Angels Camp, CA (November 1, 2005) — The California BASS Federation State Classic was won by veteran angler Ron Red Jr., who took the two-day championship on New Melones Reservoir with a ten fish limit weighing 16.40 pounds, with a Big Bass of only 2.11 pounds.
More importantly, up for grabs at this event was 114 anglers trying to fish their way on the California Federation State Team that will go on to compete on Lake Lowell in Idaho next year at the BASS Federation Western Regional tournament.
Joining Ron Red Jr. on the state team are second place finisher Ryan Krost who weighed in 15.72 pounds, Randy Pierson with 14.90, Ben Willis with 14.39, Bill Kunz with 13.99 and John Albidrez with 13.86 pounds round out the anglers that will compete as boaters.
Anglers that won the right to compete as non boaters in the regional event are Rodney Reed with 13.85, Archie Steele with 13.54, Steve Marino with 13.42, Michael Knight with 13.38, Tim Wells Sr. with 13.34 and Jeff Green with 13.07. Pat Wilson placed thirteenth with 13.01 pounds and will travel with the team as an alternate angler.
Art Holman captured the big fish of the tournament with a bass weighing in at 3.72 pounds.
The State Classic started off Friday evening at Glory Hole Sports with a check in meeting and partner pairing draw. Anglers found out whom they’d be fishing with for the next two days at this meeting. The field gathered at the Glory Hole launch ramp and were blasted off at safe light to begin their competitive fishing day with a weigh in at New Melones Marina.
The bite was tough for most anglers and the day one leader was Tim Wells Sr. who brought in an impressive sack of fish that weighed 9.79 pounds with a 3.65 big fish.
After the day one weigh in anglers and federation volunteers got together at the county fairgrounds for an Angler of the Year banquet and raffle. The following gentlemen were honored as regional Anglers of the Year: Gary Thomas – Delta, Ron Red Jr. – Big Valley, John Lake – Sacramento, Bruce Harris – Mother Lode, Allan Hunt – Shasta, John Harris – Southern California and Ron Cervenka – Central California.
Mark Schroeder was also honored as the highest finishing California angler at the recent Western Regional tournament on the Columbia River. He now advances to the National Federation Championship to be held on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla. from Jan. 11-14, 2006 — a tournament with 54 invited anglers battling for $50,000 in first-place cash and six highly coveted berths to the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic.
Ranger Cup monies were presented to the following anglers; Ron Red Jr., $1500; Randy Pierson, $1000; Ben Willis, $800; Steve Marino, $600; Randy Trampush, $400 and Shawn Conde, $200. In addition C.A.S.T. Wireless Lanyard Systems presented the following monies to anglers with C.A.S.T. installed; Ron Red Jr., $1000; Ben Willis, $350 and Bill Kunz, $150.
Special thanks goes out to our regional sponsors Melanie and Dan Lewis of Glory Hole Sports and to the community of Angels Camp.
Sponsors of California BASS Federation include Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, MotorGuide, Pennzoil Marine, Berkeley, Lowrance Electronics, AFT Pro Pak, Plano Molding Company, BassWax Fish Attractant, All Pro Rods, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Keeper Custom Worms, Tournament Force Tackle Systems, Quantum, Cul-M-Rite, Mustad, Evans Williams Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, CAST Wireless Lanyard and Fish Hedz.
For more information visit http://www.californiabass.org/ .
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