STOCKTON, Calif. - California native Aaron Martens still loves the state of California despite recently relocating to Leeds, Ala. The 34-year-old is seeking his fourth BASS win in the Golden State at the Duel on the Delta this week and currently leads the Bassmaster Elite Series bass tournament with 69 pounds, 13 ounces. Current Bassmaster Angler of the Year points leader Derek Remitz, an Elite rookie, sits in second with 66 pounds, 11 ounces.
Martens has gradually moved up the leaderboard after starting the tournament Thursday in 10th place. After catching more than 30 pounds Friday and surging to second, it was a 19-pound, 2-ounce limit that propelled him to the lead Saturday.
Martens has used an unconventional pattern for the California Delta, but plans to stick with his pattern on Sunday. He is working a small worm around spawning areas and sparse tulles.
"I used light line and a spinning rod all day," said the 2005 Bassmaster Angler of the Year. "The key is to fish very slowly and stick with your spots. I only moved 50 yards from my preliminary spot by noon today."
Remitz and Martens have run away from the rest of the field as the closest competitor, Texan James Niggemeyer, sits more than 10 pounds behind the duo. Both are fishing the Frank's Tract area of the Delta, but are using different approaches.
After a dismal practice period, Remitz of Madison, Ala., expected very little success at the Delta after his season-opening win at Texas' Lake Amistad. But the former sod farmer is satisfied with his second-place showing thus far.
He has been working both a Rat-L-Trap and a jig slowly and methodically around precise pieces of cover.
"I am going to really slow it down tomorrow [Sunday]," the 24-year-old said. "If I don't have a decent limit by 10 a.m. tomorrow, I will be forced to change areas."
Rounding out the top five were Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, with 56 pounds, 2 ounces; Jeff Reynolds of Idabel, Okla., with 55 pounds, 0 ounces; and Brent Chapman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, with 52 pounds, 14 ounces.
Only the top 12 anglers will participate tomorrow. Two Californians qualified for final-day action: Jared Lintner of Arroyo Grande, finished in ninth with 51 pounds, 13 ounces, and Skeet Reese of Auburn, was in 11th with 51 pounds, 2 ounces.
Winning the co-angler division was Gerry Johnson of Modesto, Calif., with 49 pounds, 0 ounces. The Golden State angler claimed a Triton/Mercury rig valued at $50,000.
Johnson held off two other California anglers: Robby Chikasawa of Sacramento, who finished with 47 pounds, 14 ounces and Lee Poel of San Jose, with 35 pounds, 2 ounces. Chikasaswa earned a Triton/Mercury rig valued at $25,000.
The final day of the "Duel on the Delta" will begin with the Elite 12 launching their boats Sunday from Stockton's Weber Point at 6:50 a.m. PT. Weigh-in will begin at 3:00 p.m. PT.
2007 Duel in the Delta Pro 03/22-03/25
California Delta, Stockton Calif.
(PRO Division) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 15 69-13 305 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-01 Day 2: 5 30-10 Day 3: 5 19-02
2. Derek Remitz Madison, Ala. 15 66-11 300
Day 1: 5 23-05 Day 2: 5 27-09 Day 3: 5 15-13
3. James Niggemeyer Van, Texas 15 56-02 290
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 25-14 Day 3: 5 17-10
4. Jeff Reynolds Idabel, Okla. 15 55-00 285
Day 1: 5 22-11 Day 2: 5 13-10 Day 3: 5 18-11
5. Brent Chapman Lake Quivira, Kan. 15 52-14 280
Day 1: 5 22-12 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 14-05
6. James Charlesworth Saint Cloud, Fla. 15 52-09 276
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 13-15
7. Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 15 52-05 272 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-04 Day 2: 5 11-13 Day 3: 5 22-04
8. Kevin VanDam Kalamazoo, Mich. 15 51-14 268
Day 1: 5 15-12 Day 2: 5 22-04 Day 3: 5 13-14
9. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 51-13 264
Day 1: 5 21-00 Day 2: 5 21-00 Day 3: 5 9-13
10. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, Ark. 15 51-04 260
