Fishing Report: A father-daughter win at Nacimiento

Kenna Sauret, 21, a first-time tournament participant, played a major role enabling her father and teammate, Ken, to win the second tour stop in the 101 Bass series Saturday at Nacimiento Lake.

The father and daughter caught eight or nine keepers en route to finishing atop the leader board in a field of 36 boats Saturday.

“Kenna caught our two biggest fish (4 and 31⁄2 pounds), on Yum Dingers,” Ken Sauret said. “The 101 rule requiring participants refrain from fishing tourney sites Monday through Thursday prior to events has leveled the playing field for anglers who have jobs. The lake had been hammered recently by a number of tourneys and week-long practice sessions. The rule made a big difference.”

All 36 teams posted limits. Although fishing from the disadvantaged location, the back seat, Kenna’s productivity amazed her dad. She caught her first bass at age 2. The Saurets’ winning weight of 14.46 pounds was 1.38 pounds better than runners-up Dean Miller and Darrel Masterson of Tulare.

Shawn Wilson caught a 5.89-pound largemouth early on an M.S. Slammer for big-fish honors. But he and teammate Mark Gomes had to catch three fish in the last 15 minutes to finish third with a 12.14-pound limit.

101 Bass Top 10 (All 5-fish limits), Weight Winnings 1.Ken & Kenna Sauret, Paso Robles, 14.46 pounds, $2,990; 2. Dean Miller, Darrel Masterson, Tulare, 13.08 pounds, $1,765; 3. Shawn Wilson, San Miguel, Mark Gomes, Paso Robles, 12.14 pounds, $1,340; 4. Gene Gray, Atascadero, Tony Pratt, Paso Robles, 12.09 pounds, $340; 5. John White, San Luis Obispo, Bobby Doss, Santa Maria, 11.35 pounds, $290; 6. Scott Mullins, Kelly Keeling, Salinas, 11.27 pounds, $240; 7. Damon Meeks, Atascadero, Jay Short, Templeton, 10.89 pounds, $190; 8. Carlos Vasquez, Jose Canchola, Soledad, 10.64 pounds; 9. Dan Barrios, Martin Goodman, San Luis Obispo, 9.96 pounds; 10. Brad Shepherd, Clark Endres, Atascadero, 9.56 pounds.

Big Fish, 5.89 pounds, Wilson & Gomes, $575.

Fortuitous decision

At the tail end of the 2011 Pro-Am fishing season, Templeton’s Del Bishop was sure he’d had enough of the travels and the uncertainties that beleaguer AAA (amateur) competitors. His son, Darrin, campaigns as a pro.

Del, 70, had a change of heart. He began the 2012 WON Bass campaign last weekend by placing ninth at Lake Shasta. He also played a significant role in pro Keith Adams’ ascent from 24th place on the first day to a fourth-place finish. Bishop caught three of the five fish the team brought to the scales Sunday.

Pared with an Arizona pro Saturday who was unfamiliar with the venue, the team had only a 7.63-pound limit. Both Bishop and his Day 1 pro were in 60th place.

“I’m a finesse fisherman similar to Adams’ style,” Del Bishop said. “On Sunday he caught a 3.81 and a 2.60. My three fish totaled 6.42 pounds.”

Bishop had a two-day weight of 20.46 pounds, earning a Shasta AAA check for the second year in a row.

“Not only were our styles similar, but Adams is a local. He lives in Redding.” Bishop said. “AAA fishing can be draining when your styles are at odds. All you have left is the joy of fishing.”

The AAA winner was Lonnie Foster of Kneeland with a 27.31 two-day weight. Ken Mah of Elk Grove, sometimes a partner of Arroyo Grande’s Jared Lintner, took pro honors with a 29.21-pound weight.

Placings of San Luis Obispo County pros: 26. Shawn Lee, Arroyo Grande, 18.40 pounds; 33.Darrin Bishop, Paso Robles, 17.90 pounds.

Bass stayed put

On, Saturday, John Flynn and Scott Lamberton — Solvang neighbors and teammates for 14 to 16 years — went to the same locations they probed in December for the same result: bass tourney titles.

Flynn celebrated his 42nd birthday a day early by catching all nine of the team’s fish.

“In the draw for the event starting order, I drew No. 18, then No. 22. I knew it would be my lucky day.” Instead of a desired early out, the duo was last. Still Flynn felt lucky. Go figure.

“The water temperature was about the same (53.8 degrees) as when we won the ABA event at Cachuma and the fish were in the same locations,” Flynn said. “Most of my fish came on black and blue Senkos fished from 8 to 60 feet deep.”

Winning the seven-team Angler’s Choice event paid $574 for a 13.3-pound limit. The fruits of their December ABA triumph in a 29-team field amounted to $3,240.

Angler’s Choice, Central Coast Top 7, No Fish, Weight, Winnings

1. John Flynn, Scott Lamberton, Solvang, 5, 13.33 pounds, $574; 2. Tony Vultaggio, Jeff Perry, Santa Barbara, 5, 12.63 pounds, $242; 3. Larry & Jason Marquiz, 5. 12.31 pounds, $125; 4. Chaz Govan, Camarillo, Ken Hemer, Solvang, 5, 11.55 pounds; 5. Mead Hedricks, Steve Morris, Lompoc, 5. 10.08 pounds; 6. Darin Ferguson, Dustin Mojonnier, Vandenberg Village, 5, 9.52 pounds; 7. Willie Barnes, Santa Paula, 3, 5.64 pounds.

Big Fish, 3.34 pounds, Marquez & Marquez, $125.

Virg’s Landing

Whale watching trips are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost is $39 for adults $29 for children 15 and under. Call 772-1222 for reservations and schedules.

Thirty whales were sighted by Princess patrons Friday, while 53 people aboard the Admiral were treated to spectacular weather and sightings. A 10 percent discount is available to groups making advance salmon or rockcod charter reservations. Salmon season opens April 1 and rockcod season opens May 1.

Patriot Sportfishing

Combination crab and ocean excursion trips are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Crab pots are pulled and all licensed anglers on board share the harvest of Dungeness crabs. Passengers then scan the ocean for whales, sea otters and other sea life.

Cost is $45 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.

Ocean excursions only are set Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $35 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Patrons are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras. Call 595-7200 for reservations.

Cachuma Lake

Bass are the only species marina operator Ken Hemer rates as “good.” Small and largemouth went on the chew last week in 25 feet of water. Drop shotting, spinnerbaits, creature baits and jigs worked. Rapalas and Kastmasters trolled in Cachuma and Santa Cruz Bays yielded some nice trout.

“Black Bears in Your Backyard” is speaker Kate McCurdy’s topic opening a Food For Thought series from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Neal Taylor Nature Center. She is director of UC Santa Barbara’s Sedgwick Reserve. The event is free but park admission is $10 per vehicle.

Santa Margarita Lake

Cold weather (14 degrees Wednesday morning) and lockjaw fish make for little current activity. The marina is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Anglers should come with current licenses in hand.

Lopez Lake

Winter Marina hours are 8:30 to 3:30 daily.

Nacimiento Lake

The marina is closed Monday through Thursday. Open hours Friday through Sunday are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call lake administration 237-4924 to reserve boats.

Lake San Antonio

Winter marina hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

For boat rental reservations, call 472-2313.