Elite Tips to Win the River2Sea Open

Ish Monroe’s Strategy for the Delta’s Annual R2S Event

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The countdown to the 2016 Annual River2Sea Open is on. The two-day team event takes place on the California this coming weekend – October 1 and 2, launching out of Russo’s Marina.

One of the highly-anticipated and popular events for anglers each year, the River2Sea Open returns for its 5th year on the tidal waters.

To help prepare anglers for the Delta bass battle, River2Sea pro Ish Monroe checked in with some tips to win the event on his home water.

EARLY MORNING

The first thing to come to Monroe’s mind for this fall fish-off was topwater. “I would definitely start with a R2S Double Plopper and the regular R2S Whopper Plopper in the morning,” said the Bassmaster Elite Series pro. “For the low-light and high water, this is what I am going to use to try and get the big bite early.”

For two-man team tips, Monroe suggested the double-team approach to topwater. “One guy can throw a frog and one guy can throw a Plopper,” he said. “I wouldn’t ever have two guys doin’ the same thing in a team tournament – unless all you’re catching is five to seven-pounders, which is like almost NEVER.”

Although Munky Butt is a Delta fave for the Plopper, Monroe suggested choosing a confidence color rather than what everyone else was using. “I am not that big on colors on this except to pick your own favorite,” he added.

MID-MORNING

As the sun comes up Monroe’s strategy would transition to a different presentation. “The R2S Trash Bomb tungsten weights for punchin’ would be my next step,” he continued. “I would have a Missile Baits D Bomb with a R2S Trash Bomb and a R2S New Jack Flippin’ Hook. You can use any plastic as long as it is rigged with the R2S weights and hooks.”

With the Delta’s matted vegetation a primary focus for Monroe, he said he would opt to punch the mats, rather than flip the outside edges. ““Since this is two guys, I would be punchin’ and the other guy would be throwing a squarebill or spinnerbait on the edges; but if it’s just me – I’m punchin’,” said Monroe. “Can’t ever change that on the Delta – It’s the Delta grass.”

AFTERNOON

As the competition day begins to wind down, Monroe would return to his topwater options and tie on a R2S frog.

As we discussed the chance of rain that is forecasted for Sunday, Monroe quickly added the R2S Bling Spinnerbait and the R2S Biggie Crankbait to the mix.

“Its early fall; but it is still like it is late summer here right now,” said Monroe. “We will be getting our first little bit of fall this weekend; but the water on the Delta is still warm enough that the bite won’t be affected that much by the drop in temperatures and rain. These two baits will play big time in those conditions. I would be throwing these on outside weed edges, ambush points and any of the same current points that we normally fish.”

He noted that the red craw colors would be his typical choice for crankbaits for this time of year.

Monroe didn’t narrow down a prediction on the winning weight. “Every weekend, it’s another weird, wacky weight,” he said. “One weekend it’s 25 to win and the next its 15, so there is no telling.”

He did say that he would be surprised by a double-digit catch for this time of year and revealed that he thought the Big Fish of the event would fall to a Plopper or a punch rig.

Monroe’s last bit of advice was to go have fun! He will be on site at the event both days.

 

PAST YEAR’S WINNER INFO

2015 49.37 John and Lorenzo Rossetti

2014 38.44 Jamond Andrews and Harvey Pulliam

2013 38.62 Ken Mah and Jason Austin

2012 26.03 Brand Little and Gary Schmidt

 

EVENT DEETS

2016 River2Sea Open

ANY brand of soft plastics allowed as long as they are rigged on a River2Sea brand weight or jighead.

Entry $200 per Team (All-in for Big Fish)