Day one
The fog was definitley thinly layered over the I Street bridge, As the Classic Field was breathing the Sacramento vibes of a Classic stirring in the wind. Good Day Sacramento 31 was out and about separating the tension with Attention, to the coverage, as each angler anticipated being the Day One Leader. My game plan included a 65 mile run, that I was sure no other Angler had such the intent of executing. My name is Mark Peters and I grew up in the Central Valley residing in Sacramento,I fished the FPT for Four years now, finishing 6th in 2011! I told myself that in 2012 I would be the winner at the end of the season. I began the 2012 season with a new partner and two tournaments into the season he decided to stop, due to his financial situation. So I said to myself “this is my dream” and decided to compete alone for the rest of the season, in search of my first Classic Victory, that included a Boat. So as the boat flights were called I embraced the challenge and put my head down, and Ran in my Ranger 488vs 65 miles to a place I had found good limits in the past, in the north east delta. I caught a 5.67 on my fourth cast and new this hour plus ride would pay off dividends come weigh in! Day 1 I was leading by a very small margin.
Day Two
The California Delta a prestigious fishery with a chance at a 20+pound sack and this tournament was anyone’s taking.. I was boat 45 to launch and being SOLO really added to the pressure of being the day 1 leader, knowing the Entire Classic field of Teams were following me. I made a short run to Whiskey Slough. 10 casts in, I have a 2plus pounder already swimming happily in my live well as I know my lead is still existing. 2 hours go by and nothing has happened, other than the tide lowering and the sun rising! My nerves are slowly creaping on my intentions and “BOOM” a 7plus pounder blasts my SPOOK but doesn’t inhale it, it knocks it 4 feet in the air as this lonely lure does three summer salts in the air fishless. My heart sinks, but this was a quick reminder of how quick things change. I slowly fish and by 10am I have A 5 fish limit for 7pounds and know this weight will Not claim Victory! What to do…..I make a 20mile run and looking at my watch I nervously realized I had 1 hour to weigh in..I grabbed my MONEY MAKER, A 8foot Daiwa ZILLION punch Rod paired with my trusty REVO STX loaded with Power Pro 65 pound Braid, attached with a River2Sea Trash Bomb pegged with a BERKELEY HAVOC CRAW and said Lord show me the way. I punched 3 times and the fourth “BOOM” 6lber,, YES,,this is going to happen! Looking at my watch I had 20 min to weigh in, and knew I had to leave in 10 min. I punched through the best looking CHEESE I could find and “BOOM” 5LBER.. I was elated and praised my faith, as I raced to the finish, to find that this wonderful story, concluded with not a win, but a Second Place finish, and a WEEKEND that was worth sharing to all of us DEDICATED fisherman, with Dreams of winning it all…One thing I learned was to believe in yourself, and to never give up!!!!
BY
MARK PETERS