LAKEPORT >> If the prefishing results are any indication, there could be some record weights brought to the scales during the 29th annual Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament, which opens today and runs through Sunday. Weigh-in times are 3 p.m. both days at Konocti Vista Casino and Marina in Lakeport.
The final day of sign-ups Friday saw the field nearly double in size to 134, including teams from throughout California and as far away as Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minneota and Arkansas.
The winning team is guaranteed at least $6,500 and the big-fish winner earns $1,500 each day. The 100-percent-payback tournament will pay down to 25 places.
Some huge bass were caught by fishermen prefishing for the tournament. Charlie Almassey caught a 16.3-pound bass last weekend, the largest fish taken out of Clear Lake since the lake record of 17.52 pounds was established back in February of 1990. Then on Thursday, 15.3- and 14.2-pound bass were caught by fishermen prefishing for the tournament. Another 12-pounder was caught Friday.
“The bass bite right now is unbelievable,” said Record-Bee outdoors/fishing columnist Terry Knight, who served as tournament director for the first six Clear Lake Team Bass Tournaments (1987-1992). “I wouldn’t be surprised if the big fish each day was 9 or 10 pounds or even bigger.”
How many pounds will it take to win this year’s tournament?
“The winning team will probably have 70-75 pounds,” Knight said. “The more experienced fishermen will be looking for the bigger bass. They are interested in quality over quantity. If they get five good bites each day they’ll be happy.”
The weather conditions for the tournament should be ideal today. The forecast for Sunday calls for cloudy weather with a chance of showers.
“A lot will depend on the weather Sunday,” Knight said. “The rain won’t hurt the bite but it makes things tougher on fishermen, especially if there is wind.”
Tournament fishermen will be treated to a free dinner tonight hosted by PG&E starting at 5:30 p.m. at Konocti Vista Casino.
