Stockton, CA – The California Delta is truly one of God’s gifts to us mere mortals. Located just east of the San Francisco Bay is a part of California that more closely resembles the Louisiana Delta than anything you might expect to see out west. It’s here,
where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet before ultimately dumping into the Pacific Ocean via the San Francisco Bay, that nearly 700 square miles of winding canals and waterways create some of the best bass fishing waters in the country…if not the world.
The California Delta plays host to this week’s second stop on the 2007 BASS Elite Series, and while there are many miles of water, one thing is for sure – the Delta is home to some of the biggest bass on the planet. The
Duel on the Delta promises to be just
that, as Thursday morning 108 of the world’s best bass fishermen will begin competition for the $100,000 top prize.
While San Francisco and the great valley city of Fresno are no more than a two-hours drive away – and the state’s capital of Sacramento is virtually at The Delta’ doorstep – word about the attributes of this amazing fishery haven’t been quick to spread. However, as weights in recent tournaments have soared, so too has the fertile fishery’s name recognition. Today, the lake is widely recognized as a trophy bass fishery, and just like the Battle on the Border at Amistad a few weeks back…this one might get ugly.
Oklahoma pro Jeff Reynolds is ready for redemption this week after his tournament at Amistad. “I’m feeling pretty good about what’s happening right now,” he said while flipping his bait into a grass bed. “I’ve got a flipping stick and 80-pound braid and I’m just going to get after it this week.
“After having the worst tournament I’ve ever had at Amistad, I’m looking for revenge out here in California.”
BASS has had Opens at The Delta on the Western circuit for years, but it’s been since 2003 that a tour-level event was held here. Robert Lee was the winner then with 60.8 over four days, but the tournament was three weeks later in the year. Before official practice started, everyone was in agreement that it would take over 100 pounds to win, but projections have been downgraded somewhat due to a spotty practice by most in the field.
“I’m really struggling,” Russ Lane explained to The BASS ZONE while on the water Wednesday morning. “I’m not able to get the big bite…just a lot of smaller ones. I feel like I’ve been almost all the way to Sacramento and still haven’t found bites that I need.”
The recent run of warmer weather the region has seen over the past few weeks has the Delta’s bass population on the prowl big time. However, Mother Nature is doing her best to make conditions as miserable as possible by sending in a cold-front Monday that dropped the temps to lows of around 40 degrees and big-time wind. Still, if there’s a rush for the banks – which is possible given that some anglers are reportedly looking at their fish right now – Katie-bar-the-door because The Delta is home of some true giants. |
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“The wind has really hurt me during practice today,” Lane said. “It’s just brutal and has really had a negative affect on some of the areas that I’m keying on. The tulles and hyacinth that I’m keying on is just getting killed right now.”
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While some struggled Wednesday, others seemed to be flourishing amid the tumultuous early-spring conditions. “I’ve caught a few good fish here and there this week,” Florida pro Terry Scroggins advised. “I’m looking a few too, but what affect this cold-front and all the wind will have is up for grabs right now.”
As The BASS ZONE watched Scroggins do
his thing, it was clearly evident that
the native Floridian is right at home
amid all the vegetation The Delta
boasts. |
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| Scroggins
looks like he is fishing in December....... |
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Flipping
stick in hand, and a sly smirk on his face,
Scroggins added, “I feel pretty good about what I’m doing right now, but at the same time I’m real cautious because of the conditions that we have.”
OTHER NOTES:
The BASS ZONE will have a video preview of the
Duel on the Delta tonight. Also, our mid-day reports and daily wrap-ups will begin Thursday; however, the Legend, Harold Allen, will not be a part of the Western Swing. Mr. “I’m retired” Allen it seems, is fishing a TTT event at Lake Amistad. So, Mark Jeffreys will play the part of QA, photo, video man and leave the fishing genius to Harold. Jeffreys will have a tough time filling the big shoes Harold leaves vacant during the west coast swing.
The BASS ZONE
will also launch a (beta test) of a new LIVE CHAT
feature from the water. A LIVE CHAT Link
will be posted on the main page at 9:00am PST.
As always….STAY TUNED!
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