My "Elite" experience.

[Robchik]

One word can describe it, priceless. That sums up my BASS Elite Series Co-Angler experience. The fishing was secondary by far. Meeting the guys you see on TV and read about in Bassmaster Magazine was truly an honor.

First order of business is thanks. Thanks to the Pros who graciously shared a day on the water with me. Kevin Short, a great man and great angler. Brian Snowden, a gentlemen and a scholar. Dude knows his stuff and was super supportive of me as I somehow managed a decent bag of fish. Bill Lowen. Dude is my brother from another mother. Lots of laughs and he straight hooked me up. It was like he wanted me to do well more than I did. He kept pushing me and pushing me, but I was just too unfocused, did a little too much chatting, and had a bit too much fun. Thank you to all three of these men. They are classy, professional, and fun guys to be around. Not to mention they can flat out fish.

More thanks. Thanks to those who followed me from day one. Your calls, emails, voicemails, and text messages are truly, truly appreciated and I am so very grateful for each and every one of them. You know who you are. Lastly thanks to John Lowe for being my cheering section at Saturday’s weigh-in. You the man!!!

This was hands down the most amazing thing I’ve ever been a part of. Trip Weldon, Chuck Harbin, and their crew put on a great show. Smooth from registration to Saturday’s weigh in. The crew was great; the crowds were great, and it made for an awesome experience. I simply can not express how much fun I had and grateful I am for this experience.

Also, for those of you who think that these guys don’t know their $#!+ and decided to talk some smack. Do you think you can drive 2-3 days to a foreign body of water, pre-fish for two and a half days, and put together a pattern to last you 2-4 days? Yea 100%’s weights were great, and yes they had every right to fish their tourney Saturday, but you can NOT compare the two. Last I heard 100% was a team tournament, oh and ummm most of the teams were local. Yea, Dan Fonte and Jim Stich they only fish the Delta 100+ plus days a year, right? Most of the Elite pros, well this was their first trip to the California Delta, and for some it was their first experience with a tidal system. So please show a little respect and a little class and quit the trash talk. Ok done. Sorry for the outburst…

Anyway, to sum it up, I had a great time. These guys are living the dream and I just have absolute truck loads of respect for what they do. Anyone thinking about doing one of these as a co-angler should just do it; you’ll thank yourself you did. Thanks for taking the time to let me share this experience with you. See ya on the water!

-Robby Chikasawa

If anyone has a problem with what I said or would like to ask further questions about my experience, drop me an email at RobChik@aol.com.

For information on how to sign up go to www.bassmaster.com or call 1-877-BASS USA

[straitline]

Great Job!!!

[Dave A]

Hey Robby,
Congratulations! My partner and I met you and Keith last year at the FPT event at Oroville. Your a great guy and it's good to see a familiar name at the top of the leader board. Dude, I need to fish with you on the Delta!

They broke your record at the FPT event at Berryessa this weekend but who gives a sh%$ with your finish at the BASS event.

Great job dude!!

[Robchik]

Thanks guys...

Dave-

Right on man. It's about time someone smashed that FPT record. Berryessa is flat out awesome. there are some stinking giants in there. 14.89 is going to be super tough to beat. that's a frickin monster.

shoot me an email, we'll hit the delta. take care dude, and thanks again!!

-Robby

[bassenvy]

congrats rob! even though the raptors went to someone else I still congradulate you

[Brian Linehan]

Awesome job Robby. I was watching your weight every day. That cash is going to be NICE! Congrats again bro. You deserve it!

Brian

[backdeckpro]

Great job and thanks for the story.

[stonefly]

Very well said and it gives me some perspective as I take off for Clear Lake. I'm looking forward to the experience and next week should be similar in a lot of ways.

[Double-G]

Oh sure...use up all the luck in my special wrist band and then don't acknowlegde the "Fins & Fire" ...awsome job I'm glad Bill relaxed some and hooked you up. That's why they call those guys professionals, because they are!

You did the North State Proud, and we had a bunch of other great anglers represent too, good job guys!

