Kelseyville fishermen own the day

Only days after securing his driver's license, Kelseyville High School's Payton Lyndall won the amateur division Sunday as the two-day NewJen Bass pro-am wrapped up on Clear Lake. He brought in 44.72 pounds, including the tournament's big fish, an 8.87-pounder, to win $3,700. (Photo courtesy of NewJen Bass) — Only days after securing his driver’s license, Kelseyville High School’s Payton Lyndall won the amateur division Sunday as the two-day NewJen Bass pro-am wrapped up on Clear Lake. He brought in 44.72 pounds, including the tournament’s big fish, an 8.87-pounder, to win $3,700. (Photo courtesy of NewJen Bass)

By Brian Sumpter | Lake County Record Bee

PUBLISHED: March 7, 2022 at 12:40 PM PST

Lake County fisherman Paul Bailey (center) won the pro division of the two-day NewJen Bass pro-am, which concluded Sunday on Clear Lake. He brought 48.12 pounds to the scales and won $10,000. Daniel Shelton (left) came in second with 45.33 pounds and Ryan Diatte (right) was third with 44.73 pounds.

LAKE COUNTY — It was a good Sunday for Kelseyville fishermen Paul Bailey and Payton Lyndall as they won their respective divisions in the NewJen Bass pro-am on Clear Lake.

Bailey claimed the $10,000 first prize in the pro division with 48.12 pounds during the two-day competition, besting a field of 64 professionals of which the top nine brought more than 40 pounds to the weigh scales.

Close behind Bailey were Daniel Shelton with 45.33 pounds ($4,500) and Ryan Diatte with 44.73 pounds ($2,750).

In the 63-fishermen-strong amateur division, Lyndall not on took top honors with 44.72 pounds, but his big fish on day two of the tournament — 8.87 pounds — also was the big fish taken overall, beating out the 8.64-pounder caught by Nick Gillotte in the pro division on day one.

Only a few days removed from securing his driver’s licence, the Kelseyville High School student pocketed $3,700 for the win. Lyndall edged out amateur runner-up Larry Llanes with 43.96 pounds ($1,400), Tony Thomasy with 43.87 pounds ($1,000), and Trevor Thrash with 43.77 pounds ($700).

Pros

Joining Bailey, Shelton and Diatte as top-10 finishers in the pro division were Andy Doudna, fourth with 42.49 pounds ($2,000); Jeff Michels,. Fifth with 42.08 pounds ($1,750); Jackson Juarez, sixth with 40.61 pounds ($1,500); Ed Zinda, seventh with 40.57 pounds ($1,200); Daniel Andrusaitis, eighth with 40.28 pounds ($1,000); Jerod Adams, ninth with 40.12 pounds ($900); and Andres Mendivil, 10th with 39.96 pounds ($800).

The tournament paid down to 12 places in the pro division. Pro big-fish winner Gillotte won $1,000 while Sage Baker received $500 for catching the big fish on day one (8.42 pounds).

Amateurs

Along with Lyndall, Llanes, Thomasy and Thrash, other top-10 amateur finishers were Britt Penrose, fifth with 42.34 pounds ($600), Corey Vasquez, sixth with 41.67 pounds ($495), Brian Watkinson, seventh, with 40.95 pounds ($695), including the big fish on day one of 8.75 pounds; Adam Teaney, eighth with 39.94 pounds ($425); Nathan Hance, ninth with 38.78 pounds ($400); and Kurt Forrister, 10th with 38.67 pounds ($375).

The tournament paid down to 12th place in the amateur division.