Fickle Delta greets Stren anglers

Big stringers remain possible, but they’ll require more work than in years past

OAKLEY, Calif. – There’s no denying the productive potential of the magnificent California Delta, but this bass wonderland is showing signs of a stingy attitude toward anglers fishing the last of four Stren Series Western Division events.

Cooler weather is moving into the area, with daytime temperatures slipping from the low 90’s of last week into the low to mid 80’s over the course of the tournament. Also, with a waxing crescent moon heading to its first quarter on Saturday, anglers are not looking for any new waves of spawning bass to head shallow. Some fish are currently are beds; others are in post-spawn mode.

Competitors like Oregon co-angler Chris Ricci say the increasing pressure from natural predators has also taken its toll on some of the delta’s more dependable areas. Otters have been long been a part of the natural ecosystem, but recent years have seen sea lions pushing farther into the delta. Frank’s Tract Recreational Area – the popular waters into which Stren anglers launch – now hosts several of these ravenous predators who make short work of quality bass – sometimes on their own, other times by ambushing hooked fish.

Notwithstanding this relatively new element, Frank’s does not seem to be as dependable as it has been in years past. Roseville, Calif. pro R.J. Bennett said: “Frank’s Tract has always been really popular, but this time around, rumor has it that the farther away you can get (from Frank’s), the better the fishing. In years past, we all piled up in Frank’s Tract and everyone caught fish, but this year, if you spend all day in there, you’re probably going to have 11 pounds.”

Nevertheless, the Delta’s vast area and diverse habitat provides plenty of room for a tournament field to spread out and find something good. Abundant throughout the Delta are tules – a large species of aquatic sedge. The tall, green stalks with light brown blossoms offer excellent cover for bass. Solid, continuous stands called “tule berms,” or areas of sparse tules are always a good bet.

Weed eradication efforts has depleted much of the Delta’s natural grass, but patches of hydrilla, pennywort and other vegetation provide promising cover. Hundreds of miles of rip rap levees protecting residential areas and sprawling agricultural lands comprise the dominant delta feature.

Frogging and flipping floating mats of vegetation skirting rocky shorelines or tule berms will likely be among the more productive patterns, but as California pro Ish Monroe points out, even a fickle delta offers something for everyone.

“You can fish your strength and have the opportunity to win,” he said. “If a guy likes to fish a dropshot, he can fish a dropshot all day and win; if a guy likes to fish a swimbait, he can fish a swimbait all day and win; if a guy wants to flip, he can flip all day and win. That’s the great part about the Delta, you can do anything that you want to do and catch fish.”

Monroe said practice results told him that he’ll probably have to work several spots to put together his limit. “The fish haven’t settled into their summer patterns yet where you can catch 20-30 fish on one spot. I’m finding a couple good fish on each patch (of vegetation), so I’ll have to keep moving and hit a bunch of different spots.”

Bennett found encouraging topwater action during practice. He’ll work the surface today, but he’ll also spend plenty of time with his flipping rod.

“I’m throwing a Zara Spook; I didn’t get the big bite but I’m hoping that will come today,” Bennett said. “I’ve actually seen a few extremely large bed fish and I think that can play a big role today and tomorrow.”

Bennett said 20-plus pounds a day will be competitive, but he knows that fortunes hang on the luck of the draw. “My goal is mid-twenties but that’s the difference between landing two big ones or not. If you get two or three big bites, you’re going to have a mid-twenties bag. If you don’t, you’re going to have a smaller bag.”

Linking directly to San Francisco Bay, the Delta’s tidal environment will require an additional level of planning, as daily changes in water level reposition bass and their forage.

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Russo’s Marina located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island, Calif., at 6:30 each morning. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will be held at the marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Walmart store located at 4893 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, Calif., beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

The California Delta Stren Series tournament is hosted by the City of Oakley.

Pros will fish for a top award of $25,000 plus a 198VX Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and equipped with a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance electronics if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. If the winner is not a Ranger Cup participant, Ranger will award $7,500 to the highest-finishing Ranger Cup participant in the contingency program.

Co-anglers will cast for a top award of a 177TR Ranger powered by an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard and trailer. If the co-angler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines, they will earn an additional $5,000. If the winner is not a Ranger Cup participant, Ranger will award $2,500 to the highest-finishing Ranger Cup participant in the contingency program.

Thursday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:48 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 65 degrees

Expected high temperature: 87 degrees

Water temperature: 68-72 degrees

Wind: from the WNW at 10-15 mph

Humidity: 35 percent

Day’s outlook: sunny