1 TRI O
I
t’s hard to get bored in the Cal Delta. Bassmaster
Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain knows this and that’s
what keeps him coming back for more. First,you
havethesheervastnessoftheDelta. Runit day- light‘tildark andyouwon’t see aquarter ofthisamazing
CentralValleydrainage, or thebounty therein.
“The food base is excellent,” Zaldain said. “They
have shad, shiners, baby salmon, crawdads, bluegill –
you name it and they’ve got it on the California Delta.
“Also, there’s always moving water. It’s just a very
fertile fishery with grass, laydown wood and all the
sloughs have riprap. The Delta is a target-rich river
system and the fish can’t go too far. The deepest fish
you’ll catch in the Delta will be in less than 10 feet.”
In addition to the overwhelming acreage, Zaldain
points to the Delta’s tidal environment as a key
dynamic that creates opportunities, while dictating
game plans and the appropriate bait selection.
“It’s all about the change on the California Delta,”
Zaldain said. “It’s constantly changing and every 24-
hour period, we have four different tides.
SPRING 2015
“It keeps you on your toes; the fish are constantly repositioning and hiding out.”
With such vibrant fishery driven by daily tidal fluctuations, the California Delta demands much from those who would mine its labyrinthine layout for the green backed treasures therein. Navigational safety is certainly a biggie, but Zaldain suggests a well-planned arsenal of baits.
Notwithstanding various targets of opportunity, he puts great faith in a trio of baits that allows him to cover the water column and address any stage of the tide. Here’s Zaldain’s tidal trio:
BAIT – SQUAREBILL CRANKBAIT
“This is probably the best all-around bait January through December and at all tidal stages,” Zaldain said. “On a high tide, you’ve got those grass lines that have 1-2 feet of water over top. That squarebill crankbait is perfect for burning over those grass lines.
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