Sometimes life throws you a curve ball. Our original scheduled tournament at Pyramid Lake had been closed due to the raging Post Fire in the Angeles National Forest. The change of venue was the curve ball and Piru Lake was the hit that landed out of the ballpark. We gathered early before the general public and launched in the dark and the fish were eager to get with it.
It has been said many times… “tell me who you hang out with, I will tell you who you are”. Well, I’ve been hanging out for many years with some of the best guys you could ever want to know. Not only that, they are some of the best bass fishing anglers in Southern California. Saturday at Piru was no different.. fourteen teams with twenty eight anglers brought fourteen five fish limits to the scales. It was a great day for all who attended!
California Bass Contenders wants to welcome back two great friends and longtime members Mark Pavlinac landing a respectable 3rd Place finish with club Happy Guy the Blackworm Thomas Riley. Also, another longtime friend Chris “Goose” Vangeest who came back home after a long layoff. The ‘Goose’ fished with guest Chris Cruz competing in his third CBC event looking for the full patch rocker. Steve Vance one of the guest having a blast ready for membership pulling off the win with club secretary ‘Raa-uull’ Valderrain. Also competing in their third CBC event ready for the big vote was Jared Cabrera who fished with “The Assassin” Alfred Vazques. Zach Coelho fishing with CBC Tournament Director Big Ed Cazares passed his final test, also fishing his third with flying colors. Zach was amazed at the culling process where he weighed and measured over a dozen different culls. It was the Ranger guest, also in his third event Devin Cummins who was activated as a boater for the Piru tournament going toe to toe with his partner CBC Treasurer Compa Chris Graciano. Finally last, but certainly not least first-time guest angler Alfred Houston who fished with the ‘The Pumper” Gary Crouse putting in the work. You can certainly tell from the laughter at the weigh-in and see from all of the photos, the new guys and old guys alike were all smiles. Congratulations to all of the anglers for a great event that ended with air temps over 100 degrees at 1:00PM.
1st Place Raul Valderrain/Steve Vance 5/5 10.70lbs
2nd Place Kenny Isago/Chris Barbato 5/5 10.50lbs
3rd Place Mark Pavlinac/Thomas ‘Blackworm’ Riley 5/5 10.48lbs
Big fish Kenny Isago/Randy Estrada tie 2.67lbs
Air temps 63-102 a hot as F%#*k.
Water temps 70-76 degrees.
Water clarity 4-8′ visibility green stain.
Wind 5-10 at launch 5-15 weigh-in.
Honestly, we don’t know what 1st-3rd place caught em on because the bite was on fire.
The good times continue at the California Bass Contenders. Next up July 20, 2024 Castaic Lake.
See you on the water: Big Ed!
