Lee Xiong 2018 IFMas Kayak Derby Champion
Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 7:43 pm
On Saturday, December 1st. approximately 20 kayak anglers braved the stormy conditions and took the water at Lake Camanche for the IFMas Kayak Derby to see who would be crowned champion.
The weather was brutal and consisted of constant rain with 10 to 15 mph winds.
Only hard-core anglers will brave those conditions.
Anglers reported a really tough bite with many coming up empty. It was an open launch and anglers fished from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM to see who could submit the greatest total length for their 3 bass limit.
Lee Xiong of Merced was able to put together an impressive limit consisting of 2 largemouths and 1 spotted bass totaling 49 inches.
Due to the severe weather conditions, Xiong decided to stay close to the ramp. He chose to fish off-shore humps in 17 to 28 feet of water that were only 50 to 70 yards from the launch ramp. He reported that a rocky bottom was the key to getting bit.
The water temperature ranged from 56 to 57 degrees.
He got a total of 6 bites all day and boated 3 fish. He got 2 bites on a green pumpkin shaky head worm that landed him the largemouths. His big fish came on a Strike King 5.5” Flutter Spoon. He had 4 bites on the spoon but was only able to land one. The one he did get turned out to be his big fish of the day – a 19” spotted bass.
Xiong reported that this was the first time that he had ever fished Lake Camanche.
“I generally don’t prefish. I’m just doing this for fun. I like to get out there and see what happens”, said Xiong.
In Second place was Obedie “Rippin’ Lips” Williams followed by Cy Winkler in Third.
Up next for Xiong is the CVKF Eastman Lake Event on December 16th. He went on to say that he is excited about next year and plans to fish the CVKF, MKA, and KBF events. He is looking forward to a busy 2019 tournament season.