Saturday, January 26, 2013, was the date for the season opener for the Mother Lode Region of the Best Bass Tournament Trails.  The anglers in the Mother Lode Region showed up in great numbers.  Seventy Five Boats showed up and what an impressive site to see.

As Kevin stated on the Web site we were at the Lake on Friday afternoon around three for pre-signs.  Some of the angler took this opportunity to sign up before the rush on Saturday morning.  It was also a good time for Kevin and the anglers to have a chance to talk and express thoughts, concerns and ideas.  Some of our staff were there pre-fishing and were able to help us set up the pop-ups, tables, lights and heaters for the early morning sign-ups.

By 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning we were up and ready.  The coffee was made the goodies were set out and most important of all the registration forms were on the tables.  It was really great to see the anglers as they returned to fish again this year with the BBT and to see and meet the new anglers that signed up to fish the Mother Lode Region this year.   We are hoping to have a successful and exciting year.

As we got close to blast-off time we needed to have someone draw a number to start the blast-off with.  Craig Norman one of our anglers drew number 51 as the starting boat.  By 6:30 a.m. Kevin headed down to the dock to send the anglers off for an exciting day of fishing.  There were five weigh-in flights each with fifteen boats.  Flight numbers and times were given, off limits, Lake Rules were stated and the anglers were told how the weigh-in was to be done as the boats came back in.  At safe light the angler were sent off to fish.

The weather for the tournament was really pretty good for January.  The clouds hung in all day long with only a few sprinkles.  The wind stayed mild and the breezes were cool.  I would never make a good weatherman for sure.

By noon all of the paperwork was balanced, paybacks were calculated, envelopes were stuffed and lunch was served.  After that banners were hung and trophies and giveaways were set on the tables.  While waiting for 2:00 p.m. to head down to the dock some of us took naps or played cards.

Once down at the dock the bump tanks were filled with water the scales and displays were set up along with the microphone system.  Hats off to you anglers because the weigh-in could not have gone any smoother than it did.  All of you paid attention to the instructions that were given in the morning because you did as requested.  With the first flight of boats due in at 3:00 p.m. we were ready and waiting.  The last flight of boats was due in at 4:00 p.m. and the scales were closed by Kevin at 4:08 p.m.

With 75 boats blasting off, 73 boats weighted-in and 70 of those boats weighted-in a limit of five fish.  There was a total of 364 fish weighted-in with a total weight of 601.17 pounds.  The largest fish for the day was a spotted bass weighing-in at 5.21 pounds.  These are some pretty impressive numbers.  Great job to each and every one of you anglers.

Now down to the nuts and bolts of the tournament, who won:

First place went to the team of Mike Gonzales of Modesto and Robert Mansor of Pedro.  They brought in a five fish bag weighing-in at 11.73 pounds.  In that bag was the big fish for the day weighing-in at 5.21 pound.  These two anglers took home $3,400.00 for eight hour of fishing.  They fished the main lake using tubes and the method used was top water.  Mike and Robert would like to thank their sponsor ABA for their support and encouragement.  Great job guys.

Second place went to the team of Kenny Shepherd and Benjamin Brooks.  They brought in five fish weighing in at 11.26 pounds and took home a paycheck in the amount of $1,550.00.  Not bad for eight hours of fishing.  These anglers also fished the main lake, and used Lunkerdaddys and swim baits for lures, while swim bait and brush hogs were the methods fished.  Kenny and Benjamin would like to thank Lunkerdaddy for being their sponsor.  Very impressive day guys.

The team of Rich Ingram from Oakdale and Ron Ingram from Modesto took the honors of third place with a bag of five fish weighing 10.73 pounds and they also took third place big fish at 2.81 pounds for a total winnings of $1,145.00.  Rich and Ron fished the Cottonwood area of the lake and used Zoom and Brush Hogs for lures.  Their method fished was fifty foot drag.  With weights like these you two should be pretty proud of each other.

Second place big fish went to the team of Harry Markarian and Joey Verna.  They brought in a 2.90 pound bass that won them $370.00.

