Photo: BassFan Takahiro Omori is stoked to fish Top Gun ・he thinks it fields the best anglers in the world, and he wants to be the best in the world.

Week 32 ・Takahiro Omori
Omori Gunning
For The Top 8/8/2005

Takahiro Omori had a disappointing Bassmaster Classic finish (35th place), but is busy readying himself for the Cabela's Top Gun Championship at Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. Official practice begins Wednesday.

"I drove back home from the Classic, and I started working on my tackle for Top Gun," he said. "It's so very different of a fishery. Now I can forget about the small baits and light line. I'm going for the big rods now, for big crankbaits."

He noted that's a welcome change from the Pittsburgh fishery. "Everybody likes bigger baits for big fish better."

Never Eyed Eagle

Eagle Mountain Lake is near Ft. Worth, Texas. But Omori, who lives in Texas, has never seen the lake before.

"I've never fished it. I've never seen the lake before."

That means he has to pack a lot of tackle, since he doesn't know what to expect. He was tight-lipped, as usual, about the baits he wants to throw, but did note he's been testing some baits in the pool.

"Yes, I have been testing baits, but I will not tell you which ones (laughs). I'm testing a good one for Lucky Craft ・the new Lucky Craft BDS 2 and 2.5. Those may work this time of the year, for the fish suspended on structure."

He recently fished Lake Fork, but doesn't expect Eagle Mountain be give up weights like he caught. "I don't know yet what (Eagle Mountain) is like. I fished Lake Fork for the Classic Patterns TV show, and I caught five fish for 28 pounds with the (BDS) 2.5.

"I was fishing milfoil, but will the BDS 2 work at Top Gun? I don't know yet. I just got those. But I'm really excited about going to fish the lake. Those techniques might work."

Wants To Win

Omori is fiercely competitive, and he's stoked for a chance to win Top Gun. "Everybody wants to win it," he said. "Even though Kevin (VanDam) and Aaron (Martens) and Davy Hite (aren't fishing it), Top Gun is still the best fishermen in the world right now. I'm really excited about going against the best fishermen in world.

"I want to be the best in the world. I'm excited."

Tog Gun allows competitors 2 days to practice, and he said that's to his liking. "I like (a) short practice. I fished both tours this year, with not much practice, but still did good, so I'm excited. Plus, I heard the lake is not big, so 2 days of practice should be enough.

"The ranking system ・we never had it before (2001)," he added. "This is the best way. I don't care how good you did 20 years ago, or how big a name you are. Ranking is the truest. It's very important to me. Top Gun is going to be big-time (important) for me."