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Winners Jon Ramos and Jordan Harris

5/17/09 – Harris and Ramos Get “HOT” at Don Pedro 

                Weather is always a determining factor in what a bass will do.  It is also a major player in the decisions anglers make in how they approach a day of fishing in a tournament. In the early spring we always talk about changing weather.... well today it was all about the stability of summer. It has been blue skies for days and today’s thermometer hit 105 degrees so taking care of yourself was import as taking care of your fish. Lots of drinking water for the body and “Catch and Release” in the live wells to help keep the fish in good shape. But first, I would like to thank everyone at The Bait Barn in Waterford for providing us with a great location for Friday night’s check in.  The Texas Tackle Store Giveaway is in full swing and once again anglers purchased goods and put their receipts in the bucket for the raffle. Sunday morning check in started early as teams showed up at Fleming Meadows for Quagga Mussel inspection and then the start. 5:30 was a great time as it was the last time that day anyone remembers it not being HOT, HOT, HOT. 

                        The Hottest of all the teams was Jordan Harris of Kerman and partner Jon Ramos of Fresno. These two put together a winning pattern to take everything. Their 5 fish limit came in at 9.84 pounds and included the Persuader Big Bass of the Day, a very respectable, post spawn bass weighing 3.15 pounds. The winning pattern included starting the day using Zara Spooks for a few hours and then switching to a Brown Jig pattern that focus on any little shade that could be found. They concentrated on the Woods Creek and Middle Bay areas where there was plenty of shade between the stumps and the drop offs. It was well worth the hard work as they received a pair of Plaques from Mercury Motors and a check for $700. Jordan took the time to remind everyone how hard it is to get started in tournament fishing and thanked H&J Chevy, Cen Cal Construction, Sebastian American Legacy Fishing Co. and Biola Raisan Co. Congratulation to Jordan and Jon for a great day under tuff conditions and Congratulation for taking home the 2 Fenwick Rods Raffled off in the Fenwick Friendly Fisherman’s Giveaway. Like I said earlier, when Your Hot, Your Hot.

             Finishing in second place was Fresno’s Justin Barton and Jeff Short. These guys gave it a good shot as they too weighed in a 5 fish limit, tipping the scales at 8.24 pounds. Like the winners, they started the day with Zara Spooks, mixing in a Rip Bait, before going to the Brown Jig. The big difference, was they fished the jig deep focusing on the main lake drop offs where fish move up and down for feeding. All in all, not a bad day, as they too received a pair of those Mercury Plaques to go with $310. Barton thanked Poor Boy’s Baits for helping them out.

             Third place went to David Bolton of Clovis and Kevin Hashimoto of Fresno. The two guys did something totally different and proved there is always more than one pattern on a lake on any given day. They tossed White Spinnerbaits all day, running from point to point all over the main lake. With a limit weighing 7.38 pounds it proved that different can be just as good as what the majority think. The key said Bolton said, was to never stay in one place very long as they looked for mudlines that streached out over the pointss so they could roll the spinnerbaits out into the mudline and wait for a strike. It was a good strategy as it put them into first place in the Anglers of the Year race with only one event left at Millerton Lake next month. Oh by the way, did I mention it was their home water. Good luck to David and Kevin going into June. 

            Forth Place went to Blane Duran and partner Angelo Allarro. They weighed in at 7.15 pound while a fifth place weight of 5.46 pounds belonged to Greg Paminto and Kevin Cheek. Again I would just like to say, congratulations to all who showed up in the HEAT and worked hard. 

            The Western Rookie League would like to thank the fine sponsors that make the difference between fishing and the quality events we are able to provide as a result of their support. BassCat Boats, Mercury Outboards, Berkley Trilene, Spiderwire Braid, Castillo Badillo - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Loomis Lodge and Lake Fork Guide Service, TheFishingInstructor.Com, Persuader Bass Baits, Fenwick Rods, Walton’s Pond in San Leandro, Hook, Line & Sinker in Oakley, Phil’s Props in Redding, Bait Barn in Waterford, Escalon Bait & Tackle, Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp, Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis, Berryessa Sporting Goods in Winters, MF Finesse Custom Worms, Comfortroll, Comfort Suites of Oakley, Cal West Concrete Cutting, Eye Surrender Sun Glasses, Bass Angler’s Guide Magazine, Angels Inn Motel of Angles Camp and Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.