MotherLode Tournaments

[Wally]

Why don't any of the Motherload circuits have tournaments at Melones? It is twice the lake McClure is and every one has multiple tournaments there. McClure is nothing but a big mudhole. Melones has the Glory Hole that really puts themselves out to the tournament anglers giving away $100's of dollars of gift certificates and opening there doors a 0400 to help us keep warm and coffee and the best tackle supply in all the motherload. Also helping with the planting of Florida Bass. People are always talking supporting the local tackle shops but I sure don't see it here in the motherload. Who in the hell are we supporting having all these tournament at McClure? If American Bass really wants to have a large turnout they should can one of the McClure tourneys and that crazy night tourney in May and get two Melones tournaments.

[Johnny C]

Must be the permit thing Wally..You are right on the money though..Hell some are even going to Tulloch..Maybe be next year it will be Turlock Res., Woodward, and Mcswain..

[Phil]

TD'S are in love with the spotted Bass bite, and love for their anglers to catch fish...they draw more anglkers and anglers $$$$ for the TD'S........most tournaments seem to be of a AM statis, (not a Pro team statis); in which quite a few do not catch fish at Don Pedro or New Melones, especially in early winter and late fall months, it just seems that way anyway, I could be wrong..but you figure up to June 26th next year, there are only 20 + permits for Don Pedro, and over 50 for Mc clure !!

You figure it out, I can not ?

Jigs

[Wally]

LoL, If it is the permit thing then why don't they charge a $10 or $20 fee per team. Heck, we pay that much for the launch fee at McClure, or should I say McMudHole.

[Wally]

Jigs, I think the early winter tournaments started at McClure about 15 or so years ago and people did catch alot of fish. So over the years every one just figured that was THE LAKE to fish and never ventured out to other lakes. Well I got news for them, Melones beats the hell out of McClure that time of year

[Phil]

agree +1

[eddremax]

Its because of the BEAURCRATS charging a $ 300 use fee. I now understand they will start charging a gate fee of 10-12 bucks.
Ed

[Phil]

well; You pay at Mc clure, you pay or are supposed to at Don Pedro $ 13.00 .It was a matter of time before New Melones caught up.You pay at Shasta......Clearlake is the only free lake I believe, and at some ramps you even pay there..Angles Camp has the motels and Diners Cafe's....it's all there !! People don't stop coming to Don Pedro because they have to pay......It's because we have no ,motels or restaurants. ?? I think anyway, only my two cents worth.

Jigs

[RMANZO]

wally.... first of all, do you even fish aba????? alot of people come on here and give there opinions, which is good, but most of the times the guys who give "negative" opinions,about where a t.d. holds an event at a certain lake, don't even fish these events.... and for you guys that are "afraid" of fishing mcclure, it is an awesome fishery in the fall and winter..... for the past few years there have been bigger bass taken in those few months than "any" other motherlode lake...... so instead of griping "why we are fishing a "mudhole", come out and support.....then at least all you guys that have all this time on your hands to look up dfg permits, and gripe about where the event is held, you might be heard..... alot of the guys that "do" support aba, like fishing pedro and mcclure.... that keeps them coming back every year.....
that is my 2 cents, and i do run the aba motherlode

[JRS]

rmanzo, I not sure if Wally fishes aba,but I do know that he is a regular with the motherlode tournaments. Your comments come across a little negative(IMHO),so if what your trying to do is get more support for aba,then you might not want to bash those that your trying to get. Just my opinion

[RMANZO]

i'm not bashing anyone....... my point is, "wally" bashed "aba" for going to mcclure, and having a night event in may on pedro.... i read alot of "bashings" about td's on this forum and it seems the bashing is mostly from guys who don't even fish my region.....so why even say anything...... most of the guys that "do fish aba", like going to mcclure......it is about the most level playing field, lake, you can fish.... all you need is "one good bite" and you get a check..... and the input from guys that "already" support aba motherlode is most important to me..... what it boils down to is you cannot make "all" happy.... people post on here all the time wanting a cheap fun circuit to fish....."BAM".... along comes "DA POE MANS".... do these guys come out and fish???? "NO"!!!!! most have nothing better to do than throw some "smack" around here and get everyone excited........peace out

