Jeff Michels' second Western EverStart victory had one thing in common with his first – on neither occasion did he need to catch a single keeper on the final day to seal the win.
In 2007 at Lake Havasu, he didn't catch one. The circuit, known then as the Western Strens, featured 4-day events at the time, but his 3-day total was more than enough to claim the crown.
His most recent triumph occurred last week on his home water, Shasta Lake in Northern California. It was a 3-day tournament, but the 30 pounds he weighed over the first 2 days went untouched by the remainder of the field. The pedestrian 6-pound sack he mustered on the final day just added to his victory margin.
His 36-00 total for 3 days topped runner-up Richard Dobyns by more than 8 pounds. It garnered him a $35,000 cash prize and a Ranger boat package.
Here's how he did it.
Practice
Michels, a firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service, lives in nearby Lakehead, Calif. and fishes Shasta at least three times a week. He had this event dialed long before it started.
"I'd been throwing swimbaits out there and I knew where the big ones were – they were on the long, main-lake points," he said. "For the tournament, I had that for a big-fish pattern and a limit pattern on steep rock walls, all with worms.
"The main lake is terrible right now, and that left all those (points) wide open. They didn't get any pressure the whole tournament, and that helped a bunch. If you weren't catching the big ones up on the points, you couldn't hardly get bit out there."
He explained that the lake's huge population of spotted bass can be divided into two sub-groups – fish of 2 pounds or bigger that feed on trout, and smaller ones that pursue shad. Also, the water level was much higher than it was a year ago for the Western FLW Series stop, and the lack of mud has made it as clear as it can be.
"With all the clear water, there are very few shad in the lake right now and most of the limit-size fish are down deep looking for crawdads. But the big ones are up chasing trout – I saw a big one on day 3 chase a trout right up onto the bank."
> Day 1: 5, 13-13
> Day 2: 5, 16-03
> Day 3: 5, 6-00
> Total = 15, 36-00
Competition
Michels grabbed the lead on day 1 and never relinquished it. That bag was topped by a brute that weighed 7-03 and left him more than 2 pounds clear of everyone except Dobyns, who weighed 13-06.
When he came back the following day with a bag that was more than 2 pounds bigger than his day-1 haul, the tournament was all but over. That stringer was headed up by a 6 1/2-pounder and also contained a 5 1/2.
Although he had a lead of nearly 8 pounds, he fished hard throughout the final day.
"I went after the big ones again, but they weren't cooperating," he said. "It was the second straight day of clear weather and it slicked out most of my big-fish spots. They just never came up."
Despite the fact that he won by a figurative ton, it was no easy feat. He culled just one time during the tournament, and that occurred late on day 3.
"That's pretty untypical for this lake. Normally I can catch 20 a day, even when I'm looking for the big ones."
Winning Gear Notes
> Worm gear: 6'6" St. Croix Legend or Premier spinning rod, Daiwa Sol spinning reel, 6-pound Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon line, 1/0 Gamakatsu dropshot hook, 4" Yamamoto Senko (natural shad or baby bass).
> He fished the Senko wacky-style without weight.
> He also caught weigh-in fish on a Mother's Finest worm (same colors as the Senko) and a 3 1/2" Dry Creek tube (baby bass) rigged on a 3/16-ounce homemade jighead.
The Bottom Line
Main factor in his success – "My knowledge of the lake and the confidence that I could get a couple of big bites a day. As soon as I caught a couple of big ones, it opened me up to fish more calmly."
Performance edge – "The St. Croix rods are just super-sensitive and you can feel the light bites on a slack line. That was especially important with the weightless Senko. It's a pretty amazing spinning rod."
Notable
> Michels said he'd planned to forego the circuit's second event at Arizona's Lake Roosevelt due to the long drive, but will now fish that tournament in an effort to win the Angler of the Year and its accompanying $5,000 prize.
> He's sponsored by Sportsman's Shell (a service station near the lake).
