Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Here is the 50 Angler Field for the inaugural Heavyweight Bass Classic to be held on Friday, January 25, 2008 at Lake Casitas. Names are listed alphabetically:

Allen, Matt
Bailey, Paul
Bailey, Shaun
Ballesteros, Jerry
Bauernfeind, Buck
Beever, Keith
Belloni, Rob
Berry, Art
Bevard, William
Brakebill, Mike
Brown, Butch
Coe, Jordan
Cole, Allan
Conway, David
Davies, Steve
Eaves, Tim
Ellis, Mickey
Elshere, Eric
Elshere, Larry
Flaata, Rob
Friedrichsen, Alek
Gash, Mike
Grover, Kyle
Haring, Kenneth
Holder, Todd
Holoubek, Dave
James, Sean
Kerr, John
Kerr, Justin
Lander, Mike
McDonald, Kenneth
Moffitt, Mike
Moorman, Don
Newman, Matt
Oldham, Brent
Osborne, Don
Pagliughi, Steve
Poolman, Dave
Randell, Ryan
Riha, Doug
Roberson, David
Rosen, Dana
Ross, John
Silks, Gregg
Taylor, Mark
Thigpen, Rod
Thompson, Ron
Vanclef, Chris
Vanderburg, Ken
Warme, Dan

Wow... as an observer, I see a whole BUNCH of names on that list that I'd love to be assigned to!!! Great field Ron!

Roger

Did I say this thing wouldn't be as cool without mike long? I spoke too soon, this is the best field of big bass anglers i have ever seen!!!!

glad to see rob, supermat, CV and bassindon in there

Ron Good job creating this field, I am VERY impressed


so cool!

Wow!

Any observer spots left?????

What a list!!!! I couldn't honestly put together a top 5 out of that...not on a public forum anyway

Amazing, simply amazing!
How about listing their 5 best bass.
Tom

The killer B's. Berry and the bailey bros!!!!!!! Hard to not pick one of the three!!!

Great list of sticks for sure. When it comes to Big Fish awards IN TOURNAMENTS AT CASITAS, probably no angler has won more $ than Todd Holder. Should be exciting for sure. Rick G.

Well here is my personal pick of who might win it...in no particular order:

Allen, Matt
Bailey, Paul
Bailey, Shaun
Ballesteros, Jerry
Bauernfeind, Buck
Beever, Keith
Belloni, Rob
Berry, Art
Bevard, William
Brakebill, Mike
Brown, Butch
Coe, Jordan
Cole, Allan
Conway, David
Davies, Steve
Eaves, Tim
Ellis, Mickey
Elshere, Eric
Elshere, Larry
Flaata, Rob
Friedrichsen, Alek
Gash, Mike
Grover, Kyle
Haring, Kenneth
Holder, Todd
Holoubek, Dave
James, Sean
Kerr, John
Kerr, Justin
Lander, Mike
McDonald, Kenneth
Moffitt, Mike
Moorman, Don
Newman, Matt
Oldham, Brent
Osborne, Don
Pagliughi, Steve
Poolman, Dave
Randell, Ryan
Riha, Doug
Roberson, David
Rosen, Dana
Ross, John
Silks, Gregg
Taylor, Mark
Thigpen, Rod
Thompson, Ron
Vanclef, Chris
Vanderburg, Ken
Warme, Dan

Way to go out on a limb, Rob.

As a participant, I have no favorite swimbaits and would be open to trying any vendors swimbait they'd like to give me.

I will be prefishing it several times, so any lures you'd like me to field test, please send my way. PM me if you have any product you'd like me to try.

Keith Beever

as participant, i do have a favorite swimbait and no you dont get to see it! I hope i catch a fish in this thing. I know everyone else is thinking the same thing. You guys are trying to say who's gonna win? Wow, Its gonna be tougher than eveyone thinks. Those fish are half human. Smart @ss green fish.

Big Todd is going to be a tuf one, I agree w/ Mr. grover. Lots of good buds on the list but I believe most of the locals will be watching Todd pretty close. Great crowd of guys. Bill sorry the competion scared you off. eric

No Mike Long? Too bad.

I have yet to see the lake. I am going to try to get there at least 2 times before the tournament. Its a 6 hour drive for me with my boat so thats about all I can get between the hollidays and the tournament. I am not sure what to expect with that water in January. Thats the only month of the year I havent caught a double digit, most likely due that I am up north where it so ball shrinking cold in Jan. Maybe this is the year to end that record. I have had no love the last couple months. Just yesterday I had one come off again. I guess the fish gods are waiting till Casitas for me. Hopefully. I have some proto stuff but I am not sure what I am goint to use. I will probly have everything just in case. Good luck to all and have a great holliday season.

