Southern California Anglers,

Ever want to live the dream of making it to the Bassmaster Classic? Or maybe you dared to dream a little more of what it would be like to hold the trophy over your head… The Federation might actually be able to make those dreams a reality. You’re probably thinking right now to yourself, it couldn’t happen…Scott’s just pulling our leg. Well what about Bryan Kerchal who won the 1994 Bassmaster’s Classic after qualifying through the Federation for it. Or even more recently, Mike Iaconelli who qualified for his first Bassmaster’s Classic in 1999 through the Federation and then went on to win the Classic in 2003. The point is the Federation qualifies 5 fishermen every year for the Classic, five fisherman just like you and me who normally wouldn’t be able to fish the circuit.

The Federation is a great place for beginning to experienced anglers. The tournaments are relaxed with no pressure and are extremely fun to fish. Non Boaters are paired up with a boater in a straight draw event with each angler weighing their own bag of fish. Boat priority goes to boaters who sign up with non boaters, so non boaters become very sought after.

Truly I can think of no better way to learn the lakes in our area then to sign up as a non boater and fish with some of the anglers who know these lakes. Last year I learned a tremendous amount from each boater I fished with.

This year the Central Coast Region (Region 7) starts on February 21, 2004 on beautiful Lake Cachuma. Lake Cachuma is an amazing fishery that has both Largemouth and Smallmouth in it. Fishing should be great with fish in a late winter or prespawn pattern and just starting to put the feed bags on for spawn.

We move on to Casitas March 6, 2004, for an event that should take a huge bag to win. I remember someone saying that Casitas is good one month out of the year and that month is March.

We then return to Cachuma March 27, 2004. The fish should now be in a prespawn and with some of them up on beds and maybe even a few post spawn fish. This should be another great event.

We then take a few months off and then hit Cachuma again June 13, 2004. Fish should be in a post spawn pattern with a few late spawners still up on beds. The top water bite should be excellent in the morning. Secretly this is the event I’m looking forward to.

And we finish it up on July 31, 2004 at Lake Piru. Piru is one of the most underrated lakes in Southern California. Piru has less pressure on it all year long and should produce a lot of fish on the “fun” baits.

California BASS Federation Region 7 is ready to start accepting entries for boaters and non boaters for the 2004 Season. Remember entries must be in the Monday before the event.

For complete rules, schedules for other regions and entry forms go to
http://www.californiabass.org/

Looking forward to seeing you all out there for the 2004 California Bass Federation season and especially out there for Region 7

Thanks You,

Scott Harvey
California BASS Federation
Region 7 Director