Final Standings
1. Jeff Michels -- Lakehead, Ca -- 5, 13-13 -- 5, 16-03 -- 10, 30-00 -- 5, 6-00 -- 15, 36-00 -- $35,000 + Boat
2. Richard Dobyns -- Yuba City, Ca -- 5, 13-06 -- 4, 7-09 -- 9, 20-15 -- 5, 7-00 -- 14, 27-15 -- $12,000
3. Jason Milligan -- Shasta Lake, Ca -- 5, 10-05 -- 5, 7-15 -- 10, 18-04 -- 5, 8-13 -- 15, 27-01 -- $10,000
4. Cody Meyer -- Grass Valley, Ca -- 5, 8-04 -- 5, 8-12 -- 10, 17-00 -- 5, 9-05 -- 15, 26-05 -- $9,000
5. Charley Almassey -- Oakley, Ca -- 5, 9-04 -- 5, 8-03 -- 10, 17-07 -- 5, 8-01 -- 15, 25-08 -- $8,000
6. Young Yang -- Los Angeles, Ca -- 5, 11-10 -- 5, 7-08 -- 10, 19-02 -- 5, 5-08 -- 15, 24-10 -- $7,000
7. Howard Hughes -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 10-06 -- 4, 6-11 -- 9, 17-01 -- 5, 6-14 -- 14, 23-15 -- $6,000
8. Rob Bass -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 11-02 -- 5, 11-00 -- 10, 22-02 -- 1, 0-15 -- 11, 23-01 -- $5,000
9. Ken Phillips -- Antioch, Ca -- 5, 10-02 -- 5, 7-02 -- 10, 17-04 -- 3, 5-02 -- 13, 22-06 -- $4,000
10. Jim Hawkes -- Apache Junction, Az -- 5, 9-01 -- 5, 7-15 -- 10, 17-00 -- 1, 1-03 -- 11, 18-03 -- $3,000
The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.
11. Denny Goldston -- Gardnerville, Nv -- 5, 9-02 -- 5, 7-05 -- 10, 16-07 -- $2,000
12. Dennis Saiki -- Mission Viejo, Ca -- 5, 9-13 -- 5, 6-08 -- 10, 16-05 -- $2,000
13. Michael Tuck -- Granite Bay, Ca -- 5, 9-05 -- 5, 6-13 -- 10, 16-02 -- $2,000
14. Robert Lee -- Angels Camp, Ca -- 5, 9-12 -- 5, 6-03 -- 10, 15-15 -- $2,000
15. Sean Stafford -- Fairfield, Ca -- 5, 8-01 -- 5, 7-14 -- 10, 15-15 -- $2,000
16. JR Wright -- Truckee, Ca -- 5, 7-06 -- 5, 8-06 -- 10, 15-12 -- $1,500
17. Derek Yamamoto -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 9-12 -- 5, 5-10 -- 10, 15-06 -- $1,500
18. Gary Dobyns -- Yuba City, Ca -- 5, 9-10 -- 5, 5-10 -- 10, 15-04 -- $1,500
19. Chris Zaldain -- San Jose, Ca -- 5, 9-02 -- 5, 6-02 -- 10, 15-04 -- $1,500
20. Greg Gutierrez -- Red Bluff, Ca -- 5, 5-06 -- 5, 9-12 -- 10, 15-02 -- $1,500
21. Chris Laskowski -- Anderson, Ca -- 5, 7-15 -- 5, 7-01 -- 10, 15-00 -- $1,400
22. Mike Menne -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 5, 7-12 -- 5, 7-04 -- 10, 15-00 -- $1,400
23. Bret Gouvea -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 7-09 -- 5, 7-06 -- 10, 14-15 -- $1,400
24. Dave Russell -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 5, 8-00 -- 5, 6-14 -- 10, 14-14 -- $1,400
25. Earl Dalton -- Jackson, Ca -- 5, 8-08 -- 5, 6-04 -- 10, 14-12 -- $1,400
26. Shon Childers -- Vancouver, Wa -- 5, 7-01 -- 5, 7-10 -- 10, 14-11 -- $1,300
27. Cameron Karber -- Scottsdale, Az -- 5, 7-12 -- 5, 6-14 -- 10, 14-10 -- $1,300
28. Jim Novotny -- Shingle Springs, Ca -- 5, 6-14 -- 5, 7-09 -- 10, 14-07 -- $1,300
29. Richard Barr -- Redding, Ca -- 4, 5-05 -- 5, 9-01 -- 9, 14-06 -- $1,300
30. Robert Thornton -- Cool, Ca -- 5, 6-12 -- 5, 7-10 -- 10, 14-06 -- $1,300
31. Zack Thompson -- Alameda, Ca -- 5, 8-15 -- 5, 5-04 -- 10, 14-03 -- $1,200
32. Mark Crutcher -- Lakeport, Ca -- 5, 8-08 -- 5, 5-09 -- 10, 14-01 -- $1,200
33. Joe Uribe Jr. -- Lake Forest, Ca -- 5, 7-05 -- 5, 6-12 -- 10, 14-01 -- $1,200
34. Shane Peirson -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 7-02 -- 5, 6-15 -- 10, 14-01 -- $1,200
35. Jimmy Savoini -- Prescott, Az -- 5, 7-02 -- 5, 6-14 -- 10, 14-00 -- $1,200
36. Bryan Trudeau -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 7-11 -- 5, 6-04 -- 10, 13-15 -- $1,200
37. Klayton Belden -- El Cajon, Ca -- 5, 6-12 -- 5, 7-03 -- 10, 13-15 -- $1,200
38. Mike Folkestad -- Orange, Ca -- 5, 8-03 -- 5, 5-10 -- 10, 13-13 -- $1,200
39. Aaron Cole -- Salida, Ca -- 5, 6-02 -- 5, 7-07 -- 10, 13-09 -- $1,200
40. John Maes -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 5-11 -- 5, 7-13 -- 10, 13-08 -- $1,200
41. Jim Moulton -- Merced, Ca -- 5, 7-03 -- 5, 6-05 -- 10, 13-08 -- $1,100
42. Steve Adams -- Discovery Bay, Ca -- 5, 6-14 -- 5, 6-10 -- 10, 13-08 -- $1,100
43. Kyle Grover -- Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca -- 5, 9-07 -- 3, 4-00 -- 8, 13-07 -- $1,100
44. Ronald Hammett -- Alpine, Ca -- 5, 6-14 -- 5, 6-09 -- 10, 13-07 -- $1,100
45. Robert Wysong -- Hauser, Id -- 5, 8-11 -- 3, 4-11 -- 8, 13-06 -- $1,100
46. Don Finwall -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 7-06 -- 5, 5-13 -- 10, 13-03 -- $1,100
47. John Wick -- San Diego, Ca -- 5, 6-00 -- 5, 7-02 -- 10, 13-02 -- $1,100
48. John Fuqua -- Port Hueneme, Ca -- 5, 6-09 -- 5, 6-09 -- 10, 13-02 -- $1,100
49. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 5, 5-15 -- 5, 7-02 -- 10, 13-01 -- $1,100
50. Michael Wright -- Grass Valley, Ca -- 5, 6-01 -- 4, 6-15 -- 9, 13-00 -- $1,100
51. Jay Wright -- Seal Beach, Ca -- 5, 7-02 -- 5, 5-10 -- 10, 12-12 --
52. Steve Geffs -- Antelope, Ca -- 5, 6-01 -- 5, 6-10 -- 10, 12-11 --
