Angler's Choice "The Largest Team Bass Fishing Trail in America"

January 25, 2003 Lake Oroville, CA
Hage and Seals Win Oroville

Hot coffee and donuts were welcomed by the anglers during pre tournament check in hosted by Oroville Outdoors. Clear skies and cool temperatures greeted the 36 teams for the kick off event for the 2003 Nor Cal tournament season. Conditions dictated that the fish should be shallow, evident of the rapidly rising water levels. The fishing was excellent, with 35 out of 36 teams bringing in full limits. Apparently, the challenge was not catching fish, but catching quality size.

First place winners Darren Hage and Stephen Seals had no problem finding quality. Anchoring their five fish limit of 14.04lbs was a 7.98lb beauty. After securing their limit, the pair concentrated on throwing reaction baits looking for a big bite. This strategy worked, and the big bite came off a white Excalibur crankbait fished in the treetops. For their efforts, the team received $1360 for winning, $360 for big bass, a Kistler Big Bass rod, and $1000 certificate for winning the BassCat Bonus Bucks award, totaling $2720. Not bad for a day of fishing!

Second place went to Dennis Webb and Colby Knowes. They received a check in the amount of $680 for their 12.32 lb limit. Asked what they were going to do with the money, Webb remarked “it will help pay for our annual house boating trip”.

Third place went to a famous husband and wife fishing couple, Jan and Calvin Fredrick. This pair won the recent Gary Yamamoto Open tournament last November held on Lake Oroville. Jan and Calvin continued their hot streak with 11.14 lbs good for third place and $584. Like the money won during the Yamamoto Open, Jan remarked “It will go into Calvin’s fishing fund”. This team will be contenders for many more tournaments to come.

Rounding out the remaining money winners are 4th place Wayne Ritter and Jim Louge with 10.77lbs earning $450, 5th place Junior Morris and Glen Lockhart with 10.05 lbs earning $375, 6th place Eric Parra and Cliff King 9.58lbs earning305, and 7th place Rich Forhan and Don Reighley with 9.43lbs earning $255.

The next tournament is scheduled for Feb 22nd at Lake Shasta. Call tournament director Garry Knox for information at (530) 533-3401. National sponsors of U.S. Angler’s Choice tournaments are Bass Cat, Mercury, Lowrance, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Bass West magazine, Competitive Edge fishing and Keep Alive.