BASSMASTER Jim Sexton
With Takahiro Omori winning the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge, the question should be asked: Does Omori own Elite events held in the state of Alabama?
The Japanese angler who now lives in Emory, Texas, has won the last two Elite Series tournaments in Alabama. His previous win was in 2016 at Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala. Omori won that one by 4 pounds, 3 ounces over Dave Lefebre. At Lake Martin he topped second place Roy Hawk by 7 pounds. Martin is his seventh Bassmaster win, but only his second Elite victory.
Oh and by the way, Omori won a 2001 FLW Tour tournament on Lake Martin.
Don’t be surprised if you hear Omori saying Roll Tide or War Eagle (cheers for the University of Alabama and Auburn University). “I love Alabama so much now,” he said from the Bassmaster stage. “I might have to move to Alabama,” he said smiling broadly.
What is it about Alabama that works so well for Omori? Is it barbecue and sweet tea? The fisheries he’s won on here are quite different. Wheeler Lake is a huge Tennessee River impoundment, which typically has current. It has largemouth and smallmouth bass. Lake Martin is an impoundment of the much smaller Tallapoosa River which typically has less current. It has largemouth and spotted bass.
