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California Delta Lesson Learned Again-
Last year I fished the FLW Delta tourney and finished 15th after being in the top-10 on the second day. I drew one of the best on day 3 "Bobby Barrack". I had been fishing a similiar bait to the pro for the 1st 2 days and not catching a limit but catching quality fish... and long story short I caught one fish behind the man... learning experince to say the least. I should have realized he would catch all the quality fish and I should change my strategy to catch some smaller pattern fish.
Taking what I learned last year I fished for smaller fish the entire tournament this year with a plan of catching 5 keepers a day. I figured I would have to weed through the rats but the keepers would come and a consistent limit would give me valuable points towards the FLW CUP and a top 20 finish atleast.
After day one I was in 43rd or so and had boated like 12 or so fish with 3 being keepers, then I climbed to 30th the second day with only boating 10 fish with only 3 keepers, but one was a 4lber... with me weighing 4.8lbs total the 1st day the kicker was much appreciated!!!
I was feeling pretty good and thought I had it figured out. When I found out who I had drawn for the 3rd day and I was comfortable even though he was another Myth, Man, Legend of the Delta named "Robert Lee". I was thinking that my plan was going well and I could possibly continue my finesse fishing pattern behind the professional flipper and get into the top 20 or even top 10 if I could have a 12-15lb day...I did catch a 7.8 in pre-fish so anything is possible.
Well, long story short not only did he catch all the big ones but the little ones too. He worked the cover inside out at a slow very precise pace... unbelievable to watch but completely heart breaking to experience. Once again I catch fish, just not keeper size and I weigh one fish on the final day...but seeming I was behind in the ball game I needed a limit to make a top 15 again and I was unable to execute.
I did lose a 4-5 lb cranking fish the 2nd day due to boat positioning and my pro not hearing me and broke off a 3-4 lber the 3rd day right under the boat on 6lb line... what are you gonna do? Fishing is fishing and light-line finesse on the Delta is just as much a gamble as trying to catch a few quality fish behind a vacuum!
LESSON LEARNED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year pre-fishing I will make more of an effort to focus on switching between the techniques of power and finesse for more quality bites. My issues this year were my own fault but man I learned more than you could imagine about the Delta over the last 2 years! I mean I've fished with Bobby Barrack, Charlie Weyer, Robert Lee, Ron Hobbs JR., Tony Leber, Joe Uribe, Tony Lane, Rick Correa, and Andy Schulz... that's only from 2 pre-fishes and 2 tourney's on one body of water... you would think I learned something right?
I want to thank all the Northwest Angler's who have befriended me, I had a awesome time camping and it made the trip whether I placed well or not! Thanks "RON HOBBS JUNIOR" for sharing your tent!
Taking what I learned last year I fished for smaller fish the entire tournament this year with a plan of catching 5 keepers a day. I figured I would have to weed through the rats but the keepers would come and a consistent limit would give me valuable points towards the FLW CUP and a top 20 finish atleast.
After day one I was in 43rd or so and had boated like 12 or so fish with 3 being keepers, then I climbed to 30th the second day with only boating 10 fish with only 3 keepers, but one was a 4lber... with me weighing 4.8lbs total the 1st day the kicker was much appreciated!!!
I was feeling pretty good and thought I had it figured out. When I found out who I had drawn for the 3rd day and I was comfortable even though he was another Myth, Man, Legend of the Delta named "Robert Lee". I was thinking that my plan was going well and I could possibly continue my finesse fishing pattern behind the professional flipper and get into the top 20 or even top 10 if I could have a 12-15lb day...I did catch a 7.8 in pre-fish so anything is possible.
Well, long story short not only did he catch all the big ones but the little ones too. He worked the cover inside out at a slow very precise pace... unbelievable to watch but completely heart breaking to experience. Once again I catch fish, just not keeper size and I weigh one fish on the final day...but seeming I was behind in the ball game I needed a limit to make a top 15 again and I was unable to execute.
I did lose a 4-5 lb cranking fish the 2nd day due to boat positioning and my pro not hearing me and broke off a 3-4 lber the 3rd day right under the boat on 6lb line... what are you gonna do? Fishing is fishing and light-line finesse on the Delta is just as much a gamble as trying to catch a few quality fish behind a vacuum!
