Galloway
& Kennedy Top Field in 2000 Season Finale
by
Tim Paes
09/18/2000
- Oakley, CA .... The 6th and final qualifying event of the 2000 season took
place on the California Delta. The tournament launched out of Big Break Marina
and was hosted by The Hook Line & Sinker. Sixty-four anglers signed up for
their last chance to qualify for the 2000 Tournament of Champions. The warmer
weather made its return to Central California as the day quickly warmed into the
high 90's. The fishing conditions were considered tough by many of the anglers
as 133 bass were brought to the scales for a total weight of 269 lbs. The Delta
can produce some huge fish, however, the bigger fish were tougher to come by
this day as a 5.64 lb bass led the field.
Pro
Ben Galloway, of Tracy, CA and his partner Keith Kennedy, of Concord, CA topped
the field with their 6-fish limit of 17.30 lbs. Galloway and Kennedy tossed
spinnerbaits and flipped tube baits into shallow water with wood south of
Frank's Tract. Galloway thanked Auto Life Auto Parts & Sporting Goods,
Ex-Cel Lures and Boats Unlimited along with his wife, Debbie, for all her
support. Kennedy also wished to thank his wife, Lindsey, along with Yamamoto
Baits and the UOP School of Dentistry. The team did a great job on a tough day
and for their hard work, Galloway received $1,330 while Kennedy took home $815
for a team total of $2,145 and two beautiful burl trophies.
Second
place went to Pro Van Blades, of Tracy, CA, and his partner Bill Caldera, of
Sonora, CA. The team weighed in a 15.82 lb. 6-fish limit to seal their finish.
Blades and Caldera slow rolled "Ben Galloway" Spinnerbaits and flipped
Strike King Tube Baits in water 1 ft. to 10 ft. deep. The team also fished the
South Delta and keyed on wood and grass pockets. Blades took Big Fish in the Pro
Division and for the tournament with his 5.64 lb. Delta bass. Blades thanked his
wife, Kim, for all her support as he received a check for $1,058. Caldera earned
$444 for a team total of $1,502 plus two trophies.
Pro
Gary Thomas, of Tracy, CA and partner Butch Bray, of Murphy's, CA took 3rd place
honors with a 6-fish limit that tipped the scales at 15.40 lbs. Thomas and Bray
used Better Bait Jigs, Terminator Spinnerbaits, Senko's, Snag Proof Frogs,
Speedtraps and Rattletraps in order to catch their fish. Thomas reported
catching their limit around the Break and then fishing several areas all over
the Delta trying for that kicker fish. The team keyed on weed patches on tule
banks to catch their limit. Thomas, who won $482, thanked DJ's Custom Rods,
Outdoor Sportsmen and Boats Unlimited. Bray took home $301 for a team total of
$783.
Big
Fish in the Am Division went to Jeff Hartung, of Riverbank, CA with his 4.22 lb.
Delta bass that earned him $280. Rounding out the money winners were 4th place
finishers, Pro Steve D'Orsey and Tom Powell with 14.94 lbs. The team earned
$307. Fifth place went to Pro Tom Gaylor and partner Jason Remmers with 13.20
lbs. Gaylor and Remmers took home $240. The final money spot went to the 6th
place team of Pro Angel Valdez and Bryan Cox with their 12.80 lb. limit that
earned the team $150.
Nor-Cal
is proud to congratulate our 2000 Pro and Am Anglers of the Year. In the Pro
Division, Tracy, CA angler Gary Thomas took the title with a 21-point gap
between him and his nearest rival. The Am championship went to Ed Dickey, of
Atwater, CA with a 27-point victory over his closest competitor. Again,
congratulations to both Gary and Ed.
Nor-Cal
would like to thank our trophy sponsor for the Delta, Bob's Marine, 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 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!
October
7 & 8, 2000 marks the culmination of our Pro-Am Tournament Trail. The 2000
T.O.C. will take place at B&W Marina on the California Delta. Check-in and
partner pairings will take place at 5:45 a.m. Saturday the 7th at the
launch site. Congratulations to the top 20 pro and amateur anglers that will be
fishing this 2-day event.
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