Stockton, CA –
At launch on the second day of the 2010 version of the Duel in the Delta, the speculation wasn’t about how stingy Thursday’s bite had been, but how the coming weather system might affect Friday’s bite.
With over 30 of the 93-angler field failing the fill out a five-fish tournament limit, it was clear that the unseasonably cool temperatures, mixed with weeks of sporadic wind and rain, had flummoxed much of the field.
Arkansas pro Stephen Browning was the only angler to come to the scales with a bag crossing the 20-pound barrier, but even still he was somewhat hesitant to be overly optimistic of Friday’s front that promised clouds and some rain.
Photos
by Mark Jeffreys & Matt Pangrac
This hesitancy isn’t unique to Browning, as even despite a warming trend that will bring water temperatures nearer to the coveted 60-degree range as each day progresses; the tidal flow may prove to be a much larger player than the weather.
Much of the action Thursday occurred after 10:00, when the tide was at its highest point. That will occur roughly 45 minutes later in the day each day of the week, meaning those anglers in later flights could have the advantage…assuming they’re riding the tidal highs.
On a water system that has some 1,500 miles of some of the most bass-rich ditches, sloughs, and canals – where the “fish of a lifetime” can literally occur on any given cast – even those nine anglers who failed to bring a fish to the scales weren’t out of the picture entirely Friday.
The day’s weather and tide schedule was an afterthought by the time the weigh-in started. By that time, you either had enough figured out to survive to see Saturday, or you were preparing for the 150-mile journey to next week’s stop at California’s Clear Lake.
Day one leader, Stephen Browning won’t be packing tonight, as the 23-9 bag he brought to the Weber Point Events Center pushed his two-day combined weight to 45 pounds, 4 ounces, and was more than enough to secure the lead and almost a six pound advantage going into the weekend.
Mike Iaconelli will start the weekend in second place with a combined weight of 39-12, after placing the day’s biggest limit, 25 pounds, 12 ounces, on the scales today, and John Crews ended Day Two in third place, with 36-15 overall, after weighing 21-13 on Friday.
Fourth place belonged to Gary Klein, who weighed 21-10 on the day, which pushed his total weight to 35-3.
Home state hero, Skeet Reese ended the day in fifth place with a total combined weight of 33 pounds, 14 ounces, after sacking up 18-13 Friday, and veteran angler Shaw Grigsby rounded out the Super Six with a five-bass limit weighing 18-14, giving him 33 pounds, 6 ounces in total weight for two day’s fishing.
In stark contrast to Thursday’s competition, Day two witnessed seven bags over 20 pounds. The big mover on Friday was Arkansas pro, Scott Rook. Rook added 25-11 to his paltry 2 fish effort from Thursday to jump into the 11th spot with just over 30 pounds.
Only the top 47 will venture out on to the Delta Saturday. Mike McClelland anchored the last spot open for the weekend with a two day total of 19-11. McClelland edged out Elite Series rookie, Dennis Tietje who failed to make the cut in his first ever major event by just one ounce.
Browning Shocked
Long time pro, Stephen Browning has more than 20 top ten finishes to his credit but only one win. That victory came all the way back in 1998 on Logan Martin Lake. The last time the Elites visited the Delta, Browning finished third ten pounds back of the winner Aaron Martens. Saturday, Browning will start the weekend with more than a five pound lead on the field as he fights for his second win in more than 12 years.
“I really thought I had about 18 pounds,” he said. “I’m not taking a lot of time to look at the fish after I catch them so I have been way off the mark.
With just eight keeper bites on the day, Stephen said it was important to stay focused. “I made a bait change today and that was important. I’m not sure if it meant a lot to the fish, but it was important to me mentally. It was a mental grind today.”
The tide has been the focal point for most anglers this week but according to Browning, it hasn’t been a huge factor. “I think it moves the fish around a little bit, but there is no rhyme or reason why,” he said. “I’m catching one here and one there. I’ve just got to keep my head down and get after it.”
All of Browning’s two day weight has come from a half mile stretch of water, but on Saturday he will start in a different area. “I found an area that I know has some quality fish in it. I haven’t been there yet, but I have to go check if for nothing else but to get out of my mind.”
Fishing with confidence founded back in 2007, Browning vowed to stick with the game plan. “I’m fishing calm and I plan to continue to fish that way,” he said. “I think the fishing will get tougher over the next two days and having a lead will definitely help.”
Ike Going Strong
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Mike Iaconelli is starting the 2010 season off much the same way he ended 2009, on a roll. On Friday, Ike posted the largest limit of the tournament and is feeling good about his chances.
“It was a good day,” Iaconelli said. “I had twenty bites today and they were better fish.
Although he is fishing a 2 mile area all by himself, Ike credits the weather with his improved quality of fish. “The weather definitely helped me today. It seemed like every time I set the hook it was a good fish. I know there are 10 to 12 pounders in the area I’m fishing and I’m excited to get back out there.”
