Tournament season is drawing to a close for 2023, and while the “other news” that overshadowed the year is etched in the minds of most, if the fish catching will be remembered for anything, it may be that it was the oddest year for bags of bass in recent memory.
High water, inconsistent temperatures, and a variety of other reasons have been given the blame; but for whatever reason, crazy events such as the 2.38 sack that won at Castiac, and pros without limits on the Delta have left anglers scratching their heads and have left me without one of my favorite annual articles to write – the 36-Pound Limit.
So, when Clear Lake showed out this past week with multiple teams breaking 20 on Day One (which has seemed to be a super-feat this year), and a two-day total that topped 52-pounds, I for one was excited for the “Big Bag” story to be told.
The Event: ABA Tournament of Champions
The two-day competition drew 46 boats.
Official practice started with bluebird skies (shown above), and a slight drop in temperature - more changes were to come.
Fishing days were cloudy and cool, with air temps cooler than average, as highlighted by the winning team’s photos with the anglers still in their hoodies at the afternoon weigh-in. By end of Day One, it was raining. (shown below)
Here’s how…
Catching 50 Pounds of Bass Right Now at Clear Lake
Traveling to Clear Lake from his home water, the California Delta, Ish Monroe was prepared to do what he does best – fish for big fish. While there were no specific bigs reeled in for this yearend event, Ish and partner Ryan Brewer found themselves culling fives like it was the only class of fish in the lake.
“We probably caught four limits of 20-pounds or more, the first day,” Monroe shared. “At least 40 fish the first day and 30 the next.”
Lures and location were what Monroe attributed success to. Two presentations that both include a Missile Bait were the key.
Big Bait Profile
The big baitfish imitator used in this presentation was the River2Sea Bling Spinnerbait in Powder.
“What made the difference here was the trailer,” Monroe stated. “It was a Missile Baits Spunk Shad in the Frosted Purple color and I think the purple hue was important.”
He threw this setup on a Daiwa 7-ft Takahiro fishing rod paired with the Daiwa Tatula SV 6.3:1 gear ratio reel with 20-pound-test Daiwa Samurai Fluorocarbon.
Monroe described the lake with a lot of baitfish – most little, but some big shad.
“I think the bigger fish were attracted to the big profile of the spinnerbait with the Spunk Shad,” he said.
He advised trying to find grass for the technique.
“If you find any, make multiple casts to the grass, to the bushes, slow rolling again and again,” he added. “Ryan would make a cast, make another, and another. One spot he did the same cast six times and on that last time, one bit. So, if you think it’s a place where a fish would be, keep casting at it until you can trigger them.”
Another factor was the hook set.
“You don’t want to swing really hard,” he shared. “You want to just wind into them. If a fish would come up and miss it, I would just repeat the cast and do it again and that worked several times.”
Of Course, Droppin Bombs
Ish is known for “droppin’ bombs” – flippin’ or pitchin’ a Missile Baits D-Bomb and the droppin’ bombs technique once again played a part in the weigh fish.
Love Bug was the difference maker.
“It’s basically a D-Bomb in June Bug with some red,” explained Monroe “I fished it on my 8-ft Daiwa Tatula Elite Series Flippin’ Stick and the Daiwa Flip/Pitch 8:1 reel with 70-pound Daiwa Samurai Braid with an ½- and ¾-ounce tungsten weight by Anglers King.”
Bass Targets
Monroe shared they didn’t target mats but concentrated on isolated tules and some docks.
“We were in the north-end, and the fish came shallow, really shallow, some as little as two-feet,” he recalled. “It was also noticeable to see the birds around.”
Full 2023 American Bass ABA Tournament of Champions TOC on Clear Lake Results
Advertising