Fishing News - 4/20/00
Byron Velvik Demolishes Robert Lee's Three-Day BASSMASTER Record With 83-5
Martens, Kiriyama, Reese, Rizk and Hite earn BASS Masters Classic Berths
CLEARLAKE, Calif., April 17, 2000 -- After a truly incredible turn of events at the BASSMASTER California Western Invitational on Clear Lake, there is little doubt which state now holds the title of "big-bass capital".
At 3:38 p.m. PST, Byron Velvick of Boulder City, Nev. not only won the event, but he shattered the all-time B.A.S.S. record for three days with an utterly astounding 15-bass total of 83 pounds, 5 ounces. Bettering Robert Lee's previous mark (78-3 set last April on the California Delta) by over 4 pounds, Velvick accomplished the feat by increasing his daily totals while many others were slipping.
"I wanted that record man! I wanted it so bad!" exclaimed Velvick as B.A.S.S. emcee Fish Fishburne and an appreciative crowd cheered their approval. Standing off to one side, Robert Lee could only shake his head in amazement.
"With this weather, I figured there was no way my record could be broken," But, Byron did a great job in adjusting to the conditions," said Lee who was already looking forward to next season's scheduled Delta event. "There's a good chance for this record to be broken again, but 83 pounds is awfully strong."
"California rules!" shouted one spectator as Velvick hoisted a pair of Clear Lake largemouths that anchored his 30-pound, 6-ounce final day catch. Like his first and second day weights of 24-0 and 28-15, respectively, the Nevada pro backed up a pure sight fishing attack with a western big-bait strategy.
Focusing on sparse beds of hydrilla positioned in 6 feet of water or less, Velvick's 20 years of sight fishing paid off handsomely when the stormy conditions allowed visual contact with his targets. In those situations, he pitched an Angler's Choice 5-inch Chubby Craw (#305 orange craw pattern, green pumpkin/orange belly) rigged Texas style on 15-pound Maxima line to open pockets in the weeds. The plastic craw was weighted with a small lead nail (1/16-ounce) inserted midbait to produce a horizontal fall.
Unfortunately, these opportunities were somewhat limited after a pre-tournament storm front all but eliminated much of his "hard-core sight fishing water."
"They went from spawning to surfing," laughed Velvick about the effects of turbulent water in his key, north-lake bay.
Recognizing the need for a solid, big-fish backup pattern, Velvick turned to an 8-inch Basstrix swim bait (a fish-shaped, kick-tail type of lure rigged internally with a 3/8-ounce weight and sporting two exposed hooks) rigged on Maxima 20-pound test. With male bass trying to coax the larger females to the beds, Velvick got some of his biggest fish by working the swim bait over the bedding areas.
In what has turned out to be a spectacular year for Skeet Reese of Cotati, Calif. -- both on the western circuit with a win at Lake Powell and solid performances on the BIG Kmart Top 150 circuit -- a second place effort here was truly icing on the cake. With a three-day total of 72 pounds, 3 ounces, Reese cinched a spot at this year's Classic by relying largely on a Yamamoto Senko (watermelon/black flake) rigged on 6/30 SpiderWire, Lamiglas XC 705 rod and a Shimano Castaic reel.
"These bass all have different personalities and there is no one way that will always work," noted Reese who also employed white and chartreuse grubs as well as Robo Zipper worms during the course of the event.
Despite three exceptionally strong days of fishing, Aaron Martens of Castaic, Calif. couldn't shake Reese from second place, finishing third with a 68-pound total. But, this budding young superstar kept his eye on the Classic prize by grabbing the points lead with a victory at Lake Oroville (the second stop on this year's western circuit) and never looked back.
Although Clear Lake may have been less nerve-wracking for Martens and Reese, others in contention for five coveted BASS Masters Classic berths needed every bit of their professional experience to attain the ultimate goal of a season-long campaign. The relief showed clearly in the faces of first-time Classic qualifiers Kota Kiriyama of West Hills, Calif. and 21-year-old Brett Hite of Phoenix Ariz., anglers who know that getting to the Classic can be a career-making achievement.
For others like second-time qualifier, Mark Rizk of Redding, Calif., consecutive Classic appearances also carry immense significance.
"It's sweeter the second time because now I have the credibility and consistency of having made it two times in a row. It proves to people that the first time just wasn't some lucky fluke," noted Rizk just moments after learning that his Classic spot was assured.
"The Classic has totally changed my fishing strategy. I used to always fish for the win and if I didn't win, I took what came. Now, I have to be in the top 30 every time to get those Classic points. It has changed my whole attitude about fishing tournaments and I'm very proud of the fact that I have been in the top 30 in nine consecutive B.A.S.S. events. The BASS Masters Classic is an awesome experience and I never want to miss it."
The following five anglers qualified for the 30th annual BASS Masters Classic to be held July 20-22 in Chicago on the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan. (Their Clear Lake finishes are in parentheses.)
1. Aaron Martens - Castaic, CA (3rd) 2. Kota Kiriyama - West Hills, CA (31st) 3. Skeet Reese - Cotati, CA (2nd) 4. Mark Rizk - Antelope, CA (23rd) 5. Brett Hite - Phoenix, AZ (4th)
Final standings are available at www.bassmaster.com.
Sponsors of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail include Ranger Boats, RangerTrail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, BIG Kmart, Chevy Trucks, ACDelco Batteries, Humminbird Electronics, Zercom Marine, Pennzoil Marine, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems and MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Worldwaters.com. Local sponsor: City of Clearlake.
MarJean Corkran
Media Relations Coordinator B.A.S.S., Inc.
http://www.bassmaster.com
