In the beginning both Eric and I wanted to create a platform in which teams could compete on a level playing field while keeping the events diversified and fun to fish. And now after 2 years, based on the level of retention and the overall draw I think we can ALL call it a huge success. I say ALL because I really feel this is a series everyone can call their own! As I've continually stated, this is a series that is perpetuated by those who compete in it. By that I mean, and as corny as it may sound, there's no “Race for the Cup” without those involved in the Race.
Face off at the Wall...
Looking back…it will take a little more than a brief skim through some of the events that took place, not only this season but last season, in order to completely grasp the level of competition that has unfolded to compete in this seasons Finale'.
The competitive level retained from the ‘04 season was more than expected, with such teams as “Wallsout” (Eric Johnson, Darin Lalla) who not only tied for the 2004 points lead but was undisputedly the most consistent team in terms of top finishes, with two 5 th place finishes followed by a 4 th and a 7 th ! They actually tied for 1 st in the points chase with team “Tail Chaser” (Norm, Dubois, Dan Schmetzer) who had a great season with all top ten finishes including a 2 nd , 3 rd ,6 th and a 10 th .
Another team retained from the 2004 season was “BassOmatic” (David Fong, John Strenk). David and John had two 2nd place finishes and a 6 th , which would have blown the field away had it not been for their 20 th place finish in Rd. 2 at Dana Point .
They came back this year angling for two separate teams. David paired up with Shimano Pro-staffer John Kuch under the assumed name “BassOholic”, while John Strenk bought a 16' Hydra Sport and recruited Mike Nguyen and called themselves “Caveman Special”.
The father and son team “Gill Turner” (Eric and Jerry Bent) came back revamped as team “Jeronimo”, named after Jerry's recently perchased Mako 171. They achieved a 3 rd in points last year which included two 1 st place finishes, Rd 3 “Ring around the Islands”, and then they took the season finale' at the Long Beach Breakwall, thereby carving their names into “The Golden Livewell” twice in one year.
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"Bassjackers" John Gilles and Richard Ragland await the shotgun start for the 2005 season finale'.
Spinner baits were key in helping Keith Michael and Jim Behrens win the top ten Finale'. Keith and Jim weighed 5 bass for 14.86lbs. and also took "Big Fish" honors with a Sand Bass that weighed 3.49lbs. PHOTO:HeeYoung Park
Season Finale'
"Face off at the Wall"
.........It seems like only yesterday... we gathered in the parking lot at The Dunes launch ramp in Newport for the inaugural “Cabin Fever Reliever” two years ago. And as I think back to that first event… waiting in anticipation, not knowing if anyone would show, both Eric and I were both caught by surprise by the amount of teams that came to participate. Twenty nine teams showed up for that event, roaring and ready to take part in what we had created. It seemed we hit the nail on the head in terms of what the private boating community of Southern California needed… a “Catch and Release" tournament series based on a level playing field. More importantly, a series of tournaments without a hidden agenda, ie the need to profit from the people who participate within it. A saltwater Bass fishing series is no new concept and it has been tried before, here in Southern California, with little success to say the least. However the "Race for the Cup" is here to stay for as long as those who participate feel the need to compete within it!