Saturday, June 23 was the final event of the WRL Motherlode season held at Russo's Marina on the San Joaquin Delta. It was a bit of a low turnout mainly due to the economy, but windy conditions and a slow bite were also contributing factors. The 36 teams were all idling out to the big water in Franks Tract before 5:30 a.m. for the big game. Weather conditions made it difficult to catch any early morning top water fish and for most the senko was the best bait to catch a five fish limit. Twenty-five teams brought in five fish limits and there were 157 fish brought to the scales totaling 369 pounds. In the summer months the DFG cuts the hours of tournaments down to six hours so as not to stress out the fish in the live wells during the day.
Weigh-in started at noon and after all the fish had been weighed the teams were ready for the free raffle and barbecue prior to the awards.
A new team to the trail took top honors, Larry Hutton (Rio Vista) and Jimmy Griffin (Brentwood) brought 21.64 pounds anchored by a 7.73 bucket mouth giving them not only first place but Big Fish of the tournament. For their efforts they reeled in two nice plaques, a beautiful big fish plaque, and $1775 cash.
Another new team to the Motherlode trail was Duke Kanaya (Winters) and Neil Vannucci (Napa) taking second place with 16.49 pounds backed up with a 4.99 pound largemouth. This was this team's best finish on the Delta and they took home $895 and two nice plaques.
The reigning Anglers of the Year, Ryan Accardo (Clovis) and Larry Accardo (Fresno) cemented that title with a third place win and taking the Anglers of the year in the Motherlode WRL for 2012. The Delta is not Ryan's comfort zone yet but he is working on that issue and bringing in 16.29 pounds with a second big fish of 7.67 pounds shows they have the skills. The duo won two nice plaques and a $690 paycheck for this day. This father-son team has cashed in every Motherlode event this season and they are hot, with the limit of winning $5000 to compete in this trail. They will be moving up to the pro teams after winning over $9000 for 2012.
The husband-wife team of Wesley and Diane Rentfrow (Dos Palos) took fourth place with 15.65 pounds giving them a $430 payday. They have cashed checks in four WRL events so far this 2012 season and are looking for more.
Coming in fifth place, the popular Motherlode team, Dan Perkins Jr. and John Liechty (both Altaville) with 14.96 pounds netting them $240.
Father-son team of Steve and Ben Zerr (Escalon) have already cashed in four events and the Delta makes five with a five fish limit weighing 14.14 pounds and scooping up $195.
Last in the money were the winners of the 2011 Tournament of Champions Charles Peak (San Jose) and Bob Nathan (Morgan Hill) with 13.57 pounds landing them $170.
Sponsors that support Anglers Choice Motherlode WRL include Waterford Bait Barn, Escalon Bait and Tackle, Modesto/C & C Marine, Delta Outdoors, Clovis Valley Rod and Gun, Oroville Outdoors, Clear Lake North/Clear Lake Outdoors, Clear Lake South/ Clear Lake Bait and Tackle, Inside Lines/Lunker Daddy, Black Dog Baits, Berserk Baits, 51/50 energy drink and Ferrarese's Deli-Oakdale.
The Tournament of Champions for the 2012 season will be held at Lake Oroville October 6 and 7 with a fully rigged new Legion Bass Boat/Mercury XS outboard up for grabs.
For information about these tournaments, contact Danny Peluso 209-874-9525.
Weigh-in started at noon and after all the fish had been weighed the teams were ready for the free raffle and barbecue prior to the awards.
A new team to the trail took top honors, Larry Hutton (Rio Vista) and Jimmy Griffin (Brentwood) brought 21.64 pounds anchored by a 7.73 bucket mouth giving them not only first place but Big Fish of the tournament. For their efforts they reeled in two nice plaques, a beautiful big fish plaque, and $1775 cash.
Another new team to the Motherlode trail was Duke Kanaya (Winters) and Neil Vannucci (Napa) taking second place with 16.49 pounds backed up with a 4.99 pound largemouth. This was this team's best finish on the Delta and they took home $895 and two nice plaques.
The reigning Anglers of the Year, Ryan Accardo (Clovis) and Larry Accardo (Fresno) cemented that title with a third place win and taking the Anglers of the year in the Motherlode WRL for 2012. The Delta is not Ryan's comfort zone yet but he is working on that issue and bringing in 16.29 pounds with a second big fish of 7.67 pounds shows they have the skills. The duo won two nice plaques and a $690 paycheck for this day. This father-son team has cashed in every Motherlode event this season and they are hot, with the limit of winning $5000 to compete in this trail. They will be moving up to the pro teams after winning over $9000 for 2012.
The husband-wife team of Wesley and Diane Rentfrow (Dos Palos) took fourth place with 15.65 pounds giving them a $430 payday. They have cashed checks in four WRL events so far this 2012 season and are looking for more.
Coming in fifth place, the popular Motherlode team, Dan Perkins Jr. and John Liechty (both Altaville) with 14.96 pounds netting them $240.
Father-son team of Steve and Ben Zerr (Escalon) have already cashed in four events and the Delta makes five with a five fish limit weighing 14.14 pounds and scooping up $195.
Last in the money were the winners of the 2011 Tournament of Champions Charles Peak (San Jose) and Bob Nathan (Morgan Hill) with 13.57 pounds landing them $170.
Sponsors that support Anglers Choice Motherlode WRL include Waterford Bait Barn, Escalon Bait and Tackle, Modesto/C & C Marine, Delta Outdoors, Clovis Valley Rod and Gun, Oroville Outdoors, Clear Lake North/Clear Lake Outdoors, Clear Lake South/ Clear Lake Bait and Tackle, Inside Lines/Lunker Daddy, Black Dog Baits, Berserk Baits, 51/50 energy drink and Ferrarese's Deli-Oakdale.
The Tournament of Champions for the 2012 season will be held at Lake Oroville October 6 and 7 with a fully rigged new Legion Bass Boat/Mercury XS outboard up for grabs.
For information about these tournaments, contact Danny Peluso 209-874-9525.
