Run and gun
Fishing multiple locations will be the name of the game for day three on California Delta
OAKLEY, Calif. – A brilliant sunrise beamed through spotty clouds as anglers zipped up jackets for a chilly morning launch. Optimism glowed like the gilded horizon as Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division competitors geared up for a day on the go.
A mild cold front slid into the Oakley area on day two and the resulting wind and barometric fluctuation has fiddled with the prespawn movement of local largemouths. There’s no question that the big bass are moving shallow, but anglers will have to factor the elements into their game plans.
Fourth place pro Louis Fernandes said he’s prepared to play the game and locate the bite he needs.
Hailing from Santa Maria, Calif., Fernandes plans to work several spots today with expectations of finding his weight fish spread across multiple areas, as opposed to a concentrated jackpot.
“The key to consistency is covering a lot of water,” he said. “The fish aren’t really holding right now. They’re moving up and getting ready to spawn, but the weather’s pushing them back. So you just have to burn your baits and keep your nose to the grindstone.”
Fernandes said he’s in good shape as far as his location options, but he’s most concerned with timing the day’s ebb and flow. “I have a spot up north, I have a spot down south and I have a spot in the middle (of the delta). If you work the tide perfectly, you should be able to get them.
“The outgoing tide is best because when that tide starts going out to the ocean, those big fish know it’s the last time they’re going to eat before the (water rises again), so they’re going to be pounding that bait.”
Big swimbaits will remain productive, but many will rely on close-range tactics such as jigging, drop-shotting and flipping. Speaking of the latter, Brentwood, Calif. pro Dee Thomas – flipping’s founding father – said he missed his shot at an estimated 10-pounder on day two when his partner flubbed the net job.
Entering day three in sixth place Thomas said that the winds of day two shut down some of the more exposed areas and concentrated boats into tighter quarters. A few will always pull out the miracle catches, but too much pressure can stymie an area for most.
Days one and two have already produced incredible numbers, including the heaviest single-day catch in FLW Series history – a 35-pound, 10-ounce limit caught by day one leader Chad Frie of Livermore, 
Calif. Six pros have weighed stringers of 30 pounds or better and several limits of 20-plus pounds have come from both ends of the boat.
Weigh-in crowds have seen multiple double-digit largemouths. On day one, the pro and co-angler big bass awards honored 11-pounders, and day two saw a pair of 13’s taking the spotlight. Look for more big fish on day three – perhaps something even heavier for the big fish title.
Logistics
Anglers will take off from Russo’s Marina located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif., at 7:30 each morning. 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. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 
p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Kellogg’s trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.
The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
Thursday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:19 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 51 degrees
Expected high temperature: 58 degrees
Water temperature: 53 degrees
Wind: from the west at 10-15 mph
Humidity: 60 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy