The storm clouds were blowing in and the outcome of the weather for the next two days was still up in the air, as over 100 fishermen filled the registration room Friday night for the West Coast Bass Pro Am season opener at Clear Lake.
Amidst the angler photos/bio table, West Coast Bass free apparel and vendors offering baits at no charge, Larry Viviano took center stage behind the promised custom Harley being given away to the pro angler that could bag the biggest bass over the course of the next two days.
Larry explained the new concepts behind the circuit and the "contests within the contests" to the new members of the organization tournament circuit, as well as, the old timers that had fished many of the previous 15 WCB Classics.
Fifty Nine bass boats bobbed up and down on the Lake waiting for Saturday morning's blast off in the wind and rain.
By the end of the day one, the skies had cleared and at weigh in all the fishermen boasted of bigger bags to come on Sunday.
Co angler Fred Contaoi had already ended his first day with a 10.62 monster, so mustering up another big fish contender was on the minds of many. To Fred's enjoyment the weight held and he stuffed his pocket with over four grand at the awards.
With bright blue sky, warmer temps and little to no wind on day two, most fishermen were surprised the bass were harder to entice.
Throwing swimbaits proved unsuccessful for most until Russ Meyer heaved five bulging bags to the scale. Lugging out the first of the big bass mistakenly thinking it was Meyer's big fish, the weighmaster had to call for a reweigh when he saw what else Meyer's sacks held.
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Tipping the scales at 31.74 lbs for a two day total of 56.55 lb, Russ seemed to be the only one that could seal the deal with a swimbait and that is what earned him over $1600 in cash and a ride home on the Harley.
Fishing with Russ on day two as co angler, Jonathon Bradford said he was disappointed that his five plus pounder wasn't big enough to cull anything in the livewell, but was cheered up by the nearly $1500 check he will cash for first place on the co side.
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Finishing one place higher than World Boat Outlet staff proved to be more than braggin' rights for Bob Higgins of Limit Out Tackle who placed 11th overall. Sportin' a new 'do for the occasion, Bob got to claim one of the prizes in the "contest within the contest"...the new power pole.
Rounding out the Top Five Pro's and Co's
Pro
- 56.55 Russ Meyer
- 47.60 Wayne Breazeale
- 43.87 Duane Dunstone
- 43.64 Brent Lyon
- 43.54 Rich Smith
Co
- 51.74 Johnathon Bradford
- 48.65 Bill Mcgluaghlin
- 48.35 Jeff Czapla
- 45.91 Fred Contaoi
- 44.77 Jim Scarlett
Big Fish Aspirations
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If you want to know the secret to gettin' this one in the boat...drop a jig and get her to munch...
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Guess Russ didn't know Larry came with the prize.
Complete results available at the West Coast Bass website.
Event weigh ins and awards can be streamed live by link at Calbassin.com.
Don't miss upcoming coverage of this event on Anglers West Television and Bass Anglers Guide.
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Comments
oh man, russ really won
Great article! That tourney was a blast! I might have to step up one of these days and go pro so I can "attempt" to win a Harley!
That tourney rocked!
Il second that tami, this touny was a blast, had a ton of fun and learned a ton fishing with Rich Smith and Russ, definatly a tounament I wont forget!! Cant wait to see you all at the next one!!
Congratulations on the win!
This was a great time and for the kids too. Larry put on a good one. Will there be another big prize giveaway at the next tournament on the Delta?
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