I came here in 2019 for a college tournament, they would meet your dropshot halfway before it got to the bottom and catch it. Now, they’ve been fished for so much, it’s really tough to get them to bite.”

Kyoya Fujita of Yamanishi, Japan, is in 3rd place with 25-8. Fujita, who won the season opener at Toledo Bend Reservoir, fished the mouth of Lake Ontario and caught his fish on a dropshot.

Speaking through a translator, Ito said he fished clean and did not lose any bass. Fujita also noted that he’s optimistic about his position and his potential.

“I’m only 10 ounces behind the leader, and there is a big chance that I can catch 30 pounds (on Day 2),” he said. “It can happen. I just have to have the big fish bite tomorrow and I’m going to go for it.”

Joey Cifuentes III is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 6-15.

Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET at Whittaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 3 p.m.

Day 1 Standings

1. Taku Ito -- Dalton GA -- 5, 26-02 -- 103
Day 1: 5, 26-02

2. Robert Gee -- Knoxville, TN -- 5, 25-12 -- 102
Day 1: 5, 25-12

3. Kyoya Fujita -- Yamanashi, JAPAN -- 5, 25-08 -- 101
Day 1: 5, 25-08

4. Cory Johnston -- Otonabee, ON-- 5, 25-00 -- 100
Day 1: 5, 25-00

5. Shane LeHew -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 24-13 -- 99
Day 1: 5, 24-13

6. Patrick Walters -- Eutawville, SC -- 5, 24-12 -- 98
Day 1: 5, 24-12

7. Jacob Foutz -- Charleston, TN -- 5, 24-07 -- 97
Day 1: 5, 24-07

8. Drew Benton -- Panama City, FL -- 5, 24-04 -- 96
Day 1: 5, 24-04

9. Caleb Sumrall -- New Iberia, LA -- 5, 24-02 -- 95
Day 1: 5, 24-02

10. Joey Cifuentes III -- Clinton, AR -- 5, 24-01 -- 94
Day 1: 5, 24-01

11. Alex Wetherell -- Middletown, CT -- 5, 23-12 -- 93
Day 1: 5, 23-12

12. Matt Robertson -- Kuttawa, KY -- 5, 23-11 -- 92
Day 1: 5, 23-11

13. Trey McKinney -- Carbondale, IL -- 5, 23-10 -- 91
Day 1: 5, 23-10

14. Wesley Gore -- Clanton, AL -- 5, 23-04 -- 90
Day 1: 5, 23-04

15. Keith Combs -- Huntington, TX -- 5, 23-02 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 23-02

15. Chris Johnston -- Otonabee, ON -- 5, 23-02 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 23-02

15. Jake Whitaker -- Hendersonville, NC -- 5, 23-02 -- 89
Day 1: 5, 23-02

18. Carl Jocumsen -- Queensland, AUS -- 5, 22-15 -- 86
Day 1: 5, 22-15

19. Jeff Gustafson -- Kenora, ON -- 5, 22-09 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 22-09

19. Bryan New -- Leesville, SC -- 5, 22-09 -- 85
Day 1: 5, 22-09

21. Kyle Norsetter -- Cottage Grove, WI -- 5, 22-08 -- 83
