Snag Proof Open Day Two

[backseatfishergirl]

The 2011 Snag Proof Open on the California Delta closed the scales this afternoon with a surprise ending. After much speculation on the bigger weights that would be brought in on the earlier tide, many anglers found themselves facing the fact that a limit of three was a bigger challenge today, than the day before.

The struggle was evident with the day one leaders as Ron Howe and Dan Wells backed up their 17.15 from Saturday with a 2nd day weight of 4.84. Although the low weight worried them, in the end they were carried by their big bag yesterday and with today it was enough to push them over the top, even giving them more than two pounds over their nearest competitors.

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The team's 7.39 big fish was the biggest of their six and came on a Cicada Bobby's Perfect that Wells fished on 65-lb braid. Howe revealed that they had customized the frog by "bending the hooks and giving it a bit more bluegill color".

They described their first day on the water as a landmark day, having caught three 4-lb limits plus a six and a seven on high water; but found it tough on Sunday's lower tide.

In the am division, the team of Arlin and Fonbuena was one of the few teams to improve their weight on Sunday. The pair added nearly 10-lbs to their eight from day one, vaulting them into the top spot with 18.55. They led the am field by more than two pounds. Revealing that they had success with a white Bobby's Perfect on Saturday, they then explained that one of Ish's Phat Frogs was their ticket today.

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The 8.56 big fish from day one caught by Riggs and Chappell held out for the Big Bass of the tournament. A green Kicker Frog helped the team earn that $700 payout.

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Cooch returned to the scales with another three fish limit in the 8-lb range. His consistency earned him and his partner 16.13 and 10th place for $650.

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Frequent Western Bass poster Dom is seen here with his son Colton. The younger of the Boyain's holds their best of the day, which they boated on a white Bobby's Perfect Buzz. The father and son team reported a tough day, with only a 20-minute window for a good bite.

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Final stats on the event given were 178 boats with 119 registered as pros and 59 in the am division. Snag Proof paid down 12 teams and three big fish spots on the am side and 23 teams with five big fish going to the pro side.

Complete standings are pending; here are the top of each division.

pro
21.99 Wells/Howe $6200
19.73 Cornell/Watkins $3750
19.41 French/Masters $2000
18.49 Leber/Peacock $2300
17.84 Dolph/Mensor $1800
17.42 Mee/Mueller $1550
17.21 Stafford/Stafford $800

am
18.55 Arlin/Fonbuena $2200
16.27 Kreighbaum/Chapman $1400
13.63 Brown/Deal $1050
13.37 Chapman/Goodwin $550
12.80 Flowers/Talon $500

[Randy Walker]

I want to congratulate Dan and Ron, two RBbassfishing.net anglers on their 2011 SP Open win! Great job guys on a tough weekend of frog fishing...

Way to go guys!

Randy ~

[Dom]

Thanks Jody YOU ROCK!!!

And I want to say congrats To Dan & Ron awsome bag of Bass CONGRATS!!!!

And TunaMan if was nice to finally meet you and put a face with a name hope to hang out soon

Smitty Good to see ya bro been along time

Cooch and drop shot heres to Flippin yall the BIRD!!!!! Good Job!!!

and to my new friends Harold and Rosa (fishing her first tournament) Yall did everything right now get that new Trolling motor lol

We had a great time and it was great seeing all the old timers I aint seen in awhile, Although we had some good fish come off at the boat that could have gotten us in the money (I know everyone has a fish story lol) and even though we did not win or finish in the money I am very happy with what my son and I did we came up with a game plan ,we ran that plan, and we were on the fish, it was not a boring tournament for sure My son is now hooked we got home last night and he was on his laptop looking up FPT tournaments and says he wants to fish the FPT @ Clear Lake this week end LMAO I told him Slow down turbo your ol man needs to recoop LOL
Thanks to Vince ,Jody, Bobby, Ish, Connie, Russos and the whole staff yall put on a heck of a show and it ran flawlessly.

We are looking forward to next year.

[Wild Bill]

Congrats to all that took checks and caught good fish in this SnagProof Open.

Thanks so much for that great write-up, Jody.
I was dying to hear all about it.


I so wish we had one of thesee in NY, as I am stuck here on Long Island, just east of NYC, with the Cal-Delta blues again.

[Cooch]

Yeah, Big congrats to Ron & Dan, you guys got em big on that first day during the toughest window of the tournament. A three bagger of clones fer 17+ pounds was very imprssive! Long live the Cicada Bobby's Perfect, been "Ole Reliable " fer me since the day many years ago when Bobby first handed me one. Santora & I caught all our fish this weekend on that same frog.

I also wanna send a big thanks out to Connie Fuller at Snag Proof. She has stood with the West and brought this event out here for 10 years now, and by far is the funnest tournament I fish every year. The Snag Proof Frog has changed the way many anglers fish topwater baits, especally here on the Delta. It's a challenging concept where we have to fish two different time periods and tidal influences over the two days. The Comraderie and atmosphere at this event is always one of a positive and friendly nature, second to no other event I've ever fished. So a big Congrats and Thanks go out to Connie, her Pro-Staff, Angler's Press and the folks at Russo's for giving us yet another great weekend on the river fishin FROGS!

[HawgCatcher]

I would also like to congratulate Dan (my neighbor) and Ron.

[Gary Dobyns]

Great job Dan and Ron. Congrats!!

[hinkle]

Awesome win ! Great job on a tough tourney