The Bay Area Bassmasters final event of the 2015 season, prior to their end of season championship, took place last month at Lake Istokpoga. Not only would this be the final qualifying event for the two-day championship, but it would also be the deciding tournament for the Team of the Year race. Being the final qualifying event for 2015, all teams had something to aim for, including a victory.
The multitude of heavy stringers we’ve become accustomed to over the past few years from Lake Istokpoga has seemingly been on a decline this season, as not many bags over 25 pounds were recorded this year. It seemed that someone forgot to tell that to Lewis Roberson and Calvin Boyette though. They hammered a 32.83-pound, five-bass limit to secure their first win of the season.
“We came across some offshore hydrilla, and decided to try it,” stated Boyette. “We caught all of our fish throwing a Carolina-rigged worm through the grass. It was an absolutely amazing day.”
What a day indeed. Their bag consisted of two TrophyCatch quality largemouth-an 8.90-pound lunker landed by Boyette, and a 9.85-pound lunker landed by Roberson. The latter of the two fish also earned the team the Big Bass award.
Casey Gonzalez and Eugene Terkoski were one of the teams in the hunt for the Team of the Year title coming into the event. They bagged a 23.31-pound, five-bass limit in search of the title. Terkoski anchored their bag with am 8.45-pound TrophyCatch-his first one on record.
Justin and Jeff Reynolds finished the day in third place with a 14.63-pound, five-bass limit.
Mike Wojcik and Travis Grimes weighed a 14.51-pound total to finish in fourth place.
Steve and Ryan Makdeci finished in fifth place with 14.35 pounds.
TAOY winners Eugene Terkoski and Casey Gonzalez
After all the bass were weighed, the weights tallied, and points assessed, the question of who would be crowned Team of the Year would be answered. It was a battle all year long amongst the Top 3, but Casey Gonzalez and Eugene Terkoski came out on top. This is Gonzalez and Terkoski’s second Team of the Year title in three seasons.
The 2014 Team of the Year, Jeff Crandon and Dan Richardson, finished the season in second place-a mere four points behind the winners. Jeff and Jason Baker led the race earlier in the season, and were able to finish the year in third place overall, just nine points back from first. Bruce and Jared Young had a solid year as well, finishing the season in fourth place.
These four teams will be invited to represent the Bay Area Bassmasters in the 2016 Florida State Team Championship being held at Lake Toho, April 8-10, 2016. They will be competing against other top teams from across the state for a new Blazer 595 Pro Elite powered by a 200 HP Pro XS. For more information, visit www.fishfstc.com.
