You could not have asked for a better day! Well except maybe a few more participants. Once again the Markley Cove staff was ready for us! Coffee was hot and fresh brewed with smiles all around. As the teams registered we had Jim Dandy plastic bait samples on hand. If the teams used these baits and placed in the money they would receive California Tackle gift certificates. Rumor had it that the bite was ON and spirits were high with the prospects of a GREAT bite. With the 28 teams ready to go, blast off was about 6:10 on a windless clear morning.

The day was indeed a BEAUTIFUL day! There wasn't breeze to speak of, not a cloud in the sky, bright sun and the perfect air temperature. Even the wildlife was out for the day. Canada Geese out for a swim, deer grazing on the green hillsides and even a Bald Eagle gave us a look as we fished along a bank. A majestic sight to say the least! That eagle graced us with his presence again as he soared above the lake looking for a trout to pluck out of the water.

At 1:30 Joe Pennella and Steve Mirante weighed in early with an 11.51 pound limit. They were sure that is wouldn't hold out for top honors. They had a surprise party, that Steve knew nothing about, to attend! Then just before 3:00 p.m. the teams began to roll in. Limits were the rule with 26 of the 28 teams bringing in limits to the scales. Most were in the 9 to 10 pound range. That's until Bob Pisani and John Ramos pulled up to the scales! Their 13.63 limit that was anchored by a 3.25 largemouth took top honors! Bob and John received $1,245 in 1st place money, $87 options and 84 Lumber sponsored plaques. That 3.25 largemouth was Big Fish of the event as well!

That fish got Bob $270, a Competitive Edge Rod and an 84 Lumber Big Bass Plaque. Greg McCosker and Randy Marshall had 2nd place in the net with their 12.47 limit along with $620 2nd place money, $87 in options and 84 Lumber sponsored plaques. Their 2.85 Big Bass was the biggest bass of the event caught with Jim Dandy baits which earned Greg and Randy a $50 Calif Tackle certificate and since they were the highest finishing team in the money using Jim Dandy baits they also received a $100 Calif Tackle certificate! Just .32 behind them were Don Delorefue and Matt Miller with a 12.15 limit. They took home 3rd place 84 Lumber plaques, $470 prize money and $87 in options. Matt Miller also had 2nd Big Bass of the event a 3.07 smallmouth that got him a lifetime warranted Calif Tackle reel, a RoboWorm assortment, a team set of the EZ-Cull-RZ floating rope culling system, a couple of Bass Cat spinnerbaits and a jar of Craw-Cane powdered fish attractant. A 4th place 11.83 limit that Tom Janousek and Homer Clark brought to the scales was good for $355 and 4th place 84 Lumber plaques. Fifth place 84 Lumber plaques and $300 went to Firuz Gizatullin and Jeremy Zipton for their 11.73 limit. Our Lucky S.O.B. (Son of a Bass) one spot out of the money option went to the guys who had to leave at 1:30. Joe Pennella and Steve Mirante got $130 for their 6th place 11.51 limit. A 10.72 limit that Steve Thurmon and Terry Honkanen brought in earned them each a $25 gift certificate from Just Fishin' Boats courtesy of David Yates. And Sabin Holm who fished by himself got a Sunny's Electric Marine Trolling Motor Tune-up certificate for his 10.42 limit courtesy of Sunny Lampe. Do the guys that place last ever get anything? Well Grant Peterson and Jimmie Williams got a 12-pack of XS Energy Drinks for their 3 fish that went 5.04. Maybe these guys will be alert in our next event and won't miss any bites drinking XS Energy Drinks, the energy drink with NO CARBS, NO SUGAR, a GREAT taste and only 8 calories! Mike Brakebill of RoboWorm sent up some of their best colors of plastics. We handed those out to a few of the fisherman during the awards. Looks like it pays to hang around for the awards once in a while!

I would like to thank the staff at Markley Cove for always making us welcome. Without my staff, Dan, Jerame and Justin Davis along with Big Ron Herrin things would not run as smooth as they do! THANKS you guys! Many thanks to our local and regional sponsors XS Energy Drinks, RoboWorm, Bass Widow product makers of EZ-Cull-RZ, Just Fishin Boats, Ultra Truck Works, Sunny's Electric Marine, 84 Lumber and Office Depot for their support. Our national sponsors Bass Cat, Mercury, Motorguide, Lowrance electronics, Competitive Edge, Bass West USA, AC Proshops and Wilson Trophy are more than deserving of thanks as well. All of theses people and sponsors help to make our event possible and most of all fun!

Our next event in the California Foothills Division is on Clear Lake April 10th! Launch and weigh-in will be at Red Bud Park just about 3 blocks from the Best Western El Grande Inn and Resort our host hotel. If you have any questions, please send me an e-mail at 481terry@msn.com. See you on the water!