Lots of winners at the 74th annual Rio Vista Bass Derby
RIO VISTA – A total of 383 anglers participated in the 74th Annual Rio Vista Derby weighing in an array of striped bass, white sturgeon, king salmon and catfish during the unseasonably warm and sunny weekend of Oct. 7-9.
Don Sysengchanh took first place in the adult division of the event, and a cash prize of $3,000, by bringing in a 26.48-inch striper, the fish closest to the target length of 26.5 inches.
Mike Todd placed second with 26.47-inch striped bass, winning $1,500. Dung (Danny) Nguyen finished third with a 26.44-inch striper, winning $1,000.
Additional fishing gear and other prizes were awarded to the fourth through 19th places. “Everyone in this category that entered a striper was given a prize if they were present at the awards,” said Stacia Olson, President of the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce.
Anglers in the salmon division of the derby competed to catch the heaviest fish. Despite tough salmon fishing on the Sacramento River as warm water conditions persisted, anglers brought in some beautiful king salmon while fishing an array of lures.
First place: Rafael Duran – 33.41-pound salmon.
Second place: Armando Nunez – 32.68 pounds fish.
Third place: Vance Wolfson – 31.94-pound king.
In the sturgeon division, anglers competed to catch a fish closest to the target length of 54 inches.
First place: Brian Eck – 53.15-inch sturgeon.
Second place: Cameron Veach – 47.12-inch diamondback.
Third place: Justin Hickson – 46.25-inch fish.
In addition to their cash prizes, the top 3 adults in each category won metal fish art of the species they entered
The major sponsors of the adult derby were Rio Vista Farms and Coco Farms, with additional prizes sponsored by the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce, Silverton lures, Walide and Associates and Mega Bait & Tackle in Manteca.
In the Kids Derby, anglers competed to catch a striper closest to the target length of 22 inches.
First place: Kelsie Ellison – 21.53-inch fish.
Second place: Liam Freitas – 20.66-inch striper.
Third place: Jesus Gaytan – 20.31-inch fish.
The kids also competed for the heaviest catfish. Richard Caselas landed a catfish weighing 5 pounds, winning first place. Kallie Graggs placed second with a 1.7-pound catfish. Jason Swars finished third with a 1.6-pound cat.
The top 2 kids in both categories received $50 gift cards to Sportsman Warehouse, a trophy and a metal fish. They also got to choose a prize, including outdoor tents, fishing poles, and tackle boxes. Beyond the top entries, every kid received a $25 gift card and a choice of an outdoor gear prize.
The major sponsor of the kid’s derby was SMUD, with additional prizes provided by Mega Bait and Tackle, Manteca, Waldie Associates and an anonymous donor.
Members of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton Chapter, weighed and measured all of the fish brought in during the adult and kids derbies. Information: www.bassfestival.com.
New State Spotted Bass Record
A new state record for spotted bass from Bullards Bar Reservoir has been certified by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
On Feb. 20, 2022, Nathaniel Hilligoss caught the new state record spotted bass weighing 11 pounds, 5 ounces, while using a lure, according to the updated CDFW list of angling records. The fish measured 25 inches long and 21 inches in girth.
The new state record is one ounce larger than the previous state record and all tackle International Game Fish Association (IGFA) world record for spotted bass of 11 pounds, 4 ounces, caught on Feb. 12, 2017 at Bullards Bar by Nick Dulleck.
Bodega Bay Rockfish/Lingcod
Fishing is “phenomenal” for anglers venturing out aboard the New Sea Angler, reported Rick Powers at the Bodega Bay Sportfishing Center.
On Oct. 8, the 28 anglers aboard the New Sea Angler caught 43 lingcod and limits of mixed vermilion, canary, brown and other rockfish while fishing in shallow water near Point Reyes. Joe Nicolini caught the jackpot fish, the 30 lb. lingcod, along with landing his limit of lingcod and limit of large rockfish.
On Oct. 10, the 12 anglers fishing aboard the boat landed 120 rockfish and 24 lingcod up to 22 pounds.
“Anglers are using just about everything to catch the lingcod and rockfish – jigs, bars, swimbaits and squid-baited shrimp flies,” said Powers. Information: (707) 875-3344.
Contact Stockton Record correspondent Dan Bacher at danielbacher53@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Record: Don Sysengchanh takes 1st place at 74th Annual Rio Vista Derby
