Destination: California Delta

EverStart Series Western Division, May 28-31

The first-ever EverStart Series stop at the California Delta in Oakley, Calif., is going to be quite an experience for anglers who have never fished this area. The Delta stretches over 1,000 miles and has 5,000 miles of shoreline, all with tidal fluctuations of 2 to 4 feet per day. It has two basic types of structure: riprap and tules, which are giant reeds.

Mark Lassagne, a well-known guide on the Delta, says one of the biggest mistakes anglers make before fishing tournaments there is to return to the same area they had success pre-fishing the previous week. He says the tide is similar every two weeks, so what worked one week won’t work again for two weeks. Something else to remember about the tide is, if you are not having any success fishing an area during the incoming tide, wait. The better bite will come with the outgoing tide.

Lassagne expects that about 70 percent of the bass will have spawned by late May, with a few still on beds. His recommended hot spots for the tourney are Big Break (right at the launch site), Frank’s Track, South Delta and the White Slough area. He also points out that it will take 15 to 17 pounds per day to get into the top 10, and somebody will get 20 to 28 pounds one or two days of the event.

The hottest bait in late May should be the Speed Trap by Luhr Jensen. This will be a great bait to use to boat a limit, with olive craw, white and crystal craw being the best colors. Another excellent bait recommended by Lassagne is the Persuader Blade buzzbait in chartreuse, white or black. This is a great bait to get a strike 3 to 4 inches from the shore, which is not at all uncommon in the Delta.

Links:

Pro field
Co-angler field
Tournament details and payouts
Pre-tournament press release