The maxim that “It ain’t over till it’s over” was never more vividly illustrated than at last year’s inaugural Berkley Big Bass Challenge event, where amateur-level bass fisherman Pete Moore shocked the crowd – and himself – by capturing the first-ever Berkley Big Bass Challenge title.

“Last year was a pretty tough year for me, as I had been going through a string of personal circumstances,” said Pete at the awards presentations. “I decided to fish the Berkley Big Bass Challenge because it was an inexpensive way for me to have fun – plus have a good chance at winning some cash for catching a fish. And although I’m just an amateur, I figured I had just as good a chance as anybody of catching a big fish on the California Delta … and boy, was I right!”

This year’s Berkley Big Bass Challenge takes place June 6 and 7 at Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island. The unique format combines angling skill and weigh-in strategy. Each competition day consists of a six-hour period in which anglers can weigh in their single largest fish. Some anglers who participated in last year’s event called it bass fishing’s version of Texas hold ’em.

Each angler brings one fish to the scales every hour to vie for one of the seven hourly cash awards (more than $1,300 is awarded every hour), including $500 for the biggest fish of the hour. The angler with the biggest fish each hour will also qualify as a Top 12 Finalist, qualifying for a chance to win the keys to a new Toyota Tundra valued at $28,000.

A $150 entry fee covers both days; the one-day entry fee is $100. Anglers arriving Friday, June 5 (the day before the event) at Russo’s Marina will have the opportunity to attend seminars hosted by Berkley pro staff. The Berkley Experience trailer, more than 70 feet of rolling event center, will be on site from Friday until the final weigh-in and awards ceremony on Sunday. The trailer features interactive presentation screens, Wii video games, a knot-tying station and competition and bait demonstration tanks.

Russo’s will also be present in the big tent ready to supply all your Berkley bait needs. Anglers are encouraged to save their empty Berkley Gulp! and Powerbait bags for the big raffle at the end of event, where they can trade the bags for raffle tickets.

For more information, visit the Angler Press, e-mail anglerspress@hotmail.com or call 916-768-0938.