The Angler's Choice Motherlode region wrapped up its seventh event over the weekend at Lake Don Pedro with an encore performance by some of the best Angler's Choice anglers ever. Weighed in for this event were ten fish over 4lbs, 6 over 6lbs, and 2 over 11lbs!

A total of twenty-nine paid teams showed to fish this dual weigh-in night tournament. The bite had been very tough at Pedro--all the teams knew it-- but as anything goes with fishing, there were some monster fish to be caught. As it stood, twenty-three of the top twenty-five Motherlode teams were going for bragging rights of winning the last tournament for the season. However, seven other good teams also arrived to match their skills and vie for one of the great paychecks. With monster bass coming to the scales, the winning team must be able to bring two good sacks to the scales or anchor their catch with a monster bass.

The team of Mike Reynolds and Shawn Pauly did just that to take the lead for the first half of the tournament, weighing in a jaw-dropping 19.32 lbs, anchored with an 11.71 monster bass. Shawn caught the big bass dragging a jig and pig and Mike commented, "It fought the hardest of all bass I've seen. It must have taken 5 minutes to land". Coming in 2nd place for the first half with a strong sack of bass was the team of Steve Tosh Jr. and Ben Hetrick with a little over 16lbs, followed by Chris Taylor and Jeff Reed, Hal Walther and Rich Ingram and in the fifth spot was Randy Pierson and Glenn Pierson. After re-energizing themselves with coffee and helping themselves to pastries, the anglers fired up the big motor, headed back out and hunkered down till dawn.

The second half proved pivotal and decided the outcome of who would win the dual weigh-in tournament. The fishing obviously got a lot tougher for everyone. But, there are always a couple exceptions!

Coming to the scales with the biggest limit for the second half, and putting them temporally in the lead was the team of Greg Bockmon and Jeff Bockmon. They had a nice bass, weighing 6.81lbs, which anchored their 16 lb limit. Nerves were tested as they waited for the leaders to come to the scales to weigh in their bass. One by one, the remaining twenty or so teams came to the scales with less-than-desired weights. Mike Reynolds and Shawn Pauly idled in to the scales and from the looks on their faces they didn't have a good 2nd half. With less than the required 7 lbs to over take the lead, they slipped off the leader board. The only team left that could spoil the party were Steve Tosh Jr. and Ben Hetrick. Too, they were short of the 10 lbs needed to overtake the new leaders. It looked like Greg Bockmon and Jeff Bockmon pulled out from behind to win their first event of the Motherlode trail. But stealing the thunder from Shawn Pauly and a "locked-in" big bass honor, were the "big bass specialists", Mel Briggs and Russ Pierson, who came to the scales with an 11.87 pound hawg-their second big bass award in a row.

As the final scores were tabulated and the smoke cleared, first place with a total of 26.52 and a $1660 payday belonged to Jeff and Greg Bockmon. Second place was Steve Tosh Jr. and Ben Hetrick, with a total weight of 25.05 good for $890. Although anchored with an impressive 11.71lb bass, Mike Reynolds and Shawn Pauly slipped to third with 23.08 and earned a check for $700. The consistent team of Randy Pierson and Glenn Pierson brought over 10 lbs to the scale each half for a total of 21.12 and gave them their seventh straight check, this time for $435. Lastly, coming from way behind was Mel Biggs Jr. and Russ Pierson with an 11.87 hawg and a total of 18.81 lbs for a hard earned $640. Also included was $300 was for Big Bass and also a very nice Competitive Edge rod. Also, all money placing teams also received beautiful plaques to accompany their cash awards.

Overall, the fishing was fair, with Zoom Baby Brush Hogs and other various plastics working well. Mel Brigg's monster bass was caught split shotting a red worm while Shawn Pauly's toad took a pig and jig. Spinner baits, buzzbaits and crankbaits were also working. The topwater window was very narrow, from about 5am to sunrise. The most consistent bite was about 5'-25' deep. However, not many wanted to give up their spots because there are still a few other night tournaments left.

The U.S. Anglers Choice T.O.C. will be in October with 1st winning two and 2nd winning one new Bass Cat ,Mercury Optimax outboard, Motorguide trolling motor, and Lowrance electronics. Also, the 7 anglers of the year will be fishing for a side pot of $15,000 in cash and prizes. Check out the Anglers Choice web site at www.www.usanglerschoice.net