53. Guy Williams -- Menifee, Ca -- 5, 4-14 -- 5, 7-11 -- 10, 12-09 --
54. Glen Lockhart -- Biggs, Ca -- 4, 4-07 -- 5, 8-01 -- 9, 12-08 --
55. Tom Peirson -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 6-09 -- 5, 5-14 -- 10, 12-07 --
56. Clayton Meyer -- Henderson, Nv -- 4, 3-15 -- 5, 8-07 -- 9, 12-06 --
57. Taylor Thompson -- Half Moon Bay, Ca -- 4, 6-04 -- 5, 6-02 -- 9, 12-06 --
58. Kevin Stewart -- Elk Grove, Ca -- 5, 5-09 -- 5, 6-12 -- 10, 12-05 --
59. Donald Gage -- Brent Wood, Ca -- 5, 6-00 -- 5, 6-03 -- 10, 12-03 --
60. Will Duncan -- Hollister, Ca -- 5, 4-14 -- 5, 7-04 -- 10, 12-02 --
61. Eric Lippincott -- Daniel, Wy -- 5, 8-08 -- 2, 3-08 -- 7, 12-00 --
62. Rick Correa -- Sherwood, Or -- 5, 6-03 -- 5, 5-13 -- 10, 12-00 --
63. Joseph Letsinger -- Sacramento, Ca -- 4, 4-10 -- 5, 7-04 -- 9, 11-14 --
64. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 5-03 -- 5, 6-05 -- 10, 11-08
65. Max Bauer -- San Diego, Ca -- 5, 6-00 -- 3, 5-07 -- 8, 11-07
66. Tommy Cardoza -- Lakeport, Ca -- 5, 4-15 -- 5, 6-07 -- 10, 11-06
67. Chad Hulbert -- Gilroy, Ca -- 5, 8-05 -- 2, 3-00 -- 7, 11-05
68. Nick Young -- Nampa, Id -- 5, 5-03 -- 5, 6-02 -- 10, 11-05
69. Michael Mclernon -- Oceanside, Ca -- 3, 5-05 -- 4, 6-00 -- 7, 11-05
70. Kurt Walters -- Grand Junction, Co -- 5, 6-10 -- 4, 4-10 -- 9, 11-04
71. Mark Hiser -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 5, 7-06 -- 3, 3-12 -- 8, 11-02
72. Johnathan Walker -- Tacoma, Wa -- 5, 4-13 -- 5, 6-03 -- 10, 11-00
73. Scott Mackenzie -- Hercules, Ca -- 4, 9-13 -- 1, 1-02 -- 5, 10-15
74. Brian Evans -- Ojai, Ca -- 5, 6-04 -- 5, 4-10 -- 10, 10-14
75. Clay Lippincott -- Goodear, Az -- 4, 4-12 -- 4, 6-02 -- 8, 10-14
76. Kelly Kellogg -- Kelso, Wa -- 5, 5-04 -- 5, 5-09 -- 10, 10-13
77. Ronald Hobbs, Jr. -- Orting, Wa -- 5, 6-11 -- 3, 4-00 -- 8, 10-11
78. Toby Farkas -- Woodland, Ca -- 4, 5-03 -- 4, 5-08 -- 8, 10-11
79. Brandon Burruss -- Discovery Bay, Ca -- 3, 7-11 -- 2, 2-11 -- 5, 10-06
80. Tommy Jonovich -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 4-12 -- 5, 5-10 -- 10, 10-06
81. Jim Lyon -- Reno, Nv -- 4, 7-05 -- 2, 2-15 -- 6, 10-04
82. Mike Lavallee -- Sandy, Ut -- 5, 4-13 -- 5, 5-06 -- 10, 10-03
83. Ricky Shabazz -- Rialto, Ca -- 5, 7-09 -- 2, 2-09 -- 7, 10-02
84. Randy Doyle -- Redding, Ca -- 5, 5-09 -- 3, 4-07 -- 8, 10-00
85. John Murray -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 4-01 -- 5, 5-14 -- 10, 9-15
