Lake Havasu Day 1

You could have watched Takahiro Omori fish from the shoreline at the launch site at Lake Havasu State Park. Photo by James Overstreet

Day 1: Omori has a limit

Though Takahiro Omori's catches are not appearing on BASSTrakk, Kentaro Amagai reports Omori has a limit estimated at 13 to 14 pounds. Photo by Bassmaster Photographer — Though Takahiro Omori’s catches are not appearing on BASSTrakk, Kentaro Amagai reports Omori has a limit estimated at 13 to 14 pounds. Photo by Bassmaster Photographer

Carp everywhere, but no bass

10:58 am EDT, May 7, 2015 | By Bryan Brasher

Though we’ve had more than a dozen anglers crowded around us in this small area near the launch, we haven’t seen a single fish caught.

There have, however, been plenty of carp sightings. They’re breaking water all over the place, and they are absolutely full-grown.

David Walker, Skeet Reese, Takahiro Omori, Justin Lucas and Cliff Pirch are just a few of the anglers who’ve tried this area.

Day 1 Weigh In:

Takahiro Omori (33rd, 15-4). Photo by Bassmaster Photographer

Day 2: Takahiro with a 3-pound smallmouth

tak_0 — Photos by Bassmaster Photographer

Omori with four in livewell

I found Takahiro Omori not far from takeoff. He confirmed that he has four fish in his livewell, including a 6-pounder. Photo by Seigo Saito

Omori lands a game-changer

Takahiro Omori was already having a good morning with three keepers in the boat weighing about 8 1/2 pounds. It just got great. Omori landed a 6 1/2-pounder at 8:20 that gives him 15 pounds for the day and the lead in the tournament. Photo by Steve Wright

Pirch back in the crowd

11:09 am EDT, May 9, 2015 | By Rob Russow

A short run for Pirch brought us back near the launch site. Many anglers are in this area including Takahiro Omori and John Murray. They all seem to be dialed in to these same groups of fish with varying degrees of success. As we watch, not much fish catching is happening.

Pirch decides to make a run again and now is even closer to the take-off area, where we watched several anglers fishing first thing this morning.

Day 2 Weigh In:

Takahiro Omori (16th, 30-12). Photo by James Overstreet

Havasu Day 3 kicks off

So does Takahiro Omori. Day 3 has begun. Photo by Chris Mitchell

Omori is on a roll

As we were watching Pirch, Omori rolled back into the area as did several other anglers. After fishing patiently for five or ten minutes, Omori hooked up with what appeared to be a pretty sizable bass. He battled it to the front of the boat, where it boiled the surface and then back toward the cockpit area. On light line, you try to steer the bass, but ultimately, it takes the lead. After a short battle, Omori got his hands on the fish and pulled it into the boat. From here, it looked like a good one, and could have been pushing four pounds. He sat down for some time to cull and edges a little closer to Pirch. Omori's Marshal is having a heck of a tournament - you can't miss his spiky hair sticking up through his hats in the photo galleries. He was out with Chris Lane yesterday when he had a great day and now he gets to witness Omori's strong charge. Maybe it's a good luck charm, that hair. Photo courtesy of Doomie. — As we were watching Pirch, Omori rolled back into the area as did several other anglers. After fishing patiently for five or ten minutes, Omori hooked up with what appeared to be a pretty sizable bass. He battled it to the front of the boat, where it boiled the surface and then back toward the cockpit area. On light line, you try to steer the bass, but ultimately, it takes the lead. After a short battle, Omori got his hands on the fish and pulled it into the boat. From here, it looked like a good one, and could have been pushing four pounds. He sat down for some time to cull and edges a little closer to Pirch. Omori’s Marshal is having a heck of a tournament – you can’t miss his spiky hair sticking up through his hats in the photo galleries. He was out with Chris Lane yesterday when he had a great day and now he gets to witness Omori’s strong charge. Maybe it’s a good luck charm, that hair. Photo courtesy of Doomie.

