Yorba Linda’s Mike Folkestad holds down 19th place in another oh-so-tight race at Lake Shasta, this time for the FLW Series event. After the first day of competition, marked only by clouds and drizzle, Folkestad’s 9 pounds, 9 ounces has him roughly 3 pounds out of the lead.
And one thing seems certain, it’s business as usual at the scenic reservoir. “It’s pretty typical for up here,” he said after dinner. “We have rain or snow or something. It rained yesterday. Today it’s just cool with a bit of sun, little drizzle.”
The lake has a foul weather reputation, no doubt. “The fish bite better when it rains heavy,” Mike reminded. “It was awful good yesterday–lots of bite. Fishing is still good, with 1-2 to 1-4 bass, typical (of) Shasta every year.” As for the top weights, he added, “Anything over 8-10 pounds is way over the average.”
By looking at the standings, it is obvious, the big bass are not cooperating. “The swimbait thing has not been working the last couple of years,” Mike said. “And typically, there is good jig bite, but not this year. I’ve been leaving my drop shot rod in the locker. It’s been a darthead and Texas, rig trying to get a bigger bite with a bigger worm.”
On the co-angler side, Texan Tami Curtis (Tami on Tour) has the typical catch and is well down in the standings, despite a limit weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces. “I caught maybe eight keepers and tw0 shorts, (with San Diego pro Ed Arledge on the TM). It was exactly the same as practice, but I didn’t catch as many fish as I’d like.”
Speaking of her pro partner, Tami said, “He really did his homework. He gave me a little more confidence and that helped my mindset.”