With the forecast changing again for the weekend, Iaconelli is still confident about his chances. “If I can go into the final day within a pound or to of the lead then anything can happen,” assured Mike. “To have an area all to myself in a major tournament like this is unbelievable.”
Unlike most of his competitors, Ike is “power fishing.” “I’m covering a lot of water and moving the bait fast. The key has been learning how to fish the area on different tides. Today, I figured out how to catch the fish on a high tide. When you do good in a tournament you usually learn a little each day.”
Crews in Control
East coast angler, John Crews is making a splash out west. With a two day total of 36-15, Crews is hoping to post a top ten finish for the first since 2007. “It was a grind today,” he revealed. “I was fortunate to get five bites and get them all in the boat.”
Hailing from Salem, VA, Crews is familiar with tidal waters, but he doesn’t believe that knowledge is helping him this week. “Under normal circumstances yeah, it would help,” he said. “This place is so off right now that with what I’m doing it isn’t making much difference.”
Even with the changing conditions, Crews believes it will continue to be tough fishing. “I really thought I would get more bites today with the clouds. I got the same amount of bites and I think it will stay that way. I’m going to put my nose to the grindstone and try to get them all in the boat.”
Crews stated he is fishing fundamentally sound and is trying to stay in control. “I did lose a fish today, but I don’t I did anything wrong,” he said. “I’m just need to slow down and fish a thoroughly as I can.”
Klein Comfortable in Fourth
With fishing roots embedded in the West Coast, Gary Klein’s illustrious career can come full circle with a win on the Delta. After 30 years, he has notched 8 tour victories, but the Californian who now calls Texas home has finished no better than 22 on waters out West.
The Delta has been pretty tough on in the past, but it feels good to get a little revenge,” he said after posting 21 pounds on Friday. “I’m using one rod and it just happens to be 8 foot long.”
After a quick limit on Thursday, Klein had to wait on the fish Friday. “I went two and a half hours without a bite,” he said. “I was ready to move then I caught one, caught another and 28 minutes later I had my limit.” With five fish in the boat, Klein made a move and culled up to his finishing weight. “I moved to my secondary area and culled everything I had and even lost three big ones,” he said. “I’m in area that the fish are moving into.”
Klein plans to continue what he’s been doing and try to be patient. “You can fish over these fish if you’re not careful,” he revealed. “There are a couple of team tournaments going on tomorrow so I’m going to fish slow. I know how to catch these fish.”
Like most of the top five, Klein has his water to himself. Although, he did reveal that the tide is playing a big part in his success. “I need moving water to catch these bass. I don’t if it is incoming or outgoing, it just needs to be moving. My best bites are coming when the water is at its highest.”
Reese in 5th, Not Happy
With a Classic title and a runner-up finish in the most recent AOY race, Skeet Reese has become accustomed to finish on top. With a two day total of 35-3 and a weekend starting position at number five, Reese isn’t all that pleased. “I have higher expectation,” he said when asked about his 5th place standing. “I knew I needed 23 to 25 pounds today to put myself in position to win and at one point I thought I was going to get it. Unfortunately, I only got one good bite today.”
Not ready to concede, Reese is hoping the conditions get tough again. “I don’t want to see these big bags again tomorrow,” he said. “If the weather clears and the bite gets tough then maybe I can put myself back into position to win. I’ll need 20 pounds to do it.”
He is fishing two areas and feels the right fish are there to win. “There are plenty of fish in the area it just a matter of putting the bait in the right spot at the right time. I stayed in one spot today and maybe I should have taken a chance and moved, but I didn’t.”
Fishing for the win is a luxury only a few pros can afford. Skeet revealed a top five finish won’t be all bad. “If I don’t get in position to win then a top five and the points will be a good start to the year.”
Grigsby Cashes In
With two prior appearances on the Delta, Shaw Grigsby boasted a 107th finish in ’07 and a 44th in 2003. For the first time the Florida fisherman will leave the West coast with a check. “I just went fishing and had a good time,” he said. “I’m excited to get back out there.”
Like a true costal native, Grigsby knows the importance of working to tide and he is putting that knowledge to good use this week. “You really have to play the tides out here. Yesterday, I spent two hours in one spot and only had two bites. The water came up six inches and thirty minutes later I have a limit. You can be in the best spot in the world and if the tide is not right you won’t catch a thing.”
Alternating between a couple of different areas, patience is playing a huge role in Shaw’s success. “In the morning I go looking for the highest water possible,” he said. “After that I twiddle my thumbs until the water starts moving back in.”
Always jovial, Grigsby is excited about the weekend outlook. “I can’t wait to get back out there. I’m having fun. I’m fishing old school—covering a lot of water and just fishing.”
