NAPA, Calif. – Lake local Joe Mariani of Winters, Calif put his experience at Lake Berryessa to use, moving into the lead pro position for the first day of the 2024 BAM Pro/Am Tournament of Champions (TOC) with a five-fish limit of 22.38, anchored by a 5.71 big bass. Less than two-pounds separates Mariani from the nearest competitor in the 23-boat field, as each is vying for the first place prize that include a new Bass Cat Boat, Mercury, Garmin, Eternal Lithium package.
“Today went almost to plan,” said Mariani. “I started on my first spot trying to catch some fish to fill my limit and worked around the lake on spots I kind of know from living near this lake my whole life.”
Mariani credited several baits for his first day’s keepers, with a Neko-rigged Green Pumpkin Yamamoto Senko and a shad-colored crankbait being the most productive.
“The Senko was probably my most fish-catching bait,” he shared. “I caught a couple fish on a crankbait, a couple on a jig and a couple on a swimbait.”
His biggest fell to the swimbait mid-day.
“I had about 19-pounds and was just looking for one more fish and got that one to bite,” he said.
Mariani is targeting a little of everything deep and shallow, rock and grass. He plans to execute the same run-and-gun strategy for Day Two.
“It seemed pretty good today, so we will see what happens tomorrow and whether the north wind, high pressure makes it tough or not; but a tough day is definitely coming,” he predicted.
Co-Angler Field Is Led by Mark White
Only an approximate half-pound separates the top trio of co-anglers with Napa fisherman Mark White sitting atop the field after weighing 19.36. White spent his first day of the bass battle as the backseater for fellow Californian Zack Thompson of Alameda.
Landing a pair of fives, credited a football head jig for his sack. One bit in the morning and the other was tempted late in the day.
“We were in deeper water,” he shared. “When we would get in closer, I would throw the jig up to the bank and work it out.
White’s presentations were described as brown, ½ ounce and ¾ ounce jigs with Yamamoto Twin Tail Grubs as the trailers.
“I threw them on 14-pound Sunline fluorocarbon on a 7’ G-Loomis NRX 844 MBR and a high speed Shimano reel,” he said.
White feels he is fishing a repeatable pattern as he is slated to fish with Greg “Double G” Gutierrez.
Best of the Rest
Pros
Rank/Angler/# Of Fish/Big/Day 1/Day 2/Day 3 Total
1 Joe Mariani 05.00 05.71 22.38 00.00 00.00 22.38
2 Asher Haynes 05.00 05.65 20.74 00.00 00.00 20.74
3 Ryan Hall 05.00 18.60 00.00 00.00 18.60
4 Steve Hoover 05.00 18.03 00.00 00.00 18.03
5 Jodie White 05.00 17.40 00.00 00.00 17.40
6 William Ponting 05.00 05.60 16.53 00.00 00.00 16.53
7 Mark Crutcher 05.00 16.33 00.00 00.00 16.33
8 Gregory Troughton 05.00 16.22 00.00 00.00 16.22
9 Chris Parks 05.00 04.70 15.74 00.00 00.00 15.74
10 Mark Mello 05.00 15.46 00.00 00.00 15.46
Cos
Rank/Angler/# Of Fish/Big/Day 1/Day 2/Day 3 Total
1 Mark White 05.00 05.04 19.36 00.00 00.00 19.36
2 Chris Trumbull 05.00 06.99 19.08 00.00 00.00 19.08
3 Dante Ray 05.00 05.18 18.85 00.00 00.00 18.85
4 Kirk Marshall 05.00 04.94 17.11 00.00 00.00 17.11
5 Ivan Lazarin 05.00 15.71 00.00 00.00 15.71
6 Craig Main 05.00 04.14 15.45 00.00 00.00 15.45
7 Joe Cote 05.00 13.23 00.00 00.00 13.23
8 Ugene Downing 05.00 13.17 00.00 00.00 13.17
9 Will Wyman 05.00 12.90 00.00 00.00 12.90
10 Randy Marshall 05.00 05.01 11.55 00.00 00.00 11.55
BAM Trail Pro Am Championship – Lake Berryessa Nov 15 – 17 2024
Daily weigh ins at Steele Canyon Park 3:00 PM
Saturday afternoon we will announce the Tackle Warehouse, Bass Boat Technologies and Garmin Contingencies winners.
Sunday afternoon we will crown a champion and give away a brand-new Bass Cat, Mercury, Garmin, Eternal Lithium boat package.
About BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT) provides an exceptional platform for both anglers and sponsors. It combines extensive exposure opportunities, celebrating the skills of western bass anglers. The circuit receives broad media coverage across print and online magazines, emails, podcast, websites, videos, television, and multiple social media channels.
Proud Sponsors of the BAM Tournament Trail: Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle Warehouse, Boardman Chamber, Garmin, StorQuest, and, Bass Cat Boats, Ford Fairfield, Dish – Accel Marketing, Power Pole, Mercury Outboards, Bob’s Machine, Wood Bros, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Valley Outdoors, Eternal Lithium and, Alpha Angler Rods, and our conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.
BAM’s Esteemed Tourism Sponsors: the Boardman Chamber, City of Oakley, the Lake Almanor Chamber, and the Feather River Tourism Association.
The BAM Tournament Trail features the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, and Kayak events, each designed to test the determination of western anglers in a competitive and environmentally conscious format.
To learn more about the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and Kayak events. Visit: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram
Media and Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Mark Lassagne for further information regarding media and advertising opportunities.
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