Delta might not do it again

With bass in transition, big bags might be harder to come by

OAKLEY, Calif. – That buzz in the air at the start of today’s Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division tournament on the California Delta wasn’t caused by 149 outboard motors being cranked over at the same time. It was, rather, the collective anticipation of 298 pros and co-anglers going forth on waters that last spring produced one of the most memorable tournaments in FLW history.

Bag after bag of lunker bass crossed the stage March 12-15, and when it was over winner Brett Hite had weighed 106 pounds, 11 ounces of bass, beating the second-place finisher by 4 pounds. Eight of the top 10 pros weighed more than 80 pounds and twenty-pound limits stretched all the way to 52nd place on day two.

With those kinds of massive fish in this massive system, which stretches almost 150 miles from San Francisco Bay to Sacramento, it’s no wonder expectations are high for the season finale on the western division.

But at least one pro cautions that weights could be much lower this time around. Ron Hobbs, Jr., who placed sixth in March, said fish are in transition from summer to fall patterns and are not biting as readily as in March.

“I’m hoping for five bites a day,” Hobbs said. “Fifteen pounds a day and you’ll make the cut.”

Trash fishing was in vogue during the pre-fish. Guys were punching mats, cranking walls, jigging weedlines and throwing Senkos and topwater lures. No one pattern emerged as a sure thing.

“There are lots of transient fish,” Hobbs said, “and guys are following them from point A to point B.”

Tides could also be a factor. Low tide this morning was at 8:30 a.m., and it was minus one foot, extremely low for the Delta.

“That will congregate fish on points and eddy pockets,” said Tom Clark, a local guide. “There should be good bites in those areas. Tules and rock walls are key. The rocks warm up first and they draw fish.”

” border=”1″ align=”left” />A recent cold front has given way to warmer temperatures, with today’s high predicted to reach 84. That could bode well for the anglers.

Logistics:

Anglers depart Russo’s Marina, 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, at 7:30 each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins are at the marina beginning at 2:00 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in is at the Wal-Mart store at 4893 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, Calif., at 4 p.m.

Pros and co-anglers compete together for three days, with the winning co-angler determined after day three. The top 10 pros then fish Saturday to decide the winner, with total weight from all four days the deciding factor.

Weather:

Sunny with a high of 82.

Winds W-NW at 10 mph.