[Timber_Effects]

great job Rob. I watched allthe weigh-ins on my PC. I agree 100% w/you bro!

tight lines to you.

[Robchik]

Greg, I'm sorry . Been wearing it all day and I can't believe I forgot. I knew my story was incomplete. For those of you who are curious, here's the story.

Saturday morning as I am getting ready to meet Bill at the Comfort Inn, Mr. Gutierrez sees the lost look on my face. He takes me over to Bill's rig and I begin to unload my stuff. We get to talking and as I am putting my equipment in Bill's boat Greg says "Here's your good luck charm!" and from his room on the second floor down comes one of his signature "Fins and Fires" wrist bands. So me not one to turn down a good luck charm, especially from a man like Greg, on it goes. A few more words of advice and the rest is history. Come to find out it washis last one.

Greg thanks again and I am sorry. You the man, good luck at Clear Lake!!! I still owe you dude.

-Robby

[Stretch1]

Big ROB what is up dude one heck of a job...man u must be on cloud 9-10 and 11 right not...the only down side is now you cant fish a single semi-pro tournament but who cares with a win like that u can afford to spend the cash on the higher dollar tournaments..man i am so happy for you it is hella cool to see such a great guy do so well man im as so freakin happy for ya...congrats dude....u were using LIMIT LURE stuff right...lol...

[Dewayne]

You fished a great tournament. While the BASS people tereated us like crap at the Opens, they treat you very well at the Elite events.

PS - If I was one of the people you thought were bashing the Elite guys that is not the case. My statement was only that you will learn more about the Delta from watching the 100% teams than you will the Elite angler. They are all great fishermen, but only a few really know and understand the Delta.

[Duckman]

I also fished the event and had a outstanding time. I pre fished Tuesday with Derek Remitz, he is a calm cool guy we had a fun day fishing.
Day one of the tourny my draw was Gary Klein, WOW I was excited. Gary was great to fish with he was helpful and would talk about fishing with me all day. We caught fish all day but could not get any size, I will always remember this day.
Day two I drew Preston Clark. A very nice guy and good fisherman. Preston is a true sight fisherman and fishing behind him was tough. We had a good time and I would do it again.
This is my second Elite event and it was a very exciting time, I did not have one bad experience. Great job by BASS, it was a truly professional job. I can't wait for them to come back again.

[Vernonn]

Great Job!!! Now you can get all the Megabass rods you want!!!!

Steve I. and I were watching the leader board and rooting for you. We kind of got worried at the end of Saturday's weigh-ins, Your name didn't pop up until the near the end. Made us wonder if your pro forgot the weigh-in time or something.

Again, congratulations!!

-vernonn

[BB]

Robbie,

CONGRATS on a terrific finish and a great story. I competed against you in the "other" circuit a couple of years ago and am glad to see you moving on to bigger and better. Also wanted to applaud you for stepping up and saying what you truly believe in. Definitely something we all should think about in the future before speaking out.

All the best in your future endeavors.

BB

[Mitch]

Rob, way to go dude !!! See, I told you you'd really enjoy it. Hope that someof my suggestions helped you. Sounds like it went well. Now youre ready to go for more. Good luck, and hang on to that wrist band !!!

[steve0806]

Nice of you to include Brian in your comments. He cut his teeth fishing with his father in the Taft (CA.) Bass Club before heading east to attend Southwest Mo. State and settling near Branson. You are right. These guys all deserve credit for finding fish in a short period of time on strange bodies of water. He never spent any time fishing the Delta. We only fish the Central Coast and Valley lakes. We are proud of him.

[MIKE TREMONT]

Hey congradulations. I don't know you and have not checked the stats yet, but it sounds like you scored.

Now to your "bashing" statement. I know how talented those guys are. They wouldn't be there if they were'nt, but...
I haven't seen it dicussed latley, but if you think those guys come out here and put together a pattern in 2.5 days without any major inside help, I believe you are mistaken. There is way to much at stake for those guys and they get all the help they are allowed, and who know's what goes on behind the scene.

Good luck in the future.