Fishing Kept Woods Off The Mean Streets Of L.A.

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Todd Woods' father was not a fisherman, but he was nonetheless responsible for getting the winner of last week's Clear Lake Western FLW Series interested in fishing.

"My dad wanted to keep us out of trouble," Woods said. "We grew up in (Los Angeles) around the boys in the 'hood, where there was a lot of bad stuff going on. He didn't want us involved in the gangs."

The elder Woods, a bus driver, asked a co-worker who fished to introduce his sons to the sport. The man took the kids to Lake Piru, where they caught some big redear sunfish, and Todd was instantly captivated.

"Every time we'd go we'd see other people catching bass, and eventually I met a guy down the street who was in a bass club. He took me to Lake Mohave for a club tournament and I didn't fish in the tournament, but I ended up catching some from shore.

"I was 14 or 15 at the time, and I knew that fishing tournaments was something I wanted to do."

Biggest Victory Yet

The 52-year-old Woods, who's put in 27 years with the L.A. County Fire Department and has achieved the rank of captain, has competed in hundreds of events since that day in the late 1970s and has enjoyed his share of success. However, he'd become somewhat frustrated recently because he'd never won what he considered a "major event" in more than 30 years of trying.

That all changed last week at Clear Lake as he amassed 77 pounds over 3 days to create a 7-pound margin between himself and the runner-up, perennial Western standout Roy Hawk.

"I was ready to cut back on what I was already fishing," he said. "I was getting to the point where I wasn't sure how long I wanted to do this.

"The deal with winning is that if you've never won, you can't really say you know how to do it. Now I know, and it could happen again very easily. It's not a matter of age because so much of this game is mental. Now that I know what I know, I don't want to say it's going to get easier because it's never easy, but I feel a lot more comfortable that I can seal the deal if I get in that position again."

Got Help from Competitor

Woods weighed massive stringers (32-12 and 27-11) on the first 2 days at Clear Lake. His day-2 bag was bolstered by a large bedding fish that he wouldn't have caught if not for a sportsmanlike gesture by one of his competitors.

The fish, a 7-pounder, was nesting near Woods' primary area – a mile-long ledge that he had to himself for most of the event. He didn't know it was there until another angler pulled in and worked on it for a significant amount of time without success. After that angler departed, Woods went over to try for himself.

He had no trouble catching the big girl's 4-pound bedmate, which he had no use for and tossed back, but he couldn't get the female to bite and the clouds and wind eventually made it impossible to see her. He went back to his ledge and another boat, driven by Vu Au, arrived shortly thereafter to give her a go.

The two boats were just a short distance apart when Au caught the male and held it up for Woods to see. "Yeah, that one weighs 4-02," Woods told Au. "I've already had him on the scale."

Woods caught an 8-pounder off the ledge with a swimbait and left the area, content with his 30-pound-plus haul. Au stayed with the big spawner and when the two conversed during the weigh-in, Woods asked if the fish was still there. Au told him it was.

Au would be the third boat to leave the launch on day 2, and 46 more would depart ahead of Woods. Au inquired as to how much weight Woods had boxed that day, and when Woods told him, Au said, "She's all yours."

"I caught that fish on my third cast the next day," Woods said.

Pattern Notes

Woods found the ledge, which was located adjacent to Highway 20, while driving around in practice.

"I noticed what looked like a color change in the water, so I investigated it with my Lowrance StructureScan," he said. "I saw that there was a lot of bait, and also a lot of birds in the area.

"The majority of guys in the spring will look for fish on the flats that have cover. These fish were just kind of out in the open."

It took him about an hour to make a pass all the way up or down the ledge. His main offering was a 5-inch swimbait that he retrieved very slowly and he followed up missed strikes with an umbrella rig.

"You had to let (the swimbait) sink and then pop it off the rocks," he said. "Most of the fish bit right after the pop.

"The (umbrella rig) I could reel kind of fast, and maybe 30 percent of the time I'd catch the fish I'd missed on the swimbait."

> Swimbait gear: 7'2" medium-heavy Daiwa Tatula rod, Daiwa Tatula casting reel (6.3:1 ratio), 12-pound Hi-Seas fluorocarbon line, 3/8-ounce Blade Runner Spintrix jighead (gold), 5" Basstrix swimbait (hitch).

> Umbrella rig gear: Same rod (7'6"), reel and line (20-pound), YUM Flash Mob Jr., 1/8-, 1/4- and 3/8-ounce darter heads (two of the five had their hooks cut off to conform with California regulations that limit anglers to three hooks for such presentations), four 4" and one 6" Basstrix swimbaits (hitch and Tennessee shad).

