SHASTA LAKE, Calif. - Shasta Lake has been fishing tricky lately,  plenty of bites to go around, but the quality fish have been few and far between. Still, persistence and smart adjustments helped the Red Hawks notch two solid tournament finishes in back-to-back events on the lake. 

ABA Tournament – November 1st
8th Place — 12.12 lbs
(Jaiden Sobczyk + Zane Ravalin)

"For the ABA event, my partner Zane and I focused our efforts on the Pit Arm, targeting shallow points. The bite started slow, and by 3 p.m., we had just about 9 pounds in the livewell. With only minutes left in the day, we pulled up on a shallow point and made a clutch adjustment, and it paid off big time. We managed to hook into a solid 3-pounder followed by a 2-pound upgrade that sealed our 8th-place finish with 12.12 pounds."

The duo found success in a ½ oz football jig, paired with 15lb P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon for sensitivity and strength. Adding Pro-Cure scent helped the fish commit and hold on longer, which resulted in bites sticking. 

Second Event – Shasta Showdown
14th Place — 11.25 lbs
(Jaiden Sobczyk + Aidan Grad)

With a quick turnaround, Sobczyk and Aidan Grad hit the lakes looking for success. However, the lake proved to be stingy with the big ones. The pair used the same ½ oz jig. This time, they focused on steep, rocky banks in the McCloud Arm, where the chunk rock seemed to hold the better fish. The bite proved tough, but steady enough to fill a limit as they finished in 14th with 11.25 pounds.

"Both tournaments reminded me that Shasta rewards hard work and attention to detail. Covering water, trusting the jig, and sticking with a confident setup made all the difference. The bite may be tough, but if you grind it out and keep adjusting, the lake always gives back."

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