I have some thoughts about the Trophy fishing up here in Nor Cal. I hear what Rob was saying about 2005. That was by far my best year with 29 over 10 and my first 2 over 15 on the toughest lake here in the Bay area. You all know which one. I can tell ya, me and a buddy of mine went out just before a storm and hit it with the Hudds like no other day. We caught 15 hudd fish in 45 minutes and at one point got back to back to back double hook ups on the hudd. We could have caught more but we took photos. We had over 90 lbs total that day This made it perfectly clear on Matt Newmans 24 or so in a row. That made me a believer for sure.

2005 I bought my first bass boat from Paul Duclose and he towed it down and backed it in the back yard for me. I noticed you guys talking about him and I will say that he and Shelly are doing well and bass fishing alot more than on thinks. They are just keeping a low profile these days. A bad year for Paul is a good year for many. we talk avery month or so to keep up on the giant sightings and catches. He has taught me all I know and is my mentor. In the HBC 1 U_Tube video Dave Roberson ( RIP Brother ) said it best. Life Altering. To say the least. This swimbait thing has cost me plenty. It cost me my first marriage I was so hooked. Thats all I could think about. I would run home after work, get to moms and not even stop in and say hello and run down to my spot. Talk about addiction.

2006 was a slow down year only 14 DDs but then again my son was getting older and wanting to go to the pond and catch the (( EASY BASS )) So we went there a lot and I didnt get too much time at the home lake. Ken Huddleston talked me into getting an on line store going and 3 months later swimbaitcity was up and running. Successful on line it started taking up more fishing time and I started to loose the passion that I had that got me going in the first place. Started fishing more tournys with a buddy in his Ranger and got tired of him dictating HIS Boat his way so I started saving up for my own tournament boat.

2007 I concentrated on the super giants. I didnt throw baits smaller than 9 inches, mainly focusing on teener fish. I was rewarded with my PB at 17.5 from the bank again but I couldnt stop going down there. It was so convenient and Moms cooking was a bonus getting home from the lake. But 07 was even slower for the trophys down to 9 and I blame that because I bought my boat. I started fishing in that and had to learn all over. Being a bank pounder for 8 years before fishing from the boat was a 180 degree change. Started fishing for numbers more with My son and teamed up with Merle Nunes and a month later won my first delta tournament with almost 38 lbs. Not a swimbait fish caught. Believe it or not Speed traps and the luckycraft bds 3 was the crank baits we used. September that same yeat I got a call from Ken huddleston saying I needed to put up or shut up and sign up for his new tournament trail HBC.

In 2008 and the HBC win I never imagined going to So cal to a lake I had never caught a fish on and win that event on the first cast. It happened so fast my camera man didnt even have the lense cap off the camera and that fish was in the boat. He called Cervanca at the blast off and they were launching boat 23 and I had that fish in the live well already. Now thats crazy.

2009 was by far my toughest trying to get that 18 lbr. 22 trips in a row with nothing to show for it. Not a follow or a short bite. i finally ad to start to get to know pedro for the HBC. I started going up there a lot with limited success. then I went with Rmarx and finally got a descent fish. I proceded to only land 2 DDs in O9 and I think I am just going to call it the worst year of my adult life.

My theory's and thoughts of our Nor Cal lakes. More people are throwing swimbaits and that has made it tougher. The Lakes need more cover to help the populations of all species. I see meat hunters throwing big baits killing giants for food. Younger uneducated guys are taking wall mounts of the trophys that they catch on big baits. Our water woes on all the lakes have not helped the fish any either. Like Butch said the fish are still there they are just smarter. His numbers tell the truth. In this next year to come the hard core big bait guys will be successful and the others with limited success. You have to be 100% trophy or your numbers will decline I am a perfect example because it happened to me ever since I bought my ranger. I now just take all the rods out and only have the big sticks in it. Thanks Rob for a great thread. Nico keep it up in 2010 and you other younger guys remember if you get on a bite and run your mouth you will loose it. Take a picture and post it on the Internet you loose it too. Fish under the radar as hard as it is and dont let your ego get the best of you. Fish hard fish often find your own bite and tell no one

Donald C. Osborne