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Calliham, Tex. – The Professional Anglers Association visited Choke Canyon Reservoir over the weekend to identify the final 25 pros that will be competing in the 2008 Toyota Texas Bass Classic in April at Lake Fork. 62 Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW Series pros staked the $2500 entry fee for a chance at one of those spots.
By the end of the February 8 and 9 event, 35-year-old FLW Tour Pro Jason Reyes from Humble, Tex. had claimed the winning weight of 48 pounds, 3 ounces. His two days of work on Choke Canyon earned him a certificate for a 2008 Toyota Tundra SR5, $5000 cash and a $1000 big bass bonus for his 10-pound giant caught on day one.
Reyes is heading into his second season on the FLW Tour, having made the switch to FLW after competing on the Bassmaster Tours for most of his career. Reyes spent some time with The BASS ZONE to talk about his winning pattern at Choke Canyon, his primary sponsor, Tiremax, and what he is looking forward to.
Victory at Choke Canyon
Reyes said that the light to his winning pattern turned on after a warming trend moved into the area and Choke Canyon’s fish responded. “The temperatures warmed the whole week during practice, and I began to see a few good fish starting to move around,” Reyes said. “My fish came from one area, and my primary approach was sightfishing.”
His area was a shallow backwater pond that had clumps of hydrilla scattered throughout. “The fish were spawning around the hydrilla, so I focused on trying to make them bite,” he said. “I was able to find a few good fish in that pond, and was able to do really well on day one and hold on through day two.”
Reyes said that his primary approach was to use an H&H Flipping Stick spooled with 65-pound test Power Pro and a white Zoom Speed Craw Texas rigged with a 3/8-ounce Lake Fork Tungsten Mega Weight. “I had to force the fish the take the bait, so the heavy weight was important, and having the heavy line and gear was important for landing them when I hooked up.”
The approach was good for a day one weight of 31-pounds, 8-ounces and the first day lead. His day one limit included two Choke Canyon giants. “It’s not too many times I get to hold a 10-pounder in one hand and an 8-pounder in the other, it was amazing.”
His 16-pound, 11-ounce weight on day two was enough to hold on to the lead as the final weigh-in concluded. The end result was not only would he be able to bring home the cash and prizes, but he was also going to compete in the Toyota Texas Bass Classic in April.
“The PAA did a great job with this event and with the tournament at Lake Fork last year,” he said. “I was on Jeff Reynolds’ team last year when we finished 12th, and I wanted the chance to do it again.”
Partnership in Fishing
Like most professional tournament anglers, Reyes relies on partnership with sponsors to help make life on tour a little easier. Reyes’ Ranger Z21 will once again fly the Tiremax wrap as he travels around the country chasing the FLW Tour schedule. “I couldn’t do this on tour without the help of companies like Tiremax,” Reyes said. “They do a great job of providing service and great products to their customers; I am proud to fly the Tiremax brand.”
Tiremax (www.tiremax.com) is a quality tire and wheel retailer and service company based in Texas. According to Reyes, the company currently has 11 locations with another eight stores in construction. He said that he enjoys playing a role in helping open new stores and providing entertainment to customers at store promotions and sales. “I try to attend as many of the functions as possible with my wrapped boat and truck,” he said. “I have worked really hard to learn the product lines so that I can help customers make decisions, and I talk to them while their vehicles are in the shop; it helps pass the time.”
He also said that he has seen the recognition of the brand grow as he travels throughout his home state. “People stop me all the time and ask me questions about the types of tires they need for their vehicles; where the nearest store is, or just talk about fishing,” he said. “But, whatever the reason they want to talk, it’s because they recognize me at the ‘Tire Man,’ and that makes me feel really good.”
What’s Ahead in 2008?
Like his competitors on the FLW Tour, Reyes is preparing himself for the season ahead, and is looking forward to it. “I can’t wait to get to Toho in a couple of weeks,” he said. “I didn’t have a great year last year (123rd in FLW Tour Points); I was really getting used to FLW last year, and am looking to make a big jump this year.”
One thing that he feels will level the playing field for all FLW Tour competitors is the installation of an off limits rule. “I think that having a set four day practice period will put everyone on more of a level playing field,” he said. “I should have done a better job of locating fish last year, but I also didn’t have the amount of practice that some of the guys had to play with; I think it will make a difference for a lot of the guys this year.”
His reason for not getting to practice as much is that Reyes and his father run the family business. “My dad and I run a manufacturing, importing and distribution business called Quality Mop and Broom
www.qualitymopbroom.com,” he said. “We provide cleaning equipment to the cleaning industry as well as a few retailers in our region.”
Additional Note: With the help of Jasper Engines and Transmissions, BASS ZONE .com will be on location at all 2008 FLW Tour events to bring you all the action from anglers like Reyes and his FLW Competitor Chad Morgenthaler, who is sponsored by Jasper as well.
The 2008 FLW Tour season starts Feb 28 at Lake Toho, and BASS ZONE .com will be there to bring you all of the details as they occur… It’s All About Being There… Stay Tuned!
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