Final Standings

1. Todd Woods -- San Dimas, Ca -- 32-12 (5) -- 27-11 (5) -- 16-9 (5) -- 77-0 (15) -- $33,002

2. Roy Hawk -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 24-12 (5) -- 19-1 (5) -- 26-3 (5) -- 70-0 (15) -- $13,010

3. Wade Curtiss -- Meadow Vista, Ca -- 25-3 (5) -- 25-13 (5) -- 18-11 (5) -- 69-11 (15) -- $9,901

4. Wayne Breazeale -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 28-3 (5) -- 18-4 (5) -- 20-7 (5) -- 66-14 (15) -- $8,251

5. Hunter Schlander -- Modesto, Ca -- 23-11 (5) -- 18-4 (5) -- 24-8 (5) -- 66-7 (15) -- $7,426

6. Jim Moulton -- Merced, Ca -- 33-2 (5) -- 22-2 (5) -- 11-0 (5) -- 66-4 (15) -- $6,600

7. Michael Caruso -- Peoria, Az -- 29-13 (5) -- 28-1 (5) -- 7-15 (5) -- 65-13 (15) -- $5,775

8. Garrett Dixon -- Durham, Ca -- 23-11 (5) -- 24-1 (5) -- 13-7 (5) -- 61-3 (15) -- $4,950

9. David Valdivia -- Norwalk, Ca -- 20-7 (5) -- 23-8 (5) -- 15-11 (5) -- 59-10 (15) -- $4,125

10. Rusty Salewske -- Alpine, Ca -- 23-4 (5) -- 20-8 (5) -- 8-4 (4) -- 52-0 (14) -- $3,300

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Jeff Michels -- Lakehead, Ca -- 21-15 (5) -- 19-13 (5) 41-12 (10) -- $3,094

