Bailey cashes out with $10,000 at Konocti Vista
LAKEPORT — Arizona fisherman Shaun Bailey of Lake Havasu City won the $10,000 top prize in the winner-take-all Heavyweight Bass Classic held Friday at Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina.
Each of the 51 fishermen entered was allowed to weigh in only one fish. Bailey”s big bass tipped the scales at 9.01 pounds. He said he caught his winning fish on a 13-inch Senko fished over a rockpile in the south end of the lake. In addition to his big fish, Bailey said he caught several others that weighed in excess of 6 pounds.
The contestants found the fishing tough overall. There was only one other fish that topped 8 pounds and three weighed more than seven pounds.
An observer accompanied each fisherman to make sure all rules were followed.
The fishermen were allowed to cull fish, which means they could replace a fish with a larger one, but they couldn”t have more than one fish in their boat livewell at any time.
Fishermen from throughout the United States as well as from Japan competed in the event.
Jeff Billings of Clearlake was the top Lake County finisher. He came in ninth at 5.49 pounds. RC Stephens of Clearlake Oaks was 23rd at 4.26 pounds.