Day 1: 5 20-13 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 13-15
11. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 51-02 257
Day 1: 5 15-07 Day 2: 5 14-12 Day 3: 5 20-15
12. Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 15 50-15 254 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 20-04 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 18-10
13. Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 15 50-05 254 $12,750.00
Day 1: 5 23-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 9-13
13. Morizo Shimizu Murrieta, Calif. 15 50-05 250 $10,750.00
Day 1: 5 12-11 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 15-10
15. Marty Robinson Landrum, S.C. 15 49-14 245 $10,600.00
Day 1: 5 19-01 Day 2: 5 16-06 Day 3: 5 14-07
16. Mike McClelland Bella Vista, Ark. 15 49-02 243 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 21-07 Day 3: 5 16-01
17. Jeff Kriet Ardmore, Okla. 15 48-06 241 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 5 18-07
18. Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla. 15 48-05 239 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 22-10 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-04
19. Tommy Biffle Wagoner, Okla. 15 47-11 237 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 17-05 Day 2: 5 19-07 Day 3: 5 10-15
20. Rick Morris Virginia Beach, Va. 15 47-07 235 $10,500.00
Day 1: 5 20-07 Day 2: 5 19-01 Day 3: 5 7-15
21. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 15 47-06 233 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 20-03 Day 3: 5 12-13
22. Bill Lowen North Bend, Ohio 15 47-02 231 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 19-11 Day 2: 5 9-03 Day 3: 5 18-04
23. Denny Brauer Camdenton, Mo. 15 46-13 229 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 11-02 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 18-04
24. Casey Ashley Donalds, S.C. 15 46-00 227 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 16-12 Day 3: 5 15-03
25. Kenyon Hill Norman, Okla. 15 45-11 225 $10,250.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 16-07
26. John Crews Salem, Va. 15 45-05 223 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 15-02 Day 3: 5 13-14
27. Ben Matsubu Hemphill, Texas 15 45-01 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 25-04 Day 3: 5 9-13
27. Alton Jones Waco, Texas 15 45-01 220 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 22-00 Day 3: 5 9-00
29. Bradley Hallman Norman, Okla. 15 43-15 217 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 5 12-07
30. Takahiro Omori Emory, Texas 15 43-11 215 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-02 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 5 12-15
31. Scott Rook Little Rock, Ark. 15 43-06 213 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-00 Day 2: 5 12-07 Day 3: 5 13-15
32. Matt Amedeo Clinton, Ohio 15 43-04 211 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-04 Day 2: 5 12-11 Day 3: 5 14-05
33. Dave Wolak Wake Forest, N.C. 15 43-01 209 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-08 Day 2: 5 18-01 Day 3: 5 13-08
34. Yusuke Miyazaki Mineola, Texas 15 42-11 207 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 16-01 Day 3: 5 12-13
35. Mark Tucker Saint Louis, Mo. 15 42-10 205 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-03 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 13-15
36. Bryan Hudgins Orange Park, Fla. 15 41-04 203 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-01 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 9-02
37. Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas 15 41-00 201 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 18-12 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 11-00
38. Glenn Delong Bellville, Ohio 15 40-12 199 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-12 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 9-01
39. Lee Bailey Boaz, Ala. 15 40-11 197 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 5 10-11
40. Russ Lane Prattville, Ala. 15 40-10 194 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 5 14-13 Day 3: 5 9-00
40. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 15 40-10 194 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 5 16-05 Day 3: 5 11-01
42. Mike Wurm Hot Springs, Ark. 15 40-09 191 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-10 Day 2: 5 13-08 Day 3: 5 9-07
43. Kevin Short Mayflower, Ark. 15 40-04 189 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 11-10 Day 2: 5 17-03 Day 3: 5 11-07
44. Kevin Wirth Crestwood, Ky. 15 39-10 186 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 19-00 Day 2: 5 14-04 Day 3: 5 6-06
44. Matthew Sphar Pavilion, N.Y. 15 39-10 186 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-10 Day 2: 5 13-11 Day 3: 5 10-05
46. Preston Clark Palatka, Fla. 15 39-02 183 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-00 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 5 9-14
47. James Kennedy Lacombe, La. 15 37-13 181 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 17-08 Day 2: 5 11-00 Day 3: 5 9-05
48. Jeremy Starks Charleston, W.Va. 15 37-10 179 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-06 Day 2: 5 12-13 Day 3: 5 9-07
49. Cliff Pace Petal, Miss. 14 34-05 177 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 15-05 Day 3: 4 4-15
50. Jeff Connella Bentley, La. 12 33-03 175 $10,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-13 Day 2: 4 12-01 Day 3: 3 4-05
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Big Bass
Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 10-06 $1,000.00
Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 11-02 $1,000.00
Chris Lane Winter Haven, Fla. 8-13 $1,000.00
Mark Tyler Vian, Okla. 23-15 $1,000.00
Aaron Martens Leeds, Ala. 30-10 $1,000.00
Greg Hackney Gonzales, La. 22-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 96 512 1430-11
2 96 520 1432-00
3 48 247 648-05
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240 1279 3511-00
2007 Duel in the Delta CO 03/22-03/25
California Delta, Stockton Calif.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Gerry Johnson Modesto, Calif. 14 49-00 0 $50,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-06 Day 2: 5 23-02 Day 3: 4 9-08
2. Robby Chikasawa Sacramento, Calif. 15 47-14 0 $25,500.00
Day 1: 5 10-04 Day 2: 5 17-12 Day 3: 5 19-14
3. Lee Poel San Jose, Calif. 12 35-02 0 $5,000.00
Day 1: 2 3-15 Day 2: 5 15-09 Day 3: 5 15-10
4. Ken Eddy Madera, Calif. 12 34-14 0 $3,500.00
Day 1: 5 19-06 Day 2: 2 3-00 Day 3: 5 12-08
5. Gil Phillips Alba, Texas 15 34-11 0 $2,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 8-04 Day 3: 5 11-05
6. Wayne Hinrichs Novato, Calif. 14 34-10 0 $2,500.00
Day 1: 5 13-04 Day 2: 4 12-11 Day 3: 5 8-11
7. Dale Taft Lancaster, Calif. 11 32-12 0 $2,250.00
Day 1: 2 5-11 Day 2: 4 8-04 Day 3: 5 18-13
8. Ron Chapman Lake Quivira , Kan. 15 32-01 0 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 7-14 Day 2: 5 15-04 Day 3: 5 8-15
9. Ken Phillips Antioch, Calif. 11 31-10 0 $1,750.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 2 10-00 Day 3: 4 6-01
10. Victor Cunningham Phoenix, Ariz. 14 31-00 0 $1,500.00
Day 1: 4 11-00 Day 2: 5 8-05 Day 3: 5 11-11
11. Rommel Bagay Pleasant Hill, Calif. 13 30-12 0 $1,250.00
Day 1: 5 16-05 Day 2: 5 10-15 Day 3: 3 3-08
12. Tracy Patton Oakdale, Calif. 14 30-09 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 4 4-09 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 5 12-10
13. Tommy Swindle Cleveland, Ala. 15 30-07 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 7-04 Day 2: 5 12-02 Day 3: 5 11-01
14. Sal Herrera Discovery Bay, Calif. 11 30-05 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 12-08 Day 3: 1 2-11
15. Bruce Harris Oakdale, Calif. 14 30-03 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 8-04 Day 2: 5 12-00 Day 3: 5 9-15
16. Michael North Tehachapi, Calif. 15 29-14 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 9-05 Day 2: 5 9-07 Day 3: 5 11-02
17. Joe Pepe Miller Place, N.Y. 12 29-13 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 8-05 Day 2: 2 8-15 Day 3: 5 12-09
18. Jimmy Swindle Gardendale, Ala. 15 29-08 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 9-09 Day 3: 5 8-14
