Aaron Britt Takes Early Lead at Shasta for BAM Tournament Trail Pro/Am Season Opener

Ryan Borba Tops Co Field

REDDING, Calif. – Under sunny skies and calm conditions, Aaron Britt of Yuba City took an early lead over the 133 boat pro angler field on the first day of the Lake Shasta BAM Tournament Trail Pro/Am with 16.67. Filling out his limit by 8:00 a.m. was a surprise for the Northern California pro, following what he called his recent dismal practice.

“I plucked off 15- to 15 ½-pounds pretty quick,” he shared. “I hovered around for a little bit and caught a few more fish that didn’t help and then one more that culled me out about 11:00 am. I went practicing from there. I kind of just got lucky for the most part.”

Scoping, Britt focused on deeper creek channels armed with his Signature Series IROD 742 Legit Finesse Swimmer, rigged with a Z-Man plastic on Seaguar Braid. “It is 33 pound braid with a diameter of 6-pound test that makes it come off the spool nicely,” he added. “I paired that to an 8-pound Tatsu Fluorocarbon leader.”

Replicating his plan may be a challenge for Britt, as winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph are forecasted for Day Two of the competition. He did not seem phased by the condition change and was confident in his backup plan.

“I was just trying to get through today, because like this lake when the wind blows,” said Britt. “I am more of a power fisherman. I want a Jerkbait, a crankbait – I want to go, go, go.”

Borba From the Backseat

Fishing as a co-angler, Ryan Borba from Atascadero, Calif. took the Day 1 Am top spot with his personal best bag from the back of the boat at 14.25. Borba was paired with NorCal pro Brett Leber of Dixon and credited confidence baits as the biggest factor in his limit. 

“I was choosing my casts of the back of the boat and picking the bank apart,” said Borba. “I threw a Frenzy Nail with a FattyZ and a drop-shot.”

Borba boated approximately 30 fish for the day with his first limit in the box by 9:00 a.m. His Day Two strategy is more of the same with heavier presentations and dragging bottom baits, if necessary.

Pro Top-10

Place/Angler/Day1/Day2/Total

  1. Aaron Britt               67   00.00   16.67
  2. Alex Niapas               35   00.00   16.35
  3. Asher Haynes 33   00.00   16.33
  4. Hayden Lee               80   00.00   14.80
  5. Joseph Orozco 59   00.00   14.59
  6. Mark Cobey               41   00.00   14.41
  7. Greg Gutierrez 24   00.00   14.24
  8. Chris Trumbull 84   00.00   13.84
  9. Travis Archer 80   00.00   13.80
  10. Nick Wood               35   00.00   13.35 

Full Pro Results

Co-Angler Top-10

Place/Angler/Day1/Day2/Total

  1. Ryan Borba               25   00.00   14.25
  2. Dante Ray               27   00.00   13.27
  3. AJ Holt               72   00.00   12.72
  4. Luke Wilson               66   00.00   11.66
  5. Ronnie Orbaker 61   00.00   11.61
  6. Paul Howard               61   00.00   11.61
  7. Joe Cote               60   00.00   11.60
  8. Michael Fischer Jr 53   00.00   11.53
  9. Bryan Trudeau 44   00.00   11.44
  10. John Walsh               43   00.00   11.43

Full Co-Angler Results

The three-day bass battle randomly pairs pro and co-anglers in a non-shared weight competition. Draw partners change daily, while each angler’s weight accumulates for Day One and Two, as each vies for a spot in the top-10 to qualify for the final day field cut and qualification to fish on Championship Sunday.

Weigh-ins will take place each day at Bridge Bay Marina, kicking off at 3:00 pm. Join the anglers and cheer on your favorite fisherman with the BAM Tournament Trail crew.

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BAM Trail Pro Am Lake Shasta Bridge Bay Marina Jan 24-26, 2025

Daily weigh-ins at Bridge Bay Marina Park 3:00 pm every day

Media persons are welcome to attend to report, film, interview, or just enjoy the sporting event. Call or email Mark Lassagne for info or interviews 925-787-3474 mark@bassmag.com

The lake was off-limits to all contestants January 20 and 21, with practice days permitted on January 22 and 23. There is a 4:00 pm off-limits on the 23rd.

Anglers’ check-in was scheduled at Huff’s at Bridge Bay on Thursday, January 23 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.

Official housing is Bridge Bay with an angler discount available by mentioning the BAM Trail pro-am.

Day Two Saturday:  Tackle Warehouse contingencies winners and payment of the field from 11th place to the end of the money line will be completed.

Day Three Sunday: Bass Boast Technologies $250 contingency will be awarded; professional and co-angler champions will be crowned then Top-10 payments will be completed.

This information can also be found at www.bamtrail.com

About BAM Tournament Trail

The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT) provides an exceptional platform for both anglers and sponsors. It combines extensive exposure opportunities, celebrating the skills of western bass anglers. The circuit receives broad media coverage across print and digital magazines, emails, podcast, websites, videos, television, and multiple large social media channels.

Proud partners of the BAM Trail: Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle Warehouse, Bass Cat Boats, Boardman Chamber, Chicken Ranch Casino  StorQuest, and,  Ford Fairfield, Power Pole, Dakota Lithium, Mercury Outboards, Bob’s Machine, Wood Bros, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Valley Outdoors, and Fisherman’s Warehouse.

BAM’s Tourism Partners: Choose Redding, Boardman Chamber, City of Oakley, Lake Almanor Chamber, Feather River Tourism Association and Lake Don Pedro.

The BAM Trail features the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, Scholastic and Kayak events, each designed to test the determination of western anglers in a competitive and environmentally conscious format.

To learn more about the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and Kayak events. Visit: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram

Media or Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Mark Lassagne for further information regarding media and advertising opportunities.

 

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