BAM Podcast host Big Ed sits down with Pacific Northwest pro angler Darrell Ocamica for a wide-ranging conversation about tournament fishing, the Columbia River, the BAM Super 60, the upcoming Boardman Pro-Am, and what it takes to consistently compete at a high level. Coming off an 8th-place finish at the Tri-Cities tournament, Ocamica breaks down a dramatic event that saw him climb from 66th place to 13th on Day 2 after catching an incredible 57 keepers. He talks about locating productive current seams, fishing grass edges and rock, and using jerkbaits and finesse techniques to generate bites on the Columbia River. The conversation goes beyond simply catching fish. Ocamica explains one of the hardest decisions in tournament fishing: knowing when to leave a productive numbers bite and make the move necessary to find tournament-winning quality. He also shares the story of losing a giant bass that he estimated at nearly 10 pounds—a fish that could have completely changed the outcome of the event. Big Ed and Ocamica preview the upcoming BAM Pro-Am at Boardman, Oregon, the final Pacific Northwest Pro-Am of the season. They discuss the Boardman Pool, expected winning weights, weather, backup patterns, and the techniques that could play. Ocamica estimates anglers may need approximately 17–20 pounds per day, potentially putting the three-day winning weight in the 55–60-pound range. Ocamica also discusses what he has learned competing in the BAM Super 60. Even on familiar fisheries, watching other top-level anglers attack the water differently has reinforced the importance of avoiding tunnel vision, staying versatile, and continuing to learn new techniques. The episode also explores the mental side of professional fishing. Ocamica recalls one of the toughest days of his career, when he failed to catch a bass during a major event on Kentucky Lake in 2000, and explains how experiences like that shape an angler’s ability to deal with adversity. Fishing isn’t Ocamica’s only passion. He talks about coaching high school basketball and how many of the same principles apply to both sports—preparation, discipline, continuous improvement, adapting to changing situations, and making an impact on the people around you. Family is another major part of the conversation. Approaching his 25th wedding anniversary, Ocamica credits his wife and family for providing the support necessary to pursue competitive fishing. He also explains why he will miss an upcoming Super 60 event to attend his son’s senior-night football game. Big Ed and Ocamica finish by discussing the future of professional bass fishing in the West. They talk about the depth of fishing talent throughout the Pacific Northwest and Western states, the need for more anglers to step up and compete, and how the BAM Pro-Am and Super 60 are helping create a pathway for Western anglers to build their names and careers.
TRI-CITIES: FROM 66TH TO THE TOP 10
Darrell Ocamica discusses his recent 8th-place finish at Tri-Cities and the adjustments that helped turn his tournament around. After sitting in 66th place, he caught 57 keepers on Day 2 and climbed all the way to 13th before ultimately finishing inside the Top 10.
BREAKING DOWN THE COLUMBIA RIVER
Despite living near the Columbia River, Ocamica says his tournament schedule and other local fisheries mean he doesn’t spend as much time on the river as people might expect.
He explains how he targeted current seams where grass met moving water and found productive areas around rock and well-defined grass walls. A jerkbait became an important part of generating keeper bites.
NUMBERS VS. QUALITY
One of the episode’s key tournament lessons centers on the difference between finding fish and finding the right fish.
Ocamica discusses how easy it can be to stay with an area producing constant bites. In a tournament, however, catching numbers doesn’t necessarily produce the weight required to win. Knowing when to abandon a productive bite and search for bigger bass can be one of the most difficult decisions an angler makes.
THE GIANT THAT GOT AWAY
Ocamica recounts losing a massive bass he estimated at close to 10 pounds. Landing that fish could have dramatically changed his tournament finish and potentially put him in position to win.
It’s a reminder of how one bite—and sometimes one missed opportunity—can determine an entire tournament.
BOARDMAN PRO-AM PREVIEW
Big Ed and Ocamica look ahead to the BAM Pro-Am on the Boardman Pool of the Columbia River.
Ocamica believes competitors should have plenty of opportunities to catch fish, making Boardman a strong tournament fishery for both Pros and Co-Anglers. The challenge will be finding the better-than-average bites necessary to separate from the field.
Projected competitive weight:
17–20 pounds per day
Potential three-day winning weight:
55–60 pounds
Weather and changing Columbia River conditions could play a major role, making multiple patterns and backup areas especially important.
WHAT COULD WORK AT BOARDMAN
Ocamica discusses several techniques anglers could potentially have in play, including:
He also talks about how seemingly minor differences—such as the sound produced by different rattle-style baits—can affect smallmouth.
WHAT THE SUPER 60 TAUGHT HIM
Competing against the BAM Super 60 field exposed Ocamica to different ways of fishing water he already knew.
His biggest takeaway: don’t develop tunnel vision.
Tournament anglers can become committed to techniques and areas that have worked in the past. Watching other accomplished anglers approach familiar fisheries differently reinforced the value of versatility and continued learning.
THE MENTAL SIDE OF TOURNAMENT FISHING
Ocamica looks back at a difficult tournament experience on Kentucky Lake in 2000 when he went an entire competition day without catching a bass.
Those days can be humbling, but they’re also part of becoming a better tournament angler. Ocamica discusses the importance of continuing to learn and developing multiple techniques instead of relying exclusively on what an angler already does well.
COACHING, COMPETITION AND FISHING
Away from tournament fishing, Ocamica is passionate about coaching high school basketball.
He and Big Ed discuss the similarities between coaching and competitive fishing. Both require preparation, constant learning, adaptability and the ability to perform when circumstances don’t go according to plan.
For Ocamica, coaching is also about something bigger than wins and losses: making a lasting impact on his players after their time on the team is over.
FAMILY BEHIND THE FISHERMAN
Ocamica credits his wife and family with providing the support that makes his tournament career possible. With his 25th wedding anniversary approaching, he discusses how important it is for a competitive angler to have people at home who understand the commitment tournament fishing requires.
That perspective also shapes his priorities. Ocamica will miss an upcoming Super 60 event so he can be there for his son’s senior-night football game.
THE ROAD TO THE BAM CLASSIC
The conversation turns toward the BAM Classic at Don Pedro. Ocamica is currently sitting 8th in AOY during the discussion and appears positioned to qualify.
Big Ed and Ocamica discuss how Don Pedro could produce an exciting championship, with topwater, jigs, spoons, crankbaits and other techniques potentially contributing to the winning pattern.
BUILDING WESTERN PROFESSIONAL BASS FISHING
Big Ed challenges more Pacific Northwest anglers to compete in BAM Pro-Am events and earn their opportunity to advance into the Super 60.
The discussion highlights the amount of fishing talent throughout the West and the difference in angler recognition between Western and Eastern professional bass fishing.
Ocamica points out that building recognizable anglers, tournament careers and a larger Western fan base doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long-term process that requires anglers, tournaments and media exposure to grow together.
FEATURED TOPICS
Columbia River bass fishing • Boardman Pro-Am • Tri-Cities tournament • BAM Super 60 • BAM Classic • Don Pedro • Pacific Northwest bass fishing • smallmouth bass • tournament strategy • jerkbait fishing • finesse fishing • topwater fishing • tournament psychology • professional bass fishing • high school basketball coaching • family and tournament fishing
EPISODE TAKEAWAY
Catching bass and winning tournaments are two different skills. Ocamica’s experiences show that success at the professional level requires versatility, decision-making, mental toughness and a willingness to keep learning—even on water an angler thinks he already knows.