2008 Tournament of Champions

VALDEZ & KLEINGARTNER CROWNED CHAMPIONS AT THE 2008 CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday & Sunday, November 15 & 16, 2008
Lakeport, CA

Brentwood pro Angel Valdez took home the nickname "Comeback Kid" and the the title in the 2008 Nor-Cal Bass championship on Clear Lake. Valdez's 2-day total of 42.22 netted him the title. Valdez earned the "Comeback Kid" moniker after his jump from 11th place on day 1 to the title. Valdez brought a 5-fish limit that tipped the scales at 13.98 lbs on day 1. He then followed that up with an awesome 28.24 pounds on day 2. Valdez anchored his weight with the largest pro bass on day 2, a 9.62-pound monster. Valdez took home $3,530 for his title finish.

Atwater's Terry Kleingartner took the Am Division title with a dominating tournament that took the title by nearly 12 pounds. Kleingartner's day 1 weight of 20.28 placed him in striking distance from 2nd place. On day 2 Kleingartner added the events largest bass, a 9.68-pound monster that contributed to the largest stringer of the tournament at 28.24 pounds. The anglers 2-day total of 48.52-pounds was more then enough to secure the title. Kleingartner took home $1,570 for his awesome finish.

Ione pro Jason Remmers led after day 1 with a 20.38-pound 5-fish limit. The pro followed that up with an 5-fish limit that tipped the scales at 19.24-pounds on day 2. Remmers two-day total of 39.36 was a model of consistency but, just fell short of holding off Valdez's comeback weight on day 2. Remmers took home $2,186 for his solid performance.

Doug Olson took 2nd place in the Am Division with a two-day total of 36.68-pounds. Olson led after day 1 with 20.38-pounds and followed that up with a 16.30-pound weight on day 2. Olson took home $862 for his 2nd place finish.

Brentwood pro Bob Garrigan also was a model of consistency as he netted 20.28-pounds on day 1 and followed that up with 19.08-pounds on day 2. Garrigan's 2-day total of 39.36-pounds fell less then 1/2-pound of catching 2nd place pro Remmers. Garrigan's solid two days of fishing netted the pro $1,344.

Fresno's Dave McEwen locked up 3rd place in the Am Division with his 2-day total of 34.42-pounds. McEwen followed up his 15.18-pound 5-fish limit on day 1 with a 5-fish limit that tipped the scales at 19.24-pounds on day 2. McEwen's performance earned the angler $576.

Besides the cash awarded at this year's championship every angler took home something. Competitors took home sponsor product from St Croix Rods, Toad Thumper Bass Baits, Super Pork and Keeper Custom Worms. Sponsor cash from Champion Boats, Bob's Marine, Thompson Chevrolet and Thermo-Oil Batteries not only supported the circuit throughout the season, but also paid for an awesome dinner for the anglers on Saturday night at Konocti Vista Casino. Tracy Oasis Marina and Escalon Bait & Tackle sponsored and paid for all trophies awarded in 2008. Great sponsors and great anglers capped off by an awesome year-end championship leaves all excited about what awaits Nor-Cal Bass in 2009!

Nor-Cal Bass Tournament Trail sponsors are: Champion Boats, Bob’s Marine, St Croix Rods, Thompson Chevrolet, Escalon Bait & Tackle, Tracy Oasis Marina, Toad Thumper Bass Baits, Super Pork, Keeper Custom Worms and Thermo Oil Batteries.