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Colby Pearson's 2024 Pro Tour Recap
December 11, 2024

Colby Pearson's 2024 Pro Tour Recap

Stop 1: Lake Martinez, AZ

After qualifying for the Bass Angler Magazine Pro tour, I was excited and nervous to start the season over a thousand miles from the Pacific Northwest in the desert of Southern Arizona.

As I inputted Yuma, Arizona into my gps I started my journey.

The BAM Pro Tour is a hybrid format where the anglers also must adhere to a 30-day off limits period; where the fishery itself as well as private information regarding the fishery are strictly off limits.

Knowing the stipulations, I did extensive map study leading up to the event; utilizing various mapping resources such as Navionics, C-Map, Garmin Active Captain, and various satellite imaging resources such as Google Earth. This helped me to identify the lay of the land, backwaters, and general cover/structure composition of the shoreline. Notating the arid desert landscape, water color, season, and abundance of cover I suspected flipping, pitching, swimbaits, and a few specific reaction techniques would be favorable. I also noted that by April this far South, the fish would likely have completed their spawn and have began repositioning and feeding up for their Summer patterns.

After my research I concluded the most favorable scenario for myself coming from the northwest would be to locate a larger backwater lake, something that I could take my time to break down without running & gunning around the river wasting precious time rolling the dice. For me, the area that caught my eye was referred to as Ferguson Lake; which appeared to have a combination of good spawning bays, access to deep water, as well as an abundance of cover to draw & hold the bass. In addition to Fergusons’ abundance of bassy haunts, I suspected the size of this lake, and depth would mean that it may have a presence of forage through the Winter and well into the Spring when we were to arrive.

As the desert sun peaked the hills, it was showtime; I made my initial run to Ferguson Lake, dodging sandbars and other treacherous river obstructions along the way.

Shortly after arriving at the back of the lake, I flipped my first fish on a Yamamoto Cowboy- Texas rigged on a 3/0 VMC Redline EWG hook, and a 3/8oz Woo! Tungsten Weight. I notated that when I made a precise cast to where that fish was positioned, I stirred up a wad of small fish on the surface & suspected that fish may have been guarding fry (Juvenile bass recently spawned that tend to have a male guarding them). Taking quick note of this situation, I made an adjustment to a 3/8oz Tandem War Eagle Spinnerbait; I quickly began making precise roll casts toward shoreline cover and tried to isolate any piece of water that looked favorable to hold a ball of baby bass fry. I was quickly and consistently rewarded by my observations as I was able to catch well over a dozen scorable fish on day 1 including a few on a KGB ChadShad,  I was able to bring a respectable limit of 18lbs to the scales, poising me well within the top-10 in both scorables as well as 5 fish weight.

On day two of competition, I made another revision to my bait; knowing that the fry-guarding bass were hitting out of defense & aggression, I swapped the larger willow blade on my spinnerbait to an oversized Colorado blade- this would help slow the bait down, increase vibration and create much more of a disturbance eliciting a multitude of strikes from the otherwise now pressured bass. I was focusing on the lakes many backwater coves & small bays and trying to maximize the amount of water I could cover in the day. The water was dropping significantly and I became aware that this pattern although had carried my thus far, may not have much left to give me. By days end on day two I ended up making the top-10 by slim margins, although I was able to punch my ticket to championship day, where the weights zero and all qualified anglers start their day in a 10-way tie for first where the biggest 5 fish limit on the day would prevail.

As our final day commences on championship Sunday, I took a “dance with  who brung ya” approach and tried to access the areas that had carried me this far. This strategy proved futile, as dropping Colorado River water had receded past the point of accessing my primary areas. It was crunch time, and without a fish in the box, I began to search; running miles of river between Ferguson lake and the dam at the bottom of this pool. I started fishing an area above the dam, quickly catching a small keeper on a wacky rigged yamamoto 5’’ senko & a 1/0 trokar dropshot hook. Shortly after I stumbled upon a solid bedfish that I was able to get to bite on my first pitch, he ended up going for a 7’’ white zoom trick worm on a dropshot rig; he was with a very large female bass although I could not tempt her to bite in his absence.

