Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

The fish at Piru were as healthy a population as I have seen in a long time. Fat and ready to spawn

We paid 10 spots today. Story and details will be at http://www.topsticktour.com this evening or in the morning.


1 Tim Weiss/Craig Lang 18.22
2 Lenden Riley/Kevin Miner 15.48
3 Rob Flaata/Brandon Kovacs 14.70
4 Steve Iwashita/Brandon Iwashita13.54
5 Jae Cho/Soon Chool Lee 13.51
6 John Fike/Jim Milbrand 13.49
7 Steve Goodman/ Paul Smith 13.43
8 Larry Tanita/Stephen Bothwell 13.11
9 Tom Lee/Terry Conklin 13.11
10 Daren Lacher 12.99
11 Anthony Hernandez/Carnell Lee 12.97
12 Paul Vogler/Ed Flores 12.73
13 Joe Payne/Keith Cummings 12.51
14 Oscar Lopez/John Karayan 12.46
15 Jay Benoit/Ben De La Fuente 12.30
16 Gonzalez/Sanfillippo 11.95
17 Jon Demonet/Krystal Lakes 11.83
18 Wyatt Zollinger/Jan-Erik Sand 11.77
19 Ron Janke/Amada Mosqueda 11.30
20 Vorgitch/Waters 11.28
21 James(trey)Campbell/Michael Cunningham 11.28
22 Richard Thomas/Cole Thomas 11.27
23 Thompson/Hammond 11.22
24 Bryan Kurata/Brian Sasahara 10.92
25 Dan Trippeda/Albert Hasson 9.63
26 Rodney Sams/Greg Mousis 9.17
27 Bruce Tracy/Tim Eggleston 8.95
28 Vito Rubino/Jim Bilhoff 8.55
29 Steve Rauch/Bodie Dog 8.20
30 Jesse Godinez/Francisco Lomeli 7.22
31 JC Fox/Travis Harrier 7.21
32 Mike Robinnett/Tom Fruh 6.89
33 Ray Rojas/Michale Rosas 5.61
34 Danny Payne/Catherine Payne 3.02
35 Jim Basham/David Cunningham 2.96
36 garcia/sanchez 2.73
37 Ed Cazeres/Miguel Lizaraga 2.15
38 Mark Bowman/Vincent Perkins 2.14
39 Brent Buckingham/Christopher Gamez 1.81
40 Burch/Wightman 0.00
41 John Younce/Erick Prado 0.00
42 Mario Ringo/Michelle Benevides 0.00

Congrats on the big turnout.. Don't recognize many of the names which means new blood to the sport as you guys intended.. Great job by the anglers catchin fish on a small body of water with alot of pressure.. WIN WIN for everybody.

Great turnout. Darin.

+1 for what Dave Poolman says about new fisherman.

I would like to thank all the anglers who showed up. What a great turn out. I would also like to thank my staff for all your hard work yesterday. It was a real treat to also see John Barron drive up to the parking lot and have a big smile on his face seeing all the trucks and trailers in the parking lot.
I also need to thank the lake staff who came down during weigh in to tag all the boats instead of making them wait in line at the gate when they were driving out. The lake staff went the extra mile and really did not have to do it.

Just curious as to what the payback was .

Awesome turnout guys! Great job to you all.

mike at robo wrote:Just curious as to what the payback was .

1st place got $900 something.

I would of thought with 42 boats, 1st place would of received more than $900.

Barret,
$155.00 all in (thats all options). Thats not a bad payout. Of couse you like some others around here don't understand the full cost of putting on tournaments and can only complain about payouts. Perhaps you could join the circuit and offer up some ideas on how to improve the payout instead of just blasting away at what you obviously don't understand. If you have any valid ideas please post them, we would all love to hear them. It amazes me how some people can only bitch about things. This was a great turn out with a really fun day, run by some really great people.....yet sadly, people still complain and they didn't even fish it. Amazing!

Yoz

Yeah, I think you are not going to have a huge payback if you are not paying a $300 or more entry fee. Folks worried about a huge payback might wanna fish something else.

What Nunyo and Terry said +1

42 Boat field is impressive. and looking through the names there are a lot of good sticks fishing this Org. and some names I don't recognize ( no offense). I think its a great format, otherwise I would not be fishing it. But really I would like to see more FATHER/SON TEAMS. These guys put on a great event, I've been fishing this circuit since the first year and it just keeps getting better. Fantastic job John and Ray and all the TS staff.

Steve and Brandon

DAKINE198 wrote:42 Boat field is impressive. and looking through the names there are a lot of good sticks fishing this Org. and some names I don't recognize ( no offense). I think its a great format, otherwise I would not be fishing it. But really I would like to see more FATHER/SON TEAMS. These guys put on a great event, I've been fishing this circuit since the first year and it just keeps getting better. Fantastic job John and Ray and all the TS staff.

