The Mother Lode Region kicked off its 2015 season last Saturday.  66 teams showed up to a very foggy Don Pedro and had to wait 15 minutes for the fog to lift enough for a safe blast off.  They came bundled for the 38 degrees and it remained overcast until around 2:00.  The fishing was tough and the big fish of the day was 4.78 lbs. and beat out all other contenders by more than a pound.  Swim baits, jigs, and wake baits brought in the most quality fish.  It was a great way to start off the Mother Lode Region tournament season! 

Join us on February 14 at New Melones for our second stop on the circuit.  On February 7, you can also join the Central Region at Pine Flat or the Coastal Region at Lopez.  Remember to sign up early for your discounted entry fee.       

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GET READY, SET, FISH!!!!

The 2015 opener for the Mother Lode Region of the Best Bass Tournament Circuit was help at Don Pedro Lake on Saturday, January 24, 2015.  We had a field of 66 large boat show up a day for fishing and excitement.  As the returning anglers and new anglers arrived at the Lake you could feel the excitement and enthusiasm in each and every one of the anglers.  The weather was cold and foggy but the spirits were high.

Our opener for the Mother Lode Region is usually held at Lake McClure, but because of the low water levels we had to move the tournament to Don Pedro Lake.  Registration , boat checks and awards were done at the Barrett Cove parking lot, while the weigh-in was done at the Marina. We arrived at the Barrett Cove parking lot around 3:45a.m.  Registration was scheduled to begin at 4:00a.m.  With the help of our staff boats, the popup was set up along with tables, lights, registration paperwork and coffee and homemade goodies.  By 4:00a.m. the first boat was registered and ready for its boat check.  Boat checks were setup and completed down by the restrooms.

It felt like one big family as the returning anglers came up one by one to register for the event.  Most if not all of these anglers we had not seen since our last tournament in June or since the T.O.C. in October.  You could feel the excitement as the new anglers to the BBT came up and registered.  Some having questions about how the options and big fish worked.  If Chelby and Mom were unable to answer the questions Kevin was there to help.  By safe light all the boats were registered, checked and on the water.  Boat number 44 was drawn to be the first boat out.

Four flights were set up for the anglers to return for the weigh-in.  Boat numbers 44 thru 59 were the first  flight scheduled to return at 3:00p.m., boat numbers 60 thru 66 and 1 thru 9 to return at 3:15p.m., boats 10 thru 25 at 3:30p.m. and boats 26 thru 43 at 3:45p.m.  Safe light was scheduled for blast off if the weather permitted.  By 6:30a.m. Kevin was headed down to the Lake with his paperwork and bullhorn in hand.  The fog lifted and everyone was ready to go.  Kevin went over off limits and safety rules and then the boats were sent off one by one for a full day of fishing.

Back at the registration area the tables were taken down , the popup was put away and the paperwork was safely placed into the truck.  The boat check area was taken down and we were ready to head over to the cabin to complete the paperwork and have some breakfast.  After the paperwork was completed it was time to head back to the Lake. Tables, pop ups and banners were hung up for the awards.  The Diamond Nuts display and the trophies and awards were setup and ready for the anglers to return.  Christopher stayed with the awards while the rest of us went down to the Marina to setup for the weigh-in.  The fish slide, bump tanks and weigh station were set up and the scale was plugged in to charge up.  Our staff boats were the first to return and everyone had a job to do.  One staff boat returned to the water as the check in boat while weigh-in bags were set out on the dock. One by one the boats returned and their fish were weighted-in. 

All of the anglers  were consistent with the fact that it was a hard bite.  As the fish were weighted-in the weigh master returned the fish to the Lake via the fish slide.  The fish slide seems to be of big interest to the kids and adults alike.  If there were any floating fish, the decompression chamber was used to lower the fish safely back to the Lake.  Kevin called the scales closed at 4:04p.m.  The weigh station was then torn down and all was returned to the awards area. Back at the awards area, paperwork was completed and the money envelopes were assembled and ready to give to the anglers.  While giving the anglers a chance to get their boats on their trailers Diamond Nuts and the leftover treats were set out for their enjoyment.  A majority of the anglers stated for the awards.  It is nice to see the anglers supporting each other. 

It was now time to give back to the anglers.  The awards.  The life vest from Wear It California was won by the team of Brian Kane and Heath Lane. First place went to the team of Robert Mansor of Don Pedro and Mike Goncalves of Modesto.  These anglers brought in five fish topping the scales at 16.06 pounds for winnings of $2,355.00.  Mike and Robert also had the 2nd place Big Fish weighing-in at 3.68 pounds for $385.00.  These anglers took home a total of $2,740.00 for a hard but great day of fishing. 

Mike and Robert caught most of their fish by 9:30 - 10:00a.m. off of the point about 50 to 70 feet deep while dragging bait on the bottom.   Mike would like to thank his friend Kevin and Robert wants to thank his wife for all their support and encouragement. Second place was won by the team of Charles and Jim Welch. 

Charles and Jim brought in five fish weighing-in at 13.22 pounds for $1,345.00.  First place Big Fish was catch by Jim and weighted-in at 4.78 pounds for $510.00.  These two anglers took home $1,855.00 for a challenging day of fishing.  Inside the five on swim baits, worms and jigs is how these anglers catch their fish.  Jim said that he caught his big fish about 11:00a.m. on a worm that his brother Charles gave to him.  Jim said that he would like to thank his wife Amber and for the kiss that she gave him before he left in the morning to fish.  He believes that her kiss helped him catch the big fish.

Third place was won by the team of Curtis and Garrett Voigt.  Curtis and Garrett carried up to the weigh station five fish weighing in at 13.16 pounds.  Their five fish gave them $840.00 for eight hours of fishing.  Great job anglers. Third place Big Fish went to the team of Russ Pierson and Russ Trapp with their fish weighing-in at 3.41 pounds.  Fourth place Big fish came in at 2.95 pounds and went to the team of Chris Lienau and Adam Belmont.

Thank you to all the anglers that turned out for the opener and we hope to see all of you at the second tournament for the Mother Lode Region to be held at New Melones Lake on Saturday, February 14, 2015.  Yes, we know that this is Valentine's Day but remember anglers flowers or a box of candy can be bought and taken home. A big thank you to all the staff that makes these tournament happen.  Dave Orange our weigh master, Mike Martinez and Tom Fishburn, Rich Hale and Jim Henry our staff boats and Christopher, Chelby and Mom for all their help and hard work.