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by Dan Bacher
The tournament is limited to 15 two-person teams, with an entry feed of $200 per team. The top 3 teams receive trophies and there is a 1 in 3 payback, based on a full field.
Over $4,500 in cash and prizes will be awarded. The first place winning team will receive a $1,500 membership to Kelsey Bass Ranch. A delicious barbecue lunch will be provided for all participants.
“This lake is normally closed to the general public, so this is your chance at fishing a world class trophy bass lake without having to pay a membership fee or travel to Mexico,” said Bright. “If you have ever had a desire to purchase a membership to Kelsey Bass Ranch, this is your chance to do it.”
A working cattle ranch, Kelsey Bass Ranch is the best way for serious bass anglers to "get away from it all." You will find no jet skiers, water skiers, and weekend warriors whooping it up - just great bass fishing and outdoor adventure!
Kelsey Reservoir is a 125 acre lake located on the beautiful 7,000 acre Kelsey Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Located close to Merced, Modesto, and Turlock, California. The ranch has been in the Kelsey family since 1852. The lake is over 70 years old, originally built by the Yuba Dredging Company, and enlarged later by the Kelsey family to supply irrigation water for farming activities on this working cattle ranch.
Today the lake holds over 1000 acre feet of water and is fed by both the local watershed in the winter and the Merced River in the summer. The lake is unique as during the summer and fall months the north side of the lake is warm and the south side and upper pond area is cold.
Over a decade ago, the lake was drained and refilled. Then for the next three years, the Kelsey family stocked 5,000 Florida-strain largemouth bass each year for a total of 15,000 Florida bass planted. Along with the hard-fighting bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout were planted as well.
Today, the lake is filled with a large number of beautiful, healthy Florida bass. Besides bass, trout live in this upper pond area year round. Trout are planted in the main lake twice yearly, mainly as an additional food source to keep the bass fat, feisty, and healthy.
All participants in the tournament must have a working livewell system and are required to read and sign the official rules the day of the tournament, according to Bright. Failure to do so results in automatic disqualification. The first 15 teams to sign up will received a welcoming packet in the mail, tournament rules and directions to the lake.
Make checks or money orders payable to the Kelsey Bass Ranch, P.O. Box 324, Snelling, CA. 95369. For more information, call 209-563-6573. www.kelseybassranch.com | Tournament Application
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