John Fiehler and Rod Blunt brought in the largest limit, anchored by the largest bass to win the National Bass West tournament at El Capitan on February 2nd (2008). Their winning bag of 18.91 pounds was more than 2 pounds better than the second place team of Bob Palashewski and Roger Gordon. Rod caught the big bass of the tournament (weighing 9.26 pounds) in the recently flooded brush in the North End of the lake.

The key to success in this tournament was undoubtedly location, specifically the location at the extreme North end of the lake. Every team in the top 5, and the majority of rest of the top 10 teams reported catching their fish in bushes and trees that are now submerged from the recent rainstorms. Spinnerbaits were the most productive bait reported to have produced in the North End. 

Tom Lowery and Alan Clowers finished in third place, Kevin Martin (fishing by himself) was fourth, and the father/son team of Don and Don Riese Jr rounded out the top 5. 

There was a noticable drop-off between 5th and 6th place, which was seperated by almost 4 pounds.

51 teams participated, with 158 total fish brought to the scales at an average weight of 1.98 pounds each.  

John and Jordan Kerr were able to hold onto their Angler of the Year lead, however the lead shrunk to only one point after they finished in 25th place at El Capitan. They remain the favorites though, with two tournaments left. The first will be in March at Otay and Hodges in May. John set a San Diego team tournament record with WON Bass partner Mike Long last spring at Otay with a 38 pound limit.

Full results will be posted online at www.nationalbasswest.com