Sapp wins fourth Delta title on WON BASS Miller High Life Tour

OAKLEY, CA; Steve Sapp won his fourth Delta Invitational title in the past five years on Sunday, topping a record field of 171 boats for the WON BASS Miller High Life Tour.

The 53-year-old Sapp, of Manteca, has dominated fishing on the Delta, winning the tournament in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002, that string broken only last year by Jim Reese of Witter Springs. Jim Stich of Bethel Island led the first day of the tournament with 23.22 pounds for 5 bass, followed by Jay Liu of Newark with 23.02 pounds. In third place was Andy Cuccia of Oakley with 22.96 pounds. Sapp was far back in 17th place with 18.12 pounds. "I didn't have a very good day today," Sapp said at the Saturday weigh-in, although his weight put him ahead of 154 other Pro anglers.

When it came to weigh-in time on Sunday, he was feeling better. "I might have weighed about 35 pounds," he said, "but I lost a couple of fish that were about 7 pounds apiece." He did, however, hang onto a 10.24 pounder and another about 7 pounds to give the second day total of 27.88 pounds, the largest stringer of the tournament. Sapp's win earned him a new Ranger 518VX boat and trailer equipped with a Mercury OptiMax outboard, Lowrance Electronics and MotorGuide trolling motor, plus $2,555 in cash options.

The early leader on Sunday was Jerry Ballesteros of Burbank, as the L.A.P.D. officer had a total of 41.14 pounds after the first flight weigh-in. That lead held up for more than an hour as Sapp checked in with the 7th flight. Ballesteros claimed $9,300 for his finish.

The AAA division title went to newcomer Ken Cassettari of Walnut Creek, who had the best partner drawings in the tournament, getting Cuccia and Sapp on the back-to-back days. He helped his own cause, however, getting Saturday's largest bass, 12.26 pounds, a new WON BASS AAA record, to win $1,500 in the Miller High Life Daily Double. The second largest bass weighed 9.02 and was taken by Stich. Sunday's big fish were whoppers, with Ira Eads of Copperopolis nailing a 13.49 pounder to win the $1,500 top prize, while Jerry Fournier of Hollister took a 13.18 pounder for the $500 prize.

For the weekend, the 171 boats (342 anglers) accounted for 1,559 bass for a total of 4,130 pounds, a 2.65 pound per fish average, proving once again the quality of the huge Delta bass fishery. Following Sapp and Ballesteros in the standings was Jason Cordiale of Orinda, winning $6,000 with 41.11 pounds for third place. Danny Peluso of Waterford picked up $4,000 for 39.56 pounds and fourth place. Fifth went to Gary Howell of Stockton scored with 39.40 pounds and $3,000 in winnings.

Rounding out the top ten were: sixth, Gary Dobyns of Yuba City, 39.20 pounds, $2,580; seventh, Ron Moore of Fairfield, 38.78 pounds, $2,000; eighth, Andy Cuccia of Oakley, 37.59, $3,100; ninth, John Prevost of Oakley, 37.50, $2,000; and tenth, Armando Perez of Rocklin, 35.96, $2,000. The WON BASS Miller High Life Tour is sponsored by Ranger, Mercury, Daiwa, Quantum, Miller Brewing, El Cajon Ford, Phenix Rods, The Outdoor Channel, Anglers Marine, Lowrance, West Marine, Matzuo, Rebel, Heddon, Excalibur, Lucky Craft, Pro Bass Adventures, Kelly Tires, Water Gremlin, Luhr-Jensen, Owner Hooks, Prolong Lubricants, Roboworm, Berkley, Costa del Mar and Tackle Logic. For complete information or to enter a tournament contact WON BASS at (714) 546-4370, X38.