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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 5, 2009 at 10:07am
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Thread "JACKED" to a whole other level... that's funny!
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Comment by Mike Bess on October 5, 2009 at 9:05am
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Is that all you 2 clowns have?
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Comment by Ronald Hobbs, Jr. on October 4, 2009 at 10:07pm
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what do you mean like he can't cast a spinnerbait past the bow of the boat stuff like that?
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Comment by Eric DeLay on October 3, 2009 at 1:48pm
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Ron told me he broke your rod in a panicked rage. You were crushing him so bad he needed to do anything he could to catch up.
Ron is really mean when he fishes. He yells at you like a drill sergeant, makes fun of you for bringing so many sodas then drinks like ten Vaults, eats your sandwiches, and tells you that you suck at fishing jigs and you aren't hitting all the targets he so graciously left for you.
Then he tells you that it was all for your own good and that it is the "Hobbs Boot Camp" way.
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I'm honored to be friends with "RON HOBBS JUNIOR"!
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Ron I saw you messing with my stuff then all of a sudden "hey man your rod is broke". How ironic.... A good guide always allows his clients to catch more fish, and I saw the fear in your eyes (maybe tears) as I went to grab my now broken drop shot rod. As far as "toughness" goes, nothing will make you stronger mentally than fishing with a certain someone. I got that covered. Your jig was OK at best. I did though copy it to a T, or so I thought.. It's HOW you fished it that was impressive and it literally makes me sick to admit that.
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Johnny, dude, I thought we were friends?
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Whatever I didn't break you rod I just pointed it out that it was broken, along with your Yamaha and I think I found a couple more things that required attention, I forgot all of them there was a few.....me talking smack to you just makes you tough mentally, you will thank me later. Oh yeah have you caught one on your knock off copy of my jig, or will you submit that mine is better and beg for one?
Jonny sorry I didn't want to jack your thread but this guy really bothers me!
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Well, Ron Hobbs jr thinks he's all "Ron Hobbs jr" and stuff!
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Jon,
That was an unnecessary shot. Hobbs almost knocked me off the front of my boat once trying to fish in front of me. He also broke my drop shot rod, made fun of me for various reasons, rubbed it in when it was 8-0 in his favor, etc.... Unsportsmanlike vacuum....
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