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BLEVINS & BUGARIN
TAKE NOR-CAL BASS
SEASON OPENER AT DON PEDRO
Saturday, January 4, 2003
La Grange, CA
By:
Tim Paes
Saturday marked the
kickoff of Nor-Cal’s 2003 season and a new era for the organization.
They officially started their strategic
partnership with 100% Bass, bringing western anglers a world-class 1-day
pro-am tournament trail.
The creation
of a working relationship between the two organizations benefits the
anglers, sponsors and the sport. This was never more apparent then the
signing of the deal that will bring a fully rigged Stratos/Evinrude
prize package to this year’s championship tournament! In addition to
the combined cash resources that both organizations will award at the
championship, the pro division anglers will be competing for the right
to take home this awesome fully rigged Stratos/Evinrude prize package!
Anglers
will now be able to compete in Nor-Cal’s Motherlode division, 100%’s
northern division or they can join both organizations to increase their
odds at making this year-end championship tournament.
Saturday’s
event highlighted several changes within the organization, none more
notable then the change to a 100% payback in the pro division. The pro
payback was awesome for this 38-boat event! Also the removal of the
pre-fish restriction was welcomed by many of the competitors.
The
weather was bright, clear and comfortable for January. However this
would make fishing conditions tough for many of the competitors. The
anglers managed just over a 3 fish per boat average, as 133 bass were
brought to the scales, weighing 294 lbs. This equaled a 2.2 lb average
per fish, which made for several solid limits even though the conditions
were tough.
Oakdale pro Randy
Blevins, and his partner, Mike Bugarin, of Turlock held on to take the
title with their 5 fish limit that weighed 17.70 lbs. Blevins reported
that their fish all came by dropshotting 4” Keeper 101B worms in 30 to
60 feet of water. Blevins keyed on rocky points, both long and steep
from Middle Bay to Woods Creek. Blevins said he had broken off a few
fish during practice and the key on tournament day was going to a little
heavier line. Blevins used 10 lb. P-Line Fluroclear on Shimano reels and
St Croix Avid rods. The pair also had two kicker fish, Bugarin’s 4.50
lb lunker that took Big Fish money in the am division and Blevins’s
6.40 toad that took Big Fish for the pro division. The stars must have
been aligned for these anglers as Blevins said he had set down his rod
to have a sandwich and soda, as he was finishing his sandwich, he saw
his rod tip tick a couple times. He set the hook and landed his 6.40 lb
lunker! Blevins took home $2,257 while Bugarin earned $1,192 for a team
total of $3,449.
 Finishing
in 2nd place with their 15.80 lb 4 fish limit was Riverbank
pro Jeff Frey and his partner Marvin Vaughn, of Delhi. Frey, who is
sponsored by Autolife Sporting Goods, said they caught two of their fish
dropshotting a Pro Worm 3000RG and the other two came on a Basstrix
swimbait. Frey keyed on bends in creek channels around Big Oak Island
and Ramos Creek with 15 lb P-Line Fluroclear on Curado reels and Shimano
V rods. The dropshot fish came out of 45 feet of water while the
swimbait fish were caught in 18 feet. Frey won $1,960 while Vaughn
earned $628 for a team total of $2,588.
Modesto pro Don
Payne and partner Ed Larsen, of Paradise finished third with a 5 fish
limit that tipped the scales at 15.24 lbs. Payne, who is sponsored by
Ranger Boats, Mercury Outboards, Berkley line and rods, C&C Marine
and Thermo Oil Batteries, reported that all their fish except one came
on Optima Swimbaits. Payne used 25 lb Big Game on Shimano reels and
Berkley rods to catch his fish. He keyed on major points with rock on
the main body in water 39 to 55 feet deep. Payne took home $1,203 while
Larsen earned $256 for a team total of $1,459.
Rounding out the top
5 in 4th place was Copperopolis pro Joe Bruce and his partner
Richard Marchini, of La Grand. Bruce and Marchini weighed in a 5 fish
limit at 15.12 lbs. Bruce took home $730 while Marchini won $288 for a
team total of $1,018. Fifth place went to Pro Matt Hudson, of Manteca
and his partner, Eileen Taylor, of Elk Grove. The pair brought in a
14.60 lb 5 fish limit. Hudson took home $324 and Taylor earned $120 for
a team total of $444.
Special thanks goes
to their tournament trail sponsors, Stratos Boats and Evinrude
Outboards. Because of their support, Nor-Cal &
100% Bass will be awarding a fully rigged Stratos/Evinrude prize package
at their pro-am championship tournament. Don’t miss your opportunity
to feel the ride and power of this boat and motor combination!
Nor-Cal also thanks
their event sponsor at Don Pedro, Escalon Bait and Tackle, along
with Don Pedro Recreation for hosting the event.
Nor-Cal Bass
Tournament Trail sponsors are: Stratos Boats, Evinrude Outboards,
Bob’s Marine, St Croix Rods, Pradco Brand Baits, Autolife Sporting
Goods, Escalon Bait & Tackle, Tom’s Truck Repair, Tracy Oasis
Marina, Thermo Oil Batteries, Super Pork, Fishin Musician Worms, Keeper
Custom Worms, Predator Worms, McClure Painting & Plastering and
Hildebrand’s Auto Repair.
The next stop on our
2003 Pro-Am Tournament Trail takes place at Lake Camanche on February
1, 2003. Mandatory check in for this event will take place from 4:30 to
5:30 a.m. on the morning of the tournament. Lake headquarters for
check-in will be Camanche North Shore. It’s not too late to join
Nor-Cal for your chance to qualify for the 2003 championship tournament.
Qualification is based on the best 5 of 6 events. Visit our website, www.nor-calbass.com,
or call (209) 634-8754 for more information.
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