It’s moving day on the leaderboard

3:58 pm EDT, May 9, 2015 | By Steve Wright

If you look at the top 10 anglers on BASSTrakk right now, you’ll notice a bunch of new names. Clifford Pirch was leading at the end of Day 2 and he’s still on top, and Day 1 leader Edwin Evers is close behind. But Takahiro Omori started the day in 16th place, Casey Ashley was 25th, Justin Lucas was 26th, James Niggemeyer was 30th and Chad Morgenthaler was in 41st place. All are in the top 10 now.

And that’s not the biggest move of all. Jonathon VanDam is threatening to make the Top 12 from being the last man in the two-day cut – 52nd place.

However, just like in the previous two days, the fish-catches are coming in furiously, so anything could happen in the final two hours today.

Day 4 begins

Takahiro Omori has found a pattern that could get him a win here. Photo by James Overstreet

So is Takahiro. Photo by James Overstreet

Omori gets his rods stowed. It's close to time to go. Photo by James Overstreet — Omori gets his rods stowed. It’s close to time to go. Photo by James Overstreet

First a greeting among competitors. Gary Klein congratulates Tak on a Day 4. Photo by James Overstreet

High above Havasu

So is Takahiro Omori, being watched by photographer Seigo Saito. Photo by Shaye Baker

Takahiro up the river now

3:35 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Steve Wright

Takahiro Omori got tired of no bass and plenty of B.S. near the takeoff area and ran up the river, losing us in the process. But we’re on him now, and just saw him catch his third fish of the day – a solid 3-pounder. That gives him about 8 1/2 pounds. Tak is flipping the tules with a heavy jig.

“This is better than drop-shotting,” he said. “Drop shot sucks (today).”

Takahiro rolls out

Underwater shot from GoPro of Tak moving spots. Photo by Shaye Baker

Takahiro in a popular spot

1:47 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Steve Wright

Takahiro Omori, still with only one fish in the boat, has made another short move south. Here right in the middle of three other finalists – Gary Klein is within sight to the north, Jonathon VanDam is just south of Omori and Brandon Palaniuk is just south of VanDam. All are within sight of us. VanDam just missed what appeared to be a pretty good one.

Omori looking for his first bite

Takahiro just moved about 1/2 mile. Photo by Seigo Saito

Real close at the finish line

6:08 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Ronnie Moore

Aaron Martens, Cliff Pirch, Takahiro Omori and Edwin Evers are all within about a pound of each other. This is going to be such a tight finish and a couple people are going to get their feelings upset. With Edwin Evers having probably more than he thinks (15 1/2 pound region) and Takahiro culling up about a pound just moments ago, all four are going to be neck and neck.

Omori culls up

5:56 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Steve Wright

Takahiro Omori has moved out of the jungle, back down the lake to the area near the weigh-in where he has fished all week. There were some big fish caught late here yesterday. Omori needs one of those to have a chance to contend, like a 5- or 6-pounder.

Takahiro Omori culled up maybe a pound just now with a smallmouth bass that fought harder than its size. It appears Tak is headed in.

Omori has 4 now

Takahiro Omori just dragged bass number four in the boat from deep in the tules. It was a 3-pounder. That gives him about 11 1/2 pounds. He's pitching a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and punching any kind of shaded mats he can find. — Takahiro Omori just dragged bass number four in the boat from deep in the tules. It was a 3-pounder. That gives him about 11 1/2 pounds. He’s pitching a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver and punching any kind of shaded mats he can find. Photo by Steve Wright

Omori continues to struggle – with bass, boats

2:27 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Steve Wright

Takahiro Omori has made a couple of short moves north, to the place where we found him earlier this morning and where he’s caught most of his fish this week. But the bass are dodging Omori and he’s dodging boats.

At his last stop, just north of the London Bridge canal, a cigarette boat went between us and Omori, but behind where he was fishing. Then a jet ski went in front of him, right where he was casting. He’s been mostly throwing a swim jig this morning, but drop shotting some as well.

