It's a long one but detailed!

I started off well by going a couple hundred feet to my brush and rocks and promptly caught my first fish of the day in less than 5 minutes of fishing (crankin' through the brush). I continued to work the area for another 15 minutes before deciding to head for greener pastures. As I worked a couple points and shallow coves I headed for some underwater boulders I figured very few were actually going to fish. Upon arriving at the spot I saw Andrew and Bubba within 50 feet and asked them if I could fish a little ahead of where they were fishing. They gladly oblidged and I asked them if they knew what was in the area. They responded by telling me they had no idea so I let them know there was a boulder with some good chunk rock at the base along this apparent bare bank. As I casted out and told them how I worked the boulder, my double tail hula grub (1/4oz football head) scraped up the boulder and as it fell to the base a solid 'thunk' came at the end of my line. Immediately I set the hook and knew it was a solid fish as it kept its head down and did not want to come to the surface. The guys were pretty amazed as well as myself as I didn't really expect to catch something as I was explaining the structure to them. After a little while longer I grabbed the net and the beauty finally slid in. A solid 4.90 lb fish (2nd big fish of the day)! Yippee, two fish in the first hour of the tourney!

My morning bite shut off after that and after working my way halfway out Yorty realized I did not have any of my fluids. I went back to the vehicle to get my water bottle and soda then proceeded to talk to Jamie along with fishing my morning structure. Jamie ended up missing one while dragging his bait along the beach but I didn't have a touch. I then headed back out hoping to find some more fish.

I worked my way back to the island area fishing along the way with no luck. Saw Bubba catch a nice one and heard of some of the other guys having up to three fish. Pressure was building. I finally made it to my area I won at two years ago and started to chuck my crankbait not thinking I would get hit. My crankin' stick was doing it subtle throbbing with the fat free shad tied to the end then started to throb a little too hard...sweep, head shake, yes! Another one coming to the boat! As I grab the little one (about 15") I turn around to drop him in the livewell and am stoked to have my 3rd fish. I turn back around to grab my crankin stick and, OH NO! It was gone. Brand new curado, g. loomis crankin stick, almost $350 worth of gear in 30+ feet of water. I was crushed.

Lucky for my Bill was around and offered his assistance to get my rod back. I asked how the heck would we do this and he let me know rattle traps sink nicely and can be scrapped along bottom. Hmm, didn't think of that and its worth a try. We made a dozen or so casts when as I was scrapping my Lucky Craft LV500 along the bottom something unusual happened, THUNK! "What the heck?" I thought to myself as I slammed the hook home, wow, fish on! I brought her up and it was a nice 3+ lber! Bill then let me know if I caught another one he was going to stop helping me! Well, we continued to try and after another 10 minutes I told him to go fishing as this was a tourney and thanked him for the help.

I tried for another 5 minutes then switched gears back to fishing. Only 15 minutes went by and as I was changing another bait my senko line I threw out was in the wrong place! Wind the slack, set the hook and number 5 is coming home to daddy! I felt better and thought to myself I had a good shot so I might as well fish for a win to make up for my rod. I then started thinking, what about a modified carolina rig with a crankbait, hmmm. I quickly grabbed my flippin' stick and found my 3/4oz tungsten sinker along with a shad rap with a short 1 ft leader. After working in a different direction and dragging up some weeds...heavy pressure! I steadily reeled up and what do you know, my lure, then my line, and YES my rod and reel! I got it, I got it, I got it! Now I knew my day was going right, I had already won in my mind, I got my rod back and that was worth the day in itself!

The time was getting short so I worked my way back to the weigh-in area. Nothing, nothing and more of nothing was the theme going back in. Finally I came close to the launch where the rocks started. Fifth cast to the stair step like area and 'thunk' YES! Another solid 2 1/2 lb fish to cull my little senko fish. Deren let's me know it's not right I'm catching fish so I apologize profusely ;-)

Weighin is not only minutes away and like last year, I'm fishing hard right next to the launch ramp. My buddy Binh is already out of his boat and yells out "If you catch one right there I'll buy you lunch!" On the same cast about a minute later, 'thunk', sweep, fish on! "NO WAY" Binh yells! "I fished that area for two hours before you came in here, I'm never betting you again on Sonoma!"

Everyone gets a good laugh and at weigh-in I come in with another victory at my favorite Lake Sonoma! Gotta love this lake!

Todd