9-Pounder Anchors Troughton’s Lead
Local pro hunts big bass on the California Delta
Breaking 20 pounds in challenging September conditions is a tough task on the California Delta, but after doing so twice, it’s no surprise Gregory Troughton leads the Costa FLW Series Western Division tournament presented by Power-Pole. Adding 24 pounds, 14 ounces – the biggest bag so far on the Delta – to his 22-7 from day one gave the pro from Discovery Bay, Calif., a 47-5 total.
On day one, Troughton placed second with only 4 ounces separating him from top pro Jerred Jennings. Today, Troughton surged ahead with a leading margin of 6-11 over Jennings’ 40-10.
Troughton buoyed his day-two weight with a 9-pound, 4-ounce bass – the heaviest in the field in two days.
“That was an awesome fish,” Troughton says. “I’ve caught 20 over 10, and that one was close. They’re hard to catch, and you have to fish for them specifically, but if you do and dedicate yourself to it, you can [catch them].”
Troughton was understandably reserved about details of the baits he fished, but he did offer this: “You have to fish slower, you have to fish deep and you have to use big baits.”
Fishing slower presentations with larger baits speaks to the generally lazy disposition common to big bass. With age comes wisdom, and the ones that reach trophy size have learned the value of energy conservation. Taking in more than you burn equals longer life.
As for positioning, Troughton says he believes the biggest fish seek the greatest seclusion.
“I personally think it’s the time of year when stripers and other things are running through the system, and the water’s super clear,” he says. “They [big bass] want to be in the thickest cover, and they want to be down a little deeper.”
Troughton found his best action at the middle of the outgoing tide. Maximum water flow hastens the food delivery, and big, smart bass put their noses right next to the flow to take advantage of the meal opportunities.
Noting that his big fish bit at 10:30 a.m., Troughton says patience and persistence were essential elements of his performance.
“It was a slow process. I started out with two 5-pounders, and after about an hour I caught a 3,” he says. “Then, after an hour and a half, boom – I caught the big one.
“I followed that up with a 7, and then I caught another 3. I didn’t catch that many fish. I sorta stopped fishing and helped my co-angler catch his fish. That was enough for the day.”
Troughton described his ideal habitat as really thick grass with a lot of life. A good mix of bluegills and crawfish provided the buffet to keep big bass close to the cover.
Top 10 pros
1. Gregory Troughton – Discovery Bay, Calif. – 47-5 (10)
2. Jerred Jennings – Stockton, Calif. – 40-10 (10)
3. Nick Nourot – Benicia, Calif. – 37-15 (10)
4. Ken Mah – Elk Grove, Calif. – 36-7 (10)
5. Jeremy McKay – Creswell, Ore. – 35-1 (10)
6. Ishama Monroe – Hughson, Calif. – 34-7 (10)
7. Nicholas Cloutier – Oakley, Calif. – 34-4 (10)
8. Bobby Barrack – Maud, Texas – 34-4 (10)
9. Kyle Grover – Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. – 34-2 (10)
10. Jason Cordiale – Orinda, Calif. – 33-15 (10)
Diversity key for co-angler leader Farage
Adapting to a variety of scenarios lead Discovery Bay, Calif., co-angler Jack Farage to the top of his division. Farage, a three-time Costa FLW Series co-angler winner, enters the final round with a 13-ounce lead. He added 15-4 to his 11-12 from day one for a two-day total of 27 pounds.
“I fished everything from a buzzbait down to a drop-shot and everything in between – ChatterBait, spinnerbait,” Farage says. “There was not one consistent thing, so whatever my pro pulled up on, I picked up the right rod.”
Farage says a wacky-rigged watermelon Yamamoto Senko produced his best bites. The key to the presentation was making quick, precise drops into vegetation.
“My pro was moving pretty fast, so I was just dropping the bait pretty fast, like I was punching,” he says.
Top 10 co-anglers
1. Jack Farage – Discovery Bay, Calif. – 27-0 (10)
2. Aaron Sok-Jung Yun – Northridge, Calif. – 26-3 (10)
3. Rodney Brinser – Discovery Bay, Calif. – 24-4 (10)
4. Chuck Kavros – Grass Valley, Calif. – 23-11 (10)
5. Scott Bern – San Rafael , Calif. – 23-7 (10)
6. Daniel Lutz – Las Vegas, Nev. – 22-14 (10)
7. Jacob Traba – Pacifica, Calif. – 22-12 (9)
8. Brad Shepherd – Templeton, Calif. – 22-10 (10)
9. Richard Rodriguez – Modesto, Calif. – 22-6 (8)
10. Blaine Christiansen – San Jose, Calif. – 22-1 (10)