Wells & Wells Conquer Tough Bite at Stratos/Javelin Owners Tournament 

by Tim Paes 

Saturday, September 11, 1999 - Lake Don Pedro, CA .... The 2nd annual Stratos/Javelin Owners Tournament hosted by Boats Unlimited of Riverbank, CA once again was a huge success. The event is held to say thank you to the many Stratos and Javelin boat owners in the west. Seventy teams signed up for the event which included a BBQ lunch, a huge raffle, demo rides in the 2000 model year Stratos and Javelin bass boats, along with the opportunity to meet with the Boats Unlimited Prostaff and the Boats Unlimited technical support team. This event, along with quality products and service, show that owners Bill & Karen Hartung have continually supported  bass fishing and the boating public.  

As the 140 anglers began to arrive for the morning check-in, they were greeted with hot coffee, orange juice and Danish’s along with a tackle pack that included Stratos and Evinrude hats, event T-shirts, tournament tackle from Fishin Musician Worms and Keeper Custom Worms and several other items. Once the pre tournament meeting was complete and the flights were drawn, the anglers began launching their boats and discussing their game plan for the day. It was an awesome site to see Flemming Meadows Marina full of Stratos and Javelin boats as the National Anthem played in the background. At approximately 6:15 a.m., Boats Unlimited prostaffers Norval Pimentel and Don Mutchler began calling the starting flights and numbers as the boats began their single file approach to the 5 MPH buoys and the start of their day on Don Pedro.  

As the 1:00 p.m. weigh-in approached, anglers began coming for the drive by weigh-in that was to take place at the Don Pedro Swim Lagoon. The faces of many of the anglers showed that the fishing was extremely tough and they were glad to be off the lake and ready for the BBQ lunch. As the boats came by the stage one by one, the fishing conditions became perfectly clear. It had been a very tough day at the office. Thirty-one teams were able to bring fish to the scales with the majority of those only able to bring in 1 fish. Sixty-two fish were brought in with a total weight of 114 lbs. Four of the 70 teams were able to muster a 5 fish limit. The highlight of the weigh-in was when Oakley's Andy “Cooch” Cuccia jumped out of his boat and professed that he was the winner of the scavenger hunt. Cooch claimed that his numbered plate also contained a list of items he was to return with at the weigh-in. On that list was 1 brown trout and 1 six-foot T.V. antenna that Cooch proudly displayed to the crowd. Cooch had the crowd roaring with his antics and definitely spiced up the weigh-in.  

After the weigh-in anglers enjoyed a barbecued tri-tip and chicken lunch. Tournament staff raffled off more then $12,000 in prizes. The raffle included tackle, rods and reels, Stratos gear, boating accessories and was capped off by a Don Pedro houseboat rental for the grand prize.  

Once the raffle was completed it was time to announce the winners for the event. The team of Tim Wells and his son Timmy of Clovis, CA came to the scales with a 5 fish limit that weighed 12.42 lbs. Tim Wells reported that all of their fish came on crawdad colored 6" McDonald worms that were pitched in 2’ to 12’ of water. Wells reported that the team fished several areas of the lake and keyed the outside edges of the trees early and then began pitching to the inside once the sun came up. The Wells’ took home $2,215.00 for their 1st place finish.  

Second place went to the team of Bobby and Billy Nelson of West Hills, CA. The Nelson's brought a 10.46 lb. 5 fish limit to the scales. The Nelson’s spent the day in the river and caught all of their fish early on buzzbaits. For their solid finish the team took home $1,189.00.  

Ken Adams and Bob Sapp of La Grange, CA finished in 3rd place with a 9.56 lb. 5 fish limit. Adams reported that the team had one topwater fish early and then didn’t get a bite for 3 more hours. Adams went on to say that they began spooning on breaks that were holding shad in 25 to 50 ft. of water and were able to finish out their limit. The anglers took home $826.00.  

 Rounding out the money winners in 4th place was the team of Loren Giroux of Turlock, CA and Bill "Fishin Musician" Vanwulven of La Mesa, CA with a 4 fish limit that weighed 9.02 lbs and earned the team $450.00. Fifth place went to Ernie Evans and Dennis Winchester of Modesto, CA with a 5 fish limit of 7.82 lbs and winnings of $400.00. Steve Ramos and Irby Iness of Clovis, CA brought 1 fish to the scales that also took Big Fish honors at 5.72 lbs. That fish gave the team 6th place and $620.00. Seventh place went to Fred Funston and Vern Martainazzi of Sanger, CA with their 3 fish limit of 5 lbs that earned them $280.00. Ron Arnold and John Gentry of Oakdale, CA took home $240.00 and 8th place for their 3.80 lb. bass. Ninth place went to Tim Paes and Bill Park of Turlock, CA with their 2 fish limit of 3.72 lbs and earnings of $230.00. Robbie Hernandez and Lonnie Cooper of Torrence, CA took tenth place with 1 fish that weighed 3.60 lbs. and earned them $190.00. Lendall Caldwell and Suzanne Caldwell of Clovis, CA took 11th place and $175.00 for their 2 fish that weighed 3.52 lbs. Twelfth place went to Alvin Haymond and Izz Byrd of San Jose, CA with a 2 fish limit of 3.46 lbs and earnings of $155.00. The final money finish was taken by Doug and Brandon Kondus of Bakersfield, CA with 2 fish that weighed 3.12 lbs and earned the team $140.00.  

The Owners Tournament was also a qualifier for the Stratos/Javelin World Championship Regional, which will take place in November on the California Delta. Several teams from this event will qualify and move on to the regional. 100% Bass has a few qualifying events left including their Western Roundup that will take place at Clear Lake. Don't miss your opportunity to qualify for the most lucrative team tournament circuit ever with a total Regional and Championship purse of $800,000.00.  

Boats Unlimited would like to give a very special thank you to their major sponsors: Central Valley Propeller, Teleflex Marine and Transamerica Distribution Finance. Also thanks goes out to: Nor-Cal Bass, Bass n' Gals, P&E Thermo Oil Batteries, Save Mart, Fishin Musician Worms, Keeper Custom Worms, Capox Insurance, Fishermen's Warehouse, McDonalds, Forever Resorts, Monschein Ind. Diversified Products, Auto Life Sporting Goods, Coast Marine, Totem Sports, Panache, Aurora Canvas, Tech 5, 7-UP Bottling and Kelsey Bass Ranch. Thank you also to Don Pedro Marina for hosting this fabulous event.  

Mark your calendars for September 9 & 10, 2000 when the owner’s tournament makes its move to Clear Lake. The event will be a 2-day tournament and will be hosted in Lakeport, CA. Plan early and don't miss this fun filled family oriented event.