coming to america
MAKING IT FAR FROM HOME
Trying to become a professional angler is a major risk on its own , let alone trying to do it from another country where you don ’ t have any experience on the fisheries , connections to lean on or even speak the language . Yet , it can be done .
Omori is a Bassmaster Classic champion and is approaching the $ 3 million mark in career winnings . Shinichi Fukae has an FLW Angler of the Year title to his name ( in his 2004 rookie season , no less ). Norio Tanabe became the first Japanese angler to win a major tournament back in 1993 , and since , Ben Matsubu , Kotaro Kiriyama and Morizo Shimizu have , as well .
Koike is hoping to join this list , having completed his first season of the Toyota Series Plains Division in 2020 . He did remarkably well , finishing fourth in the standings , making a top 10 and qualifying for the Toyota Series Championship . Yet , as Omori can attest , one season doesn ’ t make a career . This game is about survival , especially for Japanese anglers who have risked so much to play it . He ’ d know . He ’ s been doing it longer and better than anyone else from Japan .
“ It ’ s hard [ to make the jump from Japan to the U . S . to become a professional angler ],” says Omori . “ There are many anglers back in Japan with potential , but then you have to deliver on that potential just to qualify for the tour . And making it on the tour is 10 times more difficult than just qualifying .
“ I ’ ve been fortunate , but many others haven ’ t .”
Takayuki Koike completed his first season of the Toyota Series Plains Division in 2020 , qualifying for the Toyota Series Championship .
PHOTO BY PHOENIX MOORE PHOTO BY JACOB FINE
44 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021