On the cold and foggy Delta morning of Jan. 10, 18 teams converged on Russo’s Marina in Bethel Island for the second tournament in the race for Anglers of the Year: the U.S. Anglers Choice West Delta Pro Teams Tournament, sponsored by Legend Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Inside-Lines, Phoenix Glass and Toad Thumper Jigs.

Early morning temperatures dipped into the 20s, but after the fog burned off, the day turned sunny and beautiful. The tournament commenced at safe light and all the teams returned to the marina at 3:15 p.m. for the weigh-in.

The teams reported that cold water temperatures slowed the pace of fishing. Teams were tight-lipped about how and where they caught their fish, but whatever method or bait they were using, they had to fish it slow. There were 14 teams weighing in fish for a total of 112 pounds.

Dee Thomas of Brentwood, Mr. Consistency, and his team partner Billy Peunggate snagged first-place honors with a five-fish limit weighing 17.88 pounds. Their limit included a bass weighing 5.24 pounds, the second big fish of the tournament. Thomas and Peunggate received first-place plaques and $1,649 for the win.

Second place was taken by the team of Mark Daniels Jr. of Fairfield and Jamond Andrews of Oakley. They weighed in only four fish that topped the scales at 13.25 pounds, including a kicker bass that weighed 5.28 pounds. Their kicker fish earned Daniels and Andrews the Big Bass award for the tournament, $910 and second-place plaques.

The team of Mike Birch of San Ramon and Brian Carpenter of Livermore caught and weighed in five bass weighing 13.04 pounds, good for the third-place plaques and $590.

The next event for the West Delta Pro Team trail is scheduled for Feb. 15 back at Russo’s Marina.

– Contributed by Steve Hayashi