Delta determination
EverStart Western Division anglers commence final regular-season tournament of year on California Delta
BETHEL ISLAND, Calif. – Amid a cloudy sunrise and weather reports indicating a significant chance of scattered thunderstorms throughout the day, 318 pros and co-anglers departed Russo’s Marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. Wednesday to kick off the final installment of the 2005 EverStart Series Western Division season.
As the anglers made their way toward the open waters of the California Delta, there was definitely plenty to ponder. With a total purse of nearly $260,000 allocated for the four-day tournament – including upwards of $60,000 for the ultimate winner of the Pro Division and another $35,000 at stake for the champion of the Co-angler Division – anglers are keenly aware that they’ll need to ignore the elements and remain focused throughout the event, if they are to have any chance at making a run at the tournament title.
However, unlike the first three regular-season tournaments, there is more at stake than simply cash and prizes. At the conclusion this week’s event, the Western Division points champion will also be crowned. Currently, Thanh Le of El Cajon, Calif., is the overall leader in the Pro Division with 564 year-end standings points. However, Scott Mascardri of Sacramento, Calif., is only one point behind, while Charley Almassey of Oakley, Calif., rounds out the top three with 531 points.
In the Co-angler Division, Gary Key of Phoenix holds the top spot in the Western Division standings race with 584 points. Paul Bailey (565 points) of Agoura Hills, Calif., and Tyler Vanderhorst (558) of Saint George, Utah, are also in striking range of the title.
Anglers receive 200 points for a win, 199 points for second place, 198 points for third place, and so on.
In addition, the top 40 pros and 40 co-anglers in the final year-end standings will receive an automatic berth into the prestigious 2005 EverStart Series Championship – slated to take place on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala., Nov. 2-5. The total purse for that event is $1 million.
Per tournament rules, anglers will compete for two days to determine the top-10 cut based on a two-day accumulated weight. Weights are cleared for the final round, and anglers in both divisions will then compete for two more days to determine the winner. Whichever angler hauls in the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four will be crowned champion.
However, it won’t be easy. The California Delta, boasting more than 1,000 miles of expansive waterways, is one of the largest bodies of water that EverStart anglers have fished all year. Throw in the fact that water levels on the Delta are known to fluctuate as much as 4 feet each day and that 10-pound bass are not uncommon, and it’s clear that this event has all the makings of one of the more intriguing tournaments of the year.
“It’s going to be tough out there,” said Sieg Taylor of Clearlake, Calif., winner of the Western Division event on Clear Lake in March. “Right now the fish are in very selective areas. But if you find them, you’re going to be in good shape. Because when they’re there, they’re there.”
According to the pros, successful angling patterns this week could come from a combination of sight-fishing and topwater baits.
EverStart action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Russo’s Marina, located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif.
Wednesday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:07 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 59 degrees
Expected high temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 66 degrees
Wind: from SW at 9 mph
Maximum humidity: 70 percent
Day’s outlook: scattered thunderstorms