WILL DUNCAN AND ROBERT THORNTON WIN BERRYESSA AC WRL

[Randy Pringle]

WILL DUNCAN AND ROBERT THORNTON WIN RECORD BREAKING BERRYESSA TOURNAMENT

Berkley AC WRL Northern Division was held at Pleasure Cove on Lake Berryessa Saturday, February 20th. It was cool with a light breeze to start the morning off with clouds lingering and the possibility of rain in the forecast. With 109 boats, Mother Nature was kind, no rain! With all these boats on the water, would there be any empty areas or unfished water? The answer is Will Duncan from Hollister and Robert Thornton from Cool who brought in to the scales the winning weight of 17.71 anchored with an 8.76 pound kicker which was the third big fish of the event. When interviewed in front of the crowd, they said they caught all their fish on rip baits all over the lake. For their efforts, they were awarded two beautiful plaques and gas money, $3685. Great job guys!

Second place was the team of Mike Nicholson and Karen Canevari, both from Camino. I know Mike can catch fish and has shown in the past, just that but when Karen brought in the second big fish of the event, well let’s just say, it is great to have your partner catch a 10.00 pound fish to help the cause. This team’s total weight was 16.97 pounds gave them a payday of $2385. This team caught their fish on rip baits, crank baits and jigs and the big one came on a drop shot! Congratulations Karen for catching your personal best and in a tournament! There is no better time to catch that bass!

Third place goes to the team of Ron Rogers of Willows and Don Frailey of Orland who came to the scales with a nice limit of 16.17 pounds and their big fish of 6.22 pounds was the fifth big fish of the tournament. They told everyone they fished both ends of the lake drop shotting and weightless worms for their bass. They took home a payday of $1245. Nice work guys!

Fourth place was the team of Kelley Allard from Olivehurst and Kevin Mc Clain of Elverta and I am glad to see you two again fishing our circuit. They had a nice limit that weighed 14.85 and for their efforts they took home $805.

Rounding out the top five was the team of Wes Stevener and Tim Little. Tim Little fished by himself at this event as Wes was out of town. Wes is one of the owners of Eye Surrender Sunglasses, one of our sponsors of the AC/ WRL. Tim brought home $560 for their team! Maybe you can work out a deal with Wes, a 60/40 or 70/ 30 split!! Tim’s bass weighed 14.10 pounds.


GENE WALL AND RYAN BOTTINI DOGE ALL THE BOATS TO WIN THE SMALL BOAT DIVISION

The winners in the Small Boat Division, Gene Wall from Vallejo and Ryan Bottini of Benicia, with a weight of 12.27 pounds with their best fish weighing 3.46 pounds, they took first place in their division and Seventeenth place overall. They caught their fish using jigs and swim baits on the north side of the lake. Great job guys!

Second place was the team of Dustin Tacker from Roseville and Chris Hughes from Orangevale who came to the scales with a nice limit weighing in at 10.24 pounds.

Third place in the small boat division was the team of Mike Wilson from Pleasanton and Don Wilson from San Ramon who weighed in a 7.96 pounds limit of bass.

For the 20/20 Eye Surrender Sunglasses Award, the team of Justin Nelson and Mike Sousa were present and happy to receive their sunglasses!

Thirtieth Place, Fortieth Place and the Berserk Bait sponsor gift winners were not present to win their prizes. These will be donated to our TOC. The winner of the Abu Garcia Vendetta and the Black Dog Plunker was present to win these two items. Remember, you MUST be present to win prizes or they will be awarded to the TOC to be given out then. There was over $12,000 in winnings given out at this tournament in addition to all prizes.

A special thanks goes out to Christina Mc Clain for helping at the weigh in and taking some photos. We would also like to thank Pleasure Cove for hosting the last two events.

We would like to thank the following sponsors with the Angler’s Choice Western Rookie League for all your support. Remember to support your sponsors as they are supporting you and your sport!

Legend Boats, Mercury Marine, Motorguide Trolling Motors, Berkley Power Bait, Berkley Trilene, Bass West USA, Bass Tackle Depot, Western Bass.com, Swim Bait Nation, Eye Surrender Sunglasses, Abu Garcia Vendetta Rods, Black Dog Baits, Berserk Baits, Bass-N-Mor Fish taxidermy & replicas, Casa Verde Villa – Mexico trip

Sponsor Tackle Stores: Escalon/ Escalon Bait & Tackle, Waterford/ Bait Barn, Modesto/ C & C Marine, Oroville/ Oroville Outdoors, Berryessa/ Berryessa Sporting Goods, Clear lake North/ Clear Lake Outdoors, Clear Lake South/ Clear Lake Bait & Tackle, Delta/ Delta Outdoors, Melones/ Gloryhole Sports, Clovis/ Valley Rod & Gun

[big bass beckstrom]

Good job Will!! As you said, you guys got sticks.