Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009

Fishing Report: Past success pays off for fishing duo

Anglers land big fish at W.O.N. tourney using a similar tactic they did in the past when they win a fishing event

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Ah, memories!

Recalling a success from long ago changed the outlook of a team from disgust to jubilation in the waning moments of last Saturday’s W.O.N. Bass Central Coast tournament at Nacimiento Lake.

Only 20 minutes remained when San Luis Obispo’s Tip Martin recalled how he and Russ Wilson won a tournament at a spot off the mouth of Dip Creek. It was a distant memory but it changed the day and the demeanor of Martin and his partner, Todd Livermore.

“The point at Dip Creek slopes a long way into the lake and there’s a rock pile down there. It’s a good spot,” Martin, 69, said.

Added Livermore: “Although we caught 10 fish we only had a 5 1/2-pound limit when we reached the site of tip’s onetime success. We were discouraged and had decided to check in early for the weigh-in. It was 2:40 when Tip had his flashback.”

Martin picked up the story.

“When Russ and I won that tournament 15 or 20 years ago,” he said, “I cast a Mosquito bait at this same Dip Creek location. It’s the only fish I ever caught on that bait. I still have some of them.

“This time I used a Slug-Go lure. I got bit right away. The fish was right under the boat.”

The catch, a 4.10-pound bass, turned out to be the biggest of 181 fish caught by the 37 teams in the competition. “Our eyes got really big when we caught that toad!” Martin said.

Martin and Livermore didn’t win the tournament, but the big one accounted for $900 of their total purse of $2,635. That fish gave them a 9.03-pound bag weight. It won the closest-to-10 pounds-without-going-over option worth $700.

It was the tandem’s lucky day. Additionally, Martin and Livermore were one of the two teams that won a drawing for gas money. Tack on $175.

The runner-up placing enabled Martin and Livermore to move from 33rd place to 25th in the standings after four events. With three tests remaining, the duo improved chances of qualifying for the season-ending Tournament of Champions. W.O.N. Bass Top 10 (all had 5-fish limits), Weight Winnings---1. Sam James, Tom Nieto, Salinas, 11.20 pounds, $3,255; 2. Tip Martin, Todd Livermore, San Luis Obispo, 9.03 pounds, $2,635; 3. Gene Gray, Atascadero, Jay Short, Templeton, 8.92 pounds, $595; 4. Louis Fernandes, Santa Maria, Patrick Touey, Nipomo, 8.36 pounds, $325; 5. Darrin Bishop, Paso Robles, Del Bishop, Templeton, 8.05 pounds, $225; 6. Jason Letterman, Ken Restani, 8.02 pounds, $135; 7. Stephen Gustafson, Santa Monica, John Zulic, Visalia, 7.81 pounds, $120; 8. John Barron, Paso Robles, Ron Cervenka, Santa Clarita, 7.67 pounds, $120; 9. Dusty Kahler, Atascadero, Sam Sawdey. Paso Robles, 7.58 pounds; 10. Bryan Berti, Lee Maddux, Paso Robles, 7.52 pounds, $240. 1st Big Fish, 4.10 pounds, Martin & Livermore; 2nd Big Fish, 4.06 pounds, James & Nieto. Trout plants Lopez, Santa Margarita, Atascadero Lakes and the lower Nacimiento River were listed among the sites where Department of Fish and Game trout plants will not take place.

Cachuma Lake, the Santa Ynez River and the upper Nacimiento River will receive trout plants, according to a post on the DFG Web site. Lopez Lake “Cutting off trout plants not only impacts fishermen, it also hurts the resident birds at the lake,” marina manager Jerry Weatherly said.

“We have two pairs of nesting bald eagles and one pair of nesting osprey. These birds are fish eaters. They depend on trout plants especially in the winter time when panfish are not on the surface.

“I realize that the trout are not planted to feed the birds, but if they can’t find food here they will leave and nature lovers will be deprived of watching these majestic creatures.”

Weatherly reported the catch of a 5-pound, 1-ounce bass Monday in Cottonwood Cove. The shore fisherman used a nightcrawlers for bait.

Crappie up to 1 1/2 pounds are being caught as well as a few bluegill and redear.

A Kids’ Fishing Clinic is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Boys and girls under 16 are welcome. The event will be held at the Nature Center near the marina. All needed equipment will be furnished. Skilled anglers will teach knot tying, fishing ethics, fish identification and conservation. Kids arriving by 11 a.m. will have the opportunity to fish. Santa Margarita Lake Vanessa Berumen of West Covina won the drawing late last week for the 3-person Tri-yak. Just 100 tickets were sold at $10 each.

Fishing pressure is very light. Cachuma Lake December DFG trout plants were2,000 pounds Dec. 8, 2,100 pounds Dec. 18 and 1,200 pounds Dec. 30, reports Liz Mason, Cachuma Park Naturalist.

“Trout fishing is picking up,” marina spokesman Dustin Farnum said. “The fish are between 8 and 20 feet of the surface. Trollers prefer either red, gold or shad imitation Rapalas.”

A few catfish are being caught at 30 feet in The Narrows on mackerel. Bass fishermen are jigging spoons for hook ups at a depth of 25 to 35 feet. Crappie and redear are being taken by Arrowhead Island and Stork Flats. Bass Tournaments Lopez Lake will host a U.S. Angler’s Choice Central Coast tournament Saturday.

On Jan. 24, the Bass Ambushers will begin their campaign at Santa Margarita Lake. The Tri Valley Bass Club begins competition Jan. 31 at Nacimiento Lake. Virg’s Landing Twenty-five passengers harvested 475 sanddabs last Saturday.

Sanddab trips are scheduled for Saturdays only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fare is $59. Call 772-1222 for reservations.

The naturalist who has been narrating on Whale watch trips has a schedule conflict this weekend so the assignment is in the capable hands of skippers Sharon Rowley and Charlie Lanini.

Trips are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fares are $39 for adults, $29 for children age 14 and under. Patriot Sportfishing Whale watching trips are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fares are $45 for adults and $25 for children age 3 to 12. Children under 3 are free.

Call 95-7200 for reservations.

Sanddab and rock crab trips will be offered beginning Jan. 31. Port Side Marine Two sport fishing boats were dispatched last weekend. Anglers aboard hooked, but lost, one bonito, had no luck bounce balling for halibut but did harvest Dungeness crabs Monday from four crab pots they had baited.

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