Elites hunt big California bass

A long trip to the delta proves fruitful for some Elite Series anglers.

Posted on
After a long run to the south anglers emerge on their chosen fishing grounds.
After a long run to the south anglers emerge on their chosen fishing grounds.
With boats everywhere it was difficult to pick just one angler to shoot photos of!
With boats everywhere it was difficult to pick just one angler to shoot photos of!
Jeff Kriet sets up and begins fishing.
Jeff Kriet sets up and begins fishing.
He sets the hook and swings this little largemouth into the boat.
He sets the hook and swings this little largemouth into the boat.
He quickly unhooks the fish.
He quickly unhooks the fish.
Hank Cherry works his bait slowly and deep into the grass.
Hank Cherry works his bait slowly and deep into the grass.
Mike Kernan comes around a small island of grass.
Mike Kernan comes around a small island of grass.
Kernan is fishing fast and covering water.
Kernan is fishing fast and covering water.
White pelicans do get tired, and yes, the do yawn.
White pelicans do get tired, and yes, the do yawn.
This Pelican sat overlooking the river.
This Pelican sat overlooking the river.
Jordan Lee exits a small back water area…
Jordan Lee exits a small back water area…
…he moves down the river a bit…
…he moves down the river a bit…
…as he makes several casts towards the thicker reeds.
…as he makes several casts towards the thicker reeds.
After a few casts with no strikes he picks up the motor…
After a few casts with no strikes he picks up the motor…
… and hits the gas!
… and hits the gas!
Kevin VanDam rolling up to his next fishing spot.
Kevin VanDam rolling up to his next fishing spot.
He makes a few casts and catches one!
He makes a few casts and catches one!
Time to make a cull.
Time to make a cull.
After that, it's back to rood and reel.
After that, it’s back to rood and reel.
Time to move again.
Time to move again.
Kevin starts fishing again on another stretch of bank.
Kevin starts fishing again on another stretch of bank.
He makes fast casts.
He makes fast casts.
There's one!
There’s one!
The fight is on...
The fight is on…
...and this fish is taking him all the way around the boat.
…and this fish is taking him all the way around the boat.
Time to get this one in the boat.
Time to get this one in the boat.
Come here, big girl!
Come here, big girl!
Now that's a good California Delta fish!
Now that’s a good California Delta fish!
This one is going in the livewell for sure.
This one is going in the livewell for sure.
After this, Kevin moves on in search of some more like that one.
After this, Kevin moves on in search of some more like that one.
Back in the marina, Shaw Grigsby is fishing docks.
Back in the marina, Shaw Grigsby is fishing docks.
With his eagle eyes he looks for every possible hiding spot where a fish could be waiting to bite.
With his eagle eyes he looks for every possible hiding spot where a fish could be waiting to bite.
Greg Hackney flies by, and we look for others.
Greg Hackney flies by, and we look for others.
We find Keith Combs, who is having a good day, working some thick vegetation.
We find Keith Combs, who is having a good day, working some thick vegetation.
Near to Keith is Jonathon VanDam.
Near to Keith is Jonathon VanDam.
Combs casts...
Combs casts…
Makes an adjustment to his bait.
Makes an adjustment to his bait.
JVD still working the same area.
JVD still working the same area.
Keith still trying to find the right presentation for these bass.
Keith still trying to find the right presentation for these bass.
There's one!
There’s one!
Combs makes his own path through the thick grass.
Combs makes his own path through the thick grass.
Made it through!
Made it through!
Casey Ashley heads back to Sacramento.
Casey Ashley heads back to Sacramento.
We follow. Let's see what the Elites bring back today.
We follow. Let’s see what the Elites bring back today.