86. Duane Dunstone -- Reno, Nv -- 4, 4-01 -- 5, 5-14 -- 9, 9-15
87. Bryan Mcdermott -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 4, 4-14 -- 5, 5-01 -- 9, 9-15
88. Rick Kendrick -- Sacramento, Ca -- 5, 7-06 -- 2, 2-07 -- 7, 9-13
89. Eric Parra -- Galt, Ca -- 4, 4-11 -- 5, 5-02 -- 9, 9-13
90. Russ Barger -- Boise, Id -- 3, 3-11 -- 5, 6-01 -- 8, 9-12
91. Rob Riehl -- Tracy, Ca -- 5, 6-13 -- 3, 2-12 -- 8, 9-09
92. Kazuki Kodama -- Torrance, Ca -- 5, 6-08 -- 2, 3-01 -- 7, 9-09
93. Wayne Carey -- Alta Loma, Ca -- 5, 5-06 -- 4, 4-03 -- 9, 9-09
94. Rick Reynolds -- Riverside, Ca -- 5, 4-06 -- 5, 5-02 -- 10, 9-08
95. Ryan White -- Auburn, Ca -- 5, 6-01 -- 4, 3-05 -- 9, 9-06
96. William Ponting -- Murrieta, Ca -- 4, 5-08 -- 3, 3-11 -- 7, 9-03
97. William Gibbs -- John Day, Or -- 2, 4-02 -- 4, 4-15 -- 6, 9-01
98. Garrett Charter -- Arbuckle, Ca -- 4, 7-00 -- 3, 1-15 -- 7, 8-15
99. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 2, 2-10 -- 5, 6-05 -- 7, 8-15
100. Gerald Shaver -- Redding, Ca -- 2, 2-09 -- 5, 6-04 -- 7, 8-13
101. Paul Bailey -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 4, 5-11 -- 3, 2-15 -- 7, 8-10
102. Jim Giancola -- San Juan Bautista, Ca -- 4, 4-11 -- 3, 3-15 -- 7, 8-10
103. Shawn Carnahan -- Chandler, Az -- 2, 2-09 -- 5, 6-00 -- 7, 8-09
104. Jesse Forthun -- La Mesa, Ca -- 3, 3-02 -- 5, 5-07 -- 8, 8-09
105. Tony Lain -- Sun City, Ca -- 3, 3-06 -- 5, 4-14 -- 8, 8-04
106. Tim Higbee -- Aptos, Ca -- 3, 3-14 -- 4, 4-06 -- 7, 8-04
107. John Domingo -- Rio Vista, Ca -- 3, 2-02 -- 5, 6-01 -- 8, 8-03
108. Keith Kitchen -- Bend, Or -- 2, 3-07 -- 4, 4-11 -- 6, 8-02
109. Daniel Frost -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 5, 5-10 -- 2, 2-01 -- 7, 7-11
110. Paul Zedonis -- Mckinleyville, Ca -- 3, 4-09 -- 2, 3-01 -- 5, 7-10
111. Chris Bond -- Oak Hills, Ca -- 5, 4-07 -- 2, 3-03 -- 7, 7-10
112. Bill Spence -- Livermore, Ca -- 5, 7-07 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 7-07
113. Gregory Halliman -- Littlerock, Ca -- 5, 5-12 -- 1, 1-11 -- 6, 7-07
114. Ed Arledge -- San Diego, Ca -- 5, 6-08 -- 2, 0-12 -- 7, 7-04
115. David Malone -- Elko, Nv -- 3, 3-15 -- 3, 3-05 -- 6, 7-04
116. Jiggs Benn -- Myrtle Creek, Or -- 1, 1-04 -- 5, 5-14 -- 6, 7-02
117. Brian Carnahan -- Flagstaff, Az -- 3, 3-06 -- 3, 3-10 -- 6, 7-00
118. Jim Broberg -- Spokane, Wa -- 4, 4-07 -- 1, 2-06 -- 5, 6-13
