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Clear skies and a slight ripple on
the surface of Clear Lake greeted the 36 teams. We
registered there at Red Bud Park and were ready to
launch at 06:17. At registration the anglers received
products from Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Magic Worm
and RoboWorm. The anglers didn't leave registration
empty-handed.
The team of John Maes and Russ Graves
were drawn to be the first team out. Teams 6 thru
23 would weigh-in at 3:00 p.m. and teams 24 thru 5
would weigh-in at 3:15 p.m. Once all were launched
we headed out as well. Actually we should have stayed
and went to breakfast. The bass eluded us all day.
Was fishing to be as bad for the competitors as it
was for us? Someone was bound to find the key to unlock
the secrets of Clear Lake.
Chris Martin and Joe Bitker found
the right key. The limit they weighed in went 25.35
with a 7.85 kicker largemouth. First place was good
for $1350, $100 in option money and 84 Lumber plaques.
That 7.85 kicker was Big Bass of the event. Joe Bitker
received $350.00, an 84 Lumber Big Bass plaque and
a custom hand crafted Tactical Assault Revolver Rod.
Joe said that they enticed all of their fish with
swimbaits. Second went to Joe's brother Jeff Bitker
and his partner Gary Wyckoff. The five fish they brought
to the scales weighed 22.97 with a 6.37 kicker. Second
place was good for $670, $100 in option money and
84 Lumber plaques. The 6.37 kicker was also 2nd Big
Bass and Jeff got a team set of EZ-Cul-RZ's, an 84
Lumber cap, a jar of Craw-Cane and a Magic Worm assortment
pack. John Brossard and Stuart Minugh had 3rd place
in the bag with a 21.35 limit. They received $565,
$100 in option money and 84 Lumber plaques. In 4th
place were Tom Sams and Josh Martinez who brought
a 18.82 limit to the scales. Fourth place netted them
$435 and 84 Lumber plaques. Fifth place, $355 and
84 Lumber plaques went to Steve Thurmon and Terry
Honkanen for their 17.94 limit. Doug Ableman and Don
Swanson took home $280 for their 6th place 17.45 limit.
Tom Jolin and Brian McGoech nailed down 7th place
with a 13.73 limit. And our Lucky S.O.B. (Son of a
Bass) one spot out of the money $140 option went to
Greg McCosker and Randy Marshall for their 13.69 limit.
Once the checks and plaques were handed
out it was time to draw some team numbers. Oscar Sarnecki
received a gift certificate good for a trolling motor
tune-up from Sunny's Electric Marine a $125 value.
Bob and Bobby Trujillo each received a $25 gift certificate
from Just Fishin' courtesy of Dave Yates. We also
gave away couple of Magic Worm assortments along with
jars of Craw-Cane. Sometimes it does pay to hang around
for the awards!
Thanks to the California Foothills
Division staff, Dan Davis, Jerame Davis and Ron Herrin.
Thanks to our national sponsors BassCat Boats, Mercury,
MotorGuide, Lowrance, Yamamoto Custom Baits, Competitive
Edge, Hamby's and Bass West magazine. Can't forget
the local and regional sponsors of Tactical Assault
Revolver Rods, 84 Lumber in Auburn California, Just
Fishin', RoboWorm, EZ-Cul-RZ's, Craw-Cane, Ultra-Truck
Works and Sunny's Electric Marine. We couldn't do
it without them!
Our next event is out of Markley Cove
on the gem of the coastal mountain range Lake Berryessa.
That'll happen on Sunday April 13th and springtime
fishing should be in full swing! If you would like
more info drop me and e-mail at 481terry@msn.com.
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