In a tournament dominated by offshore prespawn bass, there is one angler doing something completely different at one of the nation’s premier largemouth fisheries.
Brent Shores is junk fishing on Clear Lake.
To the educated bass fisherman that strategy just does not add up. The prevailing pattern should be staging bass on cover just outside the shallow coves. That’s how many of the top anglers are fishing, but not the leader from Idaho.
Even so, the leaderboard tells the truth. Shores moved from eighth place to take the lead with a five-bass limit weighing 22 pounds, 2 ounces. Going into tomorrow’s final round his two-day total is 39-14.
The Boise Bass Busters angler realizes his lead isn’t secure. In second place with 38-8 is Davick Hansen of Utah. Behind him is fellow Utah angler Mike Lavallee with 37-0. Considering where Shores was yesterday makes a dark horse coming from behind the pack entirely possible.
Shores already claimed one prize in this tournament. With the lead comes the Livingston Lures Leader Award and its $250 cash bonus.
Should Shores win tomorrow, he advances to the Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Championship set for this fall. The overall tournament winner and leaders from the other 10 states in the competition advance to the championship.
Junk fishing is the go-to pattern when all other tactics fail to produce. It requires strong patience, intense focus and the willingness to use multiple lures and techniques.
Shores’ lineup of lures includes swimbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and even a Carolina rig. He’s using a different lure presentation with each bait.
“It took all of it to fill out the limit,” he admitted.
KC Stone, who today fished with Shores, went along with the junk fishing approach. It worked for him, too. Stone is 26th overall but his weight for today was 20 pounds. Yesterday, he didn’t weigh a fish.
“The fish are moving and it takes baits with different actions to get their attention,” added Shores. “Tomorrow might be completely different and require me to change up again.”
Today’s results also showcased Clear Lake’s top shelf status among the nation’s bass fisheries.
Several double-digit weight fish were caught. Adam Gross led the pack with a largemouth weighing 11 pounds. Two more fish weighing 10 pounds were weighed and several more near the mark. Ironically, by all standards the lake is not performing as well because of postfrontal conditions.
California maintains its lead in the state competition with 228-2. Washington follows with 217-7 and Utah is third with 214-15. Idaho is fourth place with 214-9 and Oregon is fifth with 207-3.
The winning state team will be awarded a Triton 189 TRx rigged with Mercury outboard, Lowrance electronics and a MotorGuide trolling motor. The complete package is valued at $39,000.
Another competition is brewing in this diverse event. High School teams are competing in a friendly competition alongside the adults. The teams already are state champions and will fish in the Costa Bassmaster High School Championship. The idea is for the youth to gain experience at a high-level event.
Stay tuned to Bassmaster.com during the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional.
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Title Sponsor: Old Milwaukee
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Premier Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, GoPro, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha
2015 B.A.S.S. Nation Supporting Sponsors: A.R.E. Accessories, Carhartt, Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, Huk, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Nationwide, Power-Pole, Rigid Industries, Shimano
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines, website, television show , social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Costa Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro.
By: Helen Northcutt
