Mahi wins CSBA

......after "that Dude" got his big one, then got a few from BarnCove, he called me to let me know there were fish bitting, but not big enough for him to up-size.
I told him that I was shadowing him already, so that my oversized-nephew could get his frist yak'd-striper...Thanks again "dude"!  We marked fish, missed fish and caught fish for three hours there. I just made sure EVERYONE got into them propper and to document it. I got nada, but good memories and laughs!


pic1~ the crew that soon showed at BarnCove
pic2~ Chad and his cherry-buster
pic3~ Ryan/Walrus and John/jdyak celebrating Ryan's first after 3-skunky trips!

Having a fishfinder sure makes the search for fish more fun. Also more frustrating to see all those marks but getting no bites.

1 - Mooch with his catch at the buoy line

2 - Fishin-Jay with one of his stripers

3 - 6 - Mahi Mahi having his fish measured before being declared winner

A big CONGRATS to Mahi for the sweet CSBA win.  Way to represent NCKA.  Proud of you, Bro!

I was also stoked to see guys like Ryan "Walrus" and Chad catch their first Mendo stripers, and Hojoman catch his first kayak fish.

It was a fun weekend of fishing and camping with everyone.  I just wished I had more time to visit with everyone around the campsites, but with such long days of fishing, there was barely enough time for dinner before passing out dead tired.

Thanks to the CSBA for a great derby and BBQ lunch.  Thanks to Sean and Allen who volunteered their time and efforts.  Thanks to Freddie and Melissa for providing and cooking awesome dinners both nights.  They capped off dinner with an elaborate chocolate fondue.  The dipped bananas, strawberry, and marshmallows were sinful.

Thanks too to Frank for driving and allowing me to catch some much needed naps on the drive up and back.

I can barely wait for BAM IV so we can do it all again on our own campgrounds with a big potluck dinner.

I would also like to thank John / jdyak and Terry / Hydrospider for grabbing some minnows for me. And Mike / Mickfish for reserving an awesome water front camp site and preparing a great meal (thanks to all that contributed to the potlock) 

My score for the weekend:

Friday: Caught two stripers in the evening - released one 27 incher and kept a 30 incher.
Saturday: Lost one striper by the yak and caught a 6+ pounder later in the day for the weigh-in (which was succesfully released)
Sunday: caught and released a LMB and lost a nice SMB by the yak

Having a fishfinder sure makes the search for fish more fun. Also more frustrating to see all those marks but getting no bites.

Congrats' with that "Gorilla-Off" HoJo!...it's ALL downhill from here!
and welcome to the world of "F.F. Watching Frustration"
IT'SaBIGpartOFtheMADNESS!

..... Ryan/walrus gave BirdMan a hand in releasing it unharmed(see pic#1)
he then did it again, but BIGGER this time, these fish were pulling him! and he was aHootin&aScootin'! Second fish in what seemed minutes, Classic!

pic2~ John helping Ryan net it up

pic3~ The Walrus and the conquered

Definetly a good time hangin with the boyz around the campfire. Enjoy the stories. Sharing em and hearing em... Didn't fish the tourny, cause I didn't get on the water till after 11, but gave it a good go the next day and ended with one striper and one LMB for the day. Most of all, it's fun seeing a plastic armada on the lake and listening to the hookups on the radio. And how about the "winning fish" coming in 10 minutes late. Sean, when you said "don't do it to yourself man" but he just had to weigh it. 2 ounces over the two tie breakers. That dude was bumming.... congrates to the local boy tho!! Looking forward to when it heats up enough to get em on topwater!!! 

  And how about the "winning fish" coming in 10 minutes late. Sean, when you said "don't do it to yourself man" but he just had to weigh it. 2 ounces over the two tie breakers. That dude was bumming....

