BAM Kayak Series: Thermalito Afterbay Recap
A Challenging Fishery Where BAM Kayak Anglers Thrive
The Thermalito Afterbay is filled from the waters of Lake Oroville and is utilized to supplement the agricultural activities in the surrounding parts of Northern California. The water that fills it is funneled from the depths of Lake Oroville, inherently making it cooler than average at 70–75 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding constant water fluctuation and shallow water, “challenging” is often used to describe the fishing conditions. For the BAM Kayak Series anglers, challenging is often where they thrive.
Second West Coast Championship Qualifier
This was the 2nd West Coast Championship Qualifier event for the BAM Kayak Series, where the Top 8 from this event will participate in the Championship on Clear Lake later this year. Anglers were also trying to qualify for the BAM Kayak Series Championship at Trinity Lake on September 13–14. The last WCC Qualifier will be held this weekend, June 22nd at the Ryon Mora Memorial Kayak Tournament.
Joseph Silva Takes the Win
Joseph Silva, a fierce competitor in the West Coast Kayak Tournament Scene, propelled to the top of this 39-angler field with a respectable 101.50”. Taking 2nd Place in his first ever kayak tournament was Jacob Thaute with a 2” deficit to total 99.50”.
“I didn’t have a motor; I just went to work on my home water and found my fish later into the day,” explained Jacob.
Only three anglers failed to submit keeper fish in this event, and the Top 7 all had over 90.00” for their best 5 fish.
Winning Tactics and Surprising Quality
The sheer number of quality fish caught in this event was a surprise for the entire field, and the ways they were caught varied. Joseph Silva inevitably won the event focusing on an offshore rock pile.
“Right in front of the spillway, the rock pile had at least five 20”+ bass sitting on it. Luckily I caught four of them and found a few more to finish my bag,” explained Silva.
Other anglers caught their fish flipping larger profile baits or throwing a frog deep in the expansive tule patches.
Big Bass and Big Numbers
Dominic Doan, a Southern California angler, finished third in this event with 97.50” and took the Big Bass pot with a 22.25” lunker. He also caught a 21.50” bass that held up as Big Fish for most of the day prior to his upgrade. Dominic and Joey were both using Forward Facing Sonar to target these larger fish and then caught them with finesse tactics.
Top 8 and Notable Finishes
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4th – Jesse Hoover (96.50”) – Jesse has been a high finisher the last two seasons in the BAM Kayak Series Angler of the Year Race.
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5th – Devin Campbell (93.50”) – another young angler in the field.
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6th – Damian Thao – took the final check for this event.
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7th – Ivan Lee – took home a brand new Powell Rod’s Endurance Series Casting Rod.
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8th – Reed Frazier – secured the last spot in the West Coast Championship and was also our Clear Lake Champion earlier this year.
Supporting Partners and Series Details
TourneyX is the official score tracker for the BAM Kayak Series and allows viewers to follow along all throughout the event. All BAM Kayak Series events have official media and safety boats. For this event, Simpson University’s Bass Team provided their Nitro Z20 with a Mercury 250HP Motor.
The BAM Kayak Series is Presented by Headwaters Adventure Company & Tackle Warehouse. Bridgford Foods is an official trophy sponsor for the BAM Tournament Trail.
About BAM Tournament Trail
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM Trail) is the West Coast’s premier pro-level bass fishing circuit — built to showcase top anglers and connect brands directly with the fishing community.
Powered by Bass Angler Magazine’s nationwide print and digital reach, BAM offers unmatched marketing opportunities through its tournament trail, magazine, email campaigns, podcasts, social media, YouTube, and TV series — creating year-round exposure for anglers and sponsors alike.
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, Black Bear Diner, Bridgford Foods, Bob’s Machine, Anderson Auto Group, Sticky Graphics, Jean Deleonardi Real Estate,, Valley Outdoors and our conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.
BAM TT tourism sponsors: Lake Don Pedro, City of Oakley, Lake Almanor Chamber, the Boardman Community Development, and the Feather River Tourism Association.
Tournament events include BAM Pro Tour, Pro-Am, Scholastic and a Kayak Tours with a no entry Championship can be viewed on YouTube. Learn more here: BAM TRAIL, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Media / Advertising Contact Mark Lassagne
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