Love it or hate it; no doubt West Coast anglers have heard of it... it is the long awaited, always anticipated annual California Top 40 Bass Anglers List.
Because some have said the actual, infamous list isn't always the best part of Kramer's "best of".
For many the best part is the controversy that Kramer causes. The video to the left shows this weekend's Angler's Marine Bass-A-Thon event where Kramer chimed in on the controversy along with many of this year's list makers and a couple that fell short of the "Kramer calculations".
Ultimate Bass Radio host Kent Brown questions the list on the November 12 episode. "He missed," is one of KB's quotes as he and tournament pro Bub Tosh of Paycheck Baits discuss the Top 40.
Reactions have run the gamut from "+ one" and "congrats" to others that ask "Where is Ken Mah?", "Where is Mike Reynolds?" "Where is Bub Tosh?" and "Where am I?"
Forum posters have even been called to action to write their own list.
The first half of the Top 40 is below;
California’s Top 40 bass anglers for 2011
1. Chris Zaldain, San Jose—A steady climb professionally gets him to the top in 2011.
2. Brent Ehrler, Redlands—No shame in being #2, the same spot he landed in the FLW Tour ranks. His slippage in the BassFan.com World Rankings did not help him.
3. Richard Dobyns, Yuba City—Finally out of the very large shadow cast by his father, Richard’s exceptional Angler of the Year run in the EverStart Series keeps the family name in lights.
4. Kevin Stewart, Elk Grove—He tracked and sacked the fish in a couple of circuits and then the sponsors found him. This guy could be the next big thing in California.
5. Joe Uribe, Jr., Lake Forest—“Little Joe” fishes big and may be the most remarkable tour pro (2nd in the Everstarts) who actually keeps a full-time job hundreds of miles from any tour lake.
6. Jeff Michels, Lakehead—Can’t find anybody who doesn’t think this guy won’t succeed—even if he jumps to the national arena.
7. Cody Meyer, Grass Valley—Here’s a soft-spoken guy who is just “nails” on the biggest stage (like 15th on the FLW Tour standings and more than $80,000 in winnings this year).
8. “Bradley” Yang, Los Angeles—Forget it. This guy does not just get a good draw everyday of every tournament he fishes. His 5th in the Everstarts is real.
9. Bill Siemantel, Castaic—The enigmatic fireman doesn’t win many friends, but when he gives you a tip, you can take it to the bank (the one with the money in the drawers).
10. Mark Daniels, Jr., Fairfield—The “Oversight” committee tries to make amends. But Daniels’ numbers are unworldly, even if they include a ton of digits in his own zip code.
11. Ish Monroe, Hughson—I’m not sure what he’s trying to sell me this year, but recognize thePhat Frogger was the highest finishing Californian in the Bassmaster Elites this year. Stout.
12. Cameron Smith, Oceanside—His peers in San Diego County say Smith is the toughest they face. But he’ll drive 500 miles from home and be just as tough to a bunch of strangers.
13. Greg Gutierrez, Red Bluff—Finding his stride once again, despite a stressful job as a Forestry Service fire captain. We like him.
14. Jimmy Reese, Witter Springs—It’s a family tradition. Someone has to have a good year.
15. Gabe Bolivar, Oceanside—A nice 10th place showing in the Everstart Series while running a successful guide service. This is about right on the Top 40.
16. Matt Allen, Vacaville—I would pay to get in the boat with this guy. His keen sense of Nature and technique help make him a solid, big bass hunter.
17. Mike Folkestad, Yorba Linda—I keep waiting for the meat wagon to take the 3-time U.S. Open winner away, but at age 70, he still competes and he still wins.
18. Glen Lockhart, Biggs—Here’s a solid performer (Anglers Choice Pro-Am AOY) who is just as tough on the reservoirs as he is on the natural waterways.
19. Jared Lintner, Paso Robles—At 22nd in the Bassmaster Elites– the highest level of pro fishing– he was second among Californians, and could be much higher.
20. Brian Johnson, Hemet—Regionally acclaimed at Diamond Valley, you know he must be good when his competitors develop a little fear in their eyes.
To see the whole list, click here for Kramer Gone Fishing.
Kramer's calculations?
For those wondering how he does it. Kramer discloses the "infallible Top 40 ranking system".
For the record, he does admit "things can go wrong" and reminds it is "subjective".
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