Approaching mid-day with only a few fish in the well, I cycled half a dozen other areas with little to no success. As I ran upstream searching visually for something that looked fishy, I zoomed out on my Garmin gps to safely navigate the river; upon doing so a series of chain backwaters caught my eye, I thought to myself ‘’those look hard to access, they may have less pressured fish’’. I quickly did a 180 and headed back downstream in order to access this zone, and after a few hours I finally accessed the furthest pond in this system. By this time the sun was high above and beating down on the water, I began to notice small slivers of shade created by the suns angle and caught multiple larger fish skipping a 5’’ yamamoto senko and soaking it inside these pockets; I filled my limit and made some culls with a 4.5 & around a 6lbr. By days end I accumulated just over 16lbs which was enough to leave the desert with the first pro tour victory in hand!

Lake Martinez Tackle List: 

 

Stop 2: Lake Almanor, CA

Fast forward to early June, as I found myself en route to the second event of the season; the Bass Angler Magazine Pro Tour on Lake Almanor. Nestled in the high country of Northern California, Lake Almanor is a moderate sized fishery, with very clear water and a multitude of cover & structure options to target. In prep for this event I utilized past experience on the fishery as well as low-water satellite imagery to gather a game plan; I also was able to pre-practice for this event some 30 days prior. During pre-practice, I focused very little on looking for the money spots as I did locating fish where they were & importantly figuring out what they would open their mouth for. Lake Almanor is surprisingly a pretty technical fishery, with an abundance of fish that oftentimes are exceptionally hard to trigger into biting. The primary forage in this fishery are tiny nearly clear minnows called pond smelt; this forage is so unique anglers will find difficulty “matching the hatch” in both size as well as color. After my pre-practice period, I felt very comfortable that I had spent my time wisely and found a few baits these fish would bite even during difficult bite windows.

On day 1 I got off to a relatively slow start, unable to tempt any biters on my first couple spots; I did find success as the day progressed cycling a multitude of baits. The primary lure on day 1 was a 2.8’’ keitech swing impact fat on a 5/32nd oz tungsten ballhead, thrown on 4lb Seaguar Tatsu. The conditions were very stable, so I accompanied the Keitech with a home made finesse jig that accounted for the remainder of my bites. By days end I was able to bring in over 15lbs, granting me the 6th place position going into day 2.

As day 2 started, I found much more favorable conditions; although the fish on this relatively small fishery had really been pressured. After spending most of the morning struggling to get bit, and losing a few key fish I began to gain a little momentum in the afternoon once the wind started to kick up. I made the adjustment to my reaction bait of choice for this fishery a Megabass Super Z-3, in Green Craw. I quickly filled my limit and in the final moments of day 2, I got on a quick flurry using the homemade jig with multiple large smallmouth biting. With multiple nice ones biting in the final moments, I was able to bring another solid bag to the scale and moved myself into the 3rd spot going into the final day- where the weights would ultimately zero.

Going into the final day, I noted the largest limits brought in so far for the week were in the 16lb range; so I mentally prepared myself to locate and land a stringer in the 16-18lb range. I felt after the pressure of the week, this size limit would quite easily take the title. Being able to get to my primary spot earlier with lower light courtesy of a shortened blast off period due to only 10 anglers qualifying to fish was critical, as I started on my first spot I was miraculously able to secure a 5 fish limit in somewhere around 15 minutes using the Keitech 3.3, Finesse jig on isolated structure, and Megabass Z-3. Although only one of these fish was the caliber needed to attain a winning bag, I felt at ease knowing I at minimum had a limit on a fishery that had turned so tough.

As the day progressed the conditions became clear and slick, and the bite upped another level of difficulty; I had leaned on my primary areas hard and had to expand. Around the mid-point in the day I caught another 3.5lb class smallmouth which made for a nice cull, utilizing livescope this fish opted for a keitech 4’’ shad impact in gizzard shad fished mid water column. The day began slipping away, and I had around 14lbs at this point, knowing this wouldn’t be enough; I made a run to an area I had not found success in the event but knew held large caliber fish from years past.

