Most BassFans have heard the name Bob Izumi. Some grew up knowing it. That's because Bob Izumi is easily the most successful Canadian tournament angler in history, and perhaps the most successful Canadian angler in history period.
His father Joe organized the first-ever Canadian bass tournament, his brother Wayne is also a pro, and Izumi himself fished his first Bassmaster Invitational back in 1982. But through five decades of tournament angling, Izumi had never won a significant event that launched in U.S.
That all changed last weekend when he came out of nowhere and swept the trophy on day 3 of the Thousand Islands Northern EverStart.
The Thousand Islands area is like a second home to Izumi. He won three consecutive Canadian Opens there in the mid-'90s (after his brother won back-to-back), so Saturday's victory was especially sweet, as it marked Izumi's first American win.
"I believe I've fished just over 50 tournaments with FLW and I've been wanted to win one of these for so many years," Izumi said. "I've been close so many times, but I was just never able to finish the deal. And this wasn't one I thought I could win after my day-2 performance – losing some big fish and sitting in 7th. Going into the final day I was really hoping to just move up into the Top 5. Now that it's all said and done, I feel great."
Here's a close look at how he did it.
Practice
Izumi had fished Thousand Island events through spring and summer, including the Canadian Open immediately prior, and thus only practiced for 4 hours for the EverStart. He knew a few things beforehand. Most important, he knew he had to target smallmouths to win. When tournaments first began here, largemouths were the winning fish. Then about a decade and a half ago, mixed bags became the winning formula. Over the past several years, largemouths became an afterthought and now it's all about the brown fish.
So he knew he'd target smallmouths, and his GPS was already chock-full of hot stopping points.
During his 4-hour practice, he went our and ran some spots with his graph and re-checked a prime area he fished in the Canadian Open, which was a small corner of a shoal.
Competition
> Day 1: 5, 17-09
> Day 2: 5, 19-07
> Day 3: 5, 21-01
> Total = 15, 58-01
As it turned out, two other boats also found the end of that shoal.
"One was a friend of mine and the other was a Canadian fellow," Izumi said. "It was only 40 yards wide and we kind of sat there and laughed. I lost one about 2 1/2 and caught three 2-pounders. Two of the co-anglers caught big fish and after about an hour of fishing like that I knew it wasn't going to happen for me. I had 6 pounds in the livewell at 10:30 in the morning and decided to abandon it for good."
At that point, he just started to run places he knew from the past that were Classic "contact spots" – boulders, chunk rock, breaks and other elements where roaming smallmouths would stop.
"The key was, if I didn't graph fish in depths from 24 to 40 feet, I wouldn't drop my line," he noted. "I was under the gun and really wanted to maximize my time."
He caught the majority of his 17 pounds from a single spot that first day and settled into 17th place.
On day 2, he expanded on what he'd found the day before and ran new water as well. He used the same methodology: Watch the graph and only drop to fish he could see. He ended with 19 1/2 pounds, which pushed him to 7th, and using the same pattern he came from behind to win the final day.
Winning Pattern Notes
Izumi dropshotted all 3 days. About what he fished, he said: "They were pretty much all contact spots. I was looking for areas where those fish, if they're roaming around, will come into contact with broken rocks or isolated boulders or something.
"We do sometimes catch smallmouths out in the middle of nowhere on flat bottoms, but those fish are here today and gone in an hour. That's why we always like to look for contact spots. Even though the fish are always grazing and moving, if you find good contact rocks, or a crevice or an underwater bluff, it's a stopping place along the highway for fish. I run two Lowrance HDS units and it still takes hours and days and weeks to find all those little areas."
Winning Gear Notes
Izumi dropshotted with three different rods: Two were 7'2" medium-heavy Shimano Crucials and the other was a 6'10" G. Loomis NRX dropshot rod.
He used Shimano Stradic CI4 3000 and Stella 3000 reels.
His line was 10-pound Berkley Trilene 100% fluorocarbon.
Regarding terminal tackle, he employed 1/2- and 5/8-ounce Ultra Tungsten weights and tied in a swivel to reduce line twist. He made a key change for the final day when he went to a heavier-wire dropshot hook and lost fewer fish.
For baits, he threw a 3" Berkley GULP! Fry (green-pumpkin) and 3" GULP! Minnow (watermelon/pearl).
He also weighed one fish on a goby-style swimbait from Set The Hook Baits.
The Bottom Line
Notable
> Izumi has now won a bass tournament in five different decades.
> He noted that tournament competitors did need to call Canadian customs via cell phone upon entering Canadian waters. It went smooth, he added, although cell service was an issue at times.
Much of the tackle referenced above is available at the BassFan Store. To browse the selection, click here.
