April 6, 2002 Lake
Folsom, Ca
Marshall
and Henson Win Folsom Lake in California
by Terry Davis
I could see the stars as I peered
out my bedroom window. "It's gonna be a great
day!" I thought to myself, "That is as long
as the wind don't start howling!" I got up, trying
not to shake the bed too much to wake my wife, wishing
that I'd had that extra hour of sleep. Whose bright
idea was this daylight savings time anyway! Good thing
I had the truck already loaded up and ready to go!
Couldn't wait to get to IHOP for a cup of coffee!
The parking lot at IHOP, International
House of Pancakes, was busy with fishermen when my
nephew and I arrived. Excitement was in the air, along
with a few pre-fishing tales as well. IHOP opened
promptly at 4:30. Even though the staff was running
on an hour less sleep, they all were cheerful and
happy to see us. AAAHHH finally there was my very
own pot of coffee awaiting me. A quick gulp and we
were ready for sign-ins. There were bags of RoboWorm
products on hand for the fishermen that signed up,
courtesy of Mike Brakebill and RoboWorm. Thanks to
Mike and RoboWorm for their support. The sounds of
clinking silverware and good conversation were a great
beginning for our 5th event in the California Foothills
Division. I would like to thank the IHOP staff and
management for the early opening and the complimentary
coffee. We'll be back next year for sure!
Daylight was just breaking when we
left the IHOP parking lot. Folsom Point was just a
short drive away, about 5 miles. As we came up over
the hill and down to the ramp, the sight was awesome.
Bass boats with their navigation lights on floating
there in the small Folsom Point cove, a slight mist
rose off the water as the sun began to peak up over
the Sierra Nevada mountains casting a golden glow
over the scene. A postcard picture for sure! Official
time was 6:36 as we started the blast-off. We'd see
these fishermen back in the afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
with full livewells and BIG FISH!
I thought about having a shoreline
weigh-in. As we neared the weigh-in time the ramp
got busier. So I decided to do the drive by weigh-in
then have the guys re-launch to send their fish back
to the waters of Folsom Lake. Rod Luman and Loyd Baumann
were the first to weigh-in. Seems as though Rods'
Evinrude gave up as they raced across the lake at
blast off. They fished their way back to the ramp
on the trolling motor AND weighed-in a limit to boot!
Speaking of limits, that was the rule of the day.
Everyone that weigh-in on time brought a limit to
the scales. There was one team that forgot to "Spring
Forward" their wristwatch and showed up for the
weigh-in an hour late. But they also had a limit for
about 11 pounds!
Once all was tallied and the checks
were written. Randy Marshall and Preston Henson, with
a 23.90 five fish limit anchored by a 9.14 largemouth,
had bested them all. They received $1075.00 for 1st
place, $230.00 Big Fish, a Kistler Custom Rod and
Sacramento Pro Tackle sponsored plaques. With that
9.14 largemouth, Randy takes the lead for the Line-X
of Sacramento Big Bass of the Award. Randy thanks
his sponsors RoboWorm, G. Loomis, Hobie sunglasses
and especially his wife and 4 month old daughter.
Preston gave kudos and thanks to Galaxie Marine and
Russ at the Fishin' Depot. Five pounds behind these
guys were Dean McDaniel and Kevin Davis with a 17.47
limit that included 3rd Big Bass of the event, a 6.89
lunker. Second place netted them $535.00 and Sacramento
Pro Tackle sponsored plaques. They were awarded a
team set of the EZ-Cul-RZ floating rope system for
3rd Big Bass. On their heels were Dean Babcock and
Bob Gamble with a 17.12 limit and 2nd Big Bass an
8.14 largemouth! Third place earned them $360.00 and
Sacramento Pro Tackle sponsored plaques. Dean was
awarded a Tactical Assault Revolver Rod for 2nd Big
Bass of the event. $330.00 and Sacramento Pro Tackle
sponsored plaques went to 4th place finishers Gary
Wyckoff and Jeff Bitker, who are the 2001 Anglers
of the Year, for their 14.80 limit. One spot out of
the money and a hundred dollar bill was nailed down
by Ryan Ollenberger and Fil Torres who weighed in
a 13.88 limit. Cliff King and Eric Parra received
a tackle pack grab bag and $25.00 gift certificates
courtesy of Dave Yates and Just Fishin' Boats. And
for the team that weighed in late, they each received
a jar of Craw-Cane powdered fish attractant. I knew
the day was going to be a good day!
A total of a 120 fish, 73 spotted
bass, 16 smallmouth and 31 largemouth, were brought
to the scales. Total weight was 297.32 pounds making
the average fish weighing 2.48 pounds. All fish were
released ALIVE. Once again Folsom Lake produces awesome
results!
Thanks to all of our sponsors both
national and reigonal, BassCat, Mercury, Motorguide,
Interstate Batteries, TH Marine, Berkeley, Kistler
Custom Rods, Tactical Assault Revolver Rods, RoboWorm,
Ez-Cul-RZ, Craw-Cane, Line-X of Sacramento, Sacramento
Pro Tackle, Just Fishin' Boats and Office Depot. These
sponsors help to make our tournaments enjoyable and
fun!
Our next event is at Lake Oroville
out of Limesaddle Marina on Sunday May 5th! Should
be both great weather and fishing! See ya there!
