Richard Dobyns returns to the California Delta to defend his title as the 2016 Wild West Bass Trail tidal water champion.
OAKLEY, Calif. – As a final stop for the California Pro/Am circuit, the Wild West Bass Trail makes its way to the 1000 miles of waterways of the California Delta, launching out of Big Break Marina on June 9 – 11, 2017.
The Delta bass brawl will see nearly 200 pro and co-anglers battle for the tidal water championship. Returning to defend his 2016 championship title is Richard Dobyns of Yuba City, Calif. Dobyns is pleased to find the fishery in a predominant post spawn pattern.
“There are lots and lot and lots of post spawners that are eating,” he said. “I like that I don’t have to worry about catchin’ spawners.”
Due to this stage of the spawn, he believes moving baits will be the key to winning.
“When I say that, I am counting punchin’ mats as a reaction bait,” he noted. “Also, even though I think moving baits will be the biggest factor, I know that you can never underestimate the power of a Senko – never!”
Dobyns plans to concentrate on high current locations and prefers high water areas.
“I will be doing a lot of history fishing,” he said. “The water came down last month; so, it’s not really as high as its been this year. Maybe it’s half a foot higher than normal; but nothing dramatic.
“I actually wouldn’t mind if it was higher. Even if it’s with the forces of the tide, I like to fish a lot more of the weed flats that get choked up with the low water.”
When predicting a current winning weight, he was conflicted.
“The Delta’s been fishing tough,” he explained. “It’s not even that it’s hard to get that big bite. It’s been hard to get those good, quality limit fish – limit fish with three-pounders, not 1-pounders.
“Those limit fish have been the struggle. You can tell by the low tournament weights; but then again, the tournament weights can be misleading. As much as I would like to think it will take a low weight to win this three-day event; I can’t expect that. The Delta has too much potential for that.”
Dobyns final forecast for the victory was 65-pounds. He anticipates a handful of eights and nines will be weighed and he expects at least one or two double-digits to make a cameo at the scales.
“I had big bass last year with a 9 ½; so, we didn’t have a 10-pounder last year,” he said. “But, there are so many 11 and 12-pounders in the spring that spawn out to the 10-pound range, you just can’t count ‘em out.”
The first two days of competition will see the full field battle for the largest five-fish limits – pros vs. pros and co-anglers vs. co-anglers. Following a field cut, a third day of fishing will initiate with the top-10 pros and cos, each running their own boat.
Anglers will vie for an expected purse totaling a 100 percent payback as well as Angler of the Year points to earn a coveted berth in the Lucas Oil Championship this fall at Lake Mead.
Anglers will blast off and weigh-in daily at the Big Break Marina located at 100 Big Break Road, Oakley, Calif. Blast off will commence at safelight and weigh-ins will begin at 3 p.m. each afternoon. Both are free of charge and open to the public.
Spectators can observe the anglers each day at the weigh-in scales to cheer on their favorite fishermen and hometown heroes as part of the WWBT fully-televised event to air on Fox Sports and the Pursuit Channel.
The public is invited to the event daily for a meet-and-greet with the West’s all-time leading money winner – Gary Dobyns, a Ranger Boats display and free on the water Ranger Boats/Evinrude motor demo rides are available.
A special thanks to all of the 2017 WWBT sponsors – A & M Graphics, Costa, Dobyns Rods, Evinrude, E3 Spark Plugs, Gator Guards, General Tire, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Hydro Force, Lowrance Electronics, Lucas Oil, P-Line, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats and Super Clean.
###
Offering professional-level competition throughout the west, the Wild West Bass Trail provides its anglers the opportunity to further develop and advance their fishing careers. Additionally, the WWBT offers its corporate partners the opportunity to expand sales through comprehensive national and regional television coverage, exclusive on-the-water demonstrations and various tournament incentive programs.
For 2017, the WWBT will conduct 16 events that include one Pro/Am circuit and two Teams circuits – one based in California and the other in Arizona. The Pro/Am circuit consists of five tournaments throughout California and Arizona and a year-end, qualifying championship event. Each Teams circuit includes four tournaments and a year-end, qualifying championship. For more information visit WildWestBassTrail.com and follow WWBT at Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram.
Advertising