2020 Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge

Posted by Mark Fong on Oct 15th 2020

By Mark Fong

*photos courtesy of Anglerspress.com

In what has become one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year for Northern California Anglers, the Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge, held by Anglers Press Outdoors, returned to the California Delta on October 3rd and 4th. This year's tournament marked the event's 10 year anniversary. Much has changed in the past decade but the Big Bass Challenge remains a weekend of fun, big bass and lots of prizes. With 72 big bass cash awards, entrance into the Super 12 Grand Prize Drawing and the coveted Andy “Cooch” Cuccia Memorial Big Bass Award combined with a cash prize for the biggest overall bass of the derby, there was a lot on the line.

*Mark Casey with the second overall big bass - 10.83*

As in previous events, the only stipulation of the event is that you can only fish with Yamamoto product (past and present). On the California Delta, those baits are right at home.

Mark Casey started the day off with a bang when he brought a giant Double Digit Delta Bass to the first hourly weigh in that tipped the scales at 10.83lbs. The fish was caught on a Senko and earned him not only $500 in cash but also entry into Sunday's Super 12 Grand Prize Drawing.

The fireworks continued during the third period when Dan Fonte shot to the top of the big fish leader board with an astounding 12.96lb largemouth that came punchin' a Flappin' Hog.

*Lindsey Cuccia presents Dan Fonte with the Andy “Cooch” Cuccia Memorial Big Bass Award for his overall big bass of the tournament - 12.96*

For the remainder of the day, none of the other competitors were able to mount a serious challenge and Fonte's giant bass remained the mark to beat going into the next day of competition.

Day 2 saw a near double digit fish as Tony Vaughn brought a 9.49lb bass to the scales to earn the $500 hour three weigh in top prize and entry into the Super 12.

Vaughn's fish was the strongest challenger of the day, but at the end of the day it was Dan Fonte who earned the Big Bass Cash Award of $1,500 and the Andy “Cooch” Cuccia Memorial Trophy.

The last bit of drama that remained was to determine which lucky angler would secure the winning ticket in the Super 12 Grand Prize Drawing. The winner of the Grand Prize Drawing was Andy Kobayashi who pocketed the $4,000 cash prize.

The numbers have shown that over the history of the Big Bass Open, the Senko has dominated the leader board. This year's event was no exception. Of the 72 hourly big bass cash awards, the Senko accounted for 40 of them or 56% of the total. Coming in second and closing the gap was the Flappin'Hog at 18 or 25% of the total. Among the other money baits were the Zako, Yama Frog, Sanshouo and the Cowboy.

The Twelve Hourly Big Bass Winners with the weight of their catch and bait used: