Although the final standing are yet to be posted, Cameron Smith finished 3rd place yesterday, sealing the Angler of the Year title this year. Congats to Cammy who's fished consistently in the top 3 this year.

Sunday's final tournament was at El Capitan, again. I was DQ'd there a few weeks ago after not being able to return on time due to boat problems! Anywho, I fished very well, and am very pleased with the 6th place.

El Cap has been fishing as small as any lake I've ever known. I've not been posting a ton on El Cap for this reason. Anyway, the lake has a great early morning reaction bite. I literally flipped some rock with a spinnerbait and managed some decent fish. I was pleased to get my limit early, and work on getting a better fish.

Overall, this year has been great for me. I've been thrilled to do an entire season from the front of the boat. No doubt catching that 10lber at San V and winning are my season highlights. I've learned a ton about Otay, San V, and El Cap this year, and look forward to being more competitive next year!

Hey Matt,
First off, congrats on a great year and a great fish. Have you by any chance hit up Otay lately? I'm hitting it this weekend, wondering if you have any info you'd care to pass along.

Thanks.

Moose,

Otay--that lake is blowing up lately! Good fishing....

Flip your senkos into the tules, throw rip baits on outside grass beds in Harveys, or throw topwater (rico's or popper type) all day long!

Good luck.

Matt

Matt, nice job!! You and Cameron are a couple of machines, stoked to hear of the great results.

Matt,
Good job on the circuit, that Federation drew some real talent. Congrats to Cameron too for the title. San Diego has risen up again to be one of the better areas for tournament fishing in California. Hope to be down there fishing some team events next year, but gotta mesh schedules with new BWW co-worker Bryan Larsen.

Brian Long, we've got to hook up to go down there and sample these lakes. I know you're looking forward to moving south.

Shoots, you won't have to twist my arm too hard... Name a lake and a date and I'll be there. Looking forward to moving down there is an understatement. That dang Bryan #3 just got me more fired up about Dixon too... Oh well, at least I can occupy myself by spending absurd amounts of money in preparation.
-Brian

Matt,
Thanks for the quick response, I'll put the info to good use.

Matt, San-V??

Matt, thanks for the props. As you know it was a different year than last year. This is a title that I am proud of. Looking forward to the State fishoff and trying to get to Montana to chase those viciuos smallmouth. I know we can make the team this year and give the "Classic" a serious run. Good job at San V. yesterday as well. Four fish for 23lbs is a nice bag!!!
Later
Cam

BassNet, CJ, Cammy, Moose and Brian,

I expect to be fishing against all you guys next year! There is no reason we don't have a bigger draw for those BASS Federation tournies. How else are you going to get to the Classic?

CJ, yeah I know Bryan Larsen is at BWW now. You guys are gonna have to figure something out. I would do whatever it takes to get on San V this summer. The fish are chewing down there!

BassNet! You and me need to go fish this summer. We're gonna make you a tournament guy yet!

Brian, CSUSM is gonna be a great school for you. You're gonna be all over these same lakes.

Moose, come out and join the party! The more participation, the better for all!

Cammy, you da man. I'm not going to stumble at Otay and no more DQs for me. I'm gonna really be pushing you...so we both get better. Maybe by some miracle Hodges will be open next season? Or they schedule 2 on Otay and not 2 on El Cap! I'm gunning for that AOY title, but if I don't, I want you to!

Matt

You's guys are the SD contingent. Very nice representation down there :-) Cameron - congrats on winning the Federation. You did darn good at the Delta a month or so ago too. One big dog and you'd be on your way back east to fish for a shot at the Classic. You guys are studs and I need to come visit one of these days. Be sure to hook Brian up with a few trips down there and somebody please give me a call when the whales lock on next year. Even if I can't catch them I want to see some of the 18+ behemoths.

Swimbait,

Anytime you want to take a shot at a giant on a socal lake, give me a shout and we'll go get em. You name the time and lake that works best for you and I'll arrange what I can to get us out there. You keep bringing your big fish talents down to socal and you'll find yourself with that 15 plus you've been after.
Just let me know

Later Cam

P.S. The Federation is where its at. Low entry fee with a great chance to qualify for the big show. The group of guys that fish the circuit now are all cool so it makes for a fun time on the water. Especially on these San Diego mud holes we fish!
Hope to see all of you out there next year. Except for you Swimbait, its a little far for you to drive for a 1 day tourney.

Hey Matt, I'd be more then stoked to fish with you, I need to learn the finer points of freshwater bass fishing. I'm trying the tourney thing through a local club, and I really like it, but it is a whole different ballgame then fishing solo at the local ponds and stuff. One thing I really like is that you learn a lot really quick on new water. Pretty funny, the first tourney I fished was at Piru, I didn't even know you used a net to land the bass! I hooked a bass on a crank off the back of the boat and just lipped him into the boat, my partner was tripping on me! "Tell me when you have a fish on so I can get the net!" Jeez, I never used a net for bass before!! I'm trying to get my hands on an older model bass boat, one thing I learned is the back of the boat has it's disadvantages. Not that bad, all the guys I've fished with have been totally cool, but once in awhile you have a plan, you know? We'll hook it up with Cam and Dane and go fish, let's hit up LMV one of these nights.