Miyu Fukae Q&A

Get to know one of the most popular non-competitors on Tour

"Editor's note: "Backlash" runs on the last page in every issue of FLW Bass Fishing magazine. From the April 2017 issue, this Q&A focuses on Miyu Fukae, the wife of Shinichi Fukae and one of the most present faces off the water on the FLW Tour. To read more compelling articles from FLW Bass Fishing magazine each month, become an FLW subscriber member.)

What’s it like traveling with your husband, Shin, to every tournament? Is it hard or exhausting, or do you love it?

It is a fun journey, like riding a roller coaster every single day. To be honest, I would say it is not easy, and it is challenging sometimes. But I love what we do and our life.

Now, what’s the best part about being out on the road for the Tour?

That we get to travel so much and visit various lakes and towns. We meet new and old friends, as well as learn new things every day, everywhere we go.

While Shin is out fishing a tournament, what do you do during the day?

I go to restaurants for breakfast with other anglers’ wives and families. After that I do grocery shopping, laundry and check the schedule for the next few weeks. I also love taking a nap.

I hear you’re quite the angler. Have you ever thought of entering a tournament as a co-angler?

I love fishing and might fish as a co-angler if I can get a sponsor to let me do it. However, I basically think one “gambler” per household is good enough.

You caught an 8-pounder at Lake Biwa in Japan. Was that your biggest ever?

No. That was the biggest of the year, though, and my second biggest in my life. I was so excited since I haven’t caught one like that for a long time. My biggest is an 8 1/2-pounder at Lake Okeechobee several years ago.

When you and Shin go fishing, do you ever beat him?

I do sometimes, like the other day at Lake Biwa.

Please tell me you gave him a hard time for catching a fish like that.

Oh, yes, I did. I brag to him about it any time I beat him, since it doesn’t happen often.

Do you ever help Shin practice?

I used to do a lot more, but not so much in recent years. I still ride with him during practice, but I just sit back, relax and take pictures most of the time.

I always see you with your camera. How many pictures do you take during an average tournament?

I am not sure of exact numbers, but I probably take a couple of hundred per tournament. I will use them for social media, magazines or the website – just like the other cameramen do.

Did you enjoy fishing before you met Shin?

Yes. I have been bass fishing since a friend of mine taught me about 20 years ago, and that was before I met Shin.

How did you and Shin meet?

I used to work at a fishing tackle chain store in Japan, and I met Shin there. He was not only one of the customers, but the store also sponsored him.

Your Facebook profile says “Self-employed and loving it.” Your career must be pretty rewarding, huh?

Yes, I have a company managing anglers like Shin and consulting for companies in the fishing business. I am Shin’s wife, travelling with him and our dogs, but at the same time he is one of my business partners.

Any superstitions or good luck charms you give to Shin before or during a tournament?

I know Shin wears blue shorts on tournament days. So I will always give him a pair on his birthday and make sure he has enough of them cleaned before a tournament.