Rabith & Freeman Top Field At Nor-Cal Delta Event 

by Tim Paes 

Saturday, March 20,1999 - Stockton, CA ....  Nor-Cal Bass Federation's third event of the 1999 season took place on the California Delta out of Ladd's in Stockton, CA. The weather would once again play a factor in our event as a storm moved through the area on Friday lowering the temperature and muddying the waters. Eighty-two anglers took part in the event that would prove what an awesome fishery the Delta is. The tournament anglers brought a total of 183 black bass to the scales that weighed 420 lbs. Several fish over 5 lbs were brought in with a 12.20 lb. monster earning big fish honors for the event.  

After the weigh in was complete, Pro Brian Rabith, of Merced, CA and his Amateur partner Lee Freeman of Alameda, CA, were crowned champions at the Delta. Rabith and Freeman brought a 5 fish limit to the scales that weighed 24.50 lbs. The teams‚ limit was one short of the allowed six fish and as Rabith told the crowd at the awards ceremony, all he could think on the way to the weigh in was that sixth fish would probably haunt him. However, that fish wasn't needed as their weight surpassed the field to give the team the crown. Rabith, who wished to thank his wife and daughter for the support they give him, and also his sponsor Predator Worms, for contributing to his victory. Rabith also took Pro Division big fish honors with his 12.20 lb. monster black bass. Rabith reported his team spent their day in the middle Delta and didn't have a fish in  the boat until 11:30 a.m. when he flipped a red Predator zipper worm at the base of a tree in 8‚ of water. Rabith went on to say that the bait stopped about 4‚ down and when he set the hook he new he had a good fish. That fish would earn him big fish honors and was the beginning of a great day! Rabith also stated the team caught fish on white/chartreuse  spinnerbaits and that trees were a key to their pattern. Rabith took home $1,775.00 while Freeman earned $542.50 for a team total of $2317.50.  

Second place went to Pro Dan Perkins, of Arnold, CA and his amateur partner Mark Handcock, of Ceres, CA. Perkins and Handcock brought six fish to the scales that weighed 23.82 lbs. Perkins, who is sponsored by: Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, California Custom Marine, V&V Custom Baits, Glory Hole Sports and Super Pork, reported that all of their fish came flipping and pitching V&V Jigs with a spidergrub trailer and Brushhogs with a 3/16th ounce weight in 5’ of water or less in Whites Slough. Perkins went on to say that weed structure was a key to his pattern. Perkins took home $915.00 while Handcock earned $300.00 for a team total of $1,215.00.  

Third place went to Pro Dale Carney, of Millbrae, CA. and his amateur partner Kevin Looper, of Stockton, CA. Carney and Looper brought in six fish that weighed 23.70 lbs. The teams‚ weight was anchored by Looper's 7.26 lb. black bass that earned him big fish honors in the Amateur Division. Carney, who is sponsored by: Stratos Boats, Boats Unlimited, Shimano, P-Line, Super Pork and V&V Custom Baits, reported that the team fished the central Delta and all of their fish came flipping and pitching V&V Jigs with Super Pork in 4’ – 10’ of water. Carney went on to say that all of their fish were prespawn fish on secondary points. Carney also wanted to give special thanks to his sponsors, Bill and Karen Hartung from Boats Unlimited, for allowing him the use of a loaner boat for the event. Carney earned $590.00 while Looper took home $835.00 for a team total of $1,425.00.  

The remaining money winners were 4th place finishers Jeff Matthews, of Clovis, CA and his partner Mark Meidlinger, of Merced, CA. The pair brought in 6 fish that weighed 22.70 lbs, anchored by Matthews 8.64 lb. hawg. Matthews and Meidlinger took home $500.00. Fifth place went to Don Longton, of Atwater, CA and Tom Sawicki, of Modesto, CA. Longton and Sawicki had 5 fish for 16.02 lbs and earnings of $606.00. Mike Delnero, of Manteca, CA and Glen Dark, of Patterson, CA finished 6th with a 6 fish limit that weighed 16.00 lbs. The pair took home $334.00. Seventh place went to Don Mutchler, of Modesto, CA and Chris Humphries, of Ceres, CA. Mutchler and Humphries weighed in 6 fish for 14.96 lbs. earning the pair $180.00. Finishing 8th was Danny Crow, of Manteca, CA and Mike Bugarin, of Modesto, CA who had a 6 fish limit of 14.82 lbs and winnings of $150.00.  

The $75.00 award from B.A.I.T. Insurance went to the first pro out of the money with a B.A.I.T. sticker on his boat. The prize was awarded by B.A.I.T. Prostaff member Vince Costanza and was awarded to Danny Peluso, of Waterford, CA.  

We would like to thank our trophy sponsor for the Delta, Central Valley Propeller, along with our product sponsors: Fishin Musician Worms, Super Pork, Ex-Cel Lures, Delta Bait & Tackle, B.A.I.T. Insurance and Malibu Boats, and a special thank you to Stratos Boats, Johnson Outboards and Boats Unlimited.  

The fourth stop on our tournament trail will be April 24, 1999 on Clear Lake. The check in site will be the Lakeport City Park free launch ramp on 3rd St. from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. The weigh in and awards ceremony will take place at the Skylark Motel in Lakeport, CA. Also, May 8, 1999 Nor-Cal Bass will be holding an open team tournament on Lake Don Pedro were the 1st place award will be a fully rigged Stratos Bass Boat.  

The top 25 Pro and Amateurs from the 6 tournament Pro-Am season will qualify for the 1999 T.O.C. The Pro Division qualifiers at the T.O.C. will be fishing for a 1999 fully rigged Stratos Bass Boat.