VOL . 41 • ISS . 4

March 18 , 2022

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Rich Rodriguez , from Escalon , was using a Notorious Custom Jig near the corner of the dam when he landed this monster that weighed in at 8.9 pounds .

Photo Courtesy of Lake Amador would have to “ put in the work ”, if they ever hoped to win a Future Pro Tour Classic crown . And last Sunday , a big dose of that “ Karma ” finally showed up at their doorstep . But it was last week , just three days before the event , that the annual Angler ’ s Press Outdoors “ Handicappers ” sheet came out naming this team to its “ Top 7 ” Picks for winning the event , based on their long history , and the fact that they were way overdue for a win . And to this end , the APO “ Handicappers ” sheet gave them the moniker of team “ Ambush ”, because if they were to win - no one would see it coming . And WIN they did , and as the proof of their “ hiding in the weeds ”, and “ never give up ” attitude , Mike commented that they only had 4 fish going into the last and final minute of the event , and on his very last cast of the day - using a Yamamoto Senko , on a Dobyns - DX 703 SF series rod , he landed a 3-pound small-mouth that helped sealed their victory . Shane and Austin Cowley won the Lasher ’ s Elk Grove Ram - “ Guts & Glory ” Big fish award with a 6.19 pounder that earned them $ 800 cash ! Overwhelmed with emotion as they accepted the coveted Future Pro Tour Classic Championship trophies , Jim commented to the crowd in attendance that , “ I have had many team partners over the years , and I really believe it took that diversity of styles , for me to finally find the right partner … one that would complement my style of fishing - and vise-versa . “ Jim and I fish very well together , are aware of each other ’ s strengths and weaknesses , and ALWAYS keep the “ team ” mentality in the forefront of our minds ”, commented Mike during the awards presentation . We have both come to realize

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the importance of encouragement , and the value of “ picking up the slack ”, when one of us is having a bad day , as that IS NOT the time to lose faith and give up , but to get better ”, he added . Mike Caddick and Tyson Rappleye with the fish that gave them 2nd place or “ runner-up ” honors that paid $ 2,700 ! Throughout the 3-day event , Mike and Jim ran to only a few key spots , throwing a variety of baits , and sacking a 3-day total weight of 42.15 pounds , winning the keys to a new Nitro Z18 boat , motor , and trailer package , valued at $ 40,000 , courtesy of Gone Fishin ’ Marine of Dixon . Cayden Cross is truly a “ chip off the old block ”, as this 14-year old navigated through a tough bite and THIRTY Youth Angler League qualifiers , using the dropshot technique to bag 7.36 pounds of bass ( 3-fish ), and capture the 2021 Youth Angler League title and the keys to a new Tracker Classic XL , boat motor and trailer package , courtesy of Gone Fishin ’ Marine in Dixon . The “ block ” that this “ chip ” fell from , was none other than Danny “ DC ” Cross - his father , who himself is a Future Pro Tour Hall of Famer , winning a FPT Classic Championship on Clearlake in 2015 , where he and his partner took home the keys to a new Ranger boat . “ I was incredibly happy when I won my first boat via Future Pro Tour , but that win pales in comparison to how I feel right now about Cayden winning the event and a new boat ”, noted Danny . “ Cayden is a good sportsman , a patient angler , and is really learning the “ mechanics ” of this sport . NO father could be prouder than I am right now ”, he added . The 2021 FPT Classic Championship was an incredible event , putting an “ official ” end to the 2021 season ... but

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don ’ t go away .... the 2022 season is now in session , as we return to Lake Berryessa on March 26th - where the lake will have “ turned over ”, and the BIG FISH , and quality limitswith a BIG PAY DAY ... will be the standard !

- Vince Harris , Angler ’ s Press Outdoors

BULLARDS BAR / ENGLEBRIGHT LAKES

Kokanee Are Hitting Shallow and Deep

DOBBINS – If you want to catch kokanee salmon , you can fish both shallow and deep at Bullards Bar Reservoir . “ Trollers at hooking kokanee both while top-line trolling and downrigger trolling at 35 feet deep ,,” revealed Craig Newton at Willfish Bait and Tackle . “ The majority of fish being caught now are in the 10 to 11 inch range . Hoochies , tipped with white corn , behind dodgers are yielding the best action .” Good areas to troll include by the dam and in the Yuba River arm , noted Newton . Bullards Bar Reservoir is holding 966,000 acre feet of water , 66 percent of capacity and 996 percent of average . Rainbow trout fishing at Englebright Reservoir is also productive at this time . Boaters are doing best on rainbows to 18 inches while topline trolling with Rapalas and Speedy Shiners above the 5 mph buoys in the Yuba River arm . Englebright is holding 67,359 acre feet of water , 96 percent of capacity and 101 percent of average .

- Dan Bacher

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