CLEARLAKE OAKS >> Jerry Allen of Elk Grove captured the 33rd annual Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Catfish Derby, which wrapped up its three-day run on Sunday in Clearlake Oaks.
Allen’s big fish weighed 24.65 pounds and earned him a $4,000 paycheck. Competing in the derby for the first time, Allen said he caught his winning fish using cut mackerel as bait on Saturday while fishing in Cache Creek. Second place and $1,000 went to Dave Ross of Clearlake with a 24.02-pound catfish.
The tournament paid down to 20 points in the adult division and it took at least 20 pounds to earn a paycheck.
In the kids division, Parker Kenner of Lakeport won the age 11-15 division with a 22.46-pound catfish. Michael Monteiro of Hidden Valley Lake won the 10-and-under division with 19.19-pounder.
The event, which is the largest catfish derby west of the Mississippi, drew 871 fishermen in the adult division and 164 children. Fishermen came from all over Califorina as well as from Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Hawaii, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Tournament organizers said 65 percent of the contestants came from outside Lake County.
