On April 14, I had the opportunity to fish at Lake Hibara, located in Fukushima Prefecture.

Having traveled across Japan for bass fishing, I can confidently say that Lake Hibara is the most beautiful lake I have ever visited. The clear water, surrounding mountains, and untouched atmosphere create a truly special environment. For anglers visiting Japan from overseas, this is a destination I strongly recommend.

Lake Hibara is well known as a prime fishery for Smallmouth Bass.
At the time of my visit, it was still early spring, with water temperatures around 5°C. While the lake becomes very busy during the high season, the cold conditions meant there were very few anglers on the water — it felt almost like a private lake.

The bass were in pre-spawn condition, which dictated our approach.

For fish holding deeper in the 4–6 meter range, I relied on a blade-type metal jig, commonly referred to in Japan as “Teppan.” 

This lure is extremely effective in cold water when targeting deeper Smallmouth Bass. I paired it with spinning tackle and braided line for maximum sensitivity and control.

Meanwhile, some fish had already moved into shallower zones around 2–3 meters. For these fish, I used a long-lip shad plug — a small baitfish-shaped lure designed to dive deeper than typical jerkbaits. 

Interestingly, in Japan, this “shad” style lure is significantly more popular than short-lip jerkbaits, especially in early-season conditions like this.

Throughout the day, I was able to catch several healthy Smallmouth Bass with full, pre-spawn bodies — a clear sign that the season is about to begin.

Japan offers a wide variety of unique bass fishing environments, but Lake Hibara stands out not only for its fishing quality, but also for its natural beauty. It is truly a place worth experiencing.

Teppan Lure
https://www.fishing-otsuka.co.jp/basscojp/en/index.php?m=k&cc=0008&kc=0003
Shad lure
https://www.fishing-otsuka.co.jp/basscojp/en/index.php?m=k&cc=0011&kc=0003