Pirch back on his hot spot

1:55 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Bryan Brasher

After a brief stop at a spot a little further downriver, Cliff Pirch has returned to the place where he caught four in a quick flurry a little while ago.

He returned to find Jonothan VanDam, Takahiro Omori, Brandon Palaniuk and several spectator boats fishing nearby.

Omori grinding away

1:06 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Shaye Baker

On the water now with Takahiro Omori who is grinding away in the area near the ramp. This area has been a parking lot of boats the last few days. Tak has one keeper, but he’s sticking with it. Clifford Pirch has fished here all week as well. But Pirch has bailed on this area and is now catching them.

Omori on the move again

11:11 am EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Bryan Brasher

We just saw Takahiro Omori go by for at least the third time this morning. I don’t know if that means he’s getting antsy or if he had planned on running and gunning coming into the day.

Omori moving up

11:38 am EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Ronnie Moore

Takahiro Omori started Championship Sunday in 2nd place and he just boated his first keeper of the morning. It was about a 2 to 2 1/2 pounder according to Tak. It moves him unofficially into fourth right now.

Pirch, Omori fishing nose to nose

How close are Cliff Pirch and Takahiro Omori fishing to one another? Check out the photo. They're right on top of one another. We've heard words exchanged, but we haven't been able to tell if it was "Good morning" or something a little less friendly. Photo by Bryan Brasher — How close are Cliff Pirch and Takahiro Omori fishing to one another? Check out the photo. They’re right on top of one another. We’ve heard words exchanged, but we haven’t been able to tell if it was “Good morning” or something a little less friendly. Photo by Bryan Brasher

Day 3 weigh-in

Takahiro Omori (2nd, 50-12). Photo by James Overstreet

Tak’s final day on Havasu – 80 Photos by Shaye Baker

Omori working near the docks

Omori started final day near the take off area where he has spent a majority of last three days. He is looking to bring in another bag like yesterday. Photo by Seigo Saito

Unofficial top 12

1:51 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Ronnie Moore

As of 10:45 MT on Lake Havasu, here is the break down of theTop 12 anglers according to BASSTrakk:

1st: Cliff Pirch
2nd: Aaron Martens — 2-8 behind
3rd: David Williams — 4-4 behind
4th: Edwin Evers — 5-8 behind
5th: Justin Lucas — 5-13 behind
6th: Casey Ashley — 6-5 behind
7th: Jonathon VanDam — 7-11 behind
8th: Dean Rojas — 9-9 behind
9th: Brandon Palaniuk — 11-1 behind
10th: Takahiro Omori — 11-2 behind
11th: Gary Klein — 12-2 behind
12th: John Murray — 16-8 behind

Omori on the move, dodging boats

1:19 pm EDT, May 10, 2015 | By Steve Wright

Takakiro Omori is the latest angler to bail on the area near the takeoff that has produced so many fish this week. Omori didn’t go far, but has moved further to the south than anyone has seen him in the last two days.

Not long after Omori shut it down, Shaye Baker, boat driver Steve Lund and I were in photo position, about 35 yards away, when a pleasure boat never came off plane in going between us. This isn’t a big lake, but it’s bigger than to do that crap. However, Omori seemed unfazed.

Tak just made another short move south.

Hauling in Havasu Bass

Takahiro Omori was another big-name competitor who made a run on Championship Sunday. Photo by Shaye Baker

Tak adds another.Photo by Shaye Baker — Tak adds another. Photo by Shaye Baker

This smallmouth heads to the livewell. Photo by Shaye Baker

Day 4 Weigh-In

Takahiro Omori, another former Classic champ in the Top 12, arrives on stage. Photo by James Overstreet

Aaron Martens gives Tak the look. Photo by James Overstreet

Omori weighed 13-13 to take fourth. Photo by James Overstreet

BASSMASTER Elite at Lake Havasu