Some of the sponsor awards were the 20/20 Eye Surrender Glasses that went to the team of Christopher Gosselaar and Jered Brendel, while the Life Vest went to Scott Bern.  The Lenox Tool weight was 8.26 pounds and we had the team of Claudio Silva and Juan Vasquez weigh-in at 8.26 pounds.  Right on guys.

I would like to take this time to thank the three staff boats that helped out with this tournament, Rich Hale and Jim Henry, Duane Goudy and Mike Martinez, Brian Orange and Mario Ramirez and our weigh master David Orange for a fantastic job well done.  Shawn Hilbert for helping out with a little bit of everything, my daughter Chelby for seeing that all of the equipment is setup and put back away where it belongs in the trailer and my mom for helping with the paperwork. 

Our next Mother Lode tournament will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Lake McClure.  We look forward to seeing each and everyone there.  Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Sponsor Tackle Store Receipts Program – If you purchase tackle valued at $20 OR MORE from our Sponsor Tackle Stores or go online to make purchases through the Optimum Baits and ima websites, you will receive a discount for being a member of the BBT. Keep your receipt and write your name and phone number on the back of it then place it in the bucket, which is at every tournament check-in. You will have opportunities to win prizes during the Awards Ceremony after each weigh-in. You MUST be present to win. At the close of the Awards Ceremony, all receipts drawn are placed back into the bucket for more chances to have them drawn at future events in addition at the TOC. If you are not present and your name is called, you forfeit your prize and it is donated to the TOC. If you happen to win money during a tournament and you leave before receiving it, you will have to meet up with your tournament director as winnings are not sent through the mail.

Remember to support the sponsors who are supporting you in bass fishing whenever you can. A list of our sponsors is below and is also located on the Sponsors page of the Best Bass Tournaments website www.bestbasstournaments.com

Thank you for coming out and supporting the Best Bass Tournaments. We appreciate each one of you. If every angler would ask one friend to join and fish the BBT, you will have additional anglers to compete against and have more opportunities to win larger paybacks. Let your friends know that they will also be eligible to win prizes in addition to saving money on fishing tackle when making purchases through our Sponsor Tackle Stores.

Best Bass Tournaments would like to personally thank the sponsors who are supporting us and the anglers alike: Emerald Premium Snacks, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, The Fishing Instructor, Yakima Baits, Technology Integrators, Hildebrandt, Poe’s Plugs, Timber Tiger, Ima, Optimum Baits, KLGD Graphics, Hooked on Adventures, Continental Tires, Irwin – Lenox and Helly Hansen, Eye Surrender Sunglasses, Out of Bounds Speed & Marine, AGS Apparel, Port of Subs, Oroville’s Best Value Inn & Suites, Clearlake Cottages, Applebee’s – Oroville, Central Valley Sportsmen’s Boat & RV Show.

Best Bass Tournaments sponsor tackle stores:

Mel Cotton’s Sporting Goods/ San Jose, Walton Pond/ San Leandro, Guns, Fishing & Other Stuff/ Dixon, Coyote Bait & Tackle/ Coyote, CA, Clearlake Bait & Tackle/ Clearlake, Clearlake Outdoors/ Lakeport, Tracy Oasis Marina/ Tracy, CA, C & C Marine/ Modesto and Sacramento,
Jim’s Pro Tackle/ Paso Robles, Bait Barn/ Waterford

If your company would like to be a sponsor of the Best Bass Tournaments, please contact Randy Pringle at www.bestbasstournaments.com or call 209-543-6260.

We would like to thank all of our staff Ancilla Cheek (mom), Chelby Cheek, Dave and Brian Orange, Shawn Hilbert, Mario Ramirez, Duane Goudy, Mike Martinez, Rich Hale, Jim Henry, Bill Rowles Jr. and Jeff Short. You all are an asset to the BBT and our tournaments could not run efficiently without each and every one of you!

Thank you for your participation and fishing Best Bass Tournaments. We look forward to seeing you again soon! kevin@bestbasstournaments.com