The two-day, two-lake 2019 Best Bass Tournaments (BBT) Tournament of Championship (TOC) made it’s way into the history books last weekend as the team of Mike Caddick and Mark MCord claimed the trophy and pocketed $21,000 of the $30,000 payout.
FULL TOC RESULTS
“It was a heartfelt win,” commented Randy Pringle, BBT Owner/Operator. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. It really came across in their winner’s report how much it meant. That is what the BBT is all about – fun fishing in a family atmosphere.
“The camaraderie shined through as our event progressed with guys working together to get boats charged during the power outages, towing in others that were broke down – even when it cost them their own fishing time and with sponsors like Boatmasters coming through to keep guys on the water when equipment failures occurred.”
Pringle noted the “behind the scenes” assistance didn’t end with just the anglers as it extended to his own situation when the he nearly lost a wheel on the road up to the event.
“We were about three threads from it coming off and if that would happened, we wouldn’t have made it there,” he stated. “You just don’t always realize everything that goes on to keep an event like this running and all the people that come together to make it happen, regardless of the curve balls that life can throw at you.”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
The two-lake adventure was a first for the BBT and presented challenges to test the angler’s skills.
“We had a TOC planned for the Mother Lode area in the past, but due to low water which didn’t allow for enough parking, it was changed,” said Pringle. “Water fluctuations, facilities for lodging and the banquet – those are all aspects of a TOC that have to be considered for an event that brings in over 200 anglers.”
This year, even though the power didn’t cooperate with us, the water levels did and we were able to hold the event as planned. It is a big endeavor and we will begin working on next season’s exciting championship almost as quick as this one ends.”
Pringle reported that there were several BBT Teams that have been asked to move on from the circuit, so familiar faces may be gone next season.
“We will miss those teams, but our rules require graduation from the circuit as anglers grow,” he said. “Looking ahead to next year I anticipate it will be bigger and better than ever.”
LIPLESS IN THE FUTURE
BBT still has one more fishing competition in its 2019 future.
The Rat-L-Trap Open will blast off on Nov. 16 at Russo’s Marina on the California Delta.
For the first time ever, the November Rat-L-Trap Open will allow the lipless crank to shine through the fall feed.
“We are excited to make this a bass and striper event,” said Pringle. “Anglers can fish one or the other or both at the same time. It will be another way for anglers to have fun and try another type of fishing.
“It should be of phenomenal interest as many times during this part of the year, anglers will target bass, but hook a striper. Our pool will include a designated size and anything over that will have to be thrown back as it won’t count.”
The bass event will be a five-fish limit. The striper will be a pool for the top-three closest position to the designated size.
“You can fish any Bill Lewis bait any way you want,” said Pringle. “You can troll it, you can cast it, whatever you want. This is the opportunity to see who is really the best guy with a Bill Lewis bait.”
When asked for some advice on the event, Pringle obliged.
“The bite will be very current-oriented,” he revealed. “Where you catch one, you may catch a dozen. Rat-L-Trap has a lot of colors designed by our Delta pros – Bobby Barrack and Mark Daniels Jr., - any of those may be of interest, plus many other colors that are go-to’s on our fishery.
“The Stutter Step would be a very good contender to capitalize on that topwater bite. This could create your kicker.”
Registration for the Rat-L-Trap Open is underway and payment can be made online.
Advertising