Erik Landesfeind - SWBA Tournament Trail
Spots for Tots and the Wallbanger
Dec. 20 2011, 11:49 AM
Dec. 20 2011, 11:49 AM
“Spots for Tots”
On Saturday December 3rd, 110 anglers woke up early and braved frigid winter temperatures to compete in a very important fishing tournament –and they brought their kids. The SWBA is known for high pressure tournaments where anglers vie for money and season standings, but at this event, the Olive Crest “Spots for Tots” tournament, it’s all about family and helping the less fortunate in our community. Rather than paying an entry fee for this event, teams showed up with toys and gift cards to help some poor local families experience the joy of Christmas. Donald Verleur, the founder of Olive Crest, was on hand for the event and was very happy with the show of support. “There are a lot of families struggling to get by this year and events like these go a long way towards helping them to have a merry Christmas” commented Verleur. The tournament was a huge success raising several thousand dollars worth of gift cards along with lots of toys for the kids.
Fishing proved to be difficult on tournament day, but no one seemed to mind. Many of the series pros brought along their own kids and they fished side by side to support a great cause. Chris Lilis of Long Beach teamed up with his own son Tasos and his partner’s son Denek Marshal. They didn’t set any tournament records, but ended up with a respectable 9th place finish. “From the day I told him we would be fishing this event together, he (Tasos) wouldn’t stop talking, asking and bugging about the when’s, the where’s and the how’s of the event” said Lilis. “Tournament morning he was up and at 'em at 4:30 AM and he was riled up from the start. Tasos never lost focus and insisted on fishing in the bow with me. He casted, hooked, retrieved and landed all his own fish. He even asked to change his lure on the three occasions when the bite had slowed to a crawl. I couldn’t have been any prouder.”
“Spots for Tots” is all about family, both the families helped and the families that fish together. “It’s one of my favorite events” said tournament director James Shamblin. “It raises money for a good cause and introduces the next generation of fishermen to this great sport that we all love.”
At the end of the day, the biggest bags (of 3 Spotted Bay Bass) where weighed by:
1. Joey Shimizu, Mike Perez
5.40lbs/2.22lb
2. Bryan Davis, Pete Wolf, Pierce Wolf
4.96lbs/1.77lb
3. Morgan Williams, Brett Murray
4.70lbs/1.93lb
Not everyone got a chance to make it to the podium, but the smiles on the faces of all the competitors proved that when fishing the “Spots for Tots” tournament everyone is a winner...
“The Wallbanger”
A full field of teams arrived at South Shores Launch Ramp in Long Beach on the afternoon of Saturday December 10th to participate in “The Wallbanger”. This event, which was the brainchild of veteran bass guru Chris Hurley, is one of the most popular tournaments of the year. Hurley handed over control of the event to the tournament directors of the SWBA this year and it came off without a hitch. The format of the event is that 35 teams (consisting of 1-3 anglers), will target the breakwall to try and catch a three bass limit within the 5 hour time limit. The tournament pays out to the top 5 teams with an optional side pot for the biggest Calico Bass.
The number one rule announced on the Wallbanger sign up page was, “No complaining will be allowed” and as usual, everyone had a good time. With no series points on the line at this event, many teams use it as an opportunity to fish together with the guys that they spend the rest of the year competing against. Team “Mantrax” a combination of teams “Mana” and “Fishtrax” did just that and they walked away with the side pot for the biggest Calico Bass and a third place finish in the event.
Here is a breakdown of the top 5 at the 2011 Wallbanger:
1. The Fish-N-Fools: Steve Greanias, Mike Dantona, Mark David
9 lbs. 13 oz.
2. A Midnight Rider: Jeff Levsen, Eric Bent
9 lbs. 12 oz.
3. ManTrax: Scott Pohle, Larry Posod, Andy Swerissen
9 lbs. 4 oz./4 lbs 1 oz. (Big Calico)
4. Wallsout: Eric Johnson, Rick Trujillo
8 lbs. 8 oz.
5. Bassbucket: Keith Michael, Eric Neimen
8 lbs. 3oz.