[Wally]

First of all, yes, I have fished ABA, before you became TD, nothing to do with you by the way, along with 100%, Nor-Cal pro-ams, WON, Anglers Choice, Bass Fed, and the old Newbass and MidCal. I have been fishing Motherload tournaments for about 15 years. And NO, I am not Affraid to fish McClure, In fact, I buy an anual pass there every year and have probably got more checks there than any other Motheload lakes, including 100% this year where my partner and I took 2nd for angler of the year for the Motherload.
And yes, I have plenty of time to look up permits since I am retired but usually on one of the lakes.
You have been asking people to come fish your circuit. I have lived in Sonora all my life, 60 years, which is why I don't fish your night tourneys, and know most of the motherload fishermen. Talking with them is why I suggested what I posted. I thought I was helping you by stating what the motherload anglers want. I certainly wasn't bashing you. I have no reason for that. If I don't want to fish a circuit, for what ever reason, I just don't fish it. That is my choice and has nothing to do with bashing some one.
I was planning on fishing a few of your tourneys this year since 100% is gone. That is a choice I still have to make.

PS: Howdy John

[DAN]

I love it! TD's figure out a way to get that great pond into the schedule anglers miss fishing it, Glory Hole Sports is one of the most supportive shops I have EVER been to for anglers.... There is a use fee now ya so! Charge it back to the anglers, they would much rather pay a few extra bucks than deal with some of the other headaches in the Motherlode. Angels Camp and Sonora have good ammenties heck wives can go Wine tasting and get some of that Columbia Candy Kitchen goodies from the Nelson girls. Having lived there I must say you guys are missing out on a great area! I would leave the Delta more just to hassle Johnny C (Love ya man)

[tunaman]

Glory Hole Sports is one of the most supportive shops I have EVER been to for anglers....

I've only been there one time, for the 100% TOC last year, and have no skin in this game, but I do have to agree about Glory Hole Sports... I was so impressed with how accommodating they were for our tourney and really went out of their way.

Roger

[Joe Bruce]

I have to agree with wally, mcclure sux compared to melones. you shoulda bit the bullet Robert, just take the fee out of the payback.

If korney had gone to either pedro or melones insted of the lucky bite mud hole I woulda man'ed up the $1000. and signed up.

[RMANZO]

whats up joe????? i thought of taking it out of the payback or having everyone pay a little more to go to melones, but it seems there are always people who complain about paying anything extra.... remember korny said he was going to charge extra last season to offset the melones fees...."EVERYONE WHINED" including myself sure we still payed it in the end, but i know for a fact he lost a few boats after that...... i am going to do a "special" event there this season....i will be talking to the city of angels camp to see what we can do.............

[eagle123777]

my .02 on the difference between mcclure and melonies and pedro..as a former checkin person for 100%...at mcclure one easy line of boats to check in...melonies and pedro...always two and lined up to the parking lot at pedro..and melonies to lines full even with a full rain blast comin down...told me where the anglers wanted to fish....

[RMANZO]

i don't know how long ago u did checkins for 100%, but he use to get 80-100 teams @ the kick-off @ mcclure.... "FACT"!!!!!!!!! then he would lose a few after that........

[RMARX]

I wish somone had an all McClure circuit!

[R.Cook]

I totally agree, McClure normally draws more boats than Pedro and Melones. I like em all, but there is nothing wrong with McClure, It's just been tougher the last couple years with the low water levels. FPT had a tourney at Melones today, and I heard the weights were "horrible"......Not bashing Melones, just saying they can all be tough, especially with the unstable water levels.

[Phil]

Well; Predictions are less water next year. So ya all might think about fishing bigger lakes with more water.........also you might think about getting a car top boat ???