Kaiden Dinning Dominates BAM Scholastic Series as a 2x Champion
The BAM Scholastic Series continues to make waves in the competitive bass fishing scene, with Kaiden Dinning of Redding, California, dominating the tournament trail and securing a two-time championship win. The Scholastic Series kicked off in grand fashion at Lake Shasta, in conjunction with the BAM Pro/Am Series Presented by Tackle Warehouse.
This unique format allows High School Anglers to fish as Co-Anglers in the Pro/Am Event for the first two days of the tournament, providing them with an excellent opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals. With a small $100 entry fee, these young anglers are held to the same high standards as co-anglers but fish for their own prize pot. The chance to network, build relationships with industry professionals, and gain insight from top-tier anglers is invaluable. On top of that, the Angler of the Year prize—a $25,000 scholarship per year to Simpson University’s Bass Fishing Team—makes the stakes even higher.
Kaiden Dinning’s Winning Ways
Lake Shasta:
The inaugural event of the BAM Scholastic Series took place on Lake Shasta, known for its large spotted bass and expansive fishing opportunities. Kaiden Dinning, fishing in his home state, took first place with an impressive 11.48 pounds of Lake Shasta spotted bass. The win came on a single-day co-angler format, where the field of young anglers faced 30 MPH wind gusts throughout the day. Kaiden’s draw for the event was Juan Acosta, a seasoned West Coast angler who helped Dinning sharpen his technique.
Kaiden’s key techniques included using a 3.3” Keitech swim bait in Rainbow Shad paired with a 3/8 ounce Dirty Jigs Guppy head and a 1/8th ounce Neko rigged 5” green pumpkin Senko. Fishing in deep water (35-60 feet), Dinning’s first fish of the day was a solid 2-pounder, and he quickly accumulated the rest of his limit.
“I had my 11 ½ pounds pretty early. I was excited to keep upgrading, but that 5th fish gave me the confidence I needed to keep pushing until check-in,” Kaiden shared.
In Stop #2 of the series, Kaiden once again showcased his skill by taking first place at Lake Don Pedro, a completely new fishery for him. With a total weight of 23.49 pounds, Kaiden’s performance was stellar, especially considering his lack of prior experience with the lake.
Day 1 saw him fishing with JR Wright, a pro known for his reaction bite techniques. Kaiden fished with finesse techniques and caught several fish on a 5” Neko rig with a Green Pumpkin Fatty-Z Frenzy Baits Nail. By Day 2, Kaiden was fishing with Rob Nakatomi, who provided him with valuable advice. Despite the tougher conditions and deeper fishing areas (up to 70 feet), Kaiden landed quality largemouth, finishing with 4 fish for 23.49 pounds.
A Tight Race for Angler of the Year
With Kaiden’s dominance, he’s emerged as a front-runner in the Angler of the Year race. Tyler Peterson finished second at Lake Don Pedro, anchoring his bag with a 4.82-pound largemouth. Noah Nguyen took third place with 18.57 pounds, continuing to make waves in the series. All three anglers are strong prospects for the Simpson University Bass Team, adding an extra layer of competition to the Angler of the Year race.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
The BAM Scholastic Series continues to grow, with more events in California, Oregon, and Washington, providing opportunities for high school anglers to gain invaluable experience and compete for scholarships and recognition. The series has attracted a strong West Coast following, and anglers can register for future events by purchasing a discounted membership through BAMTrail.com.
Story by Michael Bray the Tournament Director for the BAM (Bass Angler Magazine) Trail, overseeing both the Pro Tour and Kayak Series.He brings extensive experience from his previous roles with the Wild West Bass Trail and APEX Pro Tour, where he honed his skills in event management and tournament operations . A former collegiate angler at Simpson University, Bray is passionate about fostering the growth of the fishing industry and preserving and promoting the sport for future generations
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, Dakota Lithium, 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 Chamber, 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
#bamtrail #bassanglermagazine #bamprotour
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