...ewww! I forgot about that...bummin for sure.


pic1~...then Naoaki lands one of his multi-hits and it's a nice LMB (Fish)

...he had several takedowns but only one stuck. We were marking them in the 20fow zone, then they be back in the 14fow at the point again. If one would get a hit, another close by would enjoy some action too.(except me)
i just wanted to be sure all the *newbies got theirs' along with documentation.
(that's just how we roll)

pic2~ is John/ jdyaks' ride he got, after making sure his buddy Ryan had his first(that's just how we roll!)

pic3~....as we are hootin, huntin&BS'n closer to the point, I see ChampChuckE outside lookin hard at his FF and being awfully quiet...til he lands this and yells out,"while you guys were BS'n...I was landing this!" as he raises it up in victory!

 

The lines on Chuck's fish are perfect!  Gorgeous fish.  Another great tourney all

...I then hoped to get at least one on the HailMary troll back to the barn, instead I got TWO!  nothing to enter, just back-to-back hits, biggest was 26".

pic1~ Freddie Savage with one on the line.

pic2~ the start of the raffle after my 3 loaded burgers and a dog! *quality beef!

pic3~ with conditions like this...we had to GO FISH some more!

Ryan and I had a great time!!  It was his 3rd time to Mendo, and I knew if he didn't catch he wasn't coming back.  Friday I gave him the uni knot tying lesson, leader theory, and how fast to troll.  I made him tye a couple of knots and had him test the strength.  On the water friday night for a couple of hours, nada.  Saturday we trolled over to the first point on the East side (forgot the name) and then worked are way to barn cove.  As soon as we arrived, Ryan hooks into three one after another and then 2 more for the day.  I managed a couple of LMB and 1 striper. (all released)  Sunday paddled over to barn cove again and I caught a good size striper.  As he ripped out my line, I pressed my VHF's button and the guys on the other end liked what they heard.  The wind picked up and we headed across to vinegar point, and ryan briefly hooks one, but it gets off.  We then paddle on the west side in front of BAM beach and Ryan hooks and releases another one.  I guess I have a new fishing buddy. 

Great to see everyone again, lots of fun,  Thanks Hojoman for the campground and company, it was good to hang out with you.   

Cheers,

John

I'll take a stab at trying to keep up with you and Ryan at BAM IV. It's funny that, while I thought EVERYBODY had left me by myself on Saturday Morning, what had happened was that, while retying a hook, I had drifted west past the Pomo campground. Gotta learn to use my GPS. 

First, thanks to Sean for organizing a kick-ass, seamless tournament.  Second, a big THANKS to Dan(s964) for sharing his campsite, allowing me to participate in the aforementioned kick-ass tournament. Way to put it down and win the damn thing, Mahi!

Didn't catch a contender, but I was able to catch an upgrade striper and smallie.  Was hoping to catch a LM, but the smallies kept getting in the way.  Adam, I think the fish got our memos crossed up

I was hunting smallies for the better part and came up DRY!

Good times, good folks.  Can't wait to do it again...

Congratulations Mahi.  Sounds like it was another stellar event, wish I could have made it.

I'm coming to terms with the fact that a PrizeSmallMouth from Mendo will be a by-catch and that I should HAULT all HUNTDOWNS for them....I caught 2-17" in my first year of Yakin Mendo, while trollin' for Striper. Since then I've dedicated (AOTY-'07&'08) at least 6 soild days of minnow and or crawdad/creature along rocks, dam and many other suggested areas.
...MORAL of this STORY is I QUITE!    Whea!  I'm going back to paddling 20+along shore. 

...so we all hit it at night, and I don't think a one of us caught a thing! I thought night-fishing was supposed to productive?! I'm 0-fer-3 on my night trips. Freddie took the SturgeonGoddess up the creek insearch of a smallie, so I had to go too, and the rest too!

pic1~ Mooch as we begin our night journey

pic2~ Allen /otobepelagic in his pajamas on the peddle along his "bouy drop-off"

pic#~ it's the same time/darkness, but the camera is in NIGHT-VISION mode.
     Mako-Juan trying to fish, but can't, because his got MINNOWS to BABY-SIT!
     

Wow! Adam, that night mode is pretty bright. I remember when you took that pic. I'm the boat in front and it was nearly dark out at that time. Impressive...