Get ready for the Superbowl of Calico Bass fishing, when the COC (California Offshore Challenge) kicks off on January 7th. This two day event boasts a $10,000 cash purse and is not to be missed. You can follow live day one weigh ins on the afternoon of the 7th by visiting www.saltwaterbassanglers.com
On Saturday December 3rd, 110 anglers woke up early and braved frigid winter temperatures to compete in a very important fishing tournament –and they brought their kids. The SWBA is known for high pressure tournaments where anglers vie for money and season standings, but at this event, the Olive Crest “Spots for Tots” tournament, it’s all about family and helping the less fortunate in our community. Rather than paying an entry fee for this event, teams showed up with toys and gift cards to help some poor local families experience the joy of Christmas. Donald Verleur, the founder of Olive Crest, was on hand for the event and was very happy with the show of support. “There are a lot of families struggling to get by this year and events like these go a long way towards helping them to have a merry Christmas” commented Verleur. The tournament was a huge success raising several thousand dollars worth of gift cards along with lots of toys for the kids.
Fishing proved to be difficult on tournament day, but no one seemed to mind. Many of the series pros brought along their own kids and they fished side by side to support a great cause. Chris Lilis of Long Beach teamed up with his own son Tasos and his partner’s son Denek Marshal. They didn’t set any tournament records, but ended up with a respectable 9th place finish. “From the day I told him we would be fishing this event together, he (Tasos) wouldn’t stop talking, asking and bugging about the when’s, the where’s and the how’s of the event” said Lilis. “Tournament morning he was up and at 'em at 4:30 AM and he was riled up from the start. Tasos never lost focus and insisted on fishing in the bow with me. He casted, hooked, retrieved and landed all his own fish. He even asked to change his lure on the three occasions when the bite had slowed to a crawl. I couldn’t have been any prouder.”
“Spots for Tots” is all about family, both the families helped and the families that fish together. “It’s one of my favorite events” said tournament director James Shamblin. “It raises money for a good cause and introduces the next generation of fishermen to this great sport that we all love.”
At the end of the day, the biggest bags (of 3 Spotted Bay Bass) where weighed by:
1. Joey Shimizu, Mike Perez
5.40lbs/2.22lb
2. Bryan Davis, Pete Wolf, Pierce Wolf
4.96lbs/1.77lb
3. Morgan Williams, Brett Murray
4.70lbs/1.93lb
Not everyone got a chance to make it to the podium, but the smiles on the faces of all the competitors proved that when fishing the “Spots for Tots” tournament everyone is a winner...
“The Wallbanger”
A full field of teams arrived at South Shores Launch Ramp in Long Beach on the afternoon of Saturday December 10th to participate in “The Wallbanger”. This event, which was the brainchild of veteran bass guru Chris Hurley, is one of the most popular tournaments of the year. Hurley handed over control of the event to the tournament directors of the SWBA this year and it came off without a hitch. The format of the event is that 35 teams (consisting of 1-3 anglers), will target the breakwall to try and catch a three bass limit within the 5 hour time limit. The tournament pays out to the top 5 teams with an optional side pot for the biggest Calico Bass.
The number one rule announced on the Wallbanger sign up page was, “No complaining will be allowed” and as usual, everyone had a good time. With no series points on the line at this event, many teams use it as an opportunity to fish together with the guys that they spend the rest of the year competing against. Team “Mantrax” a combination of teams “Mana” and “Fishtrax” did just that and they walked away with the side pot for the biggest Calico Bass and a third place finish in the event.
Here is a breakdown of the top 5 at the 2011 Wallbanger:
1. The Fish-N-Fools: Steve Greanias, Mike Dantona, Mark David
9 lbs. 13 oz.
2. A Midnight Rider: Jeff Levsen, Eric Bent
9 lbs. 12 oz.
3. ManTrax: Scott Pohle, Larry Posod, Andy Swerissen
9 lbs. 4 oz./4 lbs 1 oz. (Big Calico)
4. Wallsout: Eric Johnson, Rick Trujillo
8 lbs. 8 oz.
5. Bassbucket: Keith Michael, Eric Neimen
8 lbs. 3oz.
Get ready for the Superbowl of Calico Bass fishing, when the COC (California Offshore Challenge) kicks off on January 7th. This two day event boasts a $10,000 cash purse and is not to be missed. You can follow live day one weigh ins on the afternoon of the 7th by visiting www.saltwaterbassanglers.com
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