My Story
My Story
Well, it all started on Thursday when I got to take the day off to do a little pre-fishing. On pre-fish I caught em' pretty good! On my first stop I had about 27 pounds on this little red crankbait I've been throwing. (Thanks Dee) Then I ran around until 12:00pm when the ban got lifted and I went into Lil'Mandivile. There were alot of cruzers in there but nothing locked on but a few 2 pounders. I started throwing a swimbait around and had some nice ones follow it but no takers. I pitched a senko for a while and finaly caught one around 5 pounds in there. I left there and went to the Break and got into a great blade bite using char/white Bobby D's spinnerbaits. I caught about 30 fish there in 2 hours up to 4 pounds. Then went in. When I got home I thought about trying to get in as a pro thinking I could catch between 25 and 30 pounds each day, But chickend out after hearing about everyones pre-fish catching 35 to 48 pounds! The storys were flying around at Friday nights meeting about the huge sacks everyone was catching! The draw came and I got Ed Schneider and John Harper. I had heard of Ed but didn't know anything about him, I had heard and seen a lot about John (all good) I remenber him winning a pro-am here last year. So I was pretty stoked with my draws. After meeting and making arangements for the next two days I went home and prepaired my gear for the next days fishing.
Saturday morning greeted us to awesome weather! Overcast skys with little wind. I meet up with Ed @ 5:30 at the ramp got the boat launched and waited for game day to begain. After the playing of our nations song we plasted off in the second flight. We stopped at Ed's starting spot where he had some big ones going in pratice. I picked up a frog and Ed was pitching his favorite plastic bait. He caught a couple of small keepers and I had a few bumps on my frog, but they just wernt eating it! Off to the next spot and the next spot, then we were flipping a tule berm and he stickes a good one! Get the net! He is playing this thing for ever! I said "what pound test are you using?" he says "12" The fish makes a couple of runs for deep water and finally in the net it goes. A nice 7.66. Down the bank a few more feet he gets another keeper. we fish down a little further with no luck, so we swich sides of the sl. I pick up a dropshot and stick a nice 4 pounder. We bounce around on a few more spots without helping our bag except for a freight train that he coulnt stop with that 12 pound line that got caught up in the weeds and got off. So we head back to his starting spot, he said it was better at the higher tide. As soon as we start he stickes a 5. Cool , culled a 2 pounder. Then about 5 minutes later, another 5! Out goes another 2+. I catch a couple that wont help on a senko, but here he goes again with his secrete bait and sticks another 5! Nice! We dont upgrade any more after catching a few nice fish. So we head in for our 3:15 weigh in. We bag our fish, and are greeted with a golf cart to take us down the hill to the stage. (thanks Chuck and staff @ Russo's). We weigh em' and come up with 25.62 good enough for 15th place. Great job Ed! Thanks you for a fun day on the River!
The next morning I'm suposed to meet John at the dock in front of The Hook @ 5:45am. There I sit waiting......waiting......a call out on the PA for John (Thanks Bill) and No John! Finally at 6:05 here comes John idleing over from Beakon Marina to pick me up for our 6:15 blast off! As we go by some of the guys we hear the (how did you get Andrews? chuckels!! ) John tells them that he got a killer draw and he was going to weigh in a huge sack with me in the boat!. Nothing like a little preasure! Then he say's Dude! You wouldn't believe my morning! My van is sitting Vasco road with a busted wheel bearing! Luckly Brian Carpenter drove by and picked me up! (Thanks Brian!). So off we go. He stops after a short run, and says "I got em' here good here yesterday on a senko" and goes to work! I pick up that little crankbait I was throwing in pratice and about the third cast BAM! "Get the net is a good one" he jumps for the net as I horse a 9 pound bass out of the tullies and in the net it goes! High 5's, back to fishing. Not more then 3 cast later, Get the net I got another! He's on it again, and a nice 6 1/2 slides over the rail. More high 5's. After a we fish about a 100 yard strech of the bank here come Ken Mah fishing towards us right through the spot I had stuck the two fish. We chat as he comes by, then go right back through the prop wash from his trolling motor, I make a cast with my magaic crankbait and BAM! get the net! Another 7 comes over the side! Two cast later another 6+ falls for the crankbait!! About this time John is doing flips on the carpet looking like Mike Ike! Hugging and kissing me (not really) After not getting