Don Osborne

I have yet to see the lake. I am going to try to get there at least 2 times before the tournament. Its a 6 hour drive for me with my boat so thats about all I can get between the hollidays and the tournament. I am not sure what to expect with that water in January. Thats the only month of the year I havent caught a double digit, most likely due that I am up north where it so ball shrinking cold in Jan. Maybe this is the year to end that record. I have had no love the last couple months. Just yesterday I had one come off again. I guess the fish gods are waiting till Casitas for me. Hopefully. I have some proto stuff but I am not sure what I am goint to use. I will probly have everything just in case. Good luck to all and have a great holliday season.

Don Osborne

I have yet to see the lake. I am going to try to get there at least 2 times before the tournament. Its a 6 hour drive for me with my boat so thats about all I can get between the hollidays and the tournament. I am not sure what to expect with that water in January. Thats the only month of the year I havent caught a double digit, most likely due that I am up north where it so ball shrinking cold in Jan. Maybe this is the year to end that record. I have had no love the last couple months. Just yesterday I had one come off again. I guess the fish gods are waiting till Casitas for me. Hopefully. I have some proto stuff but I am not sure what I am goint to use. I will probly have everything just in case. Good luck to all and have a great holliday season.

Don Osborne

Third time's a charm ?

PC problems, Ya think?

Hello DougH,
Nice to meet you @ the lake on Friday.

Jim

Hugh has that problem too. His posts twice every time for some reason.

Yo Jimbo!

How could this determine the best if the best is'nt there?
Where is: Mike Long
Joe Uribe Jr and Sr
Scott Brownley
Rich Ianola
Bill Simentel
Seems to me there is alot of good names missing from this list!

it wont determine the best...its jsut one event..thats why alot of guys arent making it...they know all there accomplishments cant be justified in one day. Alot of guys have prior commitments as well.

some look at it as a lose lose...plus the swimbait bite will probably shut off with all the boat traffic. I bet the big fish isnt even won on a swimbait.

seems to me you already have the best picked out. why should they go? They dont need to prove anything, they're already the best! This is for all of us want-to-be's. Keep them out of it! Bill says this is going to kill our video sales if one of us doesnt win. Thats why he choses not to enter. I dont see it but, to each is own, that or he cant troll one of the two!

yup.....no umbrella rigs.

I finally received a PM for a sponsor and got a lock on this tournament...."MOUNT LASSEN TROUT FARM".......GAME ON!!!!!

EP wrote:How could this determine the best if the best isn’t there?
Where is: Mike Long
Joe Uribe Jr and Sr
Scott Brownley
Rich Ianola
Bill Simentel
Seems to me there is alot of good names missing from this list!

As for the others I don't know but I talked to Bill at the Bass-a-thon and asked him why he wasn't fishing the tournament...he laughed and said it was too political and some other b/s...

But what I thought was amazing...is he will not fish the tournament but he will there that day to fish the lake...

So for as the best not being there...some of the best were invited and declined...some that think they are the best were invited, declined but will be there fishing the same day as the tournament...

Interesting way to show one's true self...

See you on the water...
D.

Paul, I don't think that if you or Shawn don't win your video sales will get hurt. I think that your sales will actually go up after this event is over with. Especially if it gets some coverage back East.


-Shane

EP wrote:How could this determine the best if the best is'nt there?
Where is: Mike Long
Joe Uribe Jr and Sr
Scott Brownley
Rich Ianola
Bill Simentel
Seems to me there is alot of good names missing from this list!

If you want to go that route, you should include:
Harry Jioras
Gary Harrison
Mike Arujo
Jay Poore
The Butler Brothers
Dave Nollar
Mike & Troy Folkstead
Tom Young
Jay Carter

The current field may want to thank their lucky stars that 2 have passed on.
Dick Trask &
Bill Murphy.
Although both were so good I think they could still be competitive even with the handicap of being dead. I miss them both.

Just because you may not have heard of them or they are not the "current" hot sticks, doesn't mean they aren't awesome fishing talents! And to all of the others whom I have omitted, my apologies.

littlebailey,

What I said is that I would like to see a tournament that would truly showcase everyones ability. If I went to the tournament and you and your Bro caught a 40 pound limit ( all 8 pounders ) and I caught one 9 pounder, would that make me the winner? No! you and your Bro should win and I would get big fish honors. Thats the way it has been for years.

