Omori Will be Missed at 2006 Classic

Somewhat lost in the excitement of the final five pros qualifying for the upcoming CITGO Bassmaster Classic through the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship was the elimination of a former Classic champion.

Takahiro Omori, the ‘04 Classic champ, arrived in Alabama at the Open Championship with two hopes of earning a Classic invitation: either making the top five or having an already Classic-bound angler double qualify, bumping Omori into bass fishing’s most major event. Unfortunately for the popular 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series pro, neither happened. Omori placed 14th in the Open Championship and the five top finishers had not already qualified for the world championship.

“I had the opportunities, but I didn’t do enough,” said Omori, who was born in Japan and now lives in Emory, Texas. Omori fished both the CITGO Bassmaster Tour and E-50s, but just missed the Classic cut in both series. “I made the Open Championship fishing just two tournaments. So I had all kinds of opportunities, but sometimes you can have too many. I know that sounds funny.

“I had my best year this year, but it just didn’t happen,” said Omori, who won a CITGO Bassmaster Open event this year.

The 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic will be held Feb. 24-26 on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla. Omori won a Bassmaster Tour tournament there with 50 pounds, 11 ounces in January.

 

From BASS