Had a chance to have a candid conversation with the founder of Yamamoto baits. Let me know your thoughts!

 

 

 

 

 

                                                            

Pretty cool. Thanks! 

Glenn that was a great interview with Gary. You are correct you're not catching as many as you can if you are not using Senkos ?

Great history lesson behind the man & his product. 

Pretty cool story. I learned a lot about his historic company. Thanks for putting this together, Glenn.

What's with the feather-duster? ?

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

What's with the feather-duster? ?

That's a fashion accessory. 

Well done, Glenn.  Thank you.

That history goes nicely with the factory tour video that's out there.

found it:

 

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

What's with the feather-duster?

That's for cutting out wind noise.  I had just been outside interviewing somebody, when I was literally pulled indoors for this unexpected interview.  I went in completely unprepared!  But growing up on the West coast certainly helped me pull a few questions out of my hat!

 

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

What's with the feather-duster? ?

   Sibilance filter.   jj

Really proud to represent them for as long as I have.  Great Company, Great Baits.  

I know what it's for, just teasing Glenn.

Very cool video, thanks. 

Interesting interview and even more interesting that Gary seems a little perturbed about those managing the company that feel the need to keep inventing and pushing new products.

5 hours ago, Koz said:

Interesting interview and even more interesting that Gary seems a little perturbed about those managing the company that feel the need to keep inventing and pushing new products.

   Yeah. Makes me like and respect the guy even more. Too many people today think they're leading when they're actually following.    jj

The man....

 

The men!  

Good interview. Gary Yamamoto isn't someone who likes the spotlight and you were able to get him to share some of his history. 

Gary fished against western pro's on the Colorado River lakes mostly, anglers like Mike Folkstead, Larry Hopper, Don Iovino etc, etc, that all started using Yamamoto soft plastics after he bought Twin T's and started his business. It was Bobby Garrland who started (Hula Grub) with his twin tail grub and spider skirt, it's his Gitzit tube we remember. Yamamoto improved the spider jig as he memtioned making it 1 piece.

The interview must have preceded Gary Yamamoto being inducted into Fishing Hall Fame. 

Tom

 

Interesting to hear Gary say he invented the senko as a sluggo replacement, fishing it like a jerkbait. That's how I fish it 95% of the time. Throw it out, let it wiggle down as the wake settles, twitch it a few times like you would a fluke, let it wiggle down, twitch, twitch. It's definitely a confidence bait for me for river smallies!

Enjoyed the interview, appears to be a humble man, thanks for sharing.

I told him I love using his Senko and Swimsenkos. He suggested another technique to use the swimsenko. 

 

He he told me instead of only using it as a swimbait to try using it flipping. 

Just to highlight what a smart business man he is, he didn't patent (or he let the patent expire) the Senko and spend a lot of time and $$ chasing knockoffs, and let's be honest, there are Thousands of knockoffs, he has let his design and formula stand on it's own.  And it has.   

I was surprised Gary did not mention the Kut-Tail. I thought that was the most popular

GYCB product in Japan.  No mention of the Fat Ika either.

 

Judging by what retail stores stock, the baits he mentioned usually what you find the most of.  Especially Senkos.  Even in the most dismal DSG fishing department, there's at least 30 flavors.

15 hours ago, heavyduty said:

Interesting to hear Gary say he invented the senko as a sluggo replacement, fishing it like a jerkbait. That's how I fish it 95% of the time. Throw it out, let it wiggle down as the wake settles, twitch it a few times like you would a fluke, let it wiggle down, twitch, twitch. It's definitely a confidence bait for me for river smallies!

Enjoyed the interview, appears to be a humble man, thanks for sharing.

That's the way I do it too. I let it sink and then give it a few good jerks. The erratic darting produces more strikes than the lift and fall method.

Gary Yammamoto, angler first, business man distant 2nd. Awesome video Glenn, thanks for sharing.