BAM II Report

Great report and pics, everyone.
Totally bummed I couldn't make this event.
Hopefully there is next year...

No striper love for me but that won't be what I remember about the event.  Once again the warmth and friendly support makes this group of people so special for Randy and me.  Special thanks to the Whites, including the great lizard hunter, for sharing your special home and for providing for another gathering of NCKA energy. 

First post for me -- although been following the great fishing reports for a few months. 

Wife and I had previously planned camping trip to  Mendocino 6 mos ago.  Then recently learned Bendo at Mendo was on for the weekend we were leaving.  Had rigged up the camper to carry two scupper pros on top for first time.  Played around lake for several days during the week.  Fished some, but not for stripers.  Figured we'd start seeing some REAL fishermen towards weekend.  Sure enough here comes Randy and his son Ty on Thursday afternoon at the Kyen campground (North end) next campsite over from us.  Great to meet someone else looking to give the fish a hard time(although I'm not much of a threat --yet!)

Friday morning I get up early and start stumbling down to the kayak with my fishing gear.  Here comes Randy with a big smile on his face and starts telling me this Big Fish Story -- and I look and see Ty coming from behind him holding up Mr Striper with a Big Smile on his face (Ty -- not the fish).  Wow! What a beaut! Way to go Ty!

Anyway, good to get my feet wet -- so to speak.  Look forward to doing more kayak fishing and seeing more of you guys 

Wow, I missed out .  Congrats  to Brian, Bill, and Ben!

That lake looks rad, I don't think I can't wait till the next BENDO to get up there.

Looks like I missed a good one! Congrats to the winners and everyone supporting Chef...
I did a family campout at Salt Point with another couple and kids. No yaks but shoredove for my first abs of the year. Big water but clear. Next time Mendo...

I've been meaning to report, but I've been in Portland on work since Sunday. It's Monday night and I finally found some wireless access and can give me report on what it's like to be the luckiest kayak fisherman in the world.  Despite what I'd like to think, winning one of these tournaments has to be at least 90% luck where the winner just happens to be the person to drag his or her bait in front of the largest fish.  How I've managed to do that twice in four tournaments is anybody's guess.  Once again Sean and Bill managed to put on a great tournament.  Thanks again guys.

Anyway, like Bill, the secret to Lake Mendo stripers has eluded me on every one of my previous attempts (all six of them in my case).  I was lucky to have my wife Amy, son Owen, and dog Scooter with me at the tournament this year.  However, having them there meant I got a bit of a late start the morning of the tournament.  I finally got out on the water around 7:30 am and started dragging my minnow rig south along the west side of the lake.  For some reason I had in mind to try and follow the 30 ft depth contour around the lake where possible.  I wish I could say I had a valid reason for doing that, but I really didn't.   About an hour into my troll I stopped to check my bait and sent it back out with the reel disengaged as I paddled to let enough line out.  As soon as I engaged my reel I had a very small bite and thought it might be another small largemouth.  I engaged the reel, picked up a little bit of slack and my rod went "bendo" right in front of the old septic tank on the west shore north of the south ramp.  I later learned from Shawn that the local ol'timers call this the "sh*t box" and that it had produced for Sean recently as well.  After a decent 5 minute fight on 25 lb spectra with a 10 lb fluoro leader I manged to net my first Lake Mendo striper.  I wasn't sure of the size other than it was at least 9 lbs and was about 4 or so inches longer than the 28" max measure on my Cobra Navigator's built in fish ruler.   

I felt pretty good about my fish, but had no idea how well it would hold up for the next 6 1/2 hours of the tournament.  From the chatter on the VHF it sounded like there were two other fish boated that were running about 9 lbs.   Having already experienced catching a tournament winning fish early and trying to remain calm despite others constantly coming over to see my fish and tell me how that thought I might win, I thought I might try to keep kind of quiet about this for awhile.  My plans were foiled when I found out that Andy from Ukiah had seen me land my fish.  Shortly after that I ran into Naoaki and later Sean and Mark and couldn't help but report my decent fish when asked.

I would have stuck around the "sh*tbox" all day for my second fish, but I promised my wife I'd make it back to camp by 10 am to help her manage Owen and Scooter as well as say hello to my in-laws who were coming to visit from Clovis (Fresno) and had decided to drive the extra hour or so to "see Brian in action fishing a tournament".   After a quick diaper change, a trip out on the water with my dog Scooter, and an early lunch I went back out fishing and joined the pack of kayaks that hung out in front of the campground.  I'm still not sure why everyone was there, other than maybe they were too lazy to paddle to the south end to catch a fish.  I sat out there with everyone, too anxious to fish as I waited for the official weigh in to begin and then end.

At this point in my "career" I think I've almost broken even, with winnings just about making up for what I've spent on kayak fishing.  (At least that's what I'm telling my wife!)  My $500 should keep Owen day care another two weeks or so with some left over to buy myself a new leather belt to go with my sweet championship buckle.  Mark I didn't get a chance to thank you at the tournament, but that buckle is amazing!!   Chef, good luck on recovery, I hope the money we raised makes a decent dent in your medical expenses.

Oh, and as two time NCKA tournament champion I'd like to plug some of fine products I prefer to use (in case they're out there listening).   Cobra kayaks for keeping my butt so dry on the the Navigator XF and Surf to Summit seats for keeping it comfortable.  Shimano rods and reels for never failing my during a battle. Seaguar fluorocarbon leader material for making my line invisible, and Gamakatsu hooks for always true hook sets.  Okay, enough shameless plugs for sponsers I'll never get.   I would like however to plug Jim "InSeine" Hobbs for providing storage and transport of my kayaks including use of his Roll-Eaze carts.

I think I have some pictures back home and I'll post them as soon as I get back.


Brian
 

I hope someone has a picture of the buckle to post as Mark had polished it up to a precious shimmer.

Brian / bsteves ....being awarded for his First Place Finish 

followed by 2nd placer = Papa Bill 

Ben / guitarzan placing 3rd 

Doug / marmite did pretty well with good stringers form a weekend of fishing......

....a few of our brothers did pretty good with the "kayak drop" method (invented by Papa Bill).....basically, you paddle out and use your FF to locate a drop-off / ledge. then drop your bait - leave your reel on free spool- and paddle back to shore and enjoy a cold one 

Chris / Jellyfish with a nice small mouth bass and Chris / molbasser (the self proclaimed champ ) with a nice stripper   

The Surfing Marmot family enjoying a beautiful day on the water......

......here's Craig / Kayakbuilder and Chris / molbasser preparing the pig  Later on, after the pig was cooked, the "head" happened to find it's way inside my kayak's front hatch I could only guess that it was the doing of the little rascals running all over the place ....headed of course by their fearless leader, The Jellyfish. The whole incident reminded me of the movie "The Lord of the Flies" - which I found VERY disturbing 

anyway, revenge will be mine at the end....to Jelly and his crew....sleep with one eye open 

LMAO at that pig smile!  WTG, Jelly and crew!   

What a great event.  Hopefully I'll make it to one of these before too long...

Excellent community, people.