The BAM Trail heads to Lake Oroville for stop #2 of the Pro-Am Series. | Bass Angler Magazine
Sign up for the BAM Trail Lake Oroville event here – Closes March 11 2024
Launching from Loafer Creek March 15, 16 and 17 about 6:30 am with daily weigh ins starting at 3:30.
Sunday the top anglers will fish for the cash prize and a shot at the championship berth.
Live music on Friday and Sunday with singer songwriter James White starting about 2:30 with live commentary directly before weigh in.
Watch the live show direct from www.bamtrail.com
BAM Oroville Predictions with Alex Klein
By Jody Only
Fresh off of the Trail’s debut at Lake Shasta, BAM Tournaments blasts off into the second stop of the Pro/Am division’s 2024 season at Lake Oroville on March 15 -17.
It is anticipated that the early spring bass fishing competition will hit the second-largest Northern California reservoir just after another multi-day rainstorm, and if the weatherman is right, anglers be welcomed with mild temps that include highs in the low-70s and nighttime lows hovering around 50 degrees.
With less than two weeks to go, the lake is at 83 percent of capacity, with an open spillway. Lake local, Alex Klein and former Oroville Pro/Am champion, shared some of his insights on how the lake would fish.
“The bite could be really good after the storms,” Klein began. “New water is always good, so it could be really good; but they are dropping the lake too.
“If they are letting more water out of the lake than is coming in, most of the time the fish will go out and suspend off the bank. If there is more rain coming in than what is going out they won’t suspend as much; but after this last big storm, the lake was already full and they started dropping it as fast as they could to have room to capture more rain and the snowmelt.”
Klein confirmed the lake has been fishing well all year and predicted that it would take 14- to 14 1/2-pounds per day to win. A sizeable three-day accomplishment considering when he won an early-season Pro/Am in 2023 at the same fishery, it was with a three-day, tournament total of 39.89.
Although spots are predominant at Oroville, there are some big largemouth available for the taking. The lake record is documented at 14 pounds, 15 ounces and while a news-maker like that hasn’t been seen in awhile, double-digits were caught as recently as last year in the spawn.
Klein noted the lake was currently in a pre-spawn pattern. He anticipates the lake’s water temp will have to come up to the mid-50’s before some of the big spawners will be caught.
“That is when the bigger baits will come into play – the big swimbaits, and the A-rigs,” he added.
Klein feels there will have to be a two-prong approach of finesse and reaction to triumph.
“You’ll have to get a big bite or two on a reaction bait, and find a school of quality fish that you can catch finessing throughout the day,” he said.
His advice for a backseater was a good attitude, willingness to learn and being ready to have fun. His bait suggestion was undoubtedly a drop-shot. “It’s a co-angler go-to,: he said.
The Bass Angler Magazine Tournament Trail (BAM TT), offers an unparalleled platform for anglers and sponsors, alike combining vast exposure opportunities that celebrate the skills of western bass anglers. The circuit garners extensive coverage across print and online magazines, websites, videos, television, and multiple social media channels.
Oroville Event Sponsors:
The Oroville tournament proudly welcomes a diverse array of sponsors including Bass Boat Technologies, Tackle Warehouse, Storquest, Crestco Rents, Gold Country Casino, and our dedicated conservation sponsor, Fisherman’s Warehouse.
Proud Sponsors of the BAM Tournament Trail:
BAM TT is honored to be associated with its title sponsor, Bass Boat Technologies, and presenting sponsor, Tackle Warehouse. The trail is also supported by Storquest, Garmin, 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, Alpha Angler Rods, and Fisherman’s Warehouse.
BAM’s Esteemed Tourism Sponsors:
The BAM TT is grateful for the support of its tourism sponsors: the City of Oakley, the Lake Almanor Chamber, the Boardman Chamber, and the Feather River Tourism Association.
Tournament Details:
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.
Connect with BAM TT:
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.
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