Klinger clings to overall pro lead on California Delta

Using a catch of 22 pounds, 4 ounces, Tim Klinger of Boulder City, Nev., turned in one of only four 20-pound plus sacks in today's competition to take control of the top spot in the Pro Division and put himself in perfect position to make a run at the tournament title. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Tim Klinger.

May 28, 2003 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Patz nets first place in Co-angler Division

OAKLEY, Calif. – Although the overall stringer weights in Wednesday’s weigh-in were relatively tame by California Delta standards, there were no complaints by pro Tim Klinger of Boulder City, Nev. Using a catch of 22 pounds, 4 ounces, Klinger turned in one of only four 20-pound-plus sacks in today’s competition to take control of the top spot in the Pro Division and put himself in perfect position for a run at the tournament title.

Klinger, who already boasts two top-15 finishes in three Western Division tournaments this year, said he was more than pleased with today’s showing.

“I’m really excited,” said Klinger, who placed sixth at Lake Pleasant and 14th at Lake Mead earlier this year on the Western Division trail. “The last time I was here was five years ago, and I’ve hardly had any experience fishing this lake. So, overall, I’m pretty happy.”

Klinger said that he fished shallow water with a combination of reaction baits to land the majority of his catch.

“I had a limit by 7:30 a.m. and I had my total weight by about 11 a.m.,” said Klinger. “So I got to do a little more practicing today as well. I have one pretty big area that is really producing – we probably caught 50 fish there today. The only question is whether it will hold up for the entire tournament.”

While Klinger would like nothing more than to win the title on the California Delta, he has a few other goals that he is keeping his eye on as well.

“I came into this tournament in 23rd place in the (year-end) standings and I’d really love to qualify for the EverStart Championship and the FLW Tour,” he said.

To qualify for the 2003 EverStart Championship – slated to take place at Old Hickory Lake in Gallatin, Tenn., from Oct. 29-Nov. 1 – Klinger needs to finish in the top 30 overall in the Western Division standings, which will be finalized at the conclusion of this tournament. However, to qualify for an automatic invite to the 2004 FLW Tour, Klinger – like everyone else – needs to finish in the top 10 in the year-end standings.

However, while Klinger still has a lot of work to do to meet all of his goals this week, he believes he has a legitimate chance to succeed.

“It’s a great feeling to be where I’m at right now,” he said. “The area I’m fishing has a lot of bass in it. And if everything goes my way, who knows what will happen.”

Best of the rest

Rick Rudd of Danville, Calif., managed to put the most pressure on Klinger in today’s competition, finishing the day only 10 ounces behind in second place after posting a 21-pound, 13-ounce stringer.

Meanwhile, Art Berry of Ramona, Calif., and Rick Winger of Davis, Calif., ended Wednesday’s competition tied for third place with identical catches of 20 pounds, 10 ounces.

Fifth place belonged to Darryl Burkhardt of Gresham, Ore., with a catch of 19 pounds, 15 ounces.

Anthony Franceschi of Oakley, Calif., landed the day’s big-bass award after recording a whopping 9-pound, 1-ounce largemouth. Franceschi, who won $500 for his catch, finished the day 11th place overall in the Pro Division.

Patz saves the best for last

As the very last angler to weigh in during today’s competition, co-angler Joe Patz of Peoria, Ariz., didn’t disappoint. Using a catch of 17 pounds, 12 ounces, Patz grabbed hold of the lead in the Co-angler Division and all but assured himself a spot in tomorrow’s top-20 semifinals.

<IMG SRC="/images/thumbnails/07407.jpg" WIDTH="180" HEIGHT="120" ALT="Using a catch of 17 pounds, 12 ounces, Joe Patz of Peoria, Ariz., grabbed hold of the loverall ead in the Co-angler Division and all but assured himself a spot in tomorrow's top-20 semifinals.
(Photo by Gary Mortenson)” BORDER=”1″ ALIGN=”RIGHT”>“I think it’s awesome,” said Patz, regarding today’s finish. “There’s a lot less pressure on me now. I think if I can catch at least 5 pounds tomorrow, that should lock me into the (semifinals).”

Patz, who used a combination of pitching and flipping techniques with a variety of soft plastics to land his catch, said that today’s finish allows to him to refocus on winning the Western Division angler-of-the-year crown.

“Coming into this tournament, I was ninth overall in the standings,” said Patz. “And after today, I’m really hoping I can come back and win that angler-of-the-year title. Basically, I’m going to live and die with the techniques that got me here.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top five finishers in the co-angler division were Tim Barrett (second) of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., with a catch of 17 pounds; Steve Amata (third) of Payson, Utah, with a catch of 16 pounds, 2 ounces; Earl Dalton (fourth) of Jackson, Calif., with a catch of 15 pounds, 10 ounces; and Robert Urchike (fifth) of Chandler, Ariz., with a catch of 15 pounds, 8 ounces.

Amata and Urchike also split the day’s big-bass award in the Co-angler Division after both recorded largemouth bass weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces. Amata and Urchike each won $100 for their efforts.

Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 6 a.m. at Big Break Marina, located at 100 Big Break Road in Oakley, Calif.

Click here for a preview of day two.