It was a very long drive down south to just a few miles away from the southern US border for twenty six eager Bass Contenders. When the first round bell sounded, it was on mano-a-mano. The “Battle At The Border” started at O-dark thirty when all thirteen teams launched under the pitch black Chula Vista skies. The night was cold and the skies were clear as the stars lit up the darkness. All thirteen CBC teams made their way to the launch ramp one by one along side of the San Diego American Bass Association who attempted to tell us what to do. Once we launched we all waited at the buoy line on one side and ABA waited on the other ready to blast off at safe light. It was an awesome sight watching all of the boats head off into the black abyss in different directions. They all had one thing in common, vying to be victorious, but after going nine rounds the dust would settle and only one punch drunk team could be crowned the victor.
Fighting out of the red corner and hailing from the Southern California Sheet Metal Union Local 105 is the newest Bass Contender to hit the CBC tournament circuit guest angler Anthony Muro who teamed up with the fish doctor Randy Estrada MD. Together our 2024 AOY Doc Randy Estrada and prospect Anthony Muro tricked and tamed up enough southern Tijuana lobina’s to secure the first place trophy anchored by the Chula Vista behemoth and ‘Big Fish’ award of the tournament 5.40lb landed by Anthony on a drop shot Roboworm. Anthony, the California Bass Contenders welcomes and salutes you, we look forward to serving with you as we turn the corner heading into the 2025 season at Havasu.
Wow, what a great tournament with all thirteen teams bringing in a chunky limited. Its times like this that make our group great. The camaraderie was in high gear. You could hear the hoots from all across the lake and everytime you would see another team on the water they would say the same ‘ol thing, “Oh, we only have four small ones and we still need one more fish”… any good fisherman knows that is the biggest lie that is often told on the water. Even the fish detective Officer Compa Chris Graciano tells that lie with a straight look on his face. It was a fun derby, it was a good time, you could see the net going in and scooping fish from one end of Lower Otay all the way to the other.
On a very serious note we had a small mishap at the lake that ended up good with nobody getting hurt. With the permission of our beloved friend and founding member Smoking Joe Nava allowed this important message as a serious reminder to be shared with the club. Joe pictured above with his PDF floatation device, fell out of his partner Ted Romero’s boat very early in the day at Otay. It was still cold and windy when Joe fell in, he had his PFD life preserver on, the style that is supposed to deploy on contact with water. The US Coast Guard approved life preserver did not deploy, Ted acted quickly and tried helping Joe to the boat but with Joe’s jacket and clothes completely soaked Joe could not be helped over the edge. He was just to wet and heavy and was in eminent danger of sinking and hypothermia. Ted ripped at the pull cord of the life preserver and after several attempts the preserver still did NOT deploy and expand. Ted yelled for help and thank God he was able to grab his push poll and help Joe just to be able to just hold on and stay close to the boat while still in the water. A good Samaritan boater helped pull Ted and Joe to the shoreline where he could be brought to safety. Bass Contenders, this is no joke it is a matter of life or death, it could happen anytime to any of us. Had longtime boater and founding member of our club Ted not been fully ready and able to render help this could have ended in tragedy. What we have learned in a brief overview:
- Have a US Coastgaurd approved flotation device on not in the box.
- Make absolute certain your CO2 cannister is NOT expired on your device.
- Make certain if CO2 is a couple of years old you replace it.
- Have a plan have a pole and floatation throw device and change of clothes.
- The water ski/jetski floatation device is better than the PDF.
Weather cold/clear at launch, warm/clear at weigh-in.
48 degrees AM, 78 degrees PM wind 5-10.
Water 61-64 green stained 3-4 visibility.
1st Place: Chatter bait, Fluke, Dropshot dark colors.
2nd Place: Drop Shot no color given.
3rd Place: Drop Shot 6″ oxblood, Grn chatter bait.
1) Dr Randy Estrada/Anthony Muro 5/5/16.42/5.40
2) Johnny Abyad/AlbertMedina 5/5/13.40
3) ChrisVangeest/John Diaz 5/5/13.25
4) KennyIsago/PopsColgan 5/5/12.82
5) DevinCummins/GaryCrouse 5/5/12.29
6) CrankSchwamborn/TomCreasy 5/5/12.19
7) DavidMendez/ZachCoelho 5/5/12.09
8) BigEdCazares/JonathanGauthier 5/5/12.03
9) ChrisGraciano/MarkChadeayne 5/5/11.79
10) DeanLeslie/ShermanWray 5/5/11.72
11) AlfredVazquez/ChrisCruz 5/5/11.67
12) GilBowman/ThomasRiley 5/5/11.35
13) TedRomero/JoeNava 5/5/9.75
Big Fish: Anthony Muro 5.40lbs.
Please be safe and remember our reminder, all anglers should double check their safety gear. Have your PDF’s ready to go not expired. Have a plan, be ready for the worst and expect the best. Don’t let those SD guys tell you what to do on or off the water, unless your Johnny Abyad lol. Next up CBC Banquet 3/29/2025 in San Dimas and Havasu 2 day April 12/13, 2025.
See you on the water: Big Ed!
