2009 Float Tube Derby |
Dateline: April 4th, 2009 Castaic Lagoon (Scroll Down Below Story for Pictures) |
43 tubers gathered on this cold and windy day to see who would get top honors in the 7th annual Friends of Castaic Lake float tube bass derby. Launch time was 6:30 am and by the 12:30 pm weigh in time many of the tubers had already retired to the shoreline after battling the winds for most of the day. As the day wore on it was obvious that fishing was very tough. The previous weeks’ unstable weather pattern, combined with water releases from the upper lake, made for very tough fishing, so tough that only 18 tubers boated fish that hit the 13 inch mark. Taking 1st place for the 2nd year in a row was Victor Nardiello with four fish totaling 14.20lbs, led by an 8.0 lb kicker, the 2nd big fish of the day. Victor stated that the big fish hit a senko in 15 feet of water. Victor won the 1st place prize of a $125 J&T Tackle gift certificate, along with other merchandise from our great sponsors, and big fish money of $129. Great job Victor! Taking 2nd place was Steve Caines with just two fish on the day. Included in his catch, however, was the biggest fish of the derby, weighing in a 9.0 lbs. Not only did Steve receive a 2nd place plaque and the big fish plaque, but he also earned $230 in big fish cash and a $50 gift certificate from Taylor Tackle. Great job Steve! Taking third on the day was Vince Chmelsky with two fish totaling 7.90 lbs, led by the third big fish of the day, weighing in at 5.90lbs. For his high finish he received merchandise and a $50 gift certificate to Taylor Tackle, along with big fish money of $86. Great job Jim! Getting 4th was FOCL member Dave Baltes with the only four fish catch of the day, which totaled 7.80 lbs. For his high finish Dave received a $25 gift certificate to J&T Tackle along with other merchandise and a great 4th place plaque. Taking 5th overall was derby regular Jim McElfresh two fish totaling 7.10lbs, giving him merchandise and a 5th place plaque. A huge thanks goes out to the great sponsors of the event, including J&T Tackle, Randy at Roboworm, Roger Larocque of Peregrine 250, Team Davies Tackle Company, and Taylor Tackle. A large thanks also to all who helped put on this event, including staff boaters Mike Munson, Larry Wild and John Chapman, Karl Kratzer, Roger Larocque and Shelley Singer, and Gary Boener. Thanks also to the great shore staff, including Ken Boyce, Dave Baltes, John Petroski, and Mike Iljin (A really big thanks to Mike for his great computer program that made adding up everything fast and efficient), and a big thank you to Park Superindendent Lori Bennet for having the gates open extra early on this day. And of course, thanks to Pete Carrisosa, Flo Lawrence, and Carl Haddix of the FOCL for the great Chili dog cookout afterwards. A great time was had by all!! |
