PHOTOS OF SOME PAST TOC WINNERS
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Nick Lerma, Lake El Capitan 2017
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Scott Wingo - Lake El Capitan 2016
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Scott Wingo, Lake El Capitan 2015
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Micheal McLernon: Lake El Capitan 2014

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS - A HISTORY

PictureKen McClendon, 2019 TOC Champion (RoadRangers Bass Club)
The San Diego Council of Bass Clubs inaugural Tournament of Champions was held at Lake Elsinore, California in 1982. 
The idea of holding a tournament of this significance came about when Allen Tatum, a member of Southland Bass Club proposed to their President, David Patrick that there should be a competition between the clubs to see who the best bass fisherman in the San Diego area was.  
David Patrick at that time was also serving as the President of the San Diego Council of Bass Clubs, and he presented the idea to the Council.  After much discussion, the council approved the event.  
The idea for the tournament is that the Fishermen of the year from each of the member clubs of the San Diego Council of Bass Clubs, compete for the bragging rights as the outstanding fisherman in San Diego County.  In 1982, twelve of the best anglers fished the Tournament of Champions as there were only twelve (12) bass clubs in the council.  
The date for the event was scheduled for 1st December 1982.  The location of the tournament was determined by a vote.  Three lakes were in consideration for the competition, Lake San Vicente in Lakeside, California, Lake El Capitan also in Lakeside, California and Lake Elsinore in the City of Lake Elsinore, California.  In the end, Lake Elsinore was selected as the venue for the event.
The weather during the tournament cold and rainy and slowed the fishing considerably.   Allen Tatum of Southland Bass Club, caught four small largemouth bass and was the eventual winner of the tournament.  Dennis Kolander, managed a single keeper and finished second.  All ten of the other competitors came in without a single keeper.  That was the start of the Tournament of Champions.   Today, the Tournament of Champions is a two-day event held at a pre-determined lake which is normally off-limits to all club members for the week prior to the tournament.
PHOTOS OF SOME PAST TOC WINNERS
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Allen Tatum : Lake El Capitan 2013
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Larry Henson: Lake Hodges 2010
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Bud Grant: Lake Hodges 2009
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Tom Leedom: Lake San Vicente 2008