Steve and Brandon

jesse and i are bummed about not being able to fish tournaments this year. we have fished the top stick tour since it's start, but jesse works long hours and has young boys that need him on the weekends. we decided it would be better for his kids to have dad around yather than out on the lake without them. we miss fishing top stick already and hope to be out with you guys again soon

I too was pleasently surprised to see so many teams participate.

That's what I look forward too at the Top Stick Tour, seeing a diverse field of anglers go out and just have fun. Topwater Terry nailed it when he said this circuit isn't for those looking to score a big paycheck, it is not, it is for the average Joe like my partner and I to compete and have a good time doing it.

Thanks to JB, RayEl, DL and staff for a great event. See you at Pyramid!

Later; Big Ed!

Another thing to say about the anglers themselves, that was a lot of boats on a low water lake. Every single person that we either came up on or they came up on us either went around us or we went around them very cordially. No drama. I think this is a really good group of guys and girls and dogs(2).

Haha Mike, thats cause you didn't see me all day.

Great turnout. Congrats to JB, DL and Ray L and staff for all the hard work in making this tour a success. Rick G.

very impressive turnout for sure!

Goodman...way to stick it to those fish and make a top 10 bud!

John B. wont let me play with Top Stick so really dont matter to me but thought I would chime in for what its worth.
Just assuming all got in the options, just assuming, thats 42 x 155.00 = 6510.00. Nice chunk ! First place 900.00. Maybe no option money ? Why do some get so upset when somebody questions a payout ? Everybody that puts up money should have the right to question where the money goes. Maybe the persons asking would like to know simply becouse they are concidering fishing the region. I think all the payouts on all regions should be posted with a complete breakdown of options and director expences / salery and TOC prize allowances. Its your money guys, dont you want to know how you spend it ? Not bashing or questioning anybodys ethics or any paticular region. I think Top Stick is a great thing and they are doing a great job. Just that money is tight these days for alot of people and some are being more selective on wich region they plan to fish. Paybacks are a big part of the deciding factor.
For what its worth.

It's just rather fascinating that the folks who are actually out there fishing this circuit are not the ones questioning the payouts. I am only fishing lil club events right now but when I get back into tourney fishing, the top Stick, being run by the best folks in the business, is where I'll be...

Steve, I think it's obvious we weren't near you. Look at your weight and look at our weight. We must not have been within 10 miles of you. Good job.

PLEASE CIRCLE OPTIONS ENTERED
Entry/Ins/Event _______________ $115 mandatory
Big Fish ______________________ $10 option
Top 3 Teams __________________ $10 option
All American __________________ $10 option
Family _______________________ $10 option
Total Paid ______________________________

42X$115.00 - ($15.00 INS & FEES) = $4,200.00 - 25% (PUT TOWARDS TOC) = $3,150.00 for 1 in 4 payouts. These calculations are hypothetical, not fact.

If 1st place recieved $900.00 with no options that equals 28.6% of the pot. At $115 investment and a gross return of 87% that pretty darn good.

I got $300.00 for fourth place and $30.00 for father/son option. That would equate to a 61.67% gross return on my investment. As for option money a $40.00 investment and a $30.00 return I took a small loss.

Does your 401k or IRA give you these kind of returns. Hell no. For what it is, Top Stick is for the "Average Joes", weekend anglers and club anglers who want to compete in a team style tournament without the high entry fees.

Even though ABA does promote "Family" entries I could not afford the entry fees for my son and I. Not to take anything away from them, Jason has a good format as well. And as for Brian L. when my son gets older and has a little more experience we will move up to those Orgs.

John B. and Rayl put on a Great event. And with the Club deal and going to Lopez for the TOC that is added "value". If money is tight this would be the Org to fish. for the average angler.

mrobinett wrote:Steve, I think it's obvious we weren't near you. Look at your weight and look at our weight. We must not have been within 10 miles of you. Good job.

Thanks Mike, it was just one of those days... The Good Lord was smiling down on me.

Good seeing you over there Steve, nice job to you and your kid!

I could not agree with you more Ron, but the information was posted on here before....same question, the break down was given. Now I understand that not everyone will read all post, but really, to come on here and say, "I would have thought......" is really just trying to start something. If people have questions like that, shouldn't they be asking them before the tournament if they are interested in fishing? Asking after the weight in is just stirring the pot. And yes, I agree all people who are interested in fishing the event should have this information and it has been provided several times but I also think they should take the time to look for it and really understand it before making comments and instead of blasting away after the fact. IMHO I think that question on this post takes away from the people who did well and the idea this format is trying to establish. For those of us who have fished this in the past and are fishing now....its not about how big the purse is....its not going to be at $155.00 all in and if they don't like that payout....don't fish. Most of the people fishing this understand this.

2cents worth
Yoz

DAKINE198 wrote:

mrobinett wrote:Steve, I think it's obvious we weren't near you. Look at your weight and look at our weight. We must not have been within 10 miles of you. Good job.

Thanks Mike, it was just one of those days... The Good Lord was smiling down on me.

I guess so, because the gal at the gate must not have recognized you, since she let you in! Hahaha

42 Boats, congrats on a great turnout!