As I approached the spot slowly on the trolling motor, I was able to mid-stroll a 4lb smallmouth that followed again on Livescope. I noticed as I reeled this fish in, on 4lb seaguar; that it had another just as large with it. I told myself, if I could land the fish on the line, and catch that follower – I would almost certainly have a limit to contend for victory. Eventually landing the 4lbr on the line, I made a cull moving me to around 15.5lbs as the wind started to kick up.

I made note of where that fish generally swam toward, and located a sharp rock edge; the wind & waves were too strong to effectively see the fish on livescope. Although, knowing smallmouth; I had a feeling the fish was certainly positioned on this ledge and I just had to wait it out. Unable to effectively fish the mid strolling rig, and for fear the crankbait would spook the fish; I picked up the homemade finesse jig. The seam I felt held the fish was incredibly snaggy, and I found myself frustrated spot-locked on a point making repetitive casts to a piece of structure that I would inevitably break off on 5 or more casts, in a row…

On what felt like the 20th cast, although was more than likely the 7th or 8th; my line tightened up as it had every cast before, although this time when I pulled into it; she pulled back. My hunch paid off & I was not fighting the fish I was certain would put me in contention for the win. After a heart pounding battle, I was able to belly this fish and made my last big cull of the day- with just minutes to spare, I knew I had accomplished my goal and would bring well over 16lbs to the scales for the day.

The feeling at the weigh in tanks was overwhelming, not knowing if I had potentially won my second pro tour event in a row; as the anglers filtered through weighing their catch, I weighed in 16.52lbs, the largest limit of the event & was able to beat 2nd place Ish Monroe buy just over a half pound.

To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement, going back to back on a prestigious circuit like the Bass Angler Magazine Pro Tour was a blessing and a a dream come true.

I had now secured a large lead for AOY, which became a tangible goal, although there was still much work to do.

Lake Almanor Tackle List:

Stop 3: Columbia River, OR 

Event number 3 of the season quickly approached, it was on the mighty Columbia River out of Boardman Oregon. This event, along with Almanor was one I had been looking forward to all season; the Columbia is a very comfortable fishery for me & typically I find great success utilizing some of my favorite techniques for big river smallmouth.

As the morning of day 1 began I felt calm and ready to take on the day, I knew I would likely be utilizing a hybrid strategy where I targeted scorable fish knowing that more than likely culling through a massive number of keeper bass would also facilitate a strong 5 fish limit.

I had found a stretch in pre-practice that had the biomass, massive populations of smallmouth & the forage to hold them there if the conditions stayed the same. More importantly, I found this spot during day 3 of a pro-am that was taking place; noting the lack of boat pressure in the area I realized this stretch had been overlooked during that event and that its likely I would have it all to myself in the pro-tour. My hunch was correct as I pulled into the area, began catching nice 2-3lb smallmouth and never saw another boat nearly all day. I utilized a multitude of lures to ignite wolfpacks of smallmouth, baits like 4.8’’ keitech fat swing impacts were performing well during low light; and I made the transition toward mid-strolling a 5’’ keitech shad impact on a owner range-roller 3/16oz head, and picking off less active fish dropshotting a 4.25’’ Berkley flatworm in numerous colors.

By days end, I had amassed over 60 scorable fish, most of which were solid 2-3lb fish and was able to bring in around 18lbs to the scales. The days catch had me around the top 5 in weight, as well as 2nd in scorables.

Day two carried on much like day 1, I had to rotate a few more spots as my primary spot had already kicked out 80 or so nice bass and began to tire a bit. Along with the successful baits on day 1, I also caught fish throwing zoom flukes in silver based colors, a lucky craft gunfish 115 in aurora, as well as an alabama rig with 4.3’’ swing impact fats in pro blue. By days end I had scored 111 bass in the two days and qualified for championship Sunday in first place by way of keepers. The Columbia is a special river and was really showing out this week, as we know though; scorables would not get me the win this week so I changed gears into day 3 looking for size over quantity.

