College Kayak Bass fishing

I was fortunate enough that the College Kayak Fishing tournament directors alowed masters, and doctorate student Complete.  I am completing my Masters in Kinesiology through Fresno Pacific University. The only down side was that all event required a partner. That did not stop me, I paid the entry fee for the team and fished in two online events solo, just for the experience and one of the local tournament that eventually was canceled. The total results cumulative points would determine a National Champion.

My first event was the College Kayak Bass fishing April online event. It was open to any public water ways, I fished one day on the California Delta and was able to score four fish for 64” which was good enough for second place. Had a spinner bait and drop shot bite going I would wait in shallow tulle flats and target fish that were moving up to feed.

The second event was the College Kayak fishing national Championship for Bass. I was held as an online event that ran through the month of June.  I had 12 days on the water that month but I was not catching many quality fish at the beginning of the month and had to start taking pictures of 11-13” fish.  I knew I still had some time I called up the Angler or the Year (AOY) for Delta Kayak bass Series (DKBS) Bryan Buterbaugh A.K.A. HobieBlue. He was happy to take me out on the California Delta and show me some things, while we fish differently, I was able to watch and learn. I found a nice long point on high tide a caught a nice 17” fish on a buzz bait. One more13.5” on a senko. Now I was feeling a little less pressure.  It was June Friday the 25^th I had my son with me and we went out to Rancho Seco, I had been in a rut a Rancho Seco, a lot of small fish but today I hooked into something big and it began pulling me and the kayak all over the lake. It seemed like I had the fish on for about 10 minutes before I even saw the flash. As the fight continue I told me son we has a monster, in my mind the fight was coming to an end I got the net and as it was coming up I could see the white of its belly coming up from the deep with the mouth open and out of the water it jumps swings his head and out comes the hook.  Total let down but let but had a few days left to fish. I can remember posting on their Facebook page Wednesday night good luck all tight lines. I knew I was going to be on water for the last two day of the event but did not know what to expect but I went right to where I lost that fish the Friday before, my first cast on that spot let that bait sink as and as I engaged the spool the fish was already on and it was pulling hard. I was luck it went deep because I was on the light tackle, and fishing weeds. I fought it for only a few minutes and into the net it went, Catch, Photo, and release (CPR) and let the son hold him for a photo opportunity and only fish of the day.

 

Got home and posted the picture it was my new personal best from the kayak and having my son with me made it that much better 21.75”! Wow with one day left to fish I was so happy to land this one but deep down I knew I needed to find another 18” fish so last day of the tournament I get up early paddle out to the same sport the day before and begin casting, nothing I repositioned the kayak and continued to cast in the same location. As I am reeling the bait just stops in the water I set the hook and the line just peels off the spool and the drag is just creaming.  Hooked up and this fish is not happy about it, deep to airborne, running to the boat and then away from it. I have to put the paddle down and just hope I can land this fish once it get tired out.  Mean time my son is just happy as can be eating raisins and asking if it is a monster and I have to tell him “yes”.  As I finally tier out the fish and it comes to the boat and land it in the net, put her on the hog trough yep another 20+” fish 20.25”  These two fish catapult me to 3^rd  place for the Championship and with my accumulated point I finish 3^rd for Fresno Pacific University out of 18 other universities.

 

Lake Pardee Media Day

Had a good day on the water with my brother and my son. This is the big one 6.5 largemouth, had 5 fish total not to bad for post-cold front conditions. We had a little 20 minute rain shower go over about 10:45am but the sun came out and we kept on fishing. We got to meet some of the pro anglers form the BASS Elite series and see some other local pros as well. 

Western Kayak Bass Series event #2

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the first event, due to and emergency surgery; I'm ok and back to fishing.  This event was held on the California Delta out of Sugar Barge Marina.

The forecast was for bluebird skies and wind. The wind did not disappoint it was all of the 14mph.

As we launched me and two other kayakers went north into the wind. One stayed within the marina heading towards Rossos and a Hobby angler and my self went out into franks track.  By the time I got out to franks a short paddle that Hobby was out of site. I fished the tulle clumps and small channels within the tulle. My first fish came on a spinnerbait, undersized 11" knowing I was in a good casting position thanks to stakeout pole and anchor trolley.  I would fan cast the spinnerbait towards good ambush positions then I switched rods to drop shot. My first cast the line jumped within seconds of hitting the water, I reeled up the slack and set "fish on" no real fight from her she came to the boat fast and I lipped her fast 20". 

