Let me start out by saying West Coast Bass put on a professional tournament. It was very well run with a very capable staff – 2 great partners – Alonzo and Mr. Christiansen. All of this along with a fantastic barbeque!!
Day 1
I drew John Vawger – a very capable Pro and a nice guy to boot. At blastoff we headed down south and fished an area that he had caught some big bass during prefish. As we were working down the bank, I noticed that the boat in front of us about 50 yards put a bass in the boat which got me excited and on point. They moved 20 yards further down and boated another bass. We are on the spot where John had caught big bass during prefish and I’m thinking we should be getting bit – we’re around fish. My instinct told me what I was throwing isn’t working, so I immediately pickup my shakey head rod and the first cast I got hammered. We netted our first bass at over 3 pounds. We approached the area where the boat in front of us caught the big bass, made a cast, added a subtle shake to the shakey head and bass #2 in the boat. My Pro continued down the bank and I asked him to stop. I said “John, we’re going to get our limit right here. The boat in front caught 2 bass – we just caught 1 – we’re sitting on a school of bass.” Then, with 3 consecutive casts with the shakey head, 3 more bass came in the boat – all over 3 pounds each. We stayed on that spot for at least 2 hours – where I culled 13 bass for a total of 17 pounds (plus). We fished around that general area til 1:00 when we headed to Redbud Arm. The areas we wanted to fish were blown out due to the high winds. We slowly worked our way back north towards check in. With 10 minutes to go, my Pro landed a nice bass which culled 1 of our 5. When all was said and done we weighed in 17.84 pounds!
Day 2
I drew the infamous Paul Bailey, aka Lil’ Bailey – younger brother of Pro Angler Shaun Bailey (Shaun – you got nothin’ on your lil’ brother – you better step it up!). Needless to say, I was anxious and excited for Day 2 to start. Lil’ Bailey had just come off a roll with his partner, Brian Bailey with 1 win and 2-2nd place finishes in 2 weeks prior to this tournament.
I met Lil’ Bailey a little after 5:00 a.m. – we were both excited at the prospect that the day might offer. Paul hit me with the question that set me back on my heels and really made me think long and hard before I answered. Of course, the answer was a no brainer! He told me he talked to his brother, Shaun, and Justin Kerr and they told him “you’re out of the hunt, but Ricci is in the hunt with a very big bag.” So, here’s the proposition, Chris --- it’s totally up to you, but I’m willing to throw the swimbait for 5 big bites in hopes of getting you 30-35 pounds. But you need to make that decision.” My head rolled – I was honored that he would even do that for me. So, I weighed the upsides and downsides. The “up” being – he had just done it in the last 2 weeks. The “down” being on Day 1 he only came in with 8 pounds and never got bit on the swimbait. And, also the areas he was going to be fishing were not conducive to my style of fishing – shakey head, dropshot, soft plastics, etc. It really didn’t take me that long to come back with my answer “You bet – I’ve been dying to learn the art of big swimbait fishing!”
We blasted off and rolled to spot 1. There were a lot of boats in the area, so we didn’t stay long. We left without a bite. We jetted to spot 2 – we had it all to ourselves. We both proceeded to throw swimbaits. At the same time, Lil’ Bailey was instructing me on how to throw, what to feel for, and all the subtle intricacies associated with the art of big swimbait fishing.
Right then, I noticed the boat rocking and I almost fell out. Lil’ Bailey’s 8’ pole is bent in half, he’s grunting, trying to turn the handle on the reel. He was yelling “It’s a monster, It’s a monster!” I jumped down and grabbed the net – only to see a 9# largemouth with a huddie half way out its mouth. Half way to the boat it spit it out and said “Not today boys”. Lil’ Bailey collapsed to his knees, shaking his head – repeating “shake it off, shake it off”. We got back in the game. I’m not sure how much time passed when Lil’ Bailey rears back, sets the hook on another toad and we watch in horror as that one comes unbuttoned.
Shortly after that mishap, the master of swimbait fishing swings, sets the hook, and screams “Another monster, another monster!” This was only to have another monster spit the huddie back at us. What a sinking feeling to have 24-25# of bass slip and get away!!
We left a little while after the disaster. At spot #3 – within 10 minutes Lil’ Bailey sets the hook on another toad and that one didn’t stay on but for a few seconds. That’s 4 for 4 – the bass are kicking our ass! Another hour goes by, Lil’ Bailey almost ends up on the rear deck – his 8’ pole is again bent in half. Straining to turn the handle, and screaming “It’s a monster!” only to see it spit out the huddie, just like his fellow brothers did. That’s 5 bass with approximately 30-35 # that we were about to leave behind. It’s 1:00 and we didn’t have a fish in the boat. It was time to set the swimbait poles down and try to catch a limit with jigs and plastics.
It’s hard to explain the feeling I experienced fishing this style. I’m used to getting bit every 15 minutes and if I’m not, I’m in panic mode. Here it is 1:00 with 2-1/2 hours to fish. Not only is the livewell empty, I’m ready to call 911 for some oxygen!!
With 2-1/2 hours left to go, Lil’ Bailey managed to put 3 bass in the boat with the jig and I managed 1 with shakey head. We had a total of 4 bass for the day weighing 12 pounds and some change. I want to thank Lil’ Bailey from the bottom of my heart for putting his heart and soul into fishing for me to get a check.
Lil’ Bailey is truly awesome with swimbaits and to see him in action first hand was an honor.
My baits of choice and technique for the tournament were drop shotting 8” Maverick worms and 8” Pro Worms and 3/16 oz. Bayou Tackle shakey head – again with 8” Maverick and Proworm and Zoom Trick Worm. Colors were – Proworm – Mean Green and Maverick – MM. Trick Worm colors were June Bug and Watermelon Candy.
Fish on,
Chris
