BassFan Q&A
Omori On BASS Vs. FLW Performance

Photo: BassFan Takahiro Omori will visit Clarks Hill next month – his nemesis lake.

If that was the feast, then 2008 was the famine – a year in which he limped in at 68th in the BASS Angler of the Year (AOY) race alongside a year-end BassFan World Rank of 84th.

But he did do some eating on the side this year, and he currently leads the Eastern FLW Series points with one event left to fish (Clarks Hill next month).

His Series finishes of 9th at Okeechobee, 28th at Wheeler and 4th at Champlain a little more than a week ago stand in stark contrast to his Elite Series finishes, which include two 100th-place disasters, plus an 89th, 85th and 73rd. The closest he ever came to a Top-12 cut was 17th.

BassFan sat down with the former Classic champ to talk about his differing performance. His English is improving, but he still struggles at times to project his thoughts. Some of his language is thus clarified in the Q&A that follows.

BassFan: After your disappointing BASS year, how does it feel to be leading the Eastern Series points?

Omori: I'm glad to be doing good on the FLW side this year. But for me, the most important thing for a tour pro is still winning a tournament. It sounds good to be leading the points, but my goal is to stay in the Top 30 and get to go to the (East/West Fishoff). And to win an event, always.

You were a two-tour pro for many years. Why do you think your performance in BASS and the FLW Series has been so different this year?

My approach to a tournament is the same – BASS or FLW. I don't think I do anything different, and we fish the same lakes. I really don't know why. But with BASS and FLW, there's a conflict with the schedule next year, so this is probably the last chance I have to qualify for the FLW championship. The Elite Series and the FLW Series is a conflict next year.

Does that mean you might fish the Bassmaster Opens instead next year?

I might. I'm thinking about it. I'm still going to fish BASS Elite, and I'll only fish a couple of FLW Series and the PAA tournaments. I like to fish 15 to 20 quality tournaments a year, so I'm thinking about fishing the Opens. The Central Opens are so close to my home, Texas, but I don't know yet.

How important is it for you to make the Forrest Wood Cup?

It's very important. It's the Forrest Wood Cup, and being a Ranger owner, I have a chance for $1 million. That's the biggest payout tournament in the industry. I made it six times, but never won one, so right now, that's my focus – make sure I get to the Fishoff, then get to the (Cup). That's very important.

You finished 4th at Champlain. Did you have the chance to win?

No.

Were you fishing smallmouths?

I weighed in two largemouths and 18 smallmouths. I was dropshotting. That's my first Top 10 with a dropshot.

I came from Japan with nothing and had an attitude (where) I took a lot of risks to be successful on the tour. I guess this is the mentality – never be consistent over the points. But now, BASS AOY pays a lot of money, and every tournament you finish in the Top 50, you get a $10,000 check. I fished a dropshot and made the Top 10.

Are you saying you took a lot of risks this year in BASS, and that's why you had some poor finishes?

Yes, I took a lot of chances. That's who I am. So I didn't finesse (fish) a lot in the past. But I mean, anyone at the top could have a bad year, and I was real frustrated with the BASS tour this year, but I'll just move forward and I have next year to look forward to. The past doesn't change. I have good sponsors behind me, and I'm looking forward to next year.

About Clarks next month, that's not your best lake.

I remember in 2005 I was leading the BASS points and went to Clarks Hill for the first time and finished in last place. Ever since, I fished it three more times, and never had a check. Even this year, I missed a check by 2 ounces.

I didn't have any good things happen in the past at Clarks. It's my No. 1 hated lake in the country. But this is fall. It's a different time of the year. It might be one of those lakes that changes.

In the past, you've closely followed your BassFan World Rank. You must be disappointed with your current rank of 84th.

I am. I really watch the BassFan World Rankings. I like to be in the Top 10. I have real respect for guys who win tournaments and also know how to be consistent. I'm still focused 100% and didn't do anything different this year. That's the way it went.

Competition has gotten so tough, but I really believe I can be back in the Top 10 rankings. I just can't do (things) halfway. I go for it and do well or bomb. That's the way it is.

Notable

> Omori has spent time the past 3 years at the International Performance Institute in Brandenton, Fla. "They helped me to have a healthy tour lifestyle," he said. "They help all those tennis players and golf and basketball players. In the past I ate anything I liked to eat. But I have a motorhome now and I eat very healthy. It helps keep me going."

> Is sushi, his favorite food, part of the new healthy diet? "Sushi's very good for health," he said.