bit flippin John says "screw this"! "If they are eating that they will eat this" and pulls out a swimbait. I catch a 4 pounder on a senko to make our limit. A few minutes later John sets up! "Get the net! Its a good one" in comes a 8 1/2! More high 5's and back goes my 4 pound senko fish. Not 10 minutes later he sets up again, "Its another good one!" and after a breif battle a 7 comes over the side! We can do nothing but laugh!!! "This is just stupid" John says. I'm just in shock looking in the live well at all of these backs. "Looks like cord wood in there" So after checking and re-checking and a few "are you sure's" we let go A SIX POUNDER! By this time we both cant keep a strait face giggling like a couple of scool girls! We go to make a move and John presses the start button and NOTHING! Oh no! Running the livewells so much drained our batteries. We look out and there is Izzy Byrd going a little fun fishing. "IZZY" John yells out. "Come give us a jump man" No problem! (thanks Izzy). We go run up and down the river a few times to charge the batteries for a few, and go back to fishing. We come up on Zack Thompson and another boat Dewayne fishing ahead of us, just then John sets up on another! "Get the net" he yells and here comes one about 4 1/2. It looked bigger in the water. I pick it up out of the net, give it a look and toss it back in the water. I thought Zack was going to fall over when he saw that "you guys dont need that one?" "nope" John says. We go to leave and DEAD BATTERIES AGAIN! Man! Dewayne!!! Come give us a jump! He does (Thanks Dewayne) "Dude we got to go in to the Hook and get another battery" says John, so off we go to The Hook. We call Hutch to meet us @ the dock just to make sure we dont do anything against the rules while we make the switch. Hutch comes down, and we make the switch and off we go....NOT! The new battery does not have enough juice to start us up. The guy working in the Hook comes out and says "I have a starter, wanna use it?" heck yes! We get started and off we go to run up and down the river again to charge it. We settle down and start fishing again, for what I dont know? We need to cull a 6 1/2! We throw swimbaits until 3:30 and John says "lets go in, I dont want more boat trouble" Fine with me. FIVE BAGS PLEASE. First time I have had to say that. We bag our fish up and off on the golf cart we go. We get to the scales and when it settles on 37.82 Hutch calls out "A new Won Bass record!" ( Sorry Jeff) after another hand shake from John and a few pictures we give them to the release boat.
At the awards my 63.44 was first place by over 5 pounds! I made sure to thank Bill and the Won Bass crew, Gene and The Hook Line & Sinker, Chuck and the Russo's staff for their efforts. My pro's, Two great guys. I thing John and I will stay in touch for now on since after I cought that first 9 and 6 pounder he promised to take me spot fishing on any lake I want!
Disclamer: With respect to my Pro's, I can not give out any place we fished our what baits we used, so please dont ask.
Thanks, Mike
Saturday morning greeted us to awesome weather! Overcast skys with little wind. I meet up with Ed @ 5:30 at the ramp got the boat launched and waited for game day to begain. After the playing of our nations song we plasted off in the second flight. We stopped at Ed's starting spot where he had some big ones going in pratice. I picked up a frog and Ed was pitching his favorite plastic bait. He caught a couple of small keepers and I had a few bumps on my frog, but they just wernt eating it! Off to the next spot and the next spot, then we were flipping a tule berm and he stickes a good one! Get the net! He is playing this thing for ever! I said "what pound test are you using?" he says "12" The fish makes a couple of runs for deep water and finally in the net it goes. A nice 7.66. Down the bank a few more feet he gets another keeper. we fish down a little further with no luck, so we swich sides of the sl. I pick up a dropshot and stick a nice 4 pounder. We bounce around on a few more spots without helping our bag except for a freight train that he coulnt stop with that 12 pound line that got caught up in the weeds and got off. So we head back to his starting spot, he said it was better at the higher tide. As soon as we start he stickes a 5. Cool , culled a 2 pounder. Then about 5 minutes later, another 5! Out goes another 2+. I catch a couple that wont help on a senko, but here he goes again with his secrete bait and sticks another 5! Nice! We dont upgrade any more after catching a few nice fish. So we head in for our 3:15 weigh in. We bag our fish, and are greeted with a golf cart to take us down the hill to the stage. (thanks Chuck and staff @ Russo's). We weigh em' and come up with 25.62 good enough for 15th place. Great job Ed! Thanks you for a fun day on the River!
