Complementary conditions

Stren Series anglers in for sunny skies on Cal Delta, wind should moderate temperatures

OAKLEY, Calif. – The heralded California Delta is a tremendous big-bass production facility, and a strong start plus good weather through the weekend promises even more evidence for anglers fishing the Stren Series Western Division.

Today’s sunny forecast calls for triple-digit temperatures by midday, but north winds will help ease the swelter and offer tactical benefits for anglers. As Tournament Director Chris Jones noted, wind may kill the sight-fishing game, but that’s hardly the dominant pattern.

“There’s a reaction bite going on right now because the fish are in postspawn mode,” he said. “The fish will gang up on points in the grass, tule berms, etc. So if they do get a lot of wind, it will push the fish into those areas and the reaction bite should be really good today.”

Several day-one competitors reported doing well with medium- to shallow-running crankbaits. Third-place pro Timothy Venkus mirrored the tactics of Coppertone pro Brett Hite, who won the Wal-Mart FLW Series event of the National Guard Western Division at the same venue in March with a ChatterBait.

Other good bait choices include Rat-L-Traps, swimbaits and spinnerbaits. “Anything with a lot of flash and a lot of movement will work today,” Jones said.

For some, like dropshot wizard Aaron Reitz of Soda Springs, Calif., finesse tactics will be the way to go. “I’m going to do what I’ve been doing – just pick apart every tule I find.”

Day one saw a classic California Delta toadfest, with 157 limits on the pro side and 109 for co-anglers. Of the 27 pros who caught 20 pounds or more, Oakley resident Mike Andrews leads the field with a monstrous 36-pound, 3-ounce limit. His catch was the largest in Stren Series history and second largest in FLW history.

Notably, no one broke the 10-pound mark on day one. Fourth-place pro Gene Gray came close with his 9-15, the day’s biggest. However, several fish that crossed the stage probably weighed 10 or more within the past 30 days. Huge heads and skinny bodies are common this time of year, as roed-out females recover from spawning stress.

Good news for anglers is that these fish are eating anything they can get their jaws around, so locating a well-populated post-spawn area can mean a banner day like the one Andrews enjoyed.

Tournament logistics

The Stren Series event, which runs May 14-17, represents the fourth of four regular-season Western Division tournaments. The total purse for the Cal Delta event is $275,225. The winning pro could earn as much as $65,000 in cash and prizes if various contingencies are met, and the winning co-angler could earn as much as $35,000.

Action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) at Russo’s Marina located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif. Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 4893 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, Calif., beginning at 4 p.m.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 5:56 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 70 degrees

Expected high temperature: 100 degrees

Water temperature: 70 degrees

Wind: NE at 10-12 mph, shifting to NW by late afternoon

Humidity: 20 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny and windy