Bass Fishing at Lake Takayama: Exploring Japan's Scenic Kyoto
Introduction
When most people think of Kyoto, they imagine traditional temples, picturesque streets, and ancient culture. However, Kyoto also boasts abundant natural beauty, including some of Japan’s top bass fishing spots. While Black Bass can be found all across Japan, except in Okinawa and Hokkaido, Kyoto is home to two prominent bass fishing lakes—Hiyoshi Lake and Takayama Lake. In this report, we’ll share our bass fishing adventure at Takayama Lake, located in the southern part of Kyoto.
Fishing Trip Report: September 22, 2024
On September 22, 2024, my team stuff and I took advantage of a day off to embark on a bass fishing trip to Takayama Lake. This lake is one of the most renowned bass fishing spots in the west-Japan region, often visited by professional anglers and fishing gear testers who are featured in various media outlets.
While many lakes and dams in Japan prohibit boat fishing, Takayama Lake allows it as long as only electric motor boats are used. We enjoyed our day on an 11-foot boat equipped solely with an electric motor, perfectly suited for navigating this serene fishing destination.
Key Bait and Techniques for Takayama Lake
The primary forage fish in Takayama Lake are Wakasagi (Japanese smelt) and Hasu (Opsariichthys uncirostris). Targeting bass feeding on Wakasagi, we found that topwater games using i-shape minnows were highly effective. Among the lures that worked best were:
- HMKL Jordan
- O.S.P. i-Waver
- Deps Wakasagi Bait
However, the real standout technique that day was targeting bass preying on Hasu using chatterbaits. This approach, while more aggressive, proved highly successful, yielding large, well-conditioned bass. Our go-to setup was the Imakatsu Mogura Moth Chatter 11g (3/8oz) paired with a Deps Sakamata Shad 5-inch trailer.
Seasonal Transition: Summer to Fall Fishing
In Japan, the transition from summer to autumn, which occurs from September to October, brings ideal water temperatures for Black Bass. Many Japanese anglers favor chatterbait fishing during this period, and this trip confirmed its effectiveness. Despite being just before the peak of the season, the potential of chatterbaits was clear, producing excellent results throughout the day.
Conclusion
Takayama Lake, with its allowance for electric motor boats and diverse fishing opportunities, remains a top destination for bass anglers in west-Japan. Our recent experience highlighted the effectiveness of a variety of techniques, particularly chatterbait fishing, as the season begins to change. We look forward to sharing more of our fishing adventures in upcoming editions of Fishing Report in Japan. Until then, tight lines and have happy fishing!