Final Standings
> Field = 103 boats
1. Bob Izumi -- Milton, On -- 5, 17-09 -- 5, 19-07 -- 10, 37-00 -- 5, 21-01 -- 15, 58-01 -- $27,278 + Boat
2. John McGoey -- Omemee, On -- 5, 18-03 -- 5, 19-06 -- 10, 37-09 -- 5, 19-08 -- 15, 57-01 -- $9,353
3. Cory Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 5, 17-07 -- 5, 19-03 -- 10, 36-10 -- 5, 19-14 -- 15, 56-08 -- $7,794
4. Gregg Seal -- Eldred, Pa -- 5, 20-12 -- 5, 18-10 -- 10, 39-06 -- 5, 16-15 -- 15, 56-05 -- $7,014
5. Eric Foltin -- Lebanon, Pa -- 5, 18-10 -- 5, 16-09 -- 10, 35-03 -- 5, 20-09 -- 15, 55-12 -- $6,235
6. Jeff Hippert -- Hamburg, Ny -- 5, 24-08 -- 5, 15-06 -- 10, 39-14 -- 5, 15-12 -- 15, 55-10 -- $5,456
7. Chris Johnston -- Peterborough, On -- 5, 22-11 -- 5, 17-08 -- 10, 40-03 -- 5, 14-11 -- 15, 54-14 -- $4,676
8. Thomas Lavictoire Jr -- West Rutland, Vt -- 5, 20-05 -- 5, 17-04 -- 10, 37-09 -- 5, 15-12 -- 15, 53-05 -- $3,897
9. Kevin Short -- Mayflower, Ar -- 5, 21-03 -- 5, 17-00 -- 10, 38-03 -- 5, 14-12 -- 15, 52-15 -- $3,118
10. Jason Putman -- Cicero, Ny -- 5, 18-08 -- 5, 17-15 -- 10, 36-07 -- 5, 15-03 -- 15, 51-10 -- $2,338
The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 4.
11. Charlie Hartley -- Grove City, Oh -- 5, 17-09 -- 5, 16-12 -- 10, 34-05 -- $1,559
12. Tom Dolin -- Palatine Bridge, Ny -- 5, 17-15 -- 5, 16-02 -- 10, 34-01 -- $1,559
13. Joseph Sancho -- New Windsor, Ny -- 5, 16-15 -- 5, 17-02 -- 10, 34-01 -- $1,559
14. Jess Caraballo -- Danbury, Ct -- 5, 17-02 -- 5, 16-14 -- 10, 34-00 -- $1,559
15. Trevor Knight -- Magnolia, De -- 5, 17-06 -- 5, 16-08 -- 10, 33-14 -- $1,559
16. Bill Chapman -- Salt Rock, Wv -- 5, 20-02 -- 5, 13-09 -- 10, 33-11 -- $1,169
17. Adrian Avena -- Vineland, Nj -- 5, 14-03 -- 5, 19-08 -- 10, 33-11 -- $1,169
18. R T Kerber -- Lee Center, Ny -- 5, 15-08 -- 5, 18-00 -- 10, 33-08 -- $1,169
19. Tom Belinda -- Holidaysburg, Pa -- 5, 15-01 -- 5, 18-06 -- 10, 33-07 -- $1,169
20. Dave Rochette -- Bracebridge, On -- 5, 15-08 -- 5, 17-14 -- 10, 33-06 -- $1,169
21. Charles Main -- Ellwood, Pa -- 5, 15-12 -- 5, 17-10 -- 10, 33-06 -- $1,091
22. Michael Czaplinski -- Hopatcong, Nj -- 5, 16-00 -- 5, 16-11 -- 10, 32-11 -- $1,091
23. Steve Lucarelli -- Meredith, Nh -- 4, 15-10 -- 5, 16-11 -- 9, 32-05 -- $1,091
24. Mike Hancin -- North Franklin, Ct -- 5, 16-13 -- 5, 14-08 -- 10, 31-05 -- $1,091
25. Merle Wells Jr -- Hammond, Ny -- 5, 16-00 -- 5, 14-15 -- 10, 30-15 -- $1,091
26. Lon Fleming -- Piedmont, Sc -- 5, 15-08 -- 5, 15-04 -- 10, 30-12 -- $1,013
27. Joseph Fonzi -- Gasport, Ny -- 5, 14-08 -- 5, 16-02 -- 10, 30-10 -- $1,013
28. Howard Hammonds -- Westport, Ny -- 5, 18-07 -- 5, 12-02 -- 10, 30-09 -- $1,013
29. George Martin -- Little Valley, Ny -- 5, 14-07 -- 5, 16-02 -- 10, 30-09 -- $1,013