12. Brett Leber -- Dixon, Ca -- 19-3 (5) -- 21-14 (5) 41-1 (10) -- $2,888

13. Kevin Stewart -- Elk Grove, Ca -- 26-9 (5) -- 14-5 (5) 40-14 (10) -- $2,475

14. Chad Hulbert -- Gilroy, Ca -- 20-7 (5) -- 20-0 (5) 40-7 (10) -- $2,475

15. Joe Uribe Jr. -- Surprise, Az -- 21-2 (5) -- 17-15 (5) 39-1 (10) -- $2,475

16. Ryan German -- Fairfield, Ca -- 16-4 (5) -- 21-5 (5) 37-9 (10) -- $2,697

17. Daniel Leue -- Colusa, Ca -- 23-0 (5) -- 13-6 (5) 36-6 (10) -- $2,475

18. Mark Crutcher -- Lakeport, Ca -- 14-5 (5) -- 21-11 (5) 36-0 (10) -- $2,475

19. Paul Bailey -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 17-7 (5) -- 18-9 (5) 36-0 (10) -- $2,475

20. Blaine Christiansen -- San Jose, Ca -- 17-15 (5) -- 17-13 (5) 35-12 (10) -- $2,475

21. Stephen Tosh Jr -- Turlock, Ca -- 20-11 (5) -- 14-11 (5) 35-6 (10) -- $2,269

22. Gary Dobyns -- Live Oak, Ca -- 19-0 (5) -- 16-6 (5) 35-6 (10) -- $2,269

23. Greg Gutierrez -- Red Bluff, Ca -- 14-14 (5) -- 20-2 (5) 35-0 (10) -- $2,269

24. Charlie Weyer -- West Hills, Ca -- 20-13 (5) -- 14-0 (5) 34-13 (10) -- $2,269

25. Ryan Lauwers -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 6-0 (3) -- 28-12 (5) 34-12 (8) -- $2,269

26. Tommy Cardoza -- Redway, Ca -- 21-11 (5) -- 12-15 (5) 34-10 (10) -- $2,063

27. Jason Kincanon -- Woodland, Ca -- 15-12 (5) -- 18-13 (5) 34-9 (10) -- $2,063

28. Mark Rauenzahn -- San Diego, Ca -- 24-9 (5) -- 9-14 (4) 34-7 (9) -- $2,063

29. Chad Martin -- Nicolaus, Ca -- 17-9 (5) -- 16-13 (5) 34-6 (10) -- $2,063

30. Paul Ramsey -- Ojai, Ca -- 19-3 (5) -- 15-2 (5) 34-5 (10) -- $2,063

31. Aaron Britt -- Yuba City, Ca -- 12-14 (5) -- 21-5 (5) 34-3 (10)

32. Bryant Smith -- Castro Valley, Ca -- 22-15 (5) -- 11-1 (5) 34-0 (10)

33. Scott MacKenzie -- Hercules, Ca -- 19-1 (5) -- 14-10 (5) 33-11 (10)

34. Billy Hines -- Vacaville, Ca -- 19-8 (5) -- 13-15 (5) 33-7 (10)

35. Jay Cranney -- Sandy, Ut -- 18-5 (5) -- 14-10 (5) 32-15 (10)

36. Marco Valdez -- Gilbert, Az -- 16-4 (5) -- 16-9 (5) 32-13 (10)

37. Tuan Nguyen -- Woodland, Ca -- 21-14 (5) -- 10-12 (5) 32-10 (10)

38. Michael Lavallee -- Sandy, Ut -- 21-5 (5) -- 11-2 (5) 32-7 (10)

39. Justin Kerr -- Simi Valley, Ca -- 14-0 (4) -- 18-4 (5) 32-4 (9)

40. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 21-12 (5) -- 10-5 (5) 32-1 (10)

