Aaron Britt Takes Early Lead at Shasta for BAM Tournament Trail Pro/Am Season Opener

REDDING, Calif. – Under sunny skies and calm conditions, Aaron Britt of Yuba City took an early lead over the 133 boat pro angler field on the first day of the Lake Shasta BAM Tournament Trail Pro/Am with 16.67. Filling out his limit by 8:00 a.m. was a surprise for the Northern California pro, following what he called his recent dismal practice.
“I plucked off 15- to 15 ½-pounds pretty quick,” he shared. “I hovered around for a little bit and caught a few more fish that didn’t help and then one more that culled me out about 11:00 am. I went practicing from there. I kind of just got lucky for the most part.”
Scoping, Britt focused on deeper creek channels armed with his Signature Series IROD 742 Legit Finesse Swimmer, rigged with a Z-Man plastic on Seaguar Braid. “It is 33 pound braid with a diameter of 6-pound test that makes it come off the spool nicely,” he added. “I paired that to an 8-pound Tatsu Fluorocarbon leader.”
Replicating his plan may be a challenge for Britt, as winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts over 40 mph are forecasted for Day Two of the competition. He did not seem phased by the condition change and was confident in his backup plan.
“I was just trying to get through today, because like this lake when the wind blows,” said Britt. “I am more of a power fisherman. I want a Jerkbait, a crankbait – I want to go, go, go.”
Borba From the Backseat


Fishing as a co-angler, Ryan Borba from Atascadero, Calif. took the Day 1 Am top spot with his personal best bag from the back of the boat at 14.25. Borba was paired with NorCal pro Brett Leber of Dixon and credited confidence baits as the biggest factor in his limit.
“I was choosing my casts of the back of the boat and picking the bank apart,” said Borba. “I threw a Frenzy Nail with a FattyZ and a drop-shot.”


Borba boated approximately 30 fish for the day with his first limit in the box by 9:00 a.m. His Day Two strategy is more of the same with heavier presentations and dragging bottom baits, if necessary.
Pro Top-10
Place/Angler/Day1/Day2/Total
- Aaron Britt 67 00.00 16.67
- Alex Niapas 35 00.00 16.35
- Asher Haynes 33 00.00 16.33
- Hayden Lee 80 00.00 14.80
- Joseph Orozco 59 00.00 14.59
- Mark Cobey 41 00.00 14.41
- Greg Gutierrez 24 00.00 14.24
- Chris Trumbull 84 00.00 13.84
- Travis Archer 80 00.00 13.80
- Nick Wood 35 00.00 13.35
Co-Angler Top-10
- Ryan Borba 25 00.00 14.25
- Dante Ray 27 00.00 13.27
- AJ Holt 72 00.00 12.72
- Luke Wilson 66 00.00 11.66
- Ronnie Orbaker 61 00.00 11.61
- Paul Howard 61 00.00 11.61
- Joe Cote 60 00.00 11.60
- Michael Fischer Jr 53 00.00 11.53
- Bryan Trudeau 44 00.00 11.44
- John Walsh 43 00.00 11.43
Full Pro And Co-Angler Results
The three-day bass battler randomly pairs pro and co-anglers in a non-shared weight competition. Draw partners change daily, while each angler’s weight accumulates for Day One and Two, as each vies for a spot in the top-10 to qualify for the final day field cut and qualification to fish on Championship Sunday.
Weigh-ins will take place each day at Bridge Bay Marina, kicking off at 3:00 pm. Join the anglers and cheer on your favorite fisherman with the BAM Tournament Trail crew.
BAM Trail Pro Am Lake Shasta Bridge Bay Marina Jan 24-26, 2025
Daily weigh-ins at Bridge Bay Marina Park 3:00 pm every day
Media persons are welcome to attend to report, film, interview, or just enjoy the sporting event. Call or email Mark Lassagne for info or interviews 925-787-3474 [email protected]
The lake was off-limits to all contestants January 20 and 21, with practice days permitted on January 22 and 23. There is a 4:00 pm off-limits on the 23rd.
Anglers’ check-in was scheduled at Huff’s at Bridge Bay on Thursday, January 23 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
Official housing is Bridge Bay with an angler discount available by mentioning the BAM Trail pro-am.
Day Two Saturday: Tackle Warehouse contingencies winners and payment of the field from 11th place to the end of the money line will be completed.
Day Three Sunday: Bass Boast Technologies $250 contingency will be awarded; professional and co-angler champions will be crowned then Top-10 payments will be completed.
This information can also be found at www.bamtrail.com
About BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM Trail) is an exclusive west coast pro level tournament circuit. BAM TT delivers multiple opportunities to showcase the talents of western anglers on several professional platforms.
As the BAM Trail continues to evolve it provides a platform of elite events for competitive anglers. The trail creates a logical avenue for sponsors to have direct contact with our West Coast anglers.
The BAM Trail is dedicated to creating a complete package of advertising opportunities including on-site activation, internet/social media, and a YouTube and TV series that reaches a large number of viewers each day.
BAM Trail is honored to be associated with its title sponsor, Bass Boat Technologies, and presenting sponsor, Tackle Warehouse. The trail is also supported by Storquest, Chicken Ranch Resort, Bass Cat Boats, Ford Fairfield,, Power Pole, Mercury Outboards, Bridgford Foods, Bob’s Machine, Dakota Lithium, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate, Valley Outdoors and our conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.
The BAM TT tourism sponsors: Lake Don Pedro, City of Oakley, Lake Almanor Chamber, the Boardman Chamber, and the Feather River Tourism Association.
Tournament events include BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am and a Kayak Tour with a no entry Championship can be viewed on YouTube. Learn more here: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media / Advertising Contact Mark Lassagne
#bamtrail #bassanglermagazine #bamprotour
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