On behalf of everyone at Discount Tackle, we proudly congratulate Pro Staff member Colby Pearson on his remarkable 2024 BAM Pro Tournament Trail season! Colby secured the coveted Angler of the Year title and achieved two major victories during this highly competitive season.
Winning Strategies and Key Techniques
Mastering Satellite Imagery and Mapping
Colby’s season began with meticulous pre-tournament planning. Using satellite imagery and Garmin mapping, he identified isolated bays that promised to hold both spawning and post-spawn fish during late spring transitions.
Colby’s Tip: “During windier periods, I relied on War Eagle Spinnerbaits and a KGB Chad Shad to provoke strikes from fry-guarders. Calm, sunny conditions called for weightless Yamamoto Senkos, allowing me to target larger post-spawn bass in isolated shade pockets.”
Understanding Local Forage: Pond Smelt Tactics at Lake Almanor
Lake Almanor’s unique baitfish, the Pond Smelt, posed a challenge. Colby adjusted his approach by selecting lures that closely matched the smelt’s ultra-thin profile and translucent coloration.
Top Baits:
Megabass Shading-X 75
Keitech Swing Impact Fat (2.8” & 3.3”)
Berkley MaxScent Tube (2.5”)
Homemade finesse jigs
Colby’s Insight: “By targeting fish outside of main spawning zones using Garmin LiveScope, I found less-pressured bass that competitors overlooked. This strategy led to my second victory and solidified my AOY lead.”
Consistency on the Columbia River
The Columbia River, particularly the Boardman region, played to Colby’s strengths as a smallmouth specialist. His strategy utilized the BAM Pro Tour’s hybrid format to his advantage by targeting large numbers of scorable bass.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Day 1 & 2: Over 110 bass submitted using a mix of techniques:
Lucky Craft Gunfish 115 in low light
Keitech 4.8 swimbaits
Berkley MaxScent Flatworm on a dropshot
Hover strolling with Owner Range Roller Jigheads
Day 3: Focused on quality over quantity, securing an 18-lb bag for a 5th place finish.
Colby’s Take: “The Columbia’s smallmouth bass pack together, and cycling productive areas allowed me to consistently find active fish.”
Tackling the Oroville Afterbay
The season finale at Oroville Afterbay challenged Colby with its smaller, highly pressured waters. While flipping and punching dom
inated for many anglers, Colby brought a finesse-first approach to maintain his AOY lead.
Key Adjustments
Day 1 & 2: Sight-fished cruisers with Yamamoto Thin Senkos, securing critical limits.
Day 3 (Championship Sunday): Mixed finesse with traditional largemouth power fishing:
6” Yamamoto Senko
River2Sea Bully Wa Frog
Punching with a 1oz Woo Tungsten Weight and Yamamoto Cowboy
Colby’s Reflection: “Combining finesse with power fishing helped me secure a top-10 finish and clinch the AOY title.”
Takeaways from Colby’s Stellar Season
Colby Pearson’s 2024 season is a masterclass in preparation, adaptability, and execution. Whether it’s targeting overlooked fish with unique tactics or leveraging the right gear for specific conditions, Colby’s insights are invaluable for any angler aiming to improve.
From all of us at Discount Tackle, congratulations again, Colby! Keep inspiring anglers everywhere with your skill and determination.
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