PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – August 22, 2023 – Yamaha/Skeeter Boats angler Kyoya Fujita caught a winning bass total of 86 pounds, 12 ounces to capture his first blue trophy and the $100,000 grand prize at the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain.
“This feels great!” Fujita said the Japanese angler. “My dream has been to win an Elite Series tournament. My dream came true.”
After placing 10th on Day 1 with 21 pounds, 5 ounces, the Elite rookie added 23 pounds, 14 ounces and took over the Day 2 lead. Fujita held onto the top spot with a Semifinal Sunday limit of 22 pounds, 9 ounces. He closed the deal with his Championship Monday bag that weighed 19 pounds. The win marks his fourth Top 10 for the 2023 Elite season.
A multiple-event winner and four-time Angler of the Year on the Japanese professional bass scene, Fujita edged Yamaha Pro Justin Atkins by 1 pound, 6 ounces.
The week brought a diverse meteorological mix, which included a storm system that postponed Day 2 from Friday to Saturday. Days 1 and 3 brought mostly sunny conditions, while the even number days saw dimmer, cloudy skies. Wind was a constant challenge. Fujita spent his entire event in the Inland Sea where he targeted smallmouth bass that were following schools of baitfish.
Finishing second with 85 pounds, 6 ounces, Atkins kept himself near the top all week. He placed fourth on Day 1 with 22 pounds, 6 ounces, then slipped to sixth after weighing 21 pounds, 6 ounces. Atkins' Day 3 bag of 21 pounds, 3 ounces lifted him to third. His final-round limit weighed 20 pounds, 7 ounces.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
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“This feels great!” Fujita said the Japanese angler. “My dream has been to win an Elite Series tournament. My dream came true.”
After placing 10th on Day 1 with 21 pounds, 5 ounces, the Elite rookie added 23 pounds, 14 ounces and took over the Day 2 lead. Fujita held onto the top spot with a Semifinal Sunday limit of 22 pounds, 9 ounces. He closed the deal with his Championship Monday bag that weighed 19 pounds. The win marks his fourth Top 10 for the 2023 Elite season.
A multiple-event winner and four-time Angler of the Year on the Japanese professional bass scene, Fujita edged Yamaha Pro Justin Atkins by 1 pound, 6 ounces.
The week brought a diverse meteorological mix, which included a storm system that postponed Day 2 from Friday to Saturday. Days 1 and 3 brought mostly sunny conditions, while the even number days saw dimmer, cloudy skies. Wind was a constant challenge. Fujita spent his entire event in the Inland Sea where he targeted smallmouth bass that were following schools of baitfish.
Finishing second with 85 pounds, 6 ounces, Atkins kept himself near the top all week. He placed fourth on Day 1 with 22 pounds, 6 ounces, then slipped to sixth after weighing 21 pounds, 6 ounces. Atkins' Day 3 bag of 21 pounds, 3 ounces lifted him to third. His final-round limit weighed 20 pounds, 7 ounces.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the United States and around the world. Yamaha Marine Engine Systems, based in Kennesaw, Ga., supports its 2,000 U.S. dealers and boat builders with marketing, training and parts for Yamaha’s full line of products and strives to be the industry leader in reliability, technology and customer service. Yamaha Marine is the only outboard brand to have earned NMMA®’s C.S.I. Customer Satisfaction Index award every year since its inception. Visit www.yamahaoutboards.com.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear.
© 2023 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
This document contains many of Yamaha's valuable trademarks. It may also contain trademarks belonging to other companies. Any references to other companies or their products are for identification purposes only and are not intended to be an endorsement.
Back to Blue Life
