The weather cooperated with the California Delta anglers as the first day of the 2017 Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge kicked off on the tidal water fishery.
After a stretch of 104 to 109 degree days this past week, the hourly Big Bass competition got underway with an expected high that only spiked into the high 90’s – a welcome change for the 200 anglers that hit the water in search of one of the 30 checks paid today in the ever-popular Yamamoto only baits event.
THE BIGGEST BASS OF THE YAMAMOTO BIG BASS CHALLENGE
For Day One, there were two nine-pounders that took hourly top-spots.
Scott Hellesan (picutred left) brought in the only near double-digit with a 9.83 caught on a five-inch Senko in 297 (green pumpkin/black flake), weighed in at the 12:00 p.m. hour.
The other nine-pounder weighed in at 9.30 and was caught by Terry Odom using a seven-inch in 194 (Japanese Fading, Watermelon Seed), taking the first seat in the 11 a.m. hour.
TWO CHECKS IN ONE DAY
Hellesan made his mark on two first-place cashes, landing the top-seat for the 1 p.m. hour with a 7.64, which also fell to a five-inch Senko in 297.
Also landing two cashes of the 30 checks for Day One was Mark Gomez. Gomez first weighed a 5.91 at 9 a.m. that bit a Flappin’ Hog in 208 (watermelon/red flake) and then returned for the 11 a.m. hour with a 6.11 that ate a Zako. He earned the second-seat payday for both bass.
DAY TWO PREDICTIONS
Yamamoto pro Andy “Cooch” Cuccia has mixed feelings on the weights for Day Two of the Yamamoto Open, depending on the weather.
“With the winds we saw today, big pre spawn hens were on the feed,” said Cooch. “It’s going to be cooler tomorrow. If the winds blow again, we could very well see better fishing. If it is calm, it might get tougher with the overnight chill.”
As a Delta guide and a 21-year vet on the Yamamoto pro staff Cooch knows the fishery and the baits well and shared his insight for strategy.
“Smaller baits are producing better," he said. "That five-inch 297 (green pumpkin) produced the most seats today. The new Zako fished on a vibrating jig was the next best. If the winds blow again like today, that reaction bite will continue. If it goes calm, the topwater bite could be the ticket.
“And, there is always the Flappin’ Hog as another fish/check winner. Texas-rigged, punchin’ or attached to a jig, the Flappin’ Hog will catch ‘em. The versatility of this bait is amazing.”
Read Related: Four Baits Predicted to Win the Big Bass Challenge with Jason Borofka
YAMAMOTO BIG BASS BAIT COUNT
As the scales closed on the final hour, the following tally was made:
- Number of Hourly Big Bass Caught on Senkos –14
- Number of Hourly Big Bass Caught on Flappin’ Hogs – 5
- Number of Hourly Big Bass Caught on Yamamoto Buzzbaits – 2
- Number of Hourly Big Bass Caught on Zakos – 3
The following Yamamoto Baits caught one of the hourly big bass
- Yama Frog
- Spinnerbait
- Kut Tail
- Yama Jig
- Chikara
- Cali Roll
The Senko size breakdown follows:
- Senko 7” – 4 Big Bass
- Senko 6” – 4 Big Bass
- Senko 5” – 6 Big Bass
The Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge continues tomorrow, launching out of Russo's Marina.
More information can be found here.
Click for 2017 Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge Hourly Winners Pix
9 a.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
10 a.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
11 a.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
12 p.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
1 p.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
2 p.m. Pix of Leaderboard, Top-5 Anglers and Big Bass
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