It’s Frogs Only On The Menu For California Delta Snag Proof Open
Ish’s Phat Frog!
It’s blistering hot on the California Delta, but the largemouth bass lie in relatively cool water beneath a summer scum, just waiting on a delicious meal to be served on the surface. A fat frog will do just fine for the main course.
That’s what anglers are banking on in the 12th Annual Snag Proof Open on the Delta. It’s a frog-only tournament.
“They can only use Snag Proof brand topwater frogs and they have to be used on top,” said tournament director Vince Harris. “You can’t put a bullet weight on them, for instance.”
Harris explained the dynamics of frog fishing on the Delta in August.
“We’ve been having very hot weather, with temperatures in the high 90s to low 100s. That will make the fishing come alive,” he said. “The hot weather creates a scum on top of the water, a big chunk of nasty looking moss, but underneath that the water temperature will be in the 60s while the surface might be 82 degrees.
The tides will also be important, he said.
“The unique thing is that they will fish two different tides, the first day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m,. and the second day from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. That gives everybody a chance.”
The California Delta Snag Proof Open is the oldest and largest of the Snag Proof tournaments held around the country, said Harris, who is the tournament director for Anglers Press, a promotions and marketing company which hosts large-scale outdoor-related specialty events in the area.
The team format tournament features a professional division with an entry fee of $200 and an amateur division with an entry fee of $100. July 31 is the deadline for early bird entries and those who meet the deadline will get a goody pack that includes Gamakatsu hooks and other tackle.
Sponsored by Gone Fishin’ Marine in Dixon, Calif, the tournament features an 80 percent payback with five places paid for big fish.
“The top 25 pro teams and the top 15 amateur teams will qualify for the Coors Light Delta Championship,” Harris said. “That championship features a new Jeep Patriot for the winners, courtesy of the Elk Grove Tam Dealership in Elk Grove, Calif.”
Harris said the California Delta Snag Proof Open has never had less than 175 teams entered.
“We are expecting over 200 this year,” he said.
California’s 12th Annual Snag Proof Open
Aug 3-4, 2013
California Delta
Russo’s Marina
Call 1-800-762-4773
