Bass tournament fishermen will be out in force on Clear Lake this weekend. Not only is there a major bass tournament Saturday, but dozens of anglers will be prefishing for the 30th annual Lake County Chamber of Commerce Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament scheduled for the following weekend.
Wild West Bass Trails (WWBT) takes the stage Saturday with a team tournament that is expected to draw nearly 200 boats. The tournament circuit is owned by famous professional bass fisherman Gary Dobyns. That tournament goes out of Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport and the weigh-in starts at 3 p.m.
The tournament has some big-name local fishermen such as Mark Crutcher, Wayne Breazeale and John Pearl, just to name a few.
The team tournament has a seven-fish limit, which means it could take at least 35 or even 40 pounds to win it. If the tournament draws at least 190 boats the winning team will take home about $10,000.
The lake is in excellent condition. The level is just below flood stage and water clarity is very good over most of the lake. I fished with Ed Smith of Gridley on Wednesday and we caught plenty of bass although they only ranged in size from 1-3 pounds. The bass were in excellent shape. What surprised me were the number of fishermen on the lake. Despite the WWBT having an off-limits for its contestants, the lake was loaded with bass boats. I believe most of the fishermen were prefishing for the upcoming Chamber of Commerce tournament on March 18-19, That tournament should draw at least 100 boats and features a 100-percent payback of entry fees.
Overall the bass fishing has been rated as very good. Bill Timmer of Lakeport fished the lake Wednesday and said he caught at least a dozen bass. He said he caught his fish on a variety of lures, including plastic worms and tube baits. Timmer fished the Lakeport area from Konocti Vista Casino to Catfish Slough.
Other fishermen reported having success fishing the south end of the lake using jerk baits and crankbaits.
Melissa Fulton, CEO of the Lake County Chamber, said the the Clear Lake Team Bass Tournament has a new sponsor in Redwood Ford and that a free strip steak dinner for all contestants will be served Saturday evening. Guests can eat for $15. The dinner will take place at Konocti Vista Casino. The winning team will receive, in addition to cash, commemorative 30th anniversary jackets donated by Bill Brunetti of Bruno’s Property Management. Brunetti was one of the original sponsors of the tournament 30 years ago. The sponsors of the plaques that go to the top finishers are Bill and Dana Kearney, owners of North Lake Medical Pharmacy. They also have been supporters of the tournament throughout its existence. Fulton also said weigh-ins will be broadcast live on the radio by Bicoastal Media.
The entry fee for the tournament is $200 per team and that includes the big-fish option. Fishermen can sign up for the tournament as late as 4 p.m. on March 17 at the chamber office, located at 875 Lakeport Blvd. In Lakeport. For more information call 263-5092.
The good news for fishermen and lakeside homeowners is the lake level continues to drop. It is now below the flood stage of 9 feet on the Rumsey Gauge and public boat ramps are starting to open. The Fifth Street ramp at Library Park in Lakeport is open as is the county ramp in Nice. The ramp at Lakeside County Park should open soon along with the ramp at Redbud Park in Clearlake.