Day 3 brought strong winds sustaining 20mph and gusting much higher, the river fished much tighter and made utilizing many of my spots pretty hazardous. Unable to effectively fish mid-river, I turned to the bank and caught much of my limit on a weightless zoom fluke in smokin shad. I finished my day trying to soak on some offshore spots amongst the large waves, the only bait I could fish effectively in the 4-6’ waves was the heavy dropshot, that being said; I caught fish nearly every cast culling here and there. By days end although not bringing to the scales my ideal bag, I was proud to have endured the conditions and brought nearly 18lbs to the scales. This put me in 5th for the event, and allowed me to lengthen my lead for AOY over second place Ish Monroe, by 1 single point; giving me 14 points buffer as we headed into the final event of the regular season, and one much further from my wheelhouse- the Thermolito Afterbay in Oroville California.

Columbia River Tackle List: 

Stop 4: Thermalito Afterbay, CA

As I approach the close of the regular season for the BAM Pro Tour, I find myself en route to the Thermolito Afterbay, a diversion pool primarily utilized to allow water from lake Oroville to warm before agricultural use in Northern California. The Afterbay, a significantly smaller largemouth dominated fishery is typically known for heavy cover largemouth, and difficult fishing conditions. With fluctuating water conditions daily, and potential cold water influxes imminent- this location is a true test of an anglers versatility and ability to adjust with changing conditions each day. I knew this event would be the make or break moment for my season with regards to angler of the year title. As day 1 started I quickly found myself scrapping what I discovered in practice, as it was not productive; at the mid-day point of day 1 I had no fish in the box and chose to pivot, where otherwise panic may have set in. Noticing some fish high in the water column set up on tule berm edges I made a critical decision making an adjustment toward ultra finesse tactics- I rigged up a 5’’ Yamamoto Thin Senko on a sz 4 Gamakatsu splitshot/dropshot hook rigged wacky style. I could whip this small finesse offering about 80’ using ultra light braid and a 6lb seaguar Tatsu leader, instantly upon making the tactic change I found results. I was able to quickly attain a limit for just over 13lbs & score 6 keepers by days end, allowing me to hold the 8th position.

I was thankful to hold a top 10 position knowing, that every point would matter for the AOY title; although the pressure was on, as Ish Monroe (My closest competitor in the aoy race) was leading the event. As day 2 unfolded, I found myself in a predicament- a few competitors began utilizing my primary area and their boat presence was enough to set the already weary fish ono edge past the point of biting.

I was able to catch 2 fish by early afternoon, one on a 6’’ yamamoto senko, and the other on the same thin senko as days prior- with a small tungsten nail weight rigged neko style with a vmc crossover ring.

Panic began to set in around 2pm, when I was becoming fully aware that if I was unable to capture another fish or two- I would not make the top 10 and likely be losing the aoy race.

I refocused & after some self talk, told myself that if I’m going to be competing against someone as comfortable in their element as Ish was in this situation- I would NEED to find similar comfort zones as the conditions have changed within the event. Making an adjustment I began utilizing finesse tactics along the giant rip-rap wall that runs the perimeter of this fishery. I was targeting the multitude of pipes along this wall using the neko rigged thin senko when at the end of a long cast I felt a weight deviation in my bait- leaning into that pressure my road loaded into what felt like a massive fish. After a long battle on ultra finesse gear, I was able to belly my largest fish of the event, a beautiful 6+lbr that was just enough to edge out the 11th place finisher and grant me the 10th spot.

This meant that the only way for me to lose AOY this late in the game would be if my nearest competitor was to win, and myself end up in 10th (the lowest possible position for the day)

Day 3 started with a nice keeper that ate a strike king rage toad under low light conditions. I was able to capture my second fish shortly after on a River2Sea Bullywa 65 frog. And as the day progressed I punched my final fish of the day using a Yamamoto Cowboy with a 1oz tungsten weight.

 As the day drew to a close I was able to move up once place finishing the event in 9th.

Thermalito Afterbay Tackle List: 

After some stiff competition, 4 top 10 finishes, high elevation smallmouth, desert largemouth, rivers and lakes- I accomplished one of my life long goals. To be crowned the Angler of the Year within a prominent Professional fishing circuit. 

 Keep up with Colby! Follow his Instagram: @colbypearsonfishing

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