Day 1: 5, 22-08

22. Scott Martin -- Clewiston, FL -- 5, 22-08 -- 82
Day 1: 5, 22-08

23. Jonathan Kelley -- Old Forge, PA -- 5, 22-07 -- 81
Day 1: 5, 22-07

24. Timothy Dube -- Nashua , NH -- 5, 22-06 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 22-06

24. Logan Parks -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 22-06 -- 80
Day 1: 5, 22-06

26. Drew Cook -- Cairo, GA -- 5, 22-05 -- 78
Day 1: 5, 22-05

27. Clark Wendlandt -- Leander, TX -- 5, 22-03 -- 77
Day 1: 5, 22-03

28. Bryant Smith -- Roseville, CA -- 5, 22-02 -- 76
Day 1: 5, 22-02

29. Justin Hamner -- Northport, AL -- 5, 22-01 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 22-01

29. Jacob Powroznik -- North Prince George, VA -- 5, 22-01 -- 75
Day 1: 5, 22-01

31. Jordan Lee -- Cullman, AL -- 5, 22-00 -- 73
Day 1: 5, 22-00

32. Tyler Williams -- Belgrade, ME -- 5, 21-14 -- 72
Day 1: 5, 21-14

33. Paul Mueller -- Naugatuck, CT -- 5, 21-13 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 21-13

33. Luke Palmer -- Coalgate, OK -- 5, 21-13 -- 71
Day 1: 5, 21-13

35. Bryan Schmitt -- Deale, MD -- 5, 21-13 -- 69
Day 1: 5, 21-13

36. John Garrett -- Union City, TN -- 5, 21-12 -- 68
Day 1: 5, 21-12

37. Cliff Prince -- Palatka, FL -- 5, 21-11 -- 67
Day 1: 5, 21-11

38. Cole Sands -- Calhoun , TN -- 5, 21-10 -- 66
Day 1: 5, 21-10

39. Cody Huff -- Ava, MO -- 5, 21-09 -- 65
Day 1: 5, 21-09

40. Ben Milliken -- New Caney, TX -- 5, 21-08 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 21-08

40. Hunter Shryock -- Ooltewah, TN -- 5, 21-08 -- 64
Day 1: 5, 21-08

42. Justin Atkins -- Florence, AL -- 5, 21-07 -- 62
Day 1: 5, 21-07

43. JT Thompkins -- Myrtle Beach, SC -- 5, 21-06 -- 61
Day 1: 5, 21-06

44. Brandon Lester -- Fayetteville, TN -- 5, 21-05 -- 60
Day 1: 5, 21-05

45. Kenta Kimura -- Osaka, JAPAN -- 5, 21-01 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 21-01

45. Pat Schlapper -- Eleva, WI -- 5, 21-01 -- 59
Day 1: 5, 21-01

47. Scott Canterbury -- Odenville, AL -- 5, 21-00 -- 57
Day 1: 5, 21-00

48. Seth Feider -- New Market, MN -- 5, 20-14 -- 56
Day 1: 5, 20-14

49. Logan Latuso -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 20-13 -- 55
Day 1: 5, 20-13

50. Stetson Blaylock -- Benton, AR -- 5, 20-12 -- 54
Day 1: 5, 20-12

51. Greg Hackney -- Gonzales, LA -- 5, 20-10 -- 53
Day 1: 5, 20-10

52. Matt Arey -- Shelby, NC -- 5, 20-09 -- 52
Day 1: 5, 20-09

53. Will Davis Jr -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 20-07 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 20-07

