Save the Date! Bonneville Bass Bonanza 3, June 4

This will be a fun day.  I'm all in for somethings new.

Firsts to include:
 - Columbia River fishing - never seen this stretch of water
 - Bass fishing
 - Bass fishing rigs, techniques...
 - How to pick from 60 miles of new shoreline to fish (if I estimate the map correctly)

I only have to catch one fish, right?   

Help welcome!

This will be a fun day.  I'm all in for somethings new.

Firsts to include:
 - Columbia River fishing - never seen this stretch of water
 - Bass fishing
 - Bass fishing rigs, techniques...
 - How to pick from 60 miles of new shoreline to fish (if I estimate the map correctly)

I only have to catch one fish, right?   

Help welcome!

There is some good information in the previous years' posts (tedious to wade through, I know, but it works). Here are some suggestions:

Mayer State Park is a popular launch site with a semi-protected area that is fishable, and more fishing outside of it in the main river. If you don't know the area this is a good place to start to pre-fish or to head to on game day.

For gear, pretty much any bass setup will do, so a medium action rod in the 6-8 ft. range is typical. You could use a steelhead rod if you want. For tackle I would suggest sticking with a few solid options and working them hard. In previous years drop-shotting has worked well (weight at end of line, hook above 4-20", with soft plastic worm or similar). A lot of folks use crankbaits, with crawfish and minnow patterns working well. Other options are jerk baits (longer, thinner suspending hard baits) and jig heads with soft plastics.

Look for structure. I'm not sure how deep they'll be this year as it's very different than last year, but they always relate to structure, so key in on points and humps and try to get a sense of how deep they are.

I realize that's pretty generic advice. Google will give you more ideas than you'll have time for. I'm glad you're going to make it - don't forget to have fun! 

Where will the awards ceremony be held?

They'll let us know soon before the event, I'm guessing, but last year it was at the big waterfront park in Hood River ("Hood River Waterfront Park"). I'm guessing it will be there or around there.

This will be a fun day.  I'm all in for somethings new.

Firsts to include:
 - Columbia River fishing - never seen this stretch of water
 - Bass fishing
 - Bass fishing rigs, techniques...
 - How to pick from 60 miles of new shoreline to fish (if I estimate the map correctly)

I only have to catch one fish, right?   

Help welcome!

There is some good information in the previous years' posts (tedious to wade through, I know, but it works). Here are some suggestions:

<snip>

I realize that's pretty generic advice. Google will give you more ideas than you'll have time for. I'm glad you're going to make it - don't forget to have fun! 

Thanks for that!  I have been digging in old posts and Mayer State Park will be the starting point.  I reserved a tent site at Memaloose State Park next door, there is a break on price that weekend.

As for the fish, not much chance to pre-fish until that Friday perhaps, given the five hour drive.

Drop shotting and casting sound good enough, I've been playing with drop shot rigs this year.

Gonna have fun and count on some good ole' beginner's luck!

Registration is OPEN!!!!

http://www.kayakshed.com/product/kayak-fishing-bass-tournament-hood-river/

Registered!

Registered, looking forward to this.

Dannybay and I are registered!

All signed up and looking forward to it!

I'm in.

Registration is OPEN!!!!

http://www.kayakshed.com/product/kayak-fishing-bass-tournament-hood-river/

A quick question on the rules from the registration page.

– Propel themselves to and from the fishing grounds.

One would presume that this would mean while on the water? I very likely could fish in two different areas that would require me to move the kayak up or down stream via my vehicle. I can't imagine that would be any issue, but you never know and just want to clarify early while folks are still planning.

Yeah totally if you want to fish an area, trailer your kayak and launch at another location fine. You can't tie up to a power boat or deploy a sail to get yourself to the fishing grounds and back. Or use a motor of your own.

Thanks Anthony! I had assumed that was the case, but just wanted to be sure.

Registration is OPEN!!!!

http://www.kayakshed.com/product/kayak-fishing-bass-tournament-hood-river/

I am going to respectfully have to ask you to change the date. This conflicts with Ca$h for Crabs at Kell's Irish Pub. JK. I hope to do both, but it could be tight.