Stich/Fonte Prove They are Masters of Bass at the Delta

This Saturday was different than many others. The BASSMASTER’s have been in town all week and they were very impressive. The biggest names in our sport, once again proved they could hold there own with the locals who live on this incredible body of water, week after week. While their Saturday weights weren’t the 30 pound bags we are used to, they had a fabulous week with Aaron Martens catching over 85 pounds in 4 days to take home the Duel at the Delta title. And on the same day this was happening 100% BASS had the third stop on our Delta Region with some pretty good fire works of our own. Weather conditions over the past few days, clear skies and warm temperatures, had big fish ready to shallow up and Mother Nature didn’t let us down.

When all was said and done our current Anglers of the Year proved why they have that title. Jim Stich of Bethel Island and Dan Fonte of Discovery Bay brought in a very impressive bag that topped out at 31.97 pounds and was anchored by a very nice kicker bass, weighing 9.39 pounds. Stich told everyone at the awards they couldn’t find any bed fish yet so they totally focused on pre-spawn bass. Using a variety of search and destroy baits, Rattle Trap, Pop-R, and Swimbaits, they would find areas holding fish then pick up a Flippin Stick and pitch Boyce Jigs and RoboWorms. With their primary focus in the west delta, they spent most of the time with the trolling motor down and rod in hand, knowing that the fish were near and running around only wasted time. Jim also took the time to thank sponsors Ohio Pro Lures, Wacky Worms, Baits by Boyce and Russo’s Marina. For their reward they received a very nice pair of “Hook Line and Sinker” plaques and a check in the amount of $6425. Congratulation to Jim and Dan on a MASTERFUL day on the water.

Finishing in second place was long time friend and pro angler Bill Swearingen of Lafayette and Greg Merrill of Concord. There is no more honest person around than Bill. Every chance he gets to share his methods he take the opportunity, and at today’s awards he did. Showing off a large Purple Senko that caught his personal best fish of 12.34 pounds and won him the CYTOMAX Big Bass Award for this tournament. This fish also anchored a very respectable 5 fish limit of 28.11 pound that brought them within just a few pound of winning. Swearingen said they fished the central delta in the morning and west delta in the afternoon. The lures of choice were of course the Senko and occasionally a black/blue jig. Bill thanked sponsors CYTOMAX and C&C Marine on his way to a pair of those nice plaques and $3445.

Third place went to Livermore’s Tony Peterson and Brentwood’s James Rios. Bringing in 5 fish for 27.82 pound, Tony and James took a completely different approach. While many think that Drop Shotting is a Lake technique, these guys proved that in the right hands, it’s very deadly in the moving waters of the Delta. Tony told us they would put a Roboworm up the line about 18 inches and put it anywhere that looked good. Obviously, they found a lot of good looking spots. I’m sure the $1730 will come in handy as they look back on a very successful weekend.

Forth place went to Brothers Scott Adkins of Woodridge and Russ of Lodi. Their 27.62 pounds allowed them to take home $1300 which included money for the 2nd biggest fish of the day, a very nice 10.30 pound largemouth lunker. Fifth place went to Tom Lutz of Vacaville and Ash Twigg of Oakley. They took home $905 for their 27.16 pound limit.

A special thanks to Dick Spreull of Antioch Toyota for bringing us that incredible new Toyota Tundra for display and also to Steve West of Mossdale Boats for the BASSCAT he brought out. The two together made a very impressive package.

100% BASS would like to thank the fine sponsors that make the difference between fishing and the quality events we are able to provide as a result of their support. BassCat Boats, Mercury Outboards, MossDale boats in Tracy, MinnKota Trolling Motors, Humminbird Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Spiderwire Braid, Persuader Bass Baits, Powell Rods, Solar Bat Eye Protection, Snag Proof Lures, Walton’s Pond in San Leandro, Hook, Line & Sinker in Oakley, Phil’s Props in Redding, PH Jigs Tackle at Don Pedro, MF Finesse Custom Worms, Comfortroll, Comfort Suites of Oakley, Sig Fish Inc, and No Sweat Mist, Jims Pro Bass Tackle in Paso Robles, CytoSport / Cytomax energy drinks, Modesto Toyota, Cuesta Cadillac in Atascadero, Antioch Toyota, Cal West Concrete Cutting, Kosich & Callahan Insurance Services, (Castillo Badillo, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) and Russo’s Marina.

For complete tournament results, please visit our web site at –www.100percentbass.com.

Bob Kornhauser – Owner 100% BASS – 530-274-1397