PAYSON, Ariz. – The Wild West Bass Trail (WWBT) kicks off the premiere of the Arizona Teams circuit on Feb. 13 at Lake Roosevelt presented by Ranger Boats.
The event is expected to draw over 100 anglers to compete for the prize purse this weekend.
The Roosevelt competitors will find the recent influx of rain in the area has increased the lake’s water level significantly.
“It has quickly gone from 42 to 47 percent,” said local pro Tai Au. “That is going to change the dynamic of the fishing. The conditions are similar to a FLW event in 2013 and a lot of the guys that did well in that were out deeper. However this time of year, those big bites could still come shallow, earlier in the day.”
Hailing from Glendale, Ariz. Au spends much time on the fishery and is credited with multiple tournament wins with his most recent this past December. His experience tells him the winning fish could be found in a variety of patterns.
“I think that there are going to be males staging in front of spawning areas, other ones chasing shad out deep and others feeding on the tons of crayfish on the lake,” he added. “There are gizzard shads, bluegills – all kinds of things for them to feed on this time of year. And, the warm weather we’ve been having, might trigger them to feed; but we just don’t know what the murky water running in from the Salt and the Tonto arms is going to do to the fishing. We will just have to wait and see.”
He described the current conditions as “muddy and tough” and noted that finding fish in the event would be much different than it was during last week’s practice time.
“The off-limits period will help alleviate some of the pressure and that can help the tough bite,” added Au. “It has really warmed up since off-limits. It is in the mid-80’s now. That may even be enough to push some of the big females up to feed and get ready for the spawn.
“This lake can push out some really nice fish. With a seven fish limit, you may not need a full bag to win it, if you can capitalize on some quality bites. That’s really the key – capitalizing on all of the bites that you do get and finding a couple of kickers.”
Au expects it will take upwards of 14 lbs to cash and 18 lbs to for the win.
Registration for the event will take place from 4-6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 12 at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, located at AZ-87 in Payson. Sign-ups will be taken at the lake with late fee of $20.
The WWBT Teams weigh-in is free to spectators. Scales open at 3:00 p.m. MST at the Cholla Boat Ramp, AZ-188.
Following this event, the WWBT will return to the fishery for the Ranger Boats Rivalry on Roosevelt – the final Arizona Pro/Am stop on March 19 – 20, 2016.
The WWBT debuted in 2016 with 17 events that include two Pro/Am and two Teams circuits – one based in California and the other in Arizona. Each Pro/Am circuit consists of three tournaments and a combined, year-end qualifying championship event. The Teams circuit includes four tournaments and a year-end championship.
For complete details and updated information, visit WildWestBassTrail.com. For tournament news, event updates and more, follow the WWBT on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Wildwestbasstrail/
Advertising