The launching conditions were a lot better this year at Folsom than last. Last year the wind had boats just trying to get in the water and away from dock without crashing into each other. This year the weather was great. There was enough wind to keep a good early top water bite going for a while at least for some.
On Friday night we had the great treat of hearing Randy Greer, the Men’s Ministries Director for the Northern California-Nevada District Council of the Assemblies of God welcome all the fisherman. Randy was a professional baseball player who came up in the minor league system and had great stories to keep us laughing before we moved on to the great meal provided by Sunset Christian Church in Roseville.
Lots of pre-fish stories were told around the tables and the CBAF almost sold out of their custom designed Logoware including hats and shirts. We kept Steve Kendrick busy trying to keep track of all the money. “It’s great to see everyone wanting to identify with us, they want to be a part,” said Dave Tencati, Tournament Director and V.P. of the Christian Bass Anglers Fellowship.
Our guest speaker for the evening was Pastor Allen. He is well known as a dynamic speaker in his own right but most of the San Jose guys knew him as Bret Allen’s father. Bret Allen is the Pastor of Bethel Assembly in San Jose. Pastor Allen delivered a simple but powerful message on how storms can come our way at the drop of a hat and it is important to have our lives anchored in a relationship with Christ to weather those storms.
The next morning we all hit the coffee, got the last minute instructions and were sent off with another great rendition of the National Anthem by Mike Baker, a CBAF Staffer. There is simply no one out there that even comes close to how well Mike sings The Star Spangled Banner.
When all the fish were weighed almost everyone came away with a limit of the spots which dominate the lake. But as usual there are always a few who find the big ones and today would be no exception.
Robert Thornton and Tony Lozano had a five fish limit anchored by 5.38 lb kicker for a total of 22.90 lbs. It was truly an awesome bag of fish. (Check out all the photos on the CBAF website.) In second place with the Big Fish of the event, 6.13 lbs. and a total weight of 19.35 lbs. was CBAF leadership Team Member Richard Kong and his partner Dave Sullivan. Richard has really been putting up some strong finishes lately. Third place honors went to the team of Dennis Pochucki and Richard Springs with a strong 16.69 lbs. Rounding out the top four was the team of Tony Bazzocco and Dewey Hutson, both CBAF members, with 13.53 lbs. Folsom is a tremendous fishery and a great venue for the HonorBound event.
Saturday night was our time to honor the top guys for their efforts but there were prizes for everyone. There is simply no other tournament that has the support of sponsors like the HonorBound. Everyone went away with a huge bag of tackle. The CBAF made a substantial donation toward tackle, as well as Fisherman’s warehouse and Escalon Bait and Tackle. Gary Dobyns donated a couple of his new rods and Denise Bradford of Coyote Bait and Tackle was very generous in her support. We want all of them to know how much we appreciate their support.
The night was capped off with a final word from CBAF president, Paul Baker. Pastor Paul’s focus was on the first question ever asked, “Where are you?” It was the question God asked Adam and Eve after they had disobeyed Him. Pastor Paul said “It’s still the question that God is asking each us about our relationship with Him. Where are you?”
