Oroville, CA – September 2024
With the heat of Oroville’s triple-digit temperatures behind us and a comfortable low 90s in the forecast, the BAM Pro Tour launched its final event of the 2024 season at the Thermalito Afterbay. This thrilling tournament, presented by the Oroville Chamber of Commerce and Gold Country Casino, promises to be a fitting conclusion to an action-packed year of competitive bass fishing.
Ish Monroe Takes Early Lead
At the close of Day One, Ish Monroe from Oakdale, California, surged ahead with an impressive weight of 22.02 pounds and 11 scorable bass.“I got to go out there and fish the way that I love to fish – shallow,” said Monroe. “It’s always fun when you get to catch’ em, how you want to catch ‘em.”
While Monroe didn’t reveal all the details of his approach, his signature flippin’ stick and frog rod techniques likely played a role in his success. His methods also echoed in the strategies of fellow Northern California anglers Bill O’Shinn and Ken Mah, currently sitting in second and third place, respectively.
O’Shinn’s Nine Scorables Keep Him in Contention
Bill O’Shinn of Auburn brought in nine scorable bass on Day One, securing his second-place spot with a five-biggest weight of 12.58 pounds. O’Shinn attributed his success to his ability to slow down and make precise casts on three key tule berms. “I rotated between three tule berms all day,” said O’Shinn. “I had to make exact casts – slow down and make every cast count.”
Ken Mah Breaks the 20-Pound Mark
Ken Mah of Elk Grove rounded out the top three, weighing in 20.96 pounds across eight scorable bass. Mah, known for his power fishing style, adapted to the conditions of the Thermalito Afterbay, which reminded him of his home waters on the California Delta and Clear Lake. “Today they were pulling a lot of water, so it was similar to a tide; and that plays to my strengths,” Mah shared. “I can power fish, put a flippin’ stick in my hand, throw a lot of topwater and that’s basically what I did.”
A Flippin’ Frenzy on the Horizon?
With a 30-day off-limits period behind them, anglers are bracing for a three-day battle that could turn into a flipping frenzy. Day Two will further narrow the field as the top anglers fight for a spot in the top 10 and Championship Sunday, where the winner will be decided by the weight of the five biggest bass.
Angler of the Year and Tournament of Champions Stakes
The results of this tournament will also finalize points for the coveted Angler of the Year (AOY) title and determine who qualifies for the 2024 Tournament of Champions (TOC) on the California Delta. With 1,000 miles of waterways, the Delta is the ultimate test of skill for the top anglers of the year.
Current Standings After Day One
Place Angler Big Fish/Day 1 Weight/Keepers Day 1
- 1 Ish Monroe *22.02 11
- 2 Bill O’Shinn 12.58 *9
- 3 Ken Mah *20.96 8
- 4 Luke Johns 16.65 *8
- 5 Jason Bradshaw 7.19 *19.67 5
- 6 Nicholas Cloutier 14.56 *8
- 7 Hayden Lee *16.59 5
- 8 Colby Pearson 13.29 *6
- 9 Jason Austin *12.45 5
- 10 Greg Gutierrez 9.72 *4
Full Results 2024 BAM Pro Tour Thermalito Afterbay Day One
BAM Pro Tour Tournament Format
Anglers in the BAM Pro Tour are ranked based on two key metrics: the heaviest five-fish limit (Weight) and the total number of scorable bass (Keepers). The leaderboard alternates between these two rankings, with the first place held by the angler with the heaviest bass, and second place awarded to the highest keeper count. On Day Three, the top 10 anglers will face off with a clean slate, competing for the championship title.
About the BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT) offers a premier platform for both professional anglers and sponsors, combining competitive fishing with extensive exposure across print, digital, and social media. Featuring the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, and Kayak events, the circuit showcases the determination and skills of Western bass anglers.
Proud Sponsors of the BAM Tournament Trail:
Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle Warehouse, Boardman Chamber, Garmin, Storquest, and, Bass Cat Boats, Ford Fairfield, Dish – Accel Marketing, Power Pole, Mercury Outboards, Bob’s Machine, Wood Bros, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Valley Outdoors, Eternal Lithium and, Alpha Angler Rods, and Fisherman’s Warehouse.
BAM’s Esteemed Tourism Sponsors:
The Boardman Chamber, City of Oakley, the Lake Almanor Chamber, and the Feather River Tourism Association.
The BAM Tournament Trail features the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, and Kayak events, each designed to test the determination of western anglers in a competitive and environmentally conscious format.
To learn more about the BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and Kayak events. Visit: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram
Media and Advertising Inquiries: Please contact Mark Lassagne for further information regarding media and advertising opportunities.