I continued this all morning moving the boat into new positions, but I stopped getting any hits on the spinnerbait do I went straight to drop shot I caught a 12" and 12.75" fish as I was hoping he would go the 13" but only with mouth open so back he went. Two cast later I felt a tic and a nice pull. Dropped the rod tip down and set the hook. This fish went airborne instantly, my next keeper I was thinking. The fish made three more jumps then under the boat I was able to keep it out of the tulles, as it came up got it in the net. 18" fish was my second keeper.

The wind has shifted and it was a struggle to position the boat I moved just a little further up in the tulles I got my second to last fish yes 13" on the noses.

I put the rods in holders and back to cover I paddled. It was a little dicey I had white capes and rollers on my way back to the marina. I was so glad to get behind the break wall, I picked up one more dink off a dock but I was undersized also made my way to the dock loaded up the boat sent in my pictures and I went home. I submit my three fish for 51" found out the next day I had won.

So looks like I'm in the TOC. 

Bass Fishing Family

Form the time I was born, I was on the water fishing, my brother was the same way. Today I am teaching my son how to fish. Fishing was something that my parents had a love for and I have the same passion for; I just wanted to share some of out experiences and give thanks to wonderful parents.

I love you and thank you Mom and Dad

From Addison, Ernie and Jack

Kayak Photo Shoot

I took some close-up photos of my kayak and made a short clip

Dry Creek Men's Club Presidents Day 2015

Second Men's Club event was the presidents day Red, White, Blue and Black. I was able to play the black of course. My swing started to come together about the third hole, but my putting stroke never did show up to play that day lots of burnt edges, and lip outs. I missed out on getting paid by two shots. My Partner Don got a little money back.

Western Kayak Bass series

Get your tee shirts http://www.booster.com/western_kayak

Official 2015 WKBS Schedule
March 29 - Paradise Point - Qualifier
April 26 - Sugar Barge - Qualifier
May 24- Lake Amador - Qualifier
June 14 - Tower Park Marina - Open
July 12 - Lodi Lake and Mokelumne "River" Open
August 9 - Stanislaus/ All River (River Bassin Trail Event) - Open
TOC September 13 - Clear Lake
Anglers must fish all 3 qualifiers to gain automatic berth into TOC
Winners of Qualifier events automatically go to TOC
Points awarded for every fish toward TOC berth
Fees announced Wednesday Feb 11th
Registration opens Friday Feb 13th

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WKBS 2015 Fees
Membership - $50 (100% Goes to TOC pot)
Insurance - $15
Open Entry - $50 ($5 and $10 options available as well as big fish option)
Qualifier Entry - $35
No Entry fee for TOC - Berth awarded by winning a qualifier or being Top 30 in points
Winnings
Opens and TOC - 1 in 5 spots paid day of, tackle and swag raffles day of.
Qualifiers - No monetary award, entrys go to TOC pot, raffles day of.
River Bassin event will observe River Bassin Trail rules and prizes.
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WKBS Rules and Regs
Registration.
1.All anglers must be a registered WKBS member at least one week prior to any event.
2.Anglers may pay fees the day of an event if necessary as long as prior arrangements have been made with WKBS staff.
A refund on an event registration can be given up to 24hrs prior to an event.
Mandatory Gear.
1.All anglers must be in possession of an approved PFD at all times.
2.PFD’s must be worn any time an angler is in his/her kayak
3.All anglers must be in possession of and be ready to present a current fishing license issued in the state the event is being held.
Kayak Power/operation regs
1.All kayaks must be powered by paddle or pedal.
2.Trolling motors are strictly prohibited unless a disability exists rendering the angler unable to utilize conventional methods of propulsion.
3.Anglers must never leave their kayak unless there is an emergency or other extenuating circumstance. Anglers must be fully aboard their kayak when landing a fish.
Alcohol and Drugs.
1.The possession/transport of any form of alcohol or drug beside a prescribed OTC is strictly prohibited and will result in the suspension and/or removal of an angler from current and potentially all events.
CPR rules
1.All fish must be landed in a conventional method consistent with DFW regulations pertaining to the targeted species.
2.Live bait is strictly prohibited
3.Fish must be presented on an approved trough with mouth closed against the bump board.
4.Fish must be photographed promptly and released alive
5.Fish must be photographed with the event indicator clearly visible in the photo.
6.It is the anglers responsibility to cull and maintain a tally of their catch for presentation at the end of the event.
7.Anglers 3 best fish will be entered for final presentation.
Contest to Ruling/Tie Breaker
1.Any angler has the right to contest an official ruling at any time.
2.Any angler that has been brought into question more than twice will be subject to suspension and/or removal from the current and future events.
3.If a tie exists at the end of an event, the angler with the largest single fish shall be the winner.
Tight lines everyone!