The next morning I'm suposed to meet John at the dock in front of The Hook @ 5:45am. There I sit waiting......waiting......a call out on the PA for John (Thanks Bill) and No John! Finally at 6:05 here comes John idleing over from Beakon Marina to pick me up for our 6:15 blast off! As we go by some of the guys we hear the (how did you get Andrews? chuckels!! ) John tells them that he got a killer draw and he was going to weigh in a huge sack with me in the boat!. Nothing like a little preasure! Then he say's Dude! You wouldn't believe my morning! My van is sitting Vasco road with a busted wheel bearing! Luckly Brian Carpenter drove by and picked me up! (Thanks Brian!). So off we go. He stops after a short run, and says "I got em' here good here yesterday on a senko" and goes to work! I pick up that little crankbait I was throwing in pratice and about the third cast BAM! "Get the net is a good one" he jumps for the net as I horse a 9 pound bass out of the tullies and in the net it goes! High 5's, back to fishing. Not more then 3 cast later, Get the net I got another! He's on it again, and a nice 6 1/2 slides over the rail. More high 5's. After a we fish about a 100 yard strech of the bank here come Ken Mah fishing towards us right through the spot I had stuck the two fish. We chat as he comes by, then go right back through the prop wash from his trolling motor, I make a cast with my magaic crankbait and BAM! get the net! Another 7 comes over the side! Two cast later another 6+ falls for the crankbait!! About this time John is doing flips on the carpet looking like Mike Ike! Hugging and kissing me (not really) After not getting bit flippin John says "screw this"! "If they are eating that they will eat this" and pulls out a swimbait. I catch a 4 pounder on a senko to make our limit. A few minutes later John sets up! "Get the net! Its a good one" in comes a 8 1/2! More high 5's and back goes my 4 pound senko fish. Not 10 minutes later he sets up again, "Its another good one!" and after a breif battle a 7 comes over the side! We can do nothing but laugh!!! "This is just stupid" John says. I'm just in shock looking in the live well at all of these backs. "Looks like cord wood in there" So after checking and re-checking and a few "are you sure's" we let go A SIX POUNDER! By this time we both cant keep a strait face giggling like a couple of scool girls! We go to make a move and John presses the start button and NOTHING! Oh no! Running the livewells so much drained our batteries. We look out and there is Izzy Byrd going a little fun fishing. "IZZY" John yells out. "Come give us a jump man" No problem! (thanks Izzy). We go run up and down the river a few times to charge the batteries for a few, and go back to fishing. We come up on Zack Thompson and another boat Dewayne fishing ahead of us, just then John sets up on another! "Get the net" he yells and here comes one about 4 1/2. It looked bigger in the water. I pick it up out of the net, give it a look and toss it back in the water. I thought Zack was going to fall over when he saw that "you guys dont need that one?" "nope" John says. We go to leave and DEAD BATTERIES AGAIN! Man! Dewayne!!! Come give us a jump! He does (Thanks Dewayne) "Dude we got to go in to the Hook and get another battery" says John, so off we go to The Hook. We call Hutch to meet us @ the dock just to make sure we dont do anything against the rules while we make the switch. Hutch comes down, and we make the switch and off we go....NOT! The new battery does not have enough juice to start us up. The guy working in the Hook comes out and says "I have a starter, wanna use it?" heck yes! We get started and off we go to run up and down the river again to charge it. We settle down and start fishing again, for what I dont know? We need to cull a 6 1/2! We throw swimbaits until 3:30 and John says "lets go in, I dont want more boat trouble" Fine with me. FIVE BAGS PLEASE. First time I have had to say that. We bag our fish up and off on the golf cart we go. We get to the scales and when it settles on 37.82 Hutch calls out "A new Won Bass record!" ( Sorry Jeff) after another hand shake from John and a few pictures we give them to the release boat.