LESSON LEARNED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next year pre-fishing I will make more of an effort to focus on switching between the techniques of power and finesse for more quality bites. My issues this year were my own fault but man I learned more than you could imagine about the Delta over the last 2 years! I mean I've fished with Bobby Barrack, Charlie Weyer, Robert Lee, Ron Hobbs JR., Tony Leber, Joe Uribe, Tony Lane, Rick Correa, and Andy Schulz... that's only from 2 pre-fishes and 2 tourney's on one body of water... you would think I learned something right?
I want to thank all the Northwest Angler's who have befriended me, I had a awesome time camping and it made the trip whether I placed well or not! Thanks "RON HOBBS JUNIOR" for sharing your tent!
Views: 73
Comment
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Comment by Johnny Walker on October 7, 2009 at 12:04pm
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I would have weighed 20 LBS behind RON HOBBS JUNIOR! I would've been like... "DONKEY PUNCH BOY!" swinging 6's and 7's into the boat with no remorse!
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Comment by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on October 7, 2009 at 9:01am
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Steve there is no such thing as a vacuum but there is such a thing as a guy who is so dialed into the fish and fishing in a manner that leaves no unfished water behind. This is what Johnny ran into. Our jobs as the pro's is to catch every fish we come across. During the tourney I think 2 fish were caught behind me and they were 13". This tells me that I was fishing effectively. Justin Lucas told me last year that he would rather draw someone who wasn't so dialed in comparison to a very good angler. He said there were alot more oppurtunities to catch fish with guys that really didn't have it dialed, they didn't fish effectively and left alot of fish behind. You got to remember these aren't some State Qualifier it is the real deal. I really don't care if the co angler doesn't catch a single fish, its not my job to "guide" him to fish. Every fish they catch is one less fish in my area to catch the next day. I also don't go out of my way so they don't catch any either, actually I just do what I do and they have to take their shots when they get them and try to adapt.
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Comment by Mike Bess on October 7, 2009 at 8:58am
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Oh thats right. I heard from a reliable source that you have 3 pinkies?
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Comment by Eric DeLay on October 7, 2009 at 12:08am
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Speaking of your pinkies Ron.....
Bess has something he heard about that.
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Look who you idolize "Swerenger"
And you are a potty mouth.
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Yeah, I thought that would get laugh! Thanks bro!
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Comment by Steve Hastings on October 6, 2009 at 1:17pm
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John, you're right, wasn't intentional I assure you. Its that highjacking JS that has to drag things in the wrong direction...... "Vacuums screwed me again!". have to admit I did laugh out loud when I read that .....I think I should start a post like that just to see what comes out of the woodwork... but then again Jon would probably drag it into the gutter with some photos of naked vacuums.
Laters,
Steve
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JON, RON... see you guy's for Mexican tonight!
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There are "VACUUMS" out there! The sweep down the bank on 10 Speed on the electric motor and catch every fish in the water leaving nothing but deep water rats for the CO-A! BEWARE!
Come on guy's....we're taking this vacuum to far. It's a metaphor... like saying Ron Hobbs is a machine... he's not actually made of nuts and bolts!
I caught I think around 30 fish during that tournament to include a 4.5 lb and breaking off 2 big fish... obviously the Vacuums don't catch them all. I explained my thought process, already took the responsiblity on myself for not doing well and discussed how I thought I would overcome next year. If I thought the reason I didn't do well was the "Vacuum in the front" I would have labeled the Blog "Vacuums screwed me again!".
No disrespect here Steve just feel your leading my blog in the wrong direction and future reader's could take it as I was complaining about the vacuum factor was what made me suck at the tourney.
Thanks for understanding and I do appreciate most of the input.
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Ok Jon back on the vacuums.. No not a believer.. it's pretty clear Marc's not either, you mean to tell me you have never had the pleasure of catching a nice fish behind someone else?.... Lets see what Ron thinks.... Ron if/when you were in the back of the boat how much time are you gonna spend worrying about the guy in front "Vacuuming" all the fish up, and you not getting any?
I am going to predict he'll say something that looks like what Marc and I wrote earlier and won't spend any time on it as an excuse but determine the strategy to overcome.... Lets see what he says.....
Steve
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