Day 1 on the Delta

The first day of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River gets underway on the California Delta.

Posted on
James Elam gets started on Day 1 of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River.
James Elam gets started on Day 1 of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River.
Elam misses one and drops his Power-Poles.
Elam misses one and drops his Power-Poles.
Elam hooks up with a good one.
Elam hooks up with a good one.
As he goes to swing the fish...
As he goes to swing the fish…
it comes loose and his bait goes flying.
it comes loose and his bait goes flying.
Judging by Elam's body language and bent pole, that was a good one.
Judging by Elam’s body language and bent pole, that was a good one.
There's no shortage of windmills around here.
There’s no shortage of windmills around here.
Elam hooks up with another one.
Elam hooks up with another one.
This time the keeper finds its way into the boat...
This time the keeper finds its way into the boat…
and into the livable.
and into the livable.
Josh Bertrand is on the move...
Josh Bertrand is on the move…
and there he goes.
and there he goes.
Another bite for Elam.
Another bite for Elam.
...
…
Another small one for Elam.
Another small one for Elam.
B.A.S.S. photographer James Overstreet tries to run us off, saying that we're poaching his spot and he didn't see us here in practice.
B.A.S.S. photographer James Overstreet tries to run us off, saying that we’re poaching his spot and he didn’t see us here in practice.
Cliff Pace hooks up.
Cliff Pace hooks up.
Pace brings a keeper to the boat.
Pace brings a keeper to the boat.
Todd Faircloth has seen enough...
Todd Faircloth has seen enough…
and is headed out.
and is headed out.
Brent Ehrler works the bank nearby.
Brent Ehrler works the bank nearby.
The area Ehrler is fishing has several big rocks int it, as is evident here beneath his shadow.
The area Ehrler is fishing has several big rocks int it, as is evident here beneath his shadow.
Ehrler works along, alternating his presentation every few minutes.
Ehrler works along, alternating his presentation every few minutes.
Lots of reeds on this part of the Delta.
Lots of reeds on this part of the Delta.
Ehrler grinds on looking for number three and we head out.
Ehrler grinds on looking for number three and we head out.
We pass Scott Rook...
We pass Scott Rook…
who is working a little farther off-shore.
who is working a little farther off-shore.
We stumble on Scott Ashmore...
We stumble on Scott Ashmore…
and watch him chunk and wind a frog for a bit.
and watch him chunk and wind a frog for a bit.
Then it's time for Ashmore to move on and we do the same.
Then it’s time for Ashmore to move on and we do the same.
....
….
There's a big boat around the bend.
There’s a big boat around the bend.
I mean...
I mean…
a...
a…
big...
big…
boat.
boat.
Palm trees and patriotism.
Palm trees and patriotism.
We roll up on David Walker who has had a good morning but just lost a 4-pounder.
We roll up on David Walker who has had a good morning but just lost a 4-pounder.
He believes the fish may have been on bed and is hoping that it might have been the male. On most fisheries, that would be unheard of. But the Delta is full of giants, both male and female.
He believes the fish may have been on bed and is hoping that it might have been the male. On most fisheries, that would be unheard of. But the Delta is full of giants, both male and female.
Walker was right and can't contain his excitement when he catches a glimpse of the female.
Walker was right and can’t contain his excitement when he catches a glimpse of the female.
She's laying right here but a little skittish right now.
She’s laying right here but a little skittish right now.
Walker decides to leave her alone for now and return later.
Walker decides to leave her alone for now and return later.
Walker misses another fish and drops his poles.
Walker misses another fish and drops his poles.
And another miss for Walker. He's decided the fish are definitely spawning by the way they are biting.
And another miss for Walker. He’s decided the fish are definitely spawning by the way they are biting.
Walker fishes on...
Walker fishes on…
and decides to head back to the big one on bed.
and decides to head back to the big one on bed.
...
…
Walker rolls out...
Walker rolls out…
and stops right on the fish. The big one bites immediately.
and stops right on the fish. The big one bites immediately.
This is a giant.
This is a giant.
Walker battles to bring the fish around the boat.
Walker battles to bring the fish around the boat.
The fish completely leaves the water...
The fish completely leaves the water…
and now there's no mistaking how big it is.
and now there’s no mistaking how big it is.
The battle rages on.
The battle rages on.
Walker attempts to position the fish.
Walker attempts to position the fish.
But she's nowhere near ready.
But she’s nowhere near ready.
Walker makes a move...
Walker makes a move…
has the fish for a second...
has the fish for a second…
and then loses his grip.
and then loses his grip.
Walker gets another chance...
Walker gets another chance…
and this time...
and this time…
...he's got her.
…he’s got her.
That's the kind you need on the California Delta.
That’s the kind you need on the California Delta.
Time to cull.
Time to cull.
Walker is all smiles when we leave him.
Walker is all smiles when we leave him.