19. Gary Morris Tracy, Calif. 15 29-06 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 16-15 Day 2: 5 6-00 Day 3: 5 6-07
20. Ken Whalen Lompoc, Calif. 13 29-05 0 $750.00
Day 1: 3 8-09 Day 2: 5 9-03 Day 3: 5 11-09
21. Jack Farage Discovery Bay, Calif. 12 28-13 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 10-04 Day 2: 5 14-10 Day 3: 3 3-15
22. Daniel Montes Turlock, Calif. 13 28-11 0 $750.00
Day 1: 4 3-15 Day 2: 5 16-10 Day 3: 4 8-02
23. Brandon Pedigo Lawton, Okla. 12 27-13 0 $750.00
Day 1: 2 3-10 Day 2: 5 16-03 Day 3: 5 8-00
24. Bill Roberts Fairfax, Va. 10 27-12 0 $750.00
Day 1: 0 0-00 Day 2: 5 15-13 Day 3: 5 11-15
25. Scott Burke Oakdale, Calif. 15 27-11 0 $750.00
Day 1: 5 7-13 Day 2: 5 7-07 Day 3: 5 12-07
26. Wilbur Jefferies Bountiful, Utah 14 27-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 7-10 Day 2: 5 7-11 Day 3: 5 11-12
27. Meade Hedricks Lompoc, Calif. 13 27-00 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-04 Day 2: 5 7-00 Day 3: 3 5-12
28. Thom McMahon San Ramon, Calif. 11 26-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 1 1-07 Day 2: 5 15-08 Day 3: 5 9-14
29. Tom Hill Grants Pass, Ore. 14 26-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 4 6-03 Day 3: 5 6-12
30. Ron Tyson Marrietta, Ga. 12 25-14 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 10-15 Day 2: 3 6-02 Day 3: 5 8-13
31. Gary Ong Sacramento, Calif. 14 24-07 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 8-12 Day 2: 5 8-03 Day 3: 4 7-08
32. Pete Robbin Vienna, Va. 11 23-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 3-00 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 3 7-06
33. Lawrence Sifert Scottsdale, Ariz. 14 23-06 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 4 4-11 Day 3: 5 10-04
34. Jim Bianchi Rush, N.Y. 10 23-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-06 Day 2: 3 6-05 Day 3: 2 3-07
35. Jimmy Sparks Tuscumbia, Ala. 12 23-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 7-12 Day 2: 3 6-00 Day 3: 5 9-05
36. Keith Allen North Pole, Alaska 12 22-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 14-01 Day 2: 5 5-08 Day 3: 2 3-03
37. Chris Devette San Ramon, Calif. 11 22-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 3-01 Day 2: 4 13-12 Day 3: 5 5-11
38. Rod Lee San Ramon, Calif. 10 21-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 2 1-08 Day 2: 5 16-09 Day 3: 3 3-12
39. Wally Smith Novato, Calif. 12 20-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 8-03 Day 2: 5 7-14 Day 3: 2 4-08
40. Bart Corrie Brentwood, Calif. 11 20-02 0 $500.00
Day 1: 3 9-11 Day 2: 5 6-06 Day 3: 3 4-01
41. Larry Hutchens Durham, Ore. 11 20-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 4 7-14 Day 3: 2 3-00
42. Eulon Lee Montgomery, Ala. 9 19-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-09 Day 2: 2 2-15 Day 3: 2 3-05
43. Bryant Copley Altavista, Va. 12 19-01 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 6-07 Day 3: 2 2-10
44. Steve Sepulveda Modesto, Calif. 12 18-12 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 8-07 Day 2: 5 6-04 Day 3: 2 4-01
45. Kevin Cunningham Farmingdale, N.Y. 8 18-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 3 5-07 Day 3: 0 0-00
46. John Loverin Valley Springs, Calif. 10 18-08 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 8-02 Day 2: 5 9-02 Day 3: 1 1-04
47. Carol Martens West Hills, Calif. 11 18-03 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 6-12 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 1 0-12
48. James Taylor Madera, Calif. 9 17-09 0 $500.00
Day 1: 4 8-07 Day 2: 2 6-02 Day 3: 3 3-00
49. Billy Garrett El Paso, Texas 8 17-07 0 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 0 0-00 Day 3: 3 3-10
50. Bob Record Riverside, Calif. 6 16-13 0 $500.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 1 1-12 Day 3: 0 0-00
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Big Bass
Billy Garrett El Paso, Texas 8-04 $500.00
Gerry Johnson Modesto, Calif. 8-03 $500.00
Robby Chikasawa Sacramento, Calif. 7-13 $500.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 15 351 711-06
2 13 348 719-06
3 8 187 381-07
----------------------------------
36 886 1812-03