Tule time

Bass move up, anglers move in to target prespawn staging areas around shallow vegetation

OAKLEY, Calif. – The only thing better than catching a bunch of big bass is knowing that you have at least two more days to do as well or better. That’s the story for day two of the Wal-Mart FLW Series event on the California Delta, marking the opening of the National Guard Western Division season.

Day one saw one of the most exciting weigh-ins in FLW Series history. Bag after bag of lunker bass crossed the stage with three largemouths topping 11 pounds and Livermore, Calif., pro Chad Frie setting a series record with a limit weighing 35 pounds, 10 ounces.

After this incredible parade of big bass, anglers took to the water with high hopes of capitalizing on the wave of big momma bass making their way toward their shallow spawning grounds. Dense stands of tules will be the main target, and everything from swimbaits to jigs is likely to connect fishermen to fish.

Anglers launched under cloudy skies with a light, misty rain gathering on jackets, reels and trolling motors. Most agreed that the day’s dimmer conditions would bode well by putting bass in the food mood.

William Ponting, the Murrieta, Calif., pro whose 11-pound, 3-ounce largemouth won big-bass honors on day one, said repeating his day-one feat was not unthinkable: “I think my chances are pretty good. I got a couple (that size) during practice, and I’m fishing an area that doesn’t have the quantity, but it has a few big fish.”

Throwing a Texas-rigged 10-inch Berkley Power Worm, Ponting will target a bowl in the tules with a broad outer flat and deeper interior pockets. Casting over the flat and flipping the worm into the pockets will be his game plan.

Of the day’s weather, Ponting said: “It should open up that bite a little better today. I think we’ll have a bigger weigh-in today as long as the wind stays down. I think the wind hampered a lot of guys yesterday. It hampered me by (reducing strike sensitivity). I didn’t feel all the bites I was getting.”

It’s possible that the fish may need a day to settle somewhat after Wednesday’s phenomenal weigh-in. Pros and co-anglers caught a combined 1,416 bass, but this is the California Delta, and there is no lack of quality bass.

It’ll take one miraculous stringer to break Frie’s new record, but the leaderboard will undoubtedly change on day two. Twenty-pound limits stretched all the way to 52nd place, so anyone who can back up a strong day-one performance with a solid effort on day two could find themselves notching higher in the money.

Walt Austin of Clovis, Calif., caught 17-13 on day one and placed 76th. He’s optimistic that the Delta’s potential will enable him to better his score. Aiming for the tules, he’ll be flipping and pitching.

“When the fish move into the shallows, they’re easy pickings,” Austin said. “They’re in a hurry to get fat because they’re not going to eat while they’re spawning.

“I think I can catch up pretty good. There’s no reason I can’t get 25 to 30 pounds today.”

Indeed, if bass find plastic and metal meals appetizing, today’s weigh-ins should be another highly entertaining show.

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Russo’s Marina located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif., at 7:30 each morning. Thursday and 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: 7:21 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 58 degrees

Expected high temperature: 63 degrees

Water temperature: 55 degrees

Wind: W at 10-15 mph

Humidity: 55 percent

Day’s outlook: mostly cloudy