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Interview with Canada’s Fishing Pro: Bob Izumi

Interview with Canada’s Fishing Pro: Bob Izumi

If you asked me what person inspired my love for fishing, I would answer with two names. The first was my father and the second was Bob Izumi.  I would watch, faithfully, Izumi’s Real Fishing Show every Saturday morning and imitate his ‘one-liners’ while fishing from my old aluminum fishing boat.

It was very exciting for me to exchange emails with Bob, and ask him some interview questions. I appreciate the time Mr. Izumi took to respond.

Bob Izumi Host of Real Fishing Show

1. Can you describe how you developed your love for fishing. What was the catalyst that started it all for you?

My father raised myself, brother and two sisters as a single parent in southwestern Ontario in a farming community of Blenheim. To forget his worries he used to take us as well as the neighbourhood kids fishing. All of us used to enter the Rondeau Rod and Gun kid’s fishing derby and Dad would help/coach us all into catching lots of fish. As a result we used to clean up on the prizes every year we entered. So you can say I got the bug at a very early age. He also started the first organized professional style bass tournament in Canada when I was 15 in 1973. It was a draw for partner tournament. There is no question that it was a turning point for me to want to do more competitive fishing from that period on.

2. What do you believe to be the keys to your success as a TV show host and tournament angler?

The funny thing is I grew up watching fishing shows. Red Fisher at first then Roland Martin, Bill Dance and Al Lindner. Never once do I remember saying to myself that, hey that’s what I wanted to do for a living! I really wanted to be a tournament angler. But after doing tournaments, seminars and promotional work full-time in the fishing business for 3 years and barely making enough money to put food on the table I knew I had to do something else in addition to what I was already doing to fund my tournament addiction. That’s when I decided that a fishing tv show may be worth trying. Tournament fishing is definitely what keeps my enthusiasm peaking. To be honest I just love being on the water!

3. What has been a highlight for you in the 2010 fishing season?

In August my son Darren and I won the Renegade bass tournament in Cornwall with the largest 5 fish limit weighed in to date in one of their series. We weighed 24.76 pounds for our five heaviest including a smallmouth that was big fish of the tournament that went 6.13. This was the 2nd tournament Darren and I have won together. As a parent it’s hard to describe how awesome it felt! It also has given me tournament wins here in Canada in each and every decade since the late 70′s.

4. How do you feel is the best way to excite Canadians about fishing in the years to come?

We live in the most diverse fishery in the world! The opportunities are endless even though many Canadians take it for granted. I have been fortunate enough to travel around the world sampling some pretty amazing places yet still would choose right here at home as my number 1 choice as having the most options in terms of species and waters to explore! And the overall fishing is as good as it’s ever been right now!

5. Without giving away some tournament secret, what lure/rig is the first you tie on in new bass waters and why?

That’s the hardest question you’ve asked…..since I have a number of baits I like to have with me I’m on the water. Every place we visit has different types of cover, water colour, etc. so I’ll fish the moment as opposed to the magic bait. I look at lures as tools for different jobs. I will say that Berkley’s Gulp has been the hottest bait for catching smallmouth in deep water the last few years. It has been my number one go bait for drop shotting!

6. Has there been an epic battle with a particular fish that stands out in your mind?

Some saltwater fish have been memorable. More of a brute strength type fight that can be almost be like work getting them to the boat! Big tuna, marlin, rooster fish, and many others are hard fighters. However I really enjoy horsing big largemouth out of heavy cover with either my Shimano Crucial or G Loomis flipping stick. It’s an adrenaline rush that I’ll never get tired of!

Thanks for your responses, Bob. I still have an old baseball cap you signed for me back in the 80′s. Your love for fishing inspired a younger generation to experience it first hand.

Posted in Bass Fishing, Featured, Fishing, Fishing Stories, Pike Fishing, Walleye Fishing1 Comment

WFN’s new show: Reel Fishy Jobs

WFN’s new show: Reel Fishy Jobs

Posted in Bass Fishing, Featured Videos, Fishing, Fishing Stories, Fishing Videos, WFNComments Off

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2010 Berkley B1 Canadian Open Bass Winners

It was Jacques Chopin of Île Perrot and his nephew, Stephane Chopin of St. Lazare, who won Canada’s Berkley B1 Open Bass Tournament with a total combined bass weight of 42.45lbs.

The angling duo also landed the biggest bass of the tournament – a 6.43lb bass!

Jacques and Stephane shared the water with tournament fishing’s heavy weights like Bob and Wayne Izumi, Angelo Viola, Pete Bowman and Mike Miller.

The anglers won over $60,00 in cash and prizes including a pair of 2011 Evinrude 250 HO outboard motors.

Posted in Bass Fishing, Canada Fishing News, Fishing Tournaments, North American Fishing NewsComments Off

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Photo: Deepwater Smallmouth Bass

While downrigging for trout in a northern Ontario lake this summer, Ian hooked into this 19.5 inch smallmouth bass. Caught at 35 feet, the spoon-fooled bass gave Ian a pleasant surprise and photo-op.

Ian's 19.5 inch Smallmouth Bass

Thanks for your photo, Ian!

Posted in Bass Fishing, Big Fish, Fish Pictures, Fishing, Ontario FishingComments Off

Photo: Ian’s big smallmouth

Photo: Ian’s big smallmouth

The only thing better than catching a nice smallmouth bass – is releasing a big smallmouth bass. That is just what Ian shared with us in the Muskoka Outdoors Forums.

Here is the fish that Ian caught in Baysville this past July. His notes are after the first photo:

Smallmouth Bass Photo

Ian's 3.3 lb Smallmouth Bass

“Decided to go fishing for an hour after dinner at the dam, about 2 min walk from my house.  Was going more to practice with my baitcaster, did  not think I would get much.  Rain held off for the hour temp are dropping.  Was 30 ish all week today around 21.  Put on a Bandit 100 series crankbait in perch, 10 or so casts later nice fish on…Weighed in a 3lb 3 oz on my new digital scale.  Not a monster but after a hard month I was very pleased

This fish was caught in about 1 foot of water right beside the rapids, exact same spot I caught my PB 6lb smallie in early July.”

Thanks for the photo Ian!

Posted in Bass Fishing, Big Fish, Featured, Fish Pictures, Fishing, Muskoka Outdoors, Ontario Fishing3 Comments

Fishing Frog Tips: WFN Vid

Fishing Frog Tips: WFN Vid

Posted in Bass Fishing, Featured Videos, Fishing Gear, Fishing Tips, Fishing VideosComments Off

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