Tiwater & Henry Win Nor-Cal Pro-Am on California Delta 

by Nor-Cal Staff   

Saturday, May 20, 2000 - Oakley, CA .... The 5th stop on Nor-Cal's 2000 Pro-Am Tournament Trail took place on the California Delta.The anglers would be competing for nearly $6,500 in prize money. Seventy-four anglers fished the event under what would turn into very warm conditions with temperatures reaching the mid 90's. During the morning check-in, anglers were talking about the warm weather and what it would do for the fishing. Many believed the conditions would bring huge limits and double-digit bass. Although several nice fish in the 4 to 6 lb. range were brought to the scales, those predictions would not prove true. The tournament brought 195 bass to the scales with a total weight of 413 lbs.  

First place went to Pro Tom Tiwater and his partner Ron Henry, both from Ceres, CA. Tiwater and Henry brought in a 6 fish limit that tipped the scales at 18.34 lbs capped by Tiwater's 6.62 lb. bass that took Big Fish honors in the Pro Division and for the event. Tiwater, who is sponsored by, Thermo-Oil Batteries, Fishin Musician Worms, Super Pork and Auto Life Auto Parts & Sporting Goods reported that the team fished the south Delta. Tiwater went on to say that his big fish came on a Magnum Pop R, while the rest of their catch came on buzzbaits and flipping Brushogs in the grass. Tiwater also wished to thank his wife Shirley for all her support and also 2nd place finisher Ben Galloway. Tiwater stated, “Ben and I put our heads together during pre-fish and the teamwork benefited both of us”. Tiwater took home $1,885 while Henry took home $975 for a team total of $2,860 and two burl trophies.  

Pro Ben Galloway and partner Tom Shannon, both of Tracy, CA took 2nd place with a 6 fish limit of 17.90 lbs. Galloway, who is sponsored by Ex-Cel Lures and Auto Life Auto Parts & Sporting Goods, told the crowd that he also fished the south Delta and all of their fish came flipping reapers to the back of the grass in 1 to 3 feet of water. Galloway also thanked his wife, Debbie for her support and also 1st place finisher Tom Tiwater for the teamwork leading up to the event. For their great day on the water Galloway took home $847 while Shannon earned $275 for a team total of $1,122.  

Third place went to Pro Tim Paes and his partner Lester Yamaguichi, both of Turlock, CA. Paes and Yamaguichi brought 6 fish to the scales with a total weight of 17.80 lbs. Paes, who is sponsored by Fishin Musician Worms and his wife, Mary, said that the team fished several areas between Stockton and Big Break. Paes also reported that they had 2 fish on V&V Spinnerbaits and the rest of their fish came flipping Fishin Musician 8 inch worms and  Brushogs into the grass. Paes took home $528 while Yamaguichi earned $435 for a team total of $963.  

Rounding out the money winners, in 4th place was Pro Bruce Harris and Aaron Smith with 17.48 lbs and winnings of $860. Smith also took home big fish honors in the Amateur Division with his 6.12 lb. bass. Fifth place went to Pro Gary Thomas and partner Ed Dickey with 17.14 lbs and earnings of $270. Pro Jeff Frey and partner Don Thompson took 6th place with 16.94 lbs. earning them $180. The final money spot went to 7th place team of Pro Dan Perkins and partner Aram Carney with 16.50 lbs. and winnings of $150.  

Also on hand during the awards ceremony was Dana Hoffman, who along with her partner Andy Cuccia, put on a yearly event to introduce tournament bass fishing to teenagers who have never been exposed to this sport. This year's event has been renamed the C.O. Pro-Teen Classic in dedication to Conroy Oakley who passed away recently. Conroy's passing is a great loss to the sport of bass fishing. Dana told the audience about the event and the need for anglers and their boats to take out a teenager for a day of tournament fishing. This event is good for the future of bass fishing and will have a positive impact on the youth of the area. The tournament will take place July 15, 2000 at Big Break. If you would like to contribute your time, contact Andy Cuccia at (925) 625-8055.  

Nor-Cal would like to thank our trophy sponsor for the California Delta, Boats Unlimited, along with our many product sponsors, Keeper Custom Worms, V&V Custom Baits, Fishin Musician Worms, P&E Distributors, ExCel Lures, Super Pork, Predator Worms, Malibu Boats, Universal Telescopic and Outwest Marketing. Also a very special thank you to Fishermen‚s Warehouse who donated a rod and reel combo for our product giveaway. We would also like to thank The Hook Line & Sinker at Big Break Marina for hosting our event and allowing us to use their grounds for check-in and our awards ceremony.  

Nor-Cal could not afford to offer you the payback we offer without the help of our corporate sponsors. We would like to offer a very special thank you to Stratos Boats, Evinrude Outboards and Boats Unlimited along with General Motors and Courtesy Automotive. These fine businesses are supporting Nor-Cal and it's anglers. When it's time for your next boat, give Stratos a test drive and pull it with your new Chevy Truck!  

September 16th marks the 6th and final stop on our Pro-Am Tournament Trail at the California Delta. Check-in will be from 4:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. at the Hook Line & Sinker at Big Break Marina. Visit our web site or call for full schedule and information on this event.  

Also, we will be holding 2 more Open Team Tournaments at Don Pedro. The next event is our annual night tournament which will take place June 3&4, 2000. Following on June 17, 2000 is our annual Mix Team Tournament. Both events are qualifiers for the Stratos/Javelin World Championship Regional. Don't miss your chance to qualify for this great event.