Moving day
EverStart Western Division anglers attempting to set rigorous pace in today’s semifinals on California Delta
BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. – With the 131st installment of the Kentucky Derby set to take place this Saturday, 20 of the nation’s top thoroughbreds won’t be the only ones jockeying for position this weekend. On the California Delta, the top 10 remaining pros and best 10 co-anglers set out Friday morning from Russo’s Marina in a bid to gain a pole position of their own. Their goal: to catch the heaviest four-fish stringer possible in today’s competition to carefully maneuver for a final run at a tournament title on Saturday.
With 298 pros and co-anglers already sent packing, the stakes have gone up considerably since the opening round of competition. Although the field has been greatly reduced and fishing pressure will be at a minimum, the mental pressure anglers will face while fishing for the lion’s share of the total $260,000 purse will be intense. However, while anglers have battled the elements all week, they will get a little bit of a reprieve today as the National Weather Service has called for much clearer skies and relatively sunny conditions.
Currently, Thanh Le of El Cajon, Calif., holds the top qualifying spot in the Pro Division, while Leroy Bertolero of El Macero, Calif., tops the leaderboard in the Co-angler Division.
Bertolero said that although the weather change could affect the bite somewhat, the lack of fishing pressure could be the great equalizer.
“We’ll have more sun today and that could slow the bite down some, but there will be a lot less fishing pressure to deal with,” he said. “There are still a lot of prespawn bass moving up, so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch them.”
By contrast, Le, who captured the prestigious EverStart Series Western Division points championship in yesterday’s competition, said the weather changes probably wouldn’t affect him at all.
“My strategy isn’t really going to change a whole lot,” said Le, heading into today’s competition. “I’m going to go out there, go fishing and hope for the best.”
Per tournament rules, the top 10 anglers in each division had their previous weights zeroed out at the beginning of today’s competition. Ultimately, the pro and co-angler who produce the largest accumulated stringer over the next two days will be declared champions of their respective divisions. In the event of a tie, the angler with the highest qualifying position from the opening round will win.
EverStart action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, located at 4893 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, Calif.
Friday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:04 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 58 degrees
Expected high temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 66 degrees
Wind: from the SW at 9 mph
Humidity: 75 percent
Day’s outlook: partly sunny with chance of few showers