OAKLEY, Calif. (May 15, 2008) - Pro Mike Andrews of Oakley, Calif., caught a five-bass limit weighing 24 pounds Thursday to retain the lead in the Stren Series Western Division bass fishing tournament on the California Delta. With a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 60-03, he now holds an 8-pound, 8-ounce lead over second place pro Zack Thompson of Orinda, Calif., who managed to haul in a total of 10 bass weighing 51-11 during the first two days of competition.
"I really don't know why the fishing was so different," Andrews said. "I think that boat traffic and fishing pressure has affected the fish. Also, the tide is later each day.
"Yesterday, my primary spot, where I caught all my fish didn't produce today. I caught two keepers in the first 10 minutes so I thought it might be a good day, but that was all I caught. I went to my second spot and caught two more fish. Then, I went three hours without catching a fish."
Andrews said that he plans to run south tomorrow to fish the high tide.
"I want to fish the high water since I am catching them better then. I will run about 30 minutes to catch the high tide," said Andrews. "Hopefully, I will catch at least 20 pounds and I think that 25 pounds will keep me in the lead."
Rounding out the top five pros are Jeremy Zipton of Discovery Bay, Calif. (10 bass, 49-15); Timothy Venkus of Wilton, Calif. (10 bass, 49-10); and Hunter Schlander of Modesto, Calif. (10 bass, 49-03).
Dugan Mcintosh of Palermo, Calif., earned $280 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 10-pound, 3-ounce bass.
Overall there were 828 bass weighing 2,421 pounds caught by 179 pros Thursday. The catch included 148 five-bass limits.
Aaron Reitz of Soda Springs, Calif., leads the Co-angler Division in the chase for a top award of $35,000, including a 198VX Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. He caught five bass weighing 16-00 while fishing with pro Richard Dobyns of Yuba City, Calif., Wednesday and five bass weighing 22-04 while fishing with pro Bart Corrie of Brentwood, Calif., Thursday for a total of 10 bass weighing 38-04.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Charles Peak of San Jose, Calif. (10 bass, 34-06); Dean Krambeck of Vandenberg, Calif. (10 bass, 33-13); Tony Gold of El Dorado Hills, Calif. (10 bass, 32-13); and Joseph Bricker of Pleasanton, Calif. (10 bass, 32-07).
Tommie Goldston of Gardnerville, Nev., earned $142 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 9-pound, 13-ounce bass. Overall there were 706 bass weighing 1,662 pounds, 11 ounces caught by 174 co-anglers Thursday. The catch included 95 five-bass limits.