On the water with Skeet Reese

Follow Skeet Reese as he spends another day on the Sacramento River and California Delta.

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On Day 2 at the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite Skeet Reese came sliding into view as one of the first boats to make it down to the Delta.
On Day 2 at the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite Skeet Reese came sliding into view as one of the first boats to make it down to the Delta.
He immediately went to work, but found another fisher in his spot.
He immediately went to work, but found another fisher in his spot.
It didn't take him long, though, to bully the intruder out of the area.
It didn’t take him long, though, to bully the intruder out of the area.
Like the day before, Reese spent his day in the shadows of Mount Diablo.
Like the day before, Reese spent his day in the shadows of Mount Diablo.
But unlike the day before, bites were hard to come by.
But unlike the day before, bites were hard to come by.
Forcing Reese to move much more than the day before.
Forcing Reese to move much more than the day before.
In every stop he would cast along the bank, while looking for spawning fish.
In every stop he would cast along the bank, while looking for spawning fish.
And every once in a while, he would get some cooperation.
And every once in a while, he would get some cooperation.
But this fish would pull off.
But this fish would pull off.
He would quickly get back to fishing.
He would quickly get back to fishing.
And hook up again.
And hook up again.
This one would be his first keeper.
This one would be his first keeper.
One that wasn't shy about clearing the water.
One that wasn’t shy about clearing the water.
The aerial acrobatics were exciting.
The aerial acrobatics were exciting.
And constant,
And constant,
All the way to the boat.
All the way to the boat.
The 3-pound fish would wind up as his biggest of the day.
The 3-pound fish would wind up as his biggest of the day.
That's a big contrast to Day 1, when that fish would have been his smallest.
That’s a big contrast to Day 1, when that fish would have been his smallest.
Reese, though, would keep working.
Reese, though, would keep working.
And keep catching fish.
And keep catching fish.
Unfortunately, they would all be small.
Unfortunately, they would all be small.
Reese would alternate baits and work every bank thoroughly.
Reese would alternate baits and work every bank thoroughly.
Interruptions would come in the form of small fish,
Interruptions would come in the form of small fish,
And when a bedding fish would be spotted. Sometimes causing him to kneel to minimize his presence.
And when a bedding fish would be spotted. Sometimes causing him to kneel to minimize his presence.
This fish would be in the 3-pound range as well.
This fish would be in the 3-pound range as well.
Causing a big splash.
Causing a big splash.
and flying into the boat up and over the cameraman.
and flying into the boat up and over the cameraman.
The flying fish forced Rick Mason to take a seat but the fish was in the boat,
The flying fish forced Rick Mason to take a seat but the fish was in the boat,
And in the hands of Reese.
And in the hands of Reese.
The bed Reese had caught the fish from had a bigger fish on it that would not bite. Reese would clean out reeds so his cast could be more precise and visit the bed several times during the day.
The bed Reese had caught the fish from had a bigger fish on it that would not bite. Reese would clean out reeds so his cast could be more precise and visit the bed several times during the day.
When he wasn't on that bed, he was moving and catching small fish.
When he wasn’t on that bed, he was moving and catching small fish.
This would be his fourth keeper of the day.
This would be his fourth keeper of the day.
It would get hung up in the tules,
It would get hung up in the tules,
forcing Reese to hand line the fish a bit.
forcing Reese to hand line the fish a bit.
Before reaching over and grabbing the 2-pounder,
Before reaching over and grabbing the 2-pounder,
and bringing it into the boat.
and bringing it into the boat.
His fifth keeper was similar in size.
His fifth keeper was similar in size. “But a limit,” Reese said. “That’s what’s important.”
All day he had a faithful group of spectators, several who took the time to cool their heels in the water of the Delta.
All day he had a faithful group of spectators, several who took the time to cool their heels in the water of the Delta.
In some places, local anglers shared the water with Reese.
In some places, local anglers shared the water with Reese.
The whole time, Reese would be working a bank, casting in front and looking for beds closer to the cover at the same time.
The whole time, Reese would be working a bank, casting in front and looking for beds closer to the cover at the same time.
Late in the day, you could see the wake caused by his trolling motor as he buzzed down the bank.
Late in the day, you could see the wake caused by his trolling motor as he buzzed down the bank.
His work would pay off on a small scale.
His work would pay off on a small scale.
Producing several small keepers.
Producing several small keepers.
But by the end of the day would not be close to meeting Reese's expectations.
But by the end of the day would not be close to meeting Reese’s expectations.