08/25/2024
Dearest Friends and Anglers,
As I watched the sunset over Lake El Capitan for the Last SD Team Series TOC
night tournament and the boats were rushing off to their secret spot, I reflect on
what a wonderful time I’ve have had as the founder and director of the Day,
Night, and El Cajon ford two-day series.
My two goal was to produce a local teams circuit and a two day event that was
inexpensive and fun for the local San Diego fisherman.
The Two Day was born on a vision I had of having a local two-day event on two
different lakes. I took the idea to Paul Leader and he was all in. At that time, I
was running WON Bass San Diego Teams Circuit and they would not allow me to
do another event. John Cassidy was the obvious choice to do the event. John ran
the event from 1999 to 2018 and did an outstanding job. I quit Won Bass in 1999
and decided to do a local Day and Night series. Again, Paul Leader was all in as
the major sponsor. My goal was simple, have an inexpensive event with a local
fish off. Not like the other circuits of always going to Havasu to have their annual
fish off where the locals had a major advantage of winning the event. There was
not a local team to ever win at Havasu, nor did any other region win these annual
fish offs. All non Havasu regions were always fishing for second place.
By our events and annual fish off (TOC), being local, it was an inexpensive fish off
as half the field fishes for free and the bonus teams only paid the normal entry
fee. The pay back was great plus you did not have to invest outrageous out of
town sums to fish for second place money.
So, as the sunset on my time as founder and director for the El Cajon Ford/Paul
Leader Memorial Two-Day and the SD Team Series Day and Night events, I’m
proud and honored that the local fisherman have trusted and allowed me 30
fantastic years of wonderful memories and friendships that have lasted a life
time!
I hope to see all of you on the water soon.
God Bless
Jim Sleight