The Bassmaster Elite Series tournament, "Duel in the Delta," should produce some exciting weigh-ins at the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton, with the lucky fish tournament winner reeling in the $100,000 top prize.

Weigh-ins are set to begin at 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday for the fish tournament's 93 professional fishermen including top active black bass angler worldwide, Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich., a winner of five BASS Angler of the Year awards and three Bassmaster Classics.

He'll be challenged by the 2007 winner of the "Duel Tournament," Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala., who managed a four-day haul of 85 pounds, 12 ounces to the scales just three years ago. During Monday's tournament practice round, Guy Eaker of Cherryville, N.C. caught a 14.1-pound largemouth and posted almost 37 pounds for his five-fish limit."I think it could be a whopper of a tournament if we can get a little warmer weather," he said. Fish Tournament spokesman Doug Grassian said the fish tournament will air on ESPN2 at 7:30 a.m. on March 28th and repeat on April 17 th at 7 a.m..Spring black bass fishing on the Delta's 1,000 mile water range is rated amongst the top in the country. The fishing is great here, BASS has returned to the Delta five times since 1999.The largest bass ever hooked in a BASS tournament was a 14-pound, 9-ounce lunker in 1999 by Mark Tyler of Vian, Okla. Tyler is back in an attempt to break his tournament record. "It's going to be pre-spawn and a little of spawn if good weather continues," he said. "The water is warming so signs are good.
As water temperature reach to about 52 the fish begin biting. When it's 54 to 56 degrees they really begin to bite."But when it reaches 58, you know your going to experice some great fishing." Monroe thinks it will take a four-day weight of over 80 pounds to win the tournament."It's going to be a slugfest, for sure," he said. Pro tournament angler Skeet Reese agrees. "Weather conditions are lining up to make this years fish tournament a world-class event," he said. "The water is a bit dirty although it's warming fast and the giant fish are moving in to be hooked."The full field of Elite pro anglers will compete Thursday and Friday, with the top 47 tournament anglers advancing to Saturday's competition. Only the top 12 tournament competitors will be in the game on Sunday.The public can view the daily launches at 6:20 a.m. Thursday through Saturday at Morelli Park boat ramp at 828 W. Weber Ave. Sunday's competition will begin at 7 a.m.

Also free are the daily 3:30 p.m. weigh-in ceremonies on the stage at Weber Point Event Center are free along with the Outdoors Expo that opens at noon Saturday and Sunday featuring interactive events, shows and contests for families with children.The fishing contest and Outdoors Expo will be sponsored by the Stockton Sports Commission. "We're extremely excited to be showcasing Stockton and the spectacular Delta waterways to millions of people," sports commission director Don Miller said. "For a black bass tournament, the Delta is a world-class destination. This fish tournament will certainly prove it."