But what I did say is that you just came out with a great high impact video catching donkeys ( all @ Casitas ) on swimbaits. And if Casitas is tuff that day and you have to drop back and start fishing with a 4" worm will that help promote swimbaits or your video? and thats were I said no.

If there is going to be a EGO tournament on promoting luck, why not pick out your top 50 "BIG BASS GUYS" and pair them up with kids from 16 to 21 ( boys or girls ) for a two day tourney. And the Pro's have to teach the kids all they know about big bait fishing. The kid that comes in with the biggest fish win! As for the Pro? he gets the satisfaction of teaching a kid how to fish and the bragging rights for being the net boy for two days.

Its sad to hear some of the guys in the tournament say " Its just one fish and I can get lucky------ I have never seen that lake before, but I have just as much of a chance than the other guy----- the bite can be tough so I will just drag around a carolina rig----- my odds are better there than at Vegas----- WE JUST NEED ONE OF US 5 TO WIN, SO WE ALL WIN .

I really thought that with all of the hard work alot of us have put in to show the industry the fishing with big bait is more that just luck we would stop hearing the line " well I can get lucky ". Have we not shown that big baits will catch more that just one lucky fish in a givin 8 hour period.

And thats were we come back to the list. It is made up of people that somewhere in thier career have made some type of ripple in the industry with using some type of big baits. But yet they do not make the tournament to showcase them and or the big baits that got them on the list in the first place. So what is this tournament really about? Ego's, pissing contest, stirring the pot, luck.

What happen to the days when anyone can put thier money up to fish in a tournament "50 boats or a 110" on Casitas at a chance to win it all. Five 8 pounders on a swimbait or two that goes 22 pounds on a 8" tube

I for one do not want to be placed on any type of list. I would rather like to be able to put down my money to compete where I want to fish, and for the right reasons. Kinda like someone how would rather fish FLW or BASS.

This is just my 2 cents on a tournament that promotes luck not skill, so anyone thats wants to fish against me I will be fishing the next 2 TEAM tournaments at Castaic by myself, just as I have done the past 3. And yes you can use any style of bait that you would like here

Bill Siemantel

Keep it in the BBZ

Bill,
God forbid if there is a different type of tournament...with different rules...expectations etc...

And if Casitas is tuff that day and you have to drop back and start fishing with a 4" worm will that help promote swimbaits or your video? and thats were I said no.

I would like to hear why it would hurt their video...if the bite was tuff and they could catch a big bass on 4" worm...that would be more of a reason to go buy another video...if they can catch big bass in any condition using any style...My hats off to them or anyone that could...

Is that why you are not fishing the tournament...it may hurt your DVD sells...wouldn't it help...no matter where you placed....

Also, who made this a big bait tournament? I see a lot guys on the list that have stuck some gaints on small baits and light line...

So what is this tournament really about? Ego's, pissing contest, stirring the pot, luck

Everyone I have had the chance to meet that is in the tournament has been excited about it and I didn't see a bit of ego...It seems like the first tournament I have been in where most of the guys will shake hands before the tournament starts...
Maybe the next one you can find out what the tournament is really about...

Heres the link to FLW entry forms...
http://flwserieswest.flwoutdoors.com/rules.cfm?cid=11

I want to make sure I didn't misunderstand you...If Todd Holder weights in a 11lber - thats luck....If Butch catches a 11lber - that luck...How about one of the northern guys...they stick a 11lber...thats luck????
I'm guess by your comment you have fished with everyone on the list and you know their level of fishing...

ANyway, good luck to you...and I can't wait to see you out there on Jan 25th...stick some big ones

See you on the water
D.

You forgot about the Jim Mason. Jim has caught so many big bass out of that lake its sick(high hundreds). I fished big baits with Jim in the late 80's. No one knows that lake as good as Jimmy. Talk with Brakebill and Holder. They know him. He is a legend at casitas. Soft big baits, Jimmy came up with the idea of them in my Tackle shop with Marvin Bendalin(worm king). I remember people saying he was an idiot when he was fishing 6" renowskys. He would of been even bigger if he gave Castaic a chance. He is a grumpy old *uck but a good bud. The only one better is Semintal just ask Bill.

