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Yak-A-Bass 2019 Kicks Off on Lake Berryessa

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2019 10:19 pm
by MKA
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Now in their fourth season, Yak-A-Bass 2019 is set to kick off on Sunday, 2/24/19 at Lake Berryessa. Located in Napa County, CA Lake Berryessa boasts 20,000 acres and 165 miles of shoreline. The lake is well-known for healthy populations of largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass. Fishing will begin at 6:15 AM (open launch) and check-ins will be at Putah Canyon Creek at 3:00 PM.

This first tournament is a KBF Trail Series event held in collaboration with Yak-A-Bass and will count towards Yak-A-Bass points for angler of the year. “We are anticipating having 100 to 150 anglers from all over the west coast. The bite has been a little slow lately, but I expect to pick up before the tournament as the fish will be transitioning into their pre-spawn mode and they will strap on the feedbag”, said Tournament Director James Snyder.

Up next will be the month-long online tournament where anglers can fish anywhere in California, Lake Havasu in Arizona, and at the KBF National Championship in Louisiana. Anglers submit their best 5 fish for a chance to win.
All events this year will be a 5 fish limit. “This way it evens out the playing field. One big fish will not necessarily move you to the top of the standings. Our anglers specifically requested this format and we listened”, said Snyder.

There will be 10 total events consisting of 2 KBF Trail Series and the KBF Regional Championship event on Clear Lake in August along with 7 Yak-A-Bass events throughout Northern California.

2019 Schedule
2/24/19 - KBF Trail Series Event on Lake Berryessa
3/1/19 - 3/31/19 - YAB Month-Long Online Tournament
4/27/19 - YAB on Lake Berryessa
5/18 & 5/19/19 - YAB on California Delta
6/15/19 - KBF Trail Series Event on New Melones Reservoir)
7/21/19 - YAB on California Delta
8/23 & 8/24/19 - KBF Regional Championship on Clear Lake
9/21/19 - YAB on California Delta
10/20/19 - YAB on Lake Camanche
November 2019 (TBD) – YAB on Lake Camanche (Team Tournament)

The 2018 season saw record turnouts with fields regularly eclipsing the 100-angler mark. The Angler of the Year race was a hard-fought battle to the end where journeyman kayak angler Abel Patino ended up on top.

2018 AOY top 10:
1. Abel Patino
2. Alden Walden
3. Mike Ensign
4. Jose Cervantes
5. Greg Blanchard
6. Michael Lavoie
7. Travis Lear
8. Tyler Jackson
9. Jacob Traba
10. Michael Graham

Snyder continued, “We are expecting big things this season. More sponsors have come on board, turnouts will continue to grow, and payouts are increasing. Come give the Yak-A-Bass circuit a try, you won’t be disappointed.”