30. Brian Hensley -- Edwardsburg, Mi -- 5, 13-12 -- 5, 16-04 -- 10, 30-00 -- $1,013
31. Masahiro Yanase -- Knoxville, Tn -- 5, 20-02 -- 5, 9-13 -- 10, 29-15 -- $935
32. Elton Luce Jr -- Brookeland, Tx -- 5, 16-02 -- 5, 13-11 -- 10, 29-13 -- $935
33. John Voyles -- Petersburg, In -- 5, 14-10 -- 5, 15-00 -- 10, 29-10 -- $935
34. Glenn Babineau -- Mechanicville, Ny -- 5, 15-09 -- 4, 14-00 -- 9, 29-09 -- $935
35. Mark Schafer -- Williamstown, Nj -- 5, 11-13 -- 5, 17-11 -- 10, 29-08
36. Matt Stasiak -- Pittsburgh, Pa -- 5, 12-08 -- 5, 17-00 -- 10, 29-08
37. Frank Gee -- Whitesboro, Ny -- 5, 14-12 -- 5, 14-11 -- 10, 29-07
38. Ronald Martinez Jr. -- Valley View, Oh -- 5, 16-14 -- 5, 12-06 -- 10, 29-04
39. Matthew Martin -- Chittenango, Ny -- 5, 16-06 -- 5, 12-14 -- 10, 29-04
40. Dean Meckes -- Clayton, Ny -- 5, 13-05 -- 5, 15-12 -- 10, 29-01
41. Robert Vogelsang -- Jessup, Md -- 5, 14-03 -- 5, 14-14 -- 10, 29-01
42. Harold Marietta -- Hunker, Pa -- 5, 14-04 -- 5, 14-05 -- 10, 28-09
43. Steve Deguzis -- Bristol, Ct -- 5, 16-14 -- 5, 11-09 -- 10, 28-07
44. Mike Mcdonald -- Randleman, Nc -- 5, 15-08 -- 5, 12-14 -- 10, 28-06
45. Mike Desforges -- Burlington, On -- 5, 10-01 -- 5, 18-03 -- 10, 28-04
46. Michael Wolfenden -- Warwick, Ri -- 5, 18-01 -- 4, 10-00 -- 9, 28-01
47. Jack Gifford -- East Woodstock, Ct -- 5, 12-11 -- 5, 14-15 -- 10, 27-10
48. Adam Singer -- Brookfield, Ct -- 5, 15-09 -- 5, 11-14 -- 10, 27-07
49. Michael Conway -- Glenville, Ny -- 5, 17-13 -- 5, 9-09 -- 10, 27-06
50. Marc Wagy -- Dewitt, Va -- 5, 14-03 -- 5, 12-09 -- 10, 26-12
51. Gary Barone -- State College, Pa -- 5, 14-06 -- 5, 11-14 -- 10, 26-04
52. Bob Whitgreave -- Manning, Sc -- 5, 11-08 -- 4, 14-11 -- 9, 26-03
53. Richard Garlock -- Alexandria Bay, Ny -- 5, 19-14 -- 4, 6-02 -- 9, 26-00
54. Mike Neilson -- Markham, On -- 5, 13-03 -- 5, 12-13 -- 10, 26-00
55. George Yund -- Albany, Ny -- 5, 13-07 -- 5, 12-08 -- 10, 25-15
56. Larry Materia -- Boonton, Nj -- 5, 12-15 -- 5, 12-13 -- 10, 25-12
57. Randy Yarnall -- Womelsdorf, Pa -- 5, 12-04 -- 5, 13-03 -- 10, 25-07
58. Shawn Kellough -- Chillicothe, Oh -- 5, 15-02 -- 5, 10-02 -- 10, 25-04
59. Kerry Clouthier -- Petawawa, On -- 5, 13-15 -- 5, 11-00 -- 10, 24-15
60. Nick Gainey -- Charleston, Sc -- 5, 9-12 -- 5, 15-00 -- 10, 24-12
61. Mark Frickman -- Grand Ledge, Mi -- 5, 12-10 -- 5, 11-14 -- 10, 24-08
62. Rob Laframboise -- Sault Ste Marie, On -- 4, 7-10 -- 5, 16-07 -- 9, 24-01
63. Thomas M. Lavictoire -- West Rutland, Vt -- 5, 12-03 -- 5, 11-10 -- 10, 23-13
64. Ed Casey -- Whiteford, Md -- 5, 9-08 -- 5, 14-01 -- 10, 23-09
65. David Marion -- Cold Spring, Ny -- 5, 9-11 -- 5, 13-03 -- 10, 22-14
66. John Lorenzo -- Kane, Pa -- 5, 14-12 -- 5, 8-00 -- 10, 22-12
67. Phillip Colarusso Jr -- Ballston Spa, Ny -- 3, 6-05 -- 4, 16-06 -- 7, 22-11
