The Major League Fishing Toyota Series is set to return to Russo’s Marina and Bethel Island, Calif. Wednesday through Friday for a Toyota Series event at the California Delta. Hosted by the City of Oakley, the three-day tournament is the third and final regular-season event in the Western Division.
“The (California) Delta is getting better – it’s warmed up a bit and there are a few fish spawning, but it’s still really dirty water,” said Delta veteran Mark Lassagne of Dixon, Calif., who has three career Top-10 finishes on the venue in MLF competition. “I still think about 70 percent of the Delta isn’t fishable yet – but 90 percent was unfishable a few weeks ago – so it’s getting a lot better. There definitely won’t be as many zeros in this tournament and the weights will be better.
“Last month it took 11 pounds a day to make the Top 25 cut and fish the final day,” Lassagne continued. “I think it’ll take at least 13 or 14 pounds a day to make the cut in this one. It’s still the California Delta – someone is going to catch 25 pounds and then back it up with a couple of 20-pound limits. I predict the winning weight is going to be around 68 pounds.”
Lassagne said that the standard Delta baits will be in play.
“I’ll have a Yamamoto Senko tied on – that bait will definitely account for some big fish, especially the spawners,” Lassagne continued. “ChatterBaits will come into play – I’ll be throwing one with a (Yamamoto) Zako trailer. And then punching baits – I like the (Yamamoto) Flapping Hogs and the (Missile Baits) D-Bombs. I think smaller weights are more effective when the fish are finicky – it slows the fall, and you can get a few more bites.”
Anglers will take off each day at 6:30 a.m. PT from Russo’s Marina, located at 3995 Willow Road in Bethel Island. Weigh-ins will also be held at the marina and will begin at 2:30 p.m.
