A windswept Delta
With a top-five cut looming in the Pro Division and the co-angler crown up for grabs, FLW Series National Guard Western Division anglers hit the open waters of the Cal Delta battling the wind
STOCKTON, Calif. – With plenty on the line during Friday’s FLW Series competition, anglers woke up Friday morning to reports from the National Weather Service that windy conditions will dominate the landscape of the California Delta throughout most of the day – as if they didn’t have enough to worry about already.
With gusts expected to reach as high as 25 mph, anglers who are already struggling will find the Delta even less comforting than the previous two days. And that’s saying something. For the first time in recent memory, a majority of anglers have been unable to unlock the keys to the California Delta. The bite has been finicky, the weather unseasonably cool, and big bites have been few and far between.
And now they’re going to have to deal with the added variable of some extra windy conditions.
“It’s been windy the past few days, and I think it’s going to be even windier today,” said National Guard pro Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., who currently sits in 17th place in the overall pro standings. “It could definitely change things up. The people who are fishing slower could have a tougher time as it will affect them more. But I also think a lot of people have already found some pockets out of the wind, and that’s where they’ll probably go today.
“But it’s the Delta,” Ehrler added. “People will still catch them.”
As for what it’s going to take to mount a charge from 17th place to ensure a qualifying spot in today’s all-important top-five cut, Ehrler said that question has yet to be answered.
“I’m actually debating where to go right now,” he said. “Some of my good areas have changed – the water really dropped yesterday – and I’m still trying to figure out whether I need to change things up as well.”
Ehrler said the tides will play a huge factor in today’s outcome.
“We actually had a negative tide (when the water falls below sea level) for the first time yesterday,” said Ehrler. “And we really haven’t seen that before. There is going to be a big, big swing in the tides today. It’s actually high tide right now, and it’s going to be going out the rest of the day. And that’s going to affect some people.”
Currently, Donald Davis of Discovery Bay, Calif., holds the overall lead in the Pro Division with a two-day catch of 41 pounds, 13 ounces. Meanwhile, Tai Au of Phoenix holds the top spot in the Co-angler Division with a total weight of 27 pounds, 12 ounces.
Tourney format
Friday represents the final day the entire field will compete on the Cal Delta event. After today’s weigh-in, the Pro Division will be cut down to the top five and a co-angler champion will be crowned (based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight). The top five pros will then continue on to Saturday’s final day of competition. The pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
Throughout the week, pros will be battling for a top award of up to $56,000 in the Pro Division and a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha outboard in the Co-angler Division.
In addition to the Cal Delta purse, all anglers 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
During FLW Series competition this week, anglers will take off and weigh in at the Weber Point Event Center marina, located at 221 N. Center St. in Stockton, Calif. Takeoff will commence 6:30 a.m. each morning. Friday weigh-in will begin at 2:30 p.m. with Saturday’s final weigh-in scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
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.
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 Oct. 17 from 12:30 to 1:30 ET. “FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.
FLW Series action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time at the Weber Point Event Center located at 221 N. Center St. in Stockton, Calif.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:42 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 62 degrees
Water temperature: 70-73
Expected high temperature: 89 degrees
Wind: NNW at 15-25 mph
Maximum humidity: 26 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny and windy conditions
Tides: high (5 a.m. and 7 p.m.); low (1-2 p.m.)