At the awards my 63.44 was first place by over 5 pounds! I made sure to thank Bill and the Won Bass crew, Gene and The Hook Line & Sinker, Chuck and the Russo's staff for their efforts. My pro's, Two great guys. I thing John and I will stay in touch for now on since after I cought that first 9 and 6 pounder he promised to take me spot fishing on any lake I want!
Disclamer: With respect to my Pro's, I can not give out any place we fished our what baits we used, so please dont ask.
Thanks, Mike
Last edited by Mike on Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:41 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Re: My Story
What a great story. I love the crankbait fish. Now that would be a crank I would love to have. I also think I might retire the one you used and get a new one.
Ray L.
Sponsors:
www.legendbassboats.com
www.waderods.com
www.allengmc.com
www.gambler-bang.com
orange county circuit breakers
Five alive is good for me
Sponsors:
www.legendbassboats.com
www.waderods.com
www.allengmc.com
www.gambler-bang.com
orange county circuit breakers
Five alive is good for me
Re: My Story
Nice story Mike..Done with class and respect....It has always amazed me how a bunch of toads can turn grown men into gigling children..GOOD JOB MAN!!!!
http://www.dobynsrods.com
- MIKE TREMONT
- Posts: 1562
- Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:50 pm
- Location: FAIR OAKS
Re: My Story
What a weekend! I was lucky enough to get paired last year with John when he won. I wish I would of had that little crankbait, but I was really glad just to have what we did.
Thinking about it we had a little excitement on our first run. We were running down the river from Ladds and I felt a little thump. I looked over at John and he either didn't notice or wasn't worried. A couple minutes later that loud high pitched beep! John slows down and man that motor is sizzling hot. It was a piece of plastic maybe about 8" square. Looked to me like it was once a cooler. It was now shaped in a V and had blocked the water ports. Who needs caffine at this point.
Luckily there was no permanant damage and we went on to have a great day of fishing.
Great job and good luck in the future. Thanks for link to company's website as well!
Thinking about it we had a little excitement on our first run. We were running down the river from Ladds and I felt a little thump. I looked over at John and he either didn't notice or wasn't worried. A couple minutes later that loud high pitched beep! John slows down and man that motor is sizzling hot. It was a piece of plastic maybe about 8" square. Looked to me like it was once a cooler. It was now shaped in a V and had blocked the water ports. Who needs caffine at this point.
Luckily there was no permanant damage and we went on to have a great day of fishing.
Great job and good luck in the future. Thanks for link to company's website as well!
I had to come back...I know...
Re: More to the story
While I am giving them a jump start, they tell me they have 38# and need to cull a 6.5# next. I tell them to go have a burger for lunch and relax till weight in.
John's comment was "Naw, I am pretty sure we can cull that 6.5#" and off to the Hook they went to get a new battery. PRETTY SURE YOU CAN CULL A 6.5#!!!!! Ouch, that one left a mark. Kind of mades it embarrassing to bring in a couple 3+# fish.
Great Job Mike!
Now do you remember at the pizza parlor when I told you not to fear pro/ams? See you on the pointy end next year!
John's comment was "Naw, I am pretty sure we can cull that 6.5#" and off to the Hook they went to get a new battery. PRETTY SURE YOU CAN CULL A 6.5#!!!!! Ouch, that one left a mark. Kind of mades it embarrassing to bring in a couple 3+# fish.
Great Job Mike!
Now do you remember at the pizza parlor when I told you not to fear pro/ams? See you on the pointy end next year!
Dewayne
Re: My Story
Great Job and Great story Mike!! Man - I have only had one Pro-Am where I boated the majority (well actually all) of the fish, but mine was like 14 lbs. You are DA MAN. Keep it up!
Re: My Story
Mike- Congrats on the fantastic tournament. Great story and a well deserved win!
Dobyns Rods
- bassindon69
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 12:37 am
- Location: Dos Palos Ca.
Re: My Story
AWESOME!! Congrats! I was reading that with a big smile and a few laughs.