The part that gets me....turning down the opportunity to fish this event, yet saying you're still going to be out on the water to fish anyway that day. What does that say about you to your "fellow competitors" and people that look up to you? I can see it being ok for the "little guys", but for a "big bait pro" to do that is wrong in my book. #1 It tells everyone you're scared. #2 What if you spend hours blowin up someone else's water, who has put months of hard work into prefishing, just so you can get your jollies and ego boost by saying "the tourney winner was an 11, but I went out anyway and caught a 12, so I COULDA won"??? Leave the lake to the guys who put their money up and are putting hard work into this event. Put your money and your game where your mouth is or stay off the lake that day.


So Bill, if the tournament was at Castaic would you jump on the home lake advantage and fish it then? If anyone honestly thinks this tournament is not promoting skill, they are a few fries short of a happy meal. There is always an element of luck, that's fishing. But the amount of hard work, practice and prefishing that these guys are doing will amount to a hell of a lot skill when it's all said and done. Maybe not just on tourney day, but everything they will learn from being involved in this event will amount to increasing the skills of a lot of bass fishing junkies.


Don't mind me...I'm just:

Man, your high school must have had 12 grades...mine only had 9...you got some good english there but true!!!!!!!

oakview wrote:Man, your high school must have had 12 grades...mine only had 9...you got some good english there but true!!!!!!!

Dude your high school DID go to all the way to 12th grade...the short bus just stopped delivering for the last three

2@low8 wrote:You forgot about the Jim Mason. Jim has caught so many big bass out of that lake its sick(high hundreds). I fished big baits with Jim in the late 80's. No one knows that lake as good as Jimmy. Talk with Brakebill and Holder. They know him. He is a legend at casitas. Soft big baits, Jimmy came up with the idea of them in my Tackle shop with Marvin Bendalin(worm king). I remember people saying he was an idiot when he was fishing 6" renowskys. He would of been even bigger if he gave Castaic a chance. He is a grumpy old *uck but a good bud. The only one better is Semintal just ask Bill.

Yes, you hit this one on the head. Jim knows this lake in and out, top to bottom. He is a gruffy old fart, but he is also a very nice guy who has helped me out a few times with Cachuma info, in the hunt for the giant smallies. Talk about a guy with probably the biggest list of big fish on the planet, without one ounce of egomania. I remember a time right before the Y2K we spent about an hour talking about possibilities that a giant computer crash would bring, all the while catching fish as a side note. That dude is COOL.

Yeah, Jim is one hell of guy...no ego...great stick...and no one knows casitas like he does...

D.

Hey Dave and Rob , ya know Ive met both of you on a couple differant occasions and figured you guys were ok . I gotta tell ya , Im not sure what the motives are for twisting the words of a very simple statement Bill placed on the board or the bashing . I really do not believe you have a clue as to the accomplishments he has achieved on the personal or competative leval . Not to mention some of the things Bill has done for the fishing industry . So he chooses not to fish the event , so what , he has his reasons so respect the guy for doing what he believes . Go back and read the post , try to understand what is written ,not just what you want to bash . Why should a guy get slammed for turning down an invitation for a tournament . Its not his cup of tea and he stated his reason , so be it . Is it becouse you wanted to beat the best and since he wont be there you can not ? Than beat the next guy but do it on the water . Not on a public forum .
You guys are working on and trying to promote your bait , yes ? You have spent thousands of hard earned dollors on the bait , yes ? If you knew Bill at all you would have known he would have been more than happy to give you any pointers or how tos on making the bait dreem come true . I think you might have lost any chance of getting the time of day now .
Trust me on this one guys , you barked up the wrong tree !
See ya on the pond , Ron Thompson

Ron T you've always been a great guy as well. I don't have a particular motive for anything. I was just conversating, saying my thoughts and opinions the way other people do on here. I just don't sugar coat it and say things just how I see and think. Apparently that's taken as bashing by some people, nothing I can do about that really. I didn't bash any accomplishments of anyone, just saying I don't agree with how someone is going about a particular situation and event, that's all.



People sure to like to pipe up on here, not just in this thread either, but when they get called out they are even quicker to run and hide. (Ron T, that is no way at all directed to you).

Ron T...

I respect what you are saying...and I respect everything Bill has done...I have seen pictures of when he walked the bank of Castiac back in the 80's...I know what he does, can do...I've seen him stick fish right in front of me...He knows a ton more than I probably will ever learn...BUT...

