Randy Pierson of Oakdale won the top boater spot on the 2018 California B.A.S.S. Nation State Team at the B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional on Clear Lake.
Randy Pierson and Luke Johns will represent California at the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Randy Pierson and Luke Johns earned the top spots on the 2018 California B.A.S.S. Nation State Team at the B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional on Clear Lake, and the pair now advances to compete in the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship for a chance to earn a berth in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic.
Pierson, who’s a member of the Oro Madre Bass Anglers, tied for third place overall with 47 pounds, 8 ounces. Two 16-plus-pound days followed his 13-15 bag on Day 1 to put him in contention. Pierson won the California State Team by 2 1/2 pounds over Adrian Murar of Elk Grove.
Johns, of Folsom, Calif., came in 13th overall in the nonboater division. The Golden State Bassmasters member caught 24 pounds, 5 ounces over three days. He won the California State Team by 2 pounds over Shaun Leytem of Valley Springs.
In the competition among the states, California placed second among the 11 teams. California’s anglers weighed in 377 pounds, 7 ounces in the first two days but was ultimately spoiled by Arizona’s state team, which put together 407-6 in the same time period.
Pierson and Johns will compete in the 2018 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship this fall. The date and lake have not yet been announced. If either takes one of the Top 3 spots there, he will advance to the 2019 Bassmaster Classic.
Anglers are still working to qualify for the 2019 California B.A.S.S. Nation State Team. The remaining qualifying events are as follows:
Date Lake Location
July 14-15 California Delta Isleton, CA
Sept. 15-16 New Hogan Lake Valley Springs, CA
Nov. 10-11 Lake Nacimiento Paso Robles, CA
To register to compete at any California B.A.S.S. Nation event, visit www.calbn.com, contact us at info@calbn.com or call Mark Torrez at (805) 233-0883.
Keep up with the California B.A.S.S. Nation at www.facebook.com/californiabassnation.