California BASS Nation at the Delta

A California Delta Bass

Windy conditions on the California Delta didn’t hamper the leaders of this event who consistently brought in around 15 pounds each day to rise to the top of the pack.  Bass Angler Magazine’s own Mark Lassagne, fishing his first BASS Nation event in some time, punched his way to a win!

Winner Mark Lassagne's 6.31 Big Bass

Mark Lassagne of San Ramon, CA and a member of Diablo Hawg Hunters punched mats each day of the two day tournament held July 12-13, 2014, bringing in over 15 pounds on the first day to sit in 2^nd place, and topping that with the biggest bag of day 2 at 16.58 pounds to finish with a total of 31.99 pounds.  Day 2’s bag was anchored by a 6.31 pound largemouth that also won him the Dobyns Rods Big Bass Prize for Biggest Bass of the tournament.  Mark commented that he, “punched mats near the banks that had to have at least 1-3 feet of water below them.”  For 1^st Place Mark wins a coveted ‘Boater’ position on the 2015 California BASS Nation State Team.

Steve Wilson had the big bag on
Day One with 16.97 pounds

Leading on day one was Steve Wilson of Santa Rosa, CA and a member of the Sonoma County Belly Boat Bass Club, (full size boat owners are allowed, too.)  Wilson had the big bag of day one of just short of 17 pounds, but on day two could not reach the water he wanted to due to an unfortunate lower unit issue just after launching.  Despite the loss of the ability to run to his preferred area, Steve didn’t allow a little thing like a blown lower unit to stop him!  He still managed to haul in a nice sack of bass by buzz baiting his way back to the launch host at B & W Resort and finishing with a total of 28.46 pounds!  Talk about persevering through a handicap!  Steve reported that he had to, “burn the buzz bait.  If I reeled it slow they wouldn’t bite.”  For finishing in 2^nd Place Steve earns a ‘Non-boater’ position on the Team but has already stated that he will be fishing more events to try and move into a Boater spot.

Top 3

Ventura County Bass Club member Jason Hemminger netted the 3^rd Place position by landing a total of 24.22 pounds.  Jason also reported that he caught the majority of his bass by punching mats.

This is the first of four events to qualify for the 2015 State Team that will represent the California BASS Nation at the 2015 BASS Nation Western Divisional event.   At each event, the top finishing angler earns an automatic spot as a boater on the team and the second place angler earns an automatic non-boat spot.  All anglers earn points for end of year standings which can move them into a boater or non-boater position.  Each team consists of six boaters and six non-boaters and one alternate.  Each state may also qualify high school teams which will compete in the Divisonal events  and earn points for the Team Standings as well.  The next event will be at Lake Nacimiento on August 23 & 24, followed later by tournaments at Lakes Shasta and Castaic.

Jamel Johnson had the Big Bass
on Day One at 4.6 pounds

At the 2015 Western Divisional the teams from 11 western states will compete for Team standings to win a Triton Alliance boat package from Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Lowrance Electronics and Motorguide Trolling Motors.  The top finishing team member from each state qualifies to move on to the BASS Nation National Championship event where the best from each region will then qualify to fish the prestigious Bassmasters Classic!

Just a small portion of the California Delta