Wilson nets co-angler crown on Cal Delta

California native adds latest title to growing list of FLW Outdoors accomplishments

BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. – When co-angler Pat Wilson won the prestigious Wal-Mart FLW Tour event on the Potomac River in 2005, he was seemingly on top of the world. He had just captured a major event, garnered a first-place prize of $40,000 and was on the way to becoming a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

However, as far as Wilson was concerned, something very important was missing that day.

“It was an awesome day, don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I won the title, got a nice paycheck and got to take some of my friends out to dinner. But right after that, I had to go to the airport because I had to return a rental car early in the morning. I wound up spending the entire night by myself, from midnight to 6 a.m., in the airport. I actually slept on some chairs on top of my big cardboard check.”

What was missing for Wilson was being able to share the moment – one of the greatest moments of his career – with his family.

“That’s why this is so special,” said Wilson, shortly after winning the co-angler title and $20,000 in prize money on the California Delta with a total catch of 54 pounds, 1 ounce. “It’s only half the money of the (Potomac event), but it means that much more to me that my family could be here today.”

To be sure, Wilson offered his family a host of memories for years to come.

“Winning this tournament was just the feather in my cap,” said Wilson, who also boasts a win at a 2002 BFL Regional on Lake Havasu, a second-place finish at a 2004 Stren Series event on the California Delta and a fifth-place finish at a 2004 Stren Series event on Clear Lake. “To win an event like this, you have to get a little bit lucky. I didn’t lose any fish that really cost me. I fished a flawless tournament for the most part. I mean, anytime you can average 18 pounds a day from the back of the boat, that’s screaming.”

Wilson said he used a heavy drop-shot rig with a Roboworm equipped with 15-pound-test line to land the majority of his stringers all week. However, Wilson credited his limited prefishing time as making the most difference.

“I only prefished one day, but it was an important day,” he said. “I basically figured out that while the fish wanted to move up and spawn, they weren’t quite there yet. After that I realized that I was going to have to fish a little bit deeper.”

Clearly, Wilson’s analysis paid off – even if the secret surprise that his family was planning didn’t.

“Well, my family was going to surprise me and just show up here. But my daughter basically let it slip that they were coming last night,” said Wilson with a laugh. “Either way, I’m just glad they were here. You couldn’t ask for any more blessings than I’ve had this week. It’s been great.”

Daniels saves best for last

Heading into the final day of co-angler competition, Mark Daniels of Suisun City, Calif., was in 22nd place with a modest two-day catch of 27 pounds, 10 ounces. However, in less than eight hours of competition today, Daniels nearly doubled his total – bringing in a staggering catch of 25 pounds to the scales today to net a three-day total of 52 pounds, 10 ounces.

His stellar effort in today’s competition was good enough for a dramatic second-place, come-from-behind finish as well as a check for $10,000.

“It was just crazy out there today,” said Daniels. “This was absolutely the best day I’ve had from the back of the boat in my entire life.”

Crazy indeed. In the first half-hour of fishing in today’s competition, Daniels had already boated a 20-pound limit – a feat even the most seasoned Cal Delta pro would salivate over.

“My (pro) partner knew exactly what he was doing today,” said Daniels. “We pulled up on a spot and, bang, I caught a 6-pounder, a 7-pounder, a 4 1/2-pounder and a 5-pounder. We absolutely lit it up. I probably threw back 15 pounds of fish today. I just wish I was able to catch some of those fish the first two days. It was unbelievable.”

Daniels said he fished Senkos, Speed Traps and a drop-shot rig to land the majority of his catch.

“The tides were really important today, and the depth was also key,” he said. “The fish really liked the deeper water. I just kept pitching into grass holes and fishing really slowly. That was important – to fish slowly.”

As for where this accomplishment ranks for Daniels, the answer was clear.

“This is the first major tournament I’ve ever fished in, and I’m going to remember this for a long time,” he said. “I had three good draws and had a blast all week. This is just the greatest. I’m absolutely ecstatic right now.”

Rest of the best

Wade Headrick of Middleton, Idaho, finished the tournament in third place with a total catch of 48 pounds, 4 ounces. Headrick took home $9,000 for his efforts.

Fourth place belonged to Gary Jones of Roseville, Calif., who parlayed a three-day catch of 47 pounds into $8,000 in prize money. Jones also won the Snicker’s Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division after netting an 11-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.

Mike Andrews of Oakley, Calif., ended the competition in fifth place with a total catch of 46 pounds, 5 ounces.

Rounding out the top 10 co-angler finalists at the FLW Series California Delta event:

6th: Tony Peterson of Livermore, Calif., 45-2

7th: James Cadell of Escalon, Calif., 44-10

8th: Lewis Southard of Chandler, Ariz., 44-4

9th: Rodney Brinser of Brentwood, Calif., 43-13

10th: Justin Soppe of Middleton, Idaho, 43-12

FLW Series Western Division action at the California Delta continues for the top 10 pros at Saturday’s takeoff, scheduled to take place at 7:30 a.m. Pacific time at Russo’s Marina, located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif.