Reynolds & Black Win First Nor-Cal Bass Event
of 1999 Season 

by Tim Paes 

Monday, January 25,1999 - La Grange, CA. ....  Rain, wind and frigid temperatures blanketed Don Pedro Reservoir as 88 tournament anglers braved the conditions in order to fish Nor-Cal Bass Federation's first event of the 1999 season. The bite was tough for many of the pro and amateur anglers that were paired together with a total of 135 black bass brought to the scales that weighed 259 lbs.  

Last years defending Pro champion at Don Pedro was Mike Reynolds of Modesto, CA. Reynolds, fresh off his 4th place finish at the Bassmasters Classic is back dominating the western tournament circuits and Nor-Cal's event at Don Pedro would prove to be no different. Reynolds, along with his amateur partner, Steve Black from Merced, CA., brought a 6 fish limit to the scales that weighed in at 15.76 lbs. Reynolds, who is sponsored by Champion Boats, Mercury Outboards, Stren, Falcon Rods, Central Valley Propeller, Abu Garcia, Pinpoint and D.C. baits, reported that all of their fish came on 6" worms (green weenie with red flake) on 8 lb. test Stren line in less then 15 ft. of water. Reynolds and Black keyed on channels in the Big Creek area in order to bring their solid limit to the scales. Reynolds took home $1,715.00 in the Pro division while Black earned $977.50 in the Am Division for a combined total of $2,692.50.  

Second place went to Pro Dan Perkins from Arnold, CA. and his Amateur partner Val Wolfley from Modesto, CA. Perkins, the 1998 Nor-Cal Pro Angler of the Year, and Wolfley weighed in a 13.70 lb., 6 fish limit that was anchored by the events‚ big fish, a 4 lb. black bass caught by Perkins that gave him Pro Division big fish honors. Perkins, who is sponsored by V&V Custom Baits, Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, California Custom Marine and Outboard Technology, reported that all of their fish came on V&V Spinnerbaits and Jigs in less then 10 ft. of water. Perkins went on to say that he and his partner keyed on creek channels with rock and fished many areas of the lake. For their 2^nd place finish Perkins took home $1,198.00 while Wolfley earned $561.00 for a total of $1,659.00.  

Pro John Myers of Atwater, CA. and his amateur partner Aram Carney from San Bruno, CA. finished in 3^rd place with a 6 fish limit that tipped the scales at 12.48 lbs. Myers who is sponsored by Predator Worms and his Wife the Best Half, reported that all of their fish were caught in 25’ – 50’ with Predator Worms that were doodled on dartheads. Myers and Carney fished creek channels with large rocks in order to bring their limit to the scales. Myers earned $632.00 while Carney took home $364.00 for a total of $996.00.  

Rounding out the money winners, in 4th place was Vince Costanza and Wayne Clouse with 11.86 lbs. and earnings of $390.00. Fifth place went to Don Longton and Chris Humphries with 11.52 lbs. taking home $360.00. Mark Seaters and Mark Meidlinger finished 6th with 11.42 lbs. and earnings of $210.00. Dan Sexton and Andy Collins earned $180.00 with their 11.38 lb. 7th place finish. eighth place went to Jeff Matthews and Jeff Hartung with 11.14 lbs. and earnings of $150.00. Amateur big fish honors went to Grant Lowther with his 3.50 lb. black bass that netted him $210.00.  

Nor-Cal would like to thank our Trophy Sponsor for the event, Central Valley Electric. Also thank you to Don Pedro Marina for allowing us to hold our weigh-in under the cover of the marina. Thank you to our event sponsors, Stratos Boats, Johnson Outboards, Ex-Cel Lures, B.A.I.T Insurance, Delta Bait & Tackle, V&V Custom Baits, Silver Thread, Keeper Custom Worms, B.A.N.G, Malibu Boats, Super Pork, Pinnacle Rods & Reels, Predator Worms, Thermo Oil Batteries, Central Valley Propeller and Fishin Musician Worms.  

Don Pedro is the first of 6 qualifying events for the Nor-Cal Bass Federation Tournament of Champions (TOC) where the top 25 Pro and Amateur anglers will compete in this year's ending classic battle. The 25 Pro Division anglers that qualify for the TOC will be competing for a fully rigged 1999 Stratos Bass Boat valued at $24,500.00. There are plenty of tournaments left, so make your plans to fish Nor-Cal's remaining events for your chance to fish for that beautiful Stratos Bass Boat.