Thank you very much for the story.
Don.
Thank you very much for the story.
Don.
- BassTraveler
- Posts: 960
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2005 7:16 am
- Location: Clearlake
- Contact:
Re: My Story
Ditto to what bassindon69 said. I love the 12lb
BTW, where did you say you were and what were you using again?
Congrats on a great finish.
It musta been fun, esp. on Sunday ...
How does it feel to be a couple of school girls ?
BTW, where did you say you were and what were you using again?
Congrats on a great finish.
It musta been fun, esp. on Sunday ...
How does it feel to be a couple of school girls ?
[url=http://www.nosweatmist.com/][img]http://www.westernbass.com/shared/sponsors/150x50/nosweat.jpg[/img][/url]
www.nixonsmarine.com
www.nixonsmarine.com
Re: My Story
Great story - hope it continues next week for the Stren.
- Topwater All Day
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:15 pm
- Location: EDH, CA
- Contact:
Re: My Story
That is just an awesome story!!! Congrats to you Mike on a fantastic day!!! I don't think I could have kept fishing giggling like a little school girl...And the problems with the battery!?!? What a wild ride man!!!
I think we can cull that 6.5!!!
That is just awesome!!!
Rob
I think we can cull that 6.5!!!
That is just awesome!!!
Rob
- Andy Giannini
- Posts: 998
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 7:38 pm
- Location: Delta
Re: My Story
Awesome!
A.G.
I can't even think of something to type!
Unreal!
A.G.
I can't even think of something to type!
Unreal!
"If you can't win, at LEAST catch the Big Fish!"
- jeff bradshaw
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 9:40 am
- Location: Oakley, CA
Re: My Story
Great story Mike!! What a great day you guys had, that's the kind of tournament day everyone dreams about having. I know how you felt that day....we felt the same way last year when it was our turn. Congrat's man!
Re: My Story
Thanks for sharing the story and congratulations on the win!!! Soon enough, once everything is right, we'll see you on the front end of the boat. I know you've got well placed priorities but it'll be fun to watch how you do once the timing is right.
sTony
sTony
Re: My Story
Great Report and awesome day on the river. Congrats man
-
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2005 6:19 am
Re: My Story
Wow! What a day!
Hey Dewayne........you forgot to mention the beer for for my cables program you were running
John
Hey Dewayne........you forgot to mention the beer for for my cables program you were running
John
Re: Yea John!
That's right. Wasn't that a 6 pack if you won?
Hey Mikey!!!!!
Looks like I negotiated with the wrong end of the boat. You owe me a Bud Light one of these days.
Hey Mikey!!!!!
Looks like I negotiated with the wrong end of the boat. You owe me a Bud Light one of these days.
Dewayne
Re: Wonderful story! Congratulations!*NM*
No problem Dewayne! I owe you.
Thank you guys for all of the kind words!
Now if I can catch half of those fish in the Won Bass Team tournament this Saturday!
Thank you guys for all of the kind words!
Now if I can catch half of those fish in the Won Bass Team tournament this Saturday!
Re: My Story
whew.. finally had time to read your story.. awesome awesome job Mike! Congrats!!!
Dennis "Cal" Shew
Enthusiast Tackle Editor
Tackle Tour : The Angler's source for tackle news and reviews
www.tackletour.com
[i]fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside[/i]
Enthusiast Tackle Editor
Tackle Tour : The Angler's source for tackle news and reviews
www.tackletour.com
[i]fish with mindfulness : beware the darkside[/i]
-
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2005 4:15 pm
- Location: Antioch, CA
Re: My Story
Congratulations on your win, Mike! That's one heck of a way to win a tournament. Nice story, too.
Aaron Hart
Aaron Hart
Re: My Story
Way to go partner! I'm sorry I missed it. Heaven help us all if this guy gets to spend as much time on the water as some of you guys do. See ya saturday and thanks for my monthly guide trip in advance. Bobby D.
Re: My Story
Cool story! Congratulations!
I enjoyed your story, thanks for writing it.
Trace
I enjoyed your story, thanks for writing it.
Trace
Copyright © 2013-2024 WesternBass.com ®