The weather had been cold, windy and wet for weeks going into our fourth tournament of the 2024 CBC season, and by all accounts the pre-fishing sucked. That didn’t stop twentysix eager Bass Contender anglers who converged in the dark early before 5:00AM on Hwy 138. Not too long after we gathered, we were greeted by the Park Ranger at the construction entrance early before the general public as 13 boats entered single file ready for battle and ready to get it on.. and get it on we did. It was a perfect spring sunrise with flat calm glass conditions and surprisingly warm morning air temps as the skies turned from black to grey. It was a magical sunrise only the lucky ones get to experience. Once we all gathered at the buoy line a few moments later we heard from our ring announcer Kenny “Bruce Buffer” Isago… “IIIT’S TIIIIIME” as he sent 13 boats blasting off in different directions… it was time to get it on!
It was on and it was time for a slugfest, mano-a-mano all day at the Wood each team fighting for the heavyweight belt. After the final round and the final bell rang, all the teams were finished ready for the bell to toll as 13 boats came back in like punch drunk competitors bruised and weary after a 15 round showdown. When the dust finally settled one thing was clear.. the Silent Assassin is back with a vengeance. Alfred “The Assassin” Vazquez and Pops Colgan with the winning heavyweight sack 21.2 lbs of Silverwood slugs proved to be victorious. Second place went to the runner up team of Gary Crouse and new prospective member Jared Cabrera who slugged out 18.61 lbs of Silverwood slugs. Third place went to the duo of the BassRaider Frank Schwamborn and his partner Sherman ‘The Sherminator’ Wray who tamed 18.53 lbs of lobina largemouth. The salsa king Big Fish award went to the Terminator Robert Terrazas with a giant Silverwood donkey that weighed in at an impressive 8.63 lbs taping out at the biggest bass so far of the 2024 CBC season. Big bags continued to litter the remaining scoreboard as the slugfest at the Wood proved to be a great event for all who attended. What an awesome event and even a more awesome time on the water.
California Bass Contenders welcomes our five new prospective guest members. Returning for his second event Chris ‘The Rock’ Barbato who teamed up with the fish Doctor Randy Estrada MD. Second place winner Jared ‘The Hammer’ Cabrera fished with Gary Crouse who could be heard all over the lake yelling and laughing out loud. The electrician and best looking new guest Zach ‘Sparky’ Coelho fished with our club prez Johnny Abyad. Steve Vance enjoying his recent retirement who fished with our reigning AOY Ika big fish Dave Mendez, and last but certainly not least was Devin ‘The Pudd whisperer’ Cummins fishing with self proclaimed ‘The Stick’ Dean Leslie fishing in his honeymoon derby after recently married to his lovely wife Devina. What an excellent group of new prospective anglers, we all welcome you and look forward to good times to come as we turn the corner headed for our next event Lake Skinner and beyond. Congratulations to all of the Silverwood anglers new and old.. here is the final “tale of tape” and results from the slugfest at the Wood.
Sunny clear 50-80 degrees
Flat calm until 12:00 5-10 mph
Water Temp 57-63
Water clarity 3-8’ clear algae
1st place bedfish d/s swimbait
2nd place bedfish d/s MMIII
3rd place bedfish d/s white lizard
1) Alfred Vazquez/Pops Colgan 5/21.20
2) Gary Crouse/Jared Cabrera 5/18.61
3) Frank Schwamborn/Sherman Wray 5/18.53
4) Derrick Yoshinaga/Robert Terrazas 5/17.82
5) Johnny Abyad/Zach Coelho 5/16.50
6) Kenny Isago/Joe Nava 5/16.13
7) BigEd Cazares/Junkyard Savko 5/15.52
8) Randy Estrada/Chris Barbato 5/13.70
9) David mendez/Steve Vance 5/11.25
10) Raul Valderrain/Chris Graciano 2/8.11
11) Steve Meza/Thomas Riley 5/7.79
12) Eddie Roblero/Conrad Apodaca Sr 3/5.84
13) Dean Leslie/Devin Cummins 2/5.76
Big Fish Award: Robert Terrazas 8.63lbs
Next up Lake Skinner May 11, 2024
See you on the water: Big Ed Cazares!