53. Ray Hanselman Jr -- Del Rio, TX -- 5, 20-07 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 20-07

53. Mike Huff -- London, KY -- 5, 20-07 -- 51
Day 1: 5, 20-07

56. Jay Przekurat -- Plover, WI -- 5, 20-04 -- 48
Day 1: 5, 20-04

57. John Soukup -- Sapulpa, OK -- 5, 20-02 -- 47
Day 1: 5, 20-02

58. KJ Queen -- Catawba, NC -- 5, 20-00 -- 46
Day 1: 5, 20-00

59. Ed Loughran III -- Richmond, VA -- 5, 19-15 -- 45
Day 1: 5, 19-15

60. Kyle Patrick -- Cooperstown, NY -- 5, 19-12 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 19-12

60. Chris Zaldain -- Fort Worth, TX -- 5, 19-12 -- 44
Day 1: 5, 19-12

62. Kyle Welcher -- Valley, AL -- 5, 19-11 -- 42
Day 1: 5, 19-11

63. Gregory DiPalma -- Millville, NJ -- 5, 19-10 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 19-10

63. Caleb Kuphall -- Mukwonago, WI -- 5, 19-10 -- 41
Day 1: 5, 19-10

65. Rick Clunn -- Ava, MO -- 5, 19-08 -- 39
Day 1: 5, 19-08

65. Jamie Hartman -- Newport, NY -- 5, 19-08 -- 0
Day 1: 5, 19-08

67. Tyler Rivet -- Raceland, LA -- 5, 19-05 -- 37
Day 1: 5, 19-05

68. Brock Mosley -- Collinsville, MS -- 5, 19-03 -- 36
Day 1: 5, 19-03

69. Frank Talley -- Belton, TX -- 5, 19-02 -- 35
Day 1: 5, 19-02

70. Hank Cherry Jr -- Lincolnton, NC -- 5, 18-15 -- 34
Day 1: 5, 18-15

71. Austin Felix -- Eden Prairie, MN -- 5, 18-14 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 18-14

71. Marc Frazier -- Newnan, GA -- 5, 18-14 -- 33
Day 1: 5, 18-14

73. Todd Auten -- Clover, SC -- 5, 18-12 -- 31
Day 1: 5, 18-12

74. Mark Menendez -- Paducah, KY -- 5, 18-11 -- 30
Day 1: 5, 18-11

75. Bill Lowen -- Brookville, IN -- 5, 18-10 -- 29
Day 1: 5, 18-10

76. Michael Iaconelli -- Pitts Grove, NJ -- 5, 18-10 -- 28
Day 1: 5, 18-10

77. Koby Kreiger -- Alva, FL -- 5, 18-08 -- 27
Day 1: 5, 18-08

78. John Cox -- Debary, FL -- 5, 18-05 -- 26
Day 1: 5, 18-05

79. Steve Kennedy -- Auburn, AL -- 5, 18-04 -- 25
Day 1: 5, 18-04

80. Brad Whatley -- Bivins, TX -- 5, 18-03 -- 24
Day 1: 5, 18-03

81. Jason Williamson -- Aiken, SC -- 5, 18-01 -- 23
Day 1: 5, 18-01

82. Joseph Webster -- Hamilton, AL -- 5, 18-00 -- 22
Day 1: 5, 18-00

83. Lee Livesay -- Longview, TX -- 5, 17-11 -- 21
Day 1: 5, 17-11

84. Chad Pipkens -- Dewitt, MI -- 5, 17-09 -- 20
Day 1: 5, 17-09

85. Bernie Schultz -- Gainesville, FL -- 5, 17-07 -- 19
Day 1: 5, 17-07

86. Wes Logan -- Springville, AL -- 5, 17-06 -- 18
Day 1: 5, 17-06

87. David Gaston -- Sylacauga, AL -- 5, 17-05 -- 17
Day 1: 5, 17-05

88. John Crews Jr -- Salem, VA -- 5, 16-11 -- 16
Day 1: 5, 16-11

89. Bob Downey -- Detroit Lakes, MN -- 5, 16-11 -- 15
Day 1: 5, 16-11

90. Brandon Cobb -- Greenwood, SC -- 5, 16-07 -- 14
Day 1: 5, 16-07

91. Gerald Swindle -- Guntersville, AL -- 5, 16-03 -- 13
Day 1: 5, 16-03

92. Matty Wong -- Honolulu, HI -- 5, 15-12 -- 12
Day 1: 5, 15-12

93. Matt Herren -- Ashville, AL -- 5, 15-05 -- 11
Day 1: 5, 15-05

94. Jason Christie -- Dry Creek, OK -- 4, 14-06 -- 10
Day 1: 4, 14-06

95. David Mullins -- Mt Carmel, TN -- 5, 14-05 -- 9
Day 1: 5, 14-05

96. Buddy Gross -- Chattanooga, TN -- 5, 12-13 -- 8
Day 1: 5, 12-13

97. Brandon Card -- Salisbury, NC -- 4, 12-02 -- 7
Day 1: 4, 12-02

98. Cooper Gallant -- Bowmanville, ON -- 5, 11-13 -- 6
Day 1: 5, 11-13

99. Alex Redwine -- Blue Ash, OH -- 5, 11-01 -- 5
Day 1: 5, 11-01

100. Brandon Palaniuk -- Rathdrum, ID -- 3, 10-04 -- 4
Day 1: 3, 10-04

101. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, AZ -- 0, 00-00 -- 0
Day 1: 0, 00-00