Takumi Ito wins 2024 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite at Smith Lake

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After four long days in the Alabama heat, Chiba, Japan’s Takumi Ito took down the competition at the 2024 TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Elite stop at Smith Lake in Cullman, Ala. with a whopping four-day total of 20 bass coming in at 58 pounds.

Stopping by the CBS 42 studio early Monday morning, Ito spoke with our Andrea Lindenberg about his $100,000 win, which is his second elite title.

“I love fishing in the U.S.,” said Ito. “My dream was to win a U.S. tournament; this is very exciting.”

Going on to share that Smith Lake is his favorite lake to fish in the United States, Ito said that its clarity, depth and relatively small size reminds him of lakes he fishes in Japan, reminding him of home. Ito went on to reiterate that winning a U.S. elite competition at his favorite lake is a major accomplishment for him.

Finishing the competition in second was Robert Gee with a total of 53 lbs. – 15 oz., Jay Przekurat finished third with a total of 53 lbs.- 14 oz. and in fourth was Cory Johnston with a total of 53 lbs. – 1 oz.

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