My problem is because he laughed when I sat outside waiting to get on the list...excuse me...I want to fish the tournament....Plus it was a kickass time...
Plus if he doesn't want to fish it...ok..no big deal...but don't get on here and talk sh@t about the tournament because of this or that...For someone in his position...ok...big deal he's not fishing it...but at the same time he could be a more positive role model for what he calls the big bait industry...and more of a positive look on it other than a "Luck contest"...

Plus I think it is f#cked up...for someone that has been around as long as he has and is as great a fisherman that he is...THat he made a point out of it to let alot of people know that hes not fishing the tournament but will still be up there to fish...ok..fish...I don't care...but don't make it out like this tournament is a joke...this tournament has the potential to be alot bigger than most of us think...

I'm not bashing him as a fisherman...he is a sick stick...but he's not in the tournament...he could still be a part of it...but as he put it...politics...when did fishing have politics in it...THe fish don't care....

And as for pointers on starting the business...I have been learning as I go...and anyone in the industry will tell you...that noone will tell you nothing...I wasn't looking to get any info from him anyway...I wanted to see him do what he does best...not talk...fish!!!!

D.

Huh. YOU GUYS JUST DONT GET IT ! Wrong tree guys !

Ron T. wrote:Huh. YOU GUYS JUST DONT GET IT ! Wrong tree guys !

Sure Ron, care to elaborate on why this is the "wrong tree"??

Apparently the 7 PM messages I got last night that were in total agreeance, from BIG name guys to regular joes, don't feel it's the wrong tree or I'm off the mark at all.

Nope , I seid what I felt was needed . Im done .

This tournament is going to be a blast...

I'm alittle slow but I started seeing some names on there that I recognize...Allen Cole (HOLLA)...Thigpen (Oh Sh@t)...Ballesteros (Times for some Donkeys)... and a whole bunch of others (Oh Sh@t Batman)...

Hopefully I get to meet some of you on the water during prefishing...if not at the tournament...

Anyone coming to the weight-in that is not in the tournament?

Come on cold weather...
D.

is a corporate sponcer to buy the lake gate for the day so only the PAID CONTESTANTS get on the water. In San Diego it's only $750.00 a day. Keeps the traffic down and makes for more suspence at the weigh-in. Rick G.

Bill Good Idea

why not pick out your top 50 "BIG BASS GUYS" and pair them up with kids from 16 to 21 ( boys or girls ) for a two day tourney. And the Pro's have to teach the kids all they know about big bait fishing. The kid that comes in with the biggest fish win! As for the Pro? he gets the satisfaction of teaching a kid how to fish and the bragging rights for being the net boy for two days.

But I'm not 16-21 can I get in anyways on this man would that be cool and talk about getting young kids started in the sport and growing it, Oh but wait a min this will not happen because no one can make $$ on this

Oh Bill anytime you would like to teach a 44 year old just 10% of what you know please Let Me know, I can fish anyday

Kirk

What angers me about Bill not being in the HBC is he is a big name and top stick in socal. He should come to just be part of it. His ego is huge and he claims to have been making some of the first swimbaits. Look in his book if I remember right it was 1985 that he was making baits. If i'm not correct please tell me the date. This tourney is about making history and the history of big baits. Those that are not in it should be there to watch it. It is a chance to change the history of tourneys. Bill should be grateful to be invited and jump at the oppurtunity to be amongst all these great people and anglers. History History History. Mike Long I don't personally know you but I understand you had problems w/ the fire. I still would love to see you make your way here for the day. If you need a place to stay my doors are open. Ron Cervanka thanks for putting the time up for the HBC. I have thought about a tourney like this for years but was to lazy to get off my *** and do it. Doug come by the shop I owe you your gift certificate. eric huff

Rick G...Ron...

I will offer to flip the bill...

D.

free enterprise at its best. Great job of stepping up. Rick G.

Wow, what drama the internet churns........to answer the question of why I'm not fishing the BBC, I never went on the internet and said I was. I'm in the process of selling my current home, and just about to finish the new home that I've been working on for the last five months. If I were to leave in January my wife would kill me......This has been very tough on me, I would love to fish the first one and be part of history, but for now I'll give John Kerr my keys to my swimbaits, He is the real KING of bass fishing in San Diego not myself. So the BBC has got the best SD rep.
I will try to attend the second BBC at Clear lake. And for the record most trees can be cut down with a good chainsaw."why bark up a tree if you can cut it down and piss on it!

Good luck to all who got in!

Mike Long