119. Kevin Johnson -- Valencia, Ca -- 2, 3-09 -- 3, 3-04 -- 5, 6-13
120. Wade Headrick -- Draper, Ut -- 5, 6-02 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 6-02
121. Tom Wennerlund -- Gilbert, Az -- 4, 4-08 -- 1, 1-09 -- 5, 6-01
122. Benjamin Byrd -- Moab, Ut -- 3, 3-07 -- 2, 2-10 -- 5, 6-01
123. Vern Ridgway -- Mesa, Az -- 3, 3-14 -- 1, 2-00 -- 4, 5-14
124. Mitch Southern -- Yucaipa, Ca -- 2, 2-01 -- 2, 3-13 -- 4, 5-14
125. Ben Willis -- Lodi, Ca -- 4, 4-06 -- 1, 1-07 -- 5, 5-13
126. Nick Wood -- Yreka, Ca -- 5, 5-08 -- 2, 0-00 -- 7, 5-08
127. Roy Jones -- Henderson, Nv -- 1, 1-06 -- 4, 4-00 -- 5, 5-06
128. Pete Marino -- Moreno Valley, Ca -- 1, 1-04 -- 4, 4-01 -- 5, 5-05
129. Kc Harris -- Shasta Lake, Ca -- 4, 5-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 5-04
130. Maurice Miller Ii -- Cerritos, Ca -- 2, 2-02 -- 2, 3-02 -- 4, 5-04
131. Nicholas Fitzsimmons -- Lyle, Wa -- 3, 3-05 -- 1, 1-10 -- 4, 4-15
132. Kent Brown -- Roseville, Ca -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 4-14 -- 5, 4-14
133. John Billheimer Jr -- Discovery Bay, Ca -- 4, 4-12 -- 5, 0-00 -- 9, 4-12
134. Shawn Lee -- Arroyo Grande, Ca -- 4, 4-12 -- 0, 0-00 -- 4, 4-12
135. Eric Norlin -- Corona, Ca -- 5, 4-10 -- 0, 0-00 -- 5, 4-10
136. Paul Cormany -- Wittmann, Az -- 2, 2-01 -- 2, 2-09 -- 4, 4-10
137. Jeff Stuart -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 1, 1-05 -- 2, 3-02 -- 3, 4-07
138. Brian Nollar -- Homer, Ak -- 1, 2-02 -- 2, 2-05 -- 3, 4-07
139. Gino Campiotti -- Manteca, Ca -- 3, 4-06 -- 0, 0-00 -- 3, 4-06
140. Greg Hatleberg -- Springfield, Or -- 1, 3-03 -- 1, 1-01 -- 2, 4-04
141. Tracy Cardwell -- Veneta, Or -- 2, 2-10 -- 1, 1-10 -- 3, 4-04
142. Bobby Barrack -- Oakley, Ca -- 3, 2-13 -- 1, 1-02 -- 4, 3-15
143. Aaron Lesieur -- Rancho Murieta, Ca -- 2, 2-09 -- 1, 1-04 -- 3, 3-13
144. Matt Newman -- Agoura Hills, Ca -- 2, 2-08 -- 1, 1-04 -- 3, 3-12
145. Michael Moreno -- Salida, Ca -- 2, 2-07 -- 1, 0-15 -- 3, 3-06
146. Dave Nollar -- Redlands, Ca -- 1, 3-03 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 3-03
147. Steve Lowe -- Norwalk, Ca -- 1, 1-02 -- 1, 1-09 -- 2, 2-11
148. Wade Curtiss -- Lincoln, Ca -- 1, 1-08 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-08
149. Ron Colby -- Page, Az -- 1, 1-04 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-04
150. Bill Oshinn -- Yuba City, Ca -- 1, 1-03 -- 0, 0-00 -- 1, 1-03.
