The team of Mike Hara and Chad Dibble were not surface fishing. Mike knew weather conditions were prime for Saturday's top water. He was also sure it would change for Sunday. Sunday dawned with crystal clear skies and cooler temperatures- the mild front having passed through over night. The few of us on that top water spook bite believed enough of the surface action would remain and we all agreed to gamble. So did Mike Melvin. Many Folsom Bass Team members share information- even between days of this tournament. Saturday night's catered barbeque is an evening of fellowship and fun, and the talk is about the fishing. Steve Eason clued in Mike Melvin and the team of Watkinson and Striplin with a pattern he was using and locations for throwing top water. Mike fished just one area until the moment he had to leave for Sunday's weigh-in at noon. For Mike Melvin, staying was a good decision. Steve made a comment that this kind of opportunity that doesn't come around often and everyone should get on this opportunity. On Sunday Decker-Stanley scored early when his partner Don nailing a 2.5lb spot on a spinnerbait in just his first few casts. He did an excellent job the entire weekend. Steve Eason and Dick Moore had a small limit by 6:30, but clearly Saturday's wide open surface action had almost shut down Sunday- almost. At 8am, Mike Melvin nails Sunday's big fish a 3.91lb spot, and has a limit by 8:30. Steve and Dick remained patient knowing each day the top water bite improved with bigger fish as the day moved on the Sun moved higher overhead. The bite turned on for Steve and Dick at 9am and they culled their limit on a location Decker and Stanley waited their turn to fish. Steve and Dick were thorough, so with an hour to go and a 30 minute run to the ramp, I huddled with Don and we agreed we could possibly cull the keepers in our tank on a location we discovered in pre-fish. It had somewhat smaller fish than our best locations, but with 30 minutes to go, Don brings one to the net that culls and we were on our way. Mike Melvin was still on the same location when we went by.
For good reason. Melvin weighs in the events biggest bag- 14 pounds plus and he waited it out while the top teams from Saturday take their turn in the drive by weigh-in. Mike Hara and Chad Dibble back up their first day effort with a 2nd day bag of over 10lbs. Then it's Steve Eason and Dick Moore's turn and they also weigh in over 10. While we waited in line, Steve walks back for a peak into our livewell, and says yeah, I think you got us Zip. I wasn't so sure and I was surprised when we weigh in 9.79. Hara-Dibble's consistent days were not dependent on the top water bite and they prevail and win the 2004 Shasta tournament with a two day total of 23.79lbs. Mike Melvin stayed on his spot and his huge second day limit catapulted him all the way to second place with 22.37lbs. Randy Decker and Don Stanley clung to Saturday's surface bite Sunday and hang on to claim third place with 22.28lbs. It was the weekend's top water bite that gave Steve Eason and Dick Moore the last of the 21+ lbs efforts of the event in 4th place with 21.52 nearly 5lbs up on the next closest team. There are many more stories to share from this event that will keep us excited for next year. Thanks to the Folsom Bass Team board for hosting another terrific event and I thank them for inviting me, Randy (Zip) Decker to participate and report on the action. Can't wait 'till next year!