68. Daniel Welch -- New Martinsville, Wv -- 5, 11-10 -- 5, 11-01 -- 10, 22-11
69. Billy Micciulla -- Staten Island, Ny -- 5, 10-06 -- 5, 12-03 -- 10, 22-09
70. Garry Woodruff -- Candia, Nh -- 5, 10-09 -- 5, 11-13 -- 10, 22-06
71. Troy Garrison -- Topsham, Me -- 5, 10-14 -- 5, 10-13 -- 10, 21-11
72. Will Jefferies -- Bountiful, Ut -- 4, 10-12 -- 5, 9-15 -- 9, 20-11
73. Joe Trinko -- Southern Pines, Nc -- 5, 9-04 -- 5, 11-04 -- 10, 20-08
74. George Lambeth -- Thomasville, Nc -- 5, 10-15 -- 5, 9-07 -- 10, 20-06
75. Joe Lucarelli -- Center Harbor, Nh -- 5, 10-00 -- 5, 10-06 -- 10, 20-06
76. Rex Johnsonbaugh -- Altoona, Pa -- 5, 9-15 -- 5, 10-04 -- 10, 20-03
77. Andrew Dick -- Wilmington, De -- 5, 10-08 -- 5, 9-05 -- 10, 19-13
78. Red Moore -- Graham, Nc -- 5, 18-02 -- 1, 1-07 -- 6, 19-09
79. Scott Cooke -- Marengo, Oh -- 4, 13-00 -- 2, 6-07 -- 6, 19-07
80. Sheron Brown -- Shirley, Ma -- 3, 8-07 -- 4, 11-00 -- 7, 19-07
81. William Johnson -- Purcellville, Va -- 3, 6-05 -- 5, 11-15 -- 8, 18-04
82. William Ambler -- Alderson, Wv -- 5, 10-08 -- 4, 7-09 -- 9, 18-01
83. Doug Iorio -- Kennerdell, Pa -- 5, 8-14 -- 5, 9-02 -- 10, 18-00
84. Paul Noechel -- Lost Creek, Wv -- 3, 5-09 -- 5, 12-06 -- 8, 17-15
85. Scott Nagy -- Saint-Lambert, Qc -- 3, 4-05 -- 5, 13-07 -- 8, 17-12
86. Kraig Kettelkamp -- Clifton Springs, Ny -- 3, 5-14 -- 5, 11-10 -- 8, 17-08
87. Mike Branham -- Alexandria, Va -- 4, 9-12 -- 4, 6-09 -- 8, 16-05
88. Steve Oleksyn -- Rochester, Ny -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 15-00 -- 5, 15-00
89. Robert Montgomery -- Connelsville, Pa -- 3, 4-05 -- 5, 10-10 -- 8, 14-15
90. Aaron Wessels -- Watervliet, Ny -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 14-10 -- 5, 14-10
91. Larry Evans -- Southpoint, Oh -- 5, 0-00 -- 5, 14-10 -- 10, 14-10
92. Kim Carver -- Milledgeville, Ga -- 5, 12-13 -- 2, 1-13 -- 7, 14-10
93. James (Jim) Wigal -- Washington, Pa -- 5, 11-09 -- 1, 2-00 -- 6, 13-09
94. Edward Ferrara -- Staten Island, Ny -- 3, 8-01 -- 2, 4-06 -- 5, 12-07
95. Brad Rightnour -- Mingoville, Pa -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 11-13 -- 5, 11-13
96. Paul Kimball -- Glastonbury, Ct -- 2, 2-09 -- 3, 8-05 -- 5, 10-14
97. Ron Grove -- Alexandria, Pa -- 2, 4-12 -- 3, 5-11 -- 5, 10-07
98. Keith Allen -- Colorado Springs, Co -- 1, 2-04 -- 5, 7-05 -- 6, 9-09
99. Burley Warf -- Moneta, Va -- 1, 2-02 -- 4, 7-03 -- 5, 9-05
100. William Mckelvey, Jr. -- Wellsville, Ny -- 1, 1-05 -- 3, 6-11 -- 4, 8-00
101. Art Vengels -- Bensalem, Pa -- 1, 1-09 -- 3, 5-07 -- 4, 7-00
102. Mike Comeau -- Winooski, Vt -- 1, 3-09 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 3-09
Curtis Richardson -- Belleville, On -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00 -- 0, 0-00
