The largest fishing tournament to be held on Clear Lake gets under way noon Friday. It”s the annual Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven Catfish Derby, which has been in existence for more than 25 years and is becoming more popular every year.
It is the largest catfish derby west of the Mississippi and more than 450 fishermen from throughout the western states are expected to compete in the three-day event. Last year”s winner was Omar Mandujano of Cloverdale with a 25.7-pound catfish. It took at least 18.43 pounds to finish in the money in the adult division. The winner in the kids division was Richie Pavoni of Clearlake Oaks with a 21.9-pound catfish.
Derby hours are from noon Friday until noon Sunday. The fisherman who weighs in the largest catfish in the adult division will take home a new boat, outboard motor and trailer package worth approximately $5,000. In addition more than $8,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the other top finishers. The winner in the kids division receives a new quad ATV. The awards ceremony starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Clearlake Oaks Firehouse.
Here are a few of the more important rules for the derby:
1. Anyone cited by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for a fishing violation during the derby is automatically disqualified. Contestants can also be disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct during the derby.
2. All prizes to be determined by weight of individual fish. There is only one prize per registered contestant.
3. In case of ties, the prize money for each place shall be added, then divided equally. For example, if three people tie for second place then money for second, third and fourth will be added and then split three ways.
4. The heaviest catfish weighed in must be caught by a registered contestant to win the grand prize or cash prize.
5. Only the heaviest catfish caught by each contestant will be counted.
6. Top finishers may be required to successfully pass a polygraph (lie -detector) test. Additional tests may be given at the discretion of tournament officials. If you are not available to take the test between noon and 1 p.m. on Sunday, you will be disqualified.
7. Catfish must be caught on Clear Lake between noon Friday and presented for weigh-in by noon Sunday.
8. All contestants must register and get an entry number before fishing. Non-compliance will result in disqualification. Registration starts Thursday at noon and ends Friday at 11 p.m. at the derby headquarters located at the Clearlake Oaks Fire Station, 12655 E. State Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.
9. Interpretation of the rules is left up to the derby officials. The officials reserve the right to disqualify any contestant who violates these rules. Additional rules, if required, will be posted at the weigh-in station.
10. Only live catfish will be weighed.
11. All contestants must wear their fishing license in plain sight with their entry number showing.
12. The catfish must be caught on a hook and line only. Multiple hooks may be used.
13. Daily weigh-ins take place from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Clearlake Oaks Fire Station. The fish will be logged in and a hole punched in the dorsal fin. If any angler catches a catfish with a hole in the dorsal fin he/she cannot bring it to the weigh-in station and be counted.
14. Those who enter the adult contest under 18 years of age must have a co-signer. The co-signer is required to be present at the fish weigh-in. Co-signer must be prepared to take a lie-detector test.
The entry fee for the derby is $40 per adult if received before 11 p.m. Thursday. There is a $5 late fee for entries received after that time. The entry fee for children 15 and younger is $10.
Entry forms must be received by mail or brought to derby headquarters between noon and 11 p.m. on Thursday to qualify for the reduced rate. Entries will not be accepted after 11 p.m. Friday. Each contestant must pick up his entry number and a list of rules in person at derby headquarters.
Entry forms and the complete rules for the derby can be obtained from the Web site at www.clearlakeoaks.org
