The bass tournaments return to Clear Lake starting this month and to date there are only 24 major tournaments scheduled for 2016. The first major tournament is an American Bass competition on Jan.17. These tournaments are classified as “event” tournaments by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and each has been issued a permit.
During its heyday Clear Lake drew more than 60 major bass tournaments annually. That number has dropped considerably the past five years and it’s not just at Clear Lake where the popularity of bass tournaments is on the decline, but throughout California. In addition to the 24 major tournaments in 2016, Clear Lake will host 62 bass club tournaments. These require annual permits. Clear Lake is considered one of the more popular lakes for the club tournament fishermen.
Bass tournament organizations typically run their schedules from January to June 15 and then from Sept. 15 until the end of the year. Many organizations don’t schedule tournaments during the summer months because the DFW requires all tournaments held from June 15 to Sept. 15 be only six hours in duration. However, this year there are a number of tournaments scheduled for the summer months.
Most of the tournaments scheduled for 2016 are team events, however there are also several pro/am tournaments. The tournament circuits holding bass tournaments at Clear Lake this year are American Bass, California Bass Federation, California Tournament Trail, FLW, and Best Bass Tournaments. There are also a number of specialty tournaments that are single events. Specialty tournaments are gaining in popularity and one of the most popular is the Lake County Chamber/Konocti Vista Casino tournament, which is scheduled for March 19-20. Other popular tournaments are the Bob’s Boat Owners tournament and the Triton Boat Owners tournament.
Nearly all of the major bass tournaments in 2016 will be held out of the Konocti Vista Resort and Casino in Lakeport. A few tournaments are scheduled to go out of Redbud Park in Clearlake. A few years ago most of the tournaments went out of Redbud Park, but an effective public relations campaign by the marketing group at Konocti Vista lured the tournament organizations to the resort and casino. In addition, Konocti Vista Casino has a protected bay and docks where weigh-ins can be safely held in the worst weather.
Team tournaments normally draw from 30-60 boats while the pro/ams draw up to 100 boats. A circuit consists of approximately seven tournaments held at local lakes.
The entry fee for team events averages about $300 although options can push that cost up to $500. The winning team normally takes home about $2,000. Other top finishers also win cash. At the end of the season the top teams in each circuit compete in what is called the Tournament of Champions (TOC) where the winning team can take home a new bass boat worth about $35,000.
The pro/am events are for the more experienced fishermen. The entry fee for the pro range from $1,000 to $2,000 while amateurs pay about $500. In most of the pro/ams the winning pro receives a new bass boat and cash while the winning amateur takes home about $2,000.
There is a random drawing the night before the tournament when the pros are teamed up with an amateur partner. The pro and amateur then fish as a team with a five-fish per boat limit. They share the weight. The one exception is the FLW pro/am where each fishermen brings his own fish to the scales.
The best part of being an amateur is that you don’t need a boat and you get to fish with an experienced professional fisherman. Most amateurs have little or no fishing experience and they use the tournaments as a fishing lesson.
There is no question bass tournaments provide needed revenue for local businesses. Studies have shown that each fisherman spends approximately $300 per day for such things as motels, food and gas. In addition to the actual days of the tournament, most fishermen prefish at least two days prior.
