A decisive day on the Delta
Top five pros hit the water in search of tourney title during final day of National Guard FLW Series Western Division competition on the California Delta
STOCKTON, Calif. – After three grueling days of competition on the California Delta, the top five FLW Series pros departed Weber Point Event Center marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. amidst a backdrop of light winds and sunny skies with one mission in mind – to hoist the first-place trophy at the end of today’s competition.
After battling high winds and a fickle bass bite all week, anglers are keenly aware that they must put everything on the line during today’s competition. The question, as usual, is: Who will be able to muster the key bites in order to walk away with victory and the top prize of $56,000?
“I just have to stay on my pattern,” said fourth-place qualifier Lorenzo Rossetti of Stockton, Calif., who boated a tournament-best 28-pound, 4-ounce stringer in Friday’s competition. “I really have nothing to lose. Hopefully I can get a couple of big bites and get them in the boat.”
But can Rossetti duplicate the stellar catch he secured in yesterday’s competition?
“I’m not sure about that,” he said. “But the weather is warming up and I think the conditions are going to be in my favor. With less wind today I think I’ll be able to maneuver around a lot more. In the end, I think one or two guys are going to come back with a 20-pound stringer. But the great thing about the Delta is that you’re always just one cast away.”
Third-place qualifier Jon Strelic of El Cajon, Calif., says that he’s narrowed down the best areas over the course of the tournament and can now put his final-day plan into action.
“Finally I get to concentrate on my best areas,” said Strelic. “After three days I have the key stretches narrowed down and we’ll just have to see what we get. But honestly, on the Delta, anything can happen. If everything goes right I can weigh in 25 pounds today but if I get 20 I’ll be happy. Just making the cut is a pleasure though. It’s a very rewarding feeling.”
Currently, Donald Davis of Discovery Bay, Calif., has been rewarded the most on the Delta, boating a three-day sack of 59 pounds, 15 ounces. Davis leads all pro finalists heading into today’s competition and holds a significant 4-pound lead over his next closest competitor, California native Leon Knight.
Tourney format
The top five pros will be permitted to fish until 3:15 p.m. local time during Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
Pros will be battling for a top award of upwards of $56,000.
In addition to the Cal Delta purse, finalists will be competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at advancing to the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, slated for Hot Springs, Ark.
Bass-fishing fans take note
Saturday’s final weigh-in is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at the Weber Point Event Center located at 221 North Center Street in Stockton, Calif.
Fans will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone from noon to 4 p.m. at the Weber Point Event Center prior to Saturday’s final weigh-in. There will be drawings for rod and reel combos every 30 minutes during the event and a drawing for a $300 Cabela’s gift card at the conclusion of the weigh-in. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games.
In addition, bass-fishing fans can also take in the FLW College Fishing Western Division weigh-in at the Weber Point Event Center at 2 p.m. Pacific time.
All activities are free and open to the public.
Want to watch the weigh in live but can’t make it in person? Then tune into FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com shortly before 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time to watch live streaming video and audio of Friday’s weigh in.
Coverage of the California Delta tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors,” will air October 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
Vital statistics:
Sunrise: 5:42 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 61 degrees
Water temperature: 72-75
Expected high temperature: 96 degrees
Wind: From the north-northwest at 10-15 mph
Maximum humidity: 22 percent
Day’s outlook: Sunny and warm
Tides: High (5-6 a.m. and 8 p.m.); Low (2 p.m.)