41. Michael Moreno -- Salida, Ca -- 11-2 (5) -- 20-12 (5) 31-14 (10)

42. Brent Shores -- Boise, Id -- 14-10 (5) -- 17-1 (5) 31-11 (10)

43. Jon Strelic -- El Cajon, Ca -- 23-3 (5) -- 7-10 (5) 30-13 (10)

44. Gregg Leonard -- Elk Grove, Ca -- 8-4 (5) -- 22-8 (5) 30-12 (10)

45. Robert Lee -- Angels Camp, Ca -- 12-0 (5) -- 18-9 (5) 30-9 (10)

46. Jesse Slaton -- Klamath Falls, Or -- 18-7 (5) -- 11-13 (5) 30-4 (10)

47. Mark Lassagne -- San Ramon, Ca -- 13-10 (5) -- 16-3 (5) 29-13 (10)

48. Kazuki Kodama -- Torrance, Ca -- 19-13 (5) -- 9-15 (5) 29-12 (10)

49. Jim Lyon -- Reno, Nv -- 18-8 (5) -- 11-3 (4) 29-11 (9)

50. Nick Salvucci -- Atascadero, Ca -- 21-5 (5) -- 8-2 (2) 29-7 (7)

51. Kyle Maughs -- Willits, Ca -- 17-4 (5) -- 12-3 (5) 29-7 (10)

52. Cliff Gregory -- Quartz Hill, Ca -- 16-3 (5) -- 13-3 (4) 29-6 (9)

53. Pat Leiser -- Oakley, Ca -- 12-15 (5) -- 16-6 (5) 29-5 (10)

54. Sean Minderman -- Spokane, Wa -- 12-5 (5) -- 16-14 (5) 29-3 (10)

55. Austin Bonjour -- Atascadero, Ca -- 22-1 (5) -- 6-14 (5) 28-15 (10)

56. Matt Newman -- Agoura Hills, Ca -- 15-13 (5) -- 12-8 (5) 28-5 (10)

57. Carl Keller -- Hidden Valley Lake, Ca -- 21-2 (5) -- 7-2 (5) 28-4 (10)

58. Cory Kramer -- Mesa, Az -- 18-15 (5) -- 9-5 (5) 28-4 (10)

59. Steve Conselvi -- Eureka, Ca -- 14-1 (5) -- 14-1 (5) 28-2 (10)

60. Ed Arledge -- Valley Center, Ca -- 13-15 (5) -- 13-14 (5) 27-13 (10)

61. Miles Howe -- San Juan Capistrano, Ca -- 8-15 (5) -- 18-13 (5) 27-12 (10)

62. Douglas Jones -- N. Las Vegas, Nv -- 10-2 (4) -- 17-8 (5) 27-10 (9)

63. Chris Gosselaar -- Fresno, Ca -- 17-4 (5) -- 10-6 (5) 27-10 (10)

64. Melvin Williams -- Chula Vista, Ca -- 12-9 (5) -- 14-11 (5) 27-4 (10)

65. Richard Dobyns -- Marysville, Ca -- 12-15 (5) -- 13-14 (5) 26-13 (10)

66. Jarrod Page -- San Jose, Ca -- 13-9 (5) -- 13-2 (5) 26-11 (10)

67. Keith Bryan -- Novato, Ca -- 11-6 (4) -- 15-3 (5) 26-9 (9)

68. Benjamin Byrd -- Moab, Ut -- 19-13 (5) -- 6-9 (5) 26-6 (10)

69. Ronald Hammett -- La Mesa, Ca -- 12-13 (5) -- 13-0 (5) 25-13 (10)

70. Steve Klein -- Oroville, Ca -- 16-8 (5) -- 9-4 (5) 25-12 (10)

71. Sunny Hawk -- Salt Lake City, Ut -- 11-14 (5) -- 13-3 (5) 25-1 (10)

72. Russ Barger -- Boise, Id -- 12-2 (5) -- 11-13 (5) 23-15 (10)

73. Mark Casey -- Fairfield, Ca -- 18-12 (5) -- 5-1 (3) 23-13 (8)

74. Kirk Bain -- North Bend, Wa -- 8-11 (5) -- 14-14 (5) 23-9 (10)

75. Ken Phillips -- Concord, Ca -- 17-1 (4) -- 6-2 (5) 23-3 (9)

76. Jiggs Benn -- Myrtle Creek, Or -- 9-11 (5) -- 12-4 (5) 21-15 (10)

77. Roy Jones -- Henderson, Nv -- 11-5 (5) -- 10-7 (5) 21-12 (10)

78. Kyle Grover -- Trabuco Canyon, Ca -- 14-10 (5) -- 6-14 (4) 21-8 (9)

79. Jim Hawkes -- Apache Junction, Az -- 12-14 (5) -- 8-10 (5) 21-8 (10)

80. Dave Holmes -- Alameda, Ca -- 19-12 (5) -- 1-6 (1) 21-2 (6)

81. Charley Almassey -- Oakley, Ca -- 5-3 (4) -- 15-14 (5) 21-1 (9)

82. Steve Ericksen -- Palo Alto, Ca -- 21-0 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-0 (5)

83. Darryl Burkhardt -- Boring, Or -- 9-7 (5) -- 11-9 (5) 21-0 (10)

84. Ron Johnson -- Chandler, Az -- 10-7 (4) -- 10-8 (5) 20-15 (9)

85. Bret Felter -- Malad, Id -- 11-0 (5) -- 9-14 (5) 20-14 (10)

86. Brian Trusso -- Covina, Ca -- 6-7 (5) -- 14-6 (5) 20-13 (10)

87. Ron Lorenzo -- Princeton, Ca -- 14-0 (5) -- 5-14 (5) 19-14 (10)

88. Jay Wright -- Seal Beach, Ca -- 12-2 (4) -- 6-2 (5) 18-4 (9)

89. Ricky Shabazz -- Rialto, Ca -- 6-5 (4) -- 11-14 (5) 18-3 (9)

90. Travis Huckaby -- Modesto, Ca -- 8-8 (4) -- 8-15 (5) 17-7 (9)

91. Rick Grover -- Trabuco Canyon, Ca -- 11-8 (5) -- 4-8 (4) 16-0 (9)

92. James Shaw -- Coolidge, Az -- 8-14 (5) -- 6-15 (5) 15-13 (10)

93. Vu Au -- Tucson, Az -- 14-1 (5) -- 1-2 (1) 15-3 (6)

94. Doug Hutchison -- Santa Rosa, Ca -- 6-14 (5) -- 8-4 (5) 15-2 (10)

95. Gregory Halliman -- Littlerock, Ca -- 6-8 (5) -- 7-15 (5) 14-7 (10)

96. Christopher Dixon -- Granada Hills, Ca -- 5-13 (5) -- 6-2 (5) 11-15 (10)

97. James Miller -- Tucson, Az -- 8-13 (5) -- 2-15 (2) 11-12 (7)

98. John Mcgrath -- Lakeport, Ca -- 4-14 (4) -- 6-9 (5) 11-7 (9)

99. Ken Mah -- Elk Grove, Ca -- 7-4 (5) -- 3-15 (2) 11-3 (7)

100. Shane Spinning -- Canyon Lake, Ca -- 11-0 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-0 (5)

101. John Karayan -- Santa Paula, Ca -- 1-6 (1) -- 9-2 (3) 10-8 (4)

102. Ed (James) Webb -- Stanwood, Wa -- 1-11 (1) -- 8-3 (5) 9-14 (6)

103. Isaac Budesilich -- Oakley, Ca -- 8-12 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 8-12 (5)

104. Cody Compton -- Palisade, Co -- 0-0 (0) -- 8-6 (3) -- 8-6 (3)

105. Tim Mello -- Woodland, Ca -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-13 (4) -- 7-13 (4)

106. Howard Hughes -- Redding, Ca -- 3-14 (2) -- 3-8 (3) 7-6 (5)

107. Kevin Hugo -- Chino, Ca -- 6-5 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-5 (5)

108. Jeff Gage -- Canyon Lake, Ca -- 4-9 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-9 (4)

109. Tony Lain -- Menifee, Ca -- 4-8 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-8 (2)

110. John Zeolla -- Oak Park, Ca -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

111. Jim Elliott -- Redding, Ca -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)