Cold snap cools expectations at Clear Lake
Third EverStart Western Division tournament begins in California
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Anglers competing in the EverStart Series had visions of fat, spawning, Florida-strain bass by the time they reached Clear Lake, located about two hours north of the San Francisco Bay area, for the third Western Division tournament of the year. But those hopes could prove to be a pipe dream as cold, gray weather conditions have enveloped the area and largely kept the sun-loving California bass off the beds.
“I expect you’ll do well with 15 pounds,” pro Greg Gutierrez of Red Bluff, Calif., responded when asked what the top weights will be. “Normally, that’s three fish around here, but this cold weather has shut them down. Still, somebody will get them.”
Anglers reported that some fish are locked on the spawning beds, but their numbers have been greatly decreased by the cold front. Much of a competitor’s success could be determined by his boat number and how fast he can get to one of the few “turned on” spawning areas each morning.
The water temperature at the launch was a mere 55 degrees – still a bit cool for spawning. Average highs for the area this time of year are in the mid-60s, but unseasonably cool air temperatures are expected to reach highs of only in the mid-50s throughout the week, and that could hold many of the bed-fishermen at bay during the entire tournament.
However, weather forecasts are just that: forecasts. If the sun does decide to grace the California wine country with its presence later in the week, look out, we just might see a whole slew of the inland whales that make this lake famous among western bass fanatics.
“Give it three days of warm weather and this place’ll be hotter than a henhouse,” said one anxious pro at takeoff.
Tournament logistics
The four-day tournament lasts through Saturday. The full field of 136 pros and 136 co-anglers will compete for two days to determine the 20 anglers who will advance to Friday’s semifinal round based on their two-day accumulated weight. Anglers will start at zero Friday and compete for one of 10 slots in Saturday’s final round. Weights are again cleared for Saturday’s competition, and anglers compete for position and prize money.
The winning pro will receive a guaranteed cash award of $8,500 plus an Evinrude- or Yamaha-powered Ranger 519VS Comanche bass boat complete with EverStart batteries, Garmin electronics and a Minn Kota trolling motor. If the winner is a registered owner of a Ranger boat, he will receive a $10,000 cash bonus from Ranger, and if he is a participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, he will receive another $3,000 from Ranger. The winner is also eligible to receive $1,000 from Garmin if his boat is equipped with a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.
The winning co-angler is guaranteed a cash award of $4,500, and Ranger will award him a Ranger 519VS Comanche if he is a registered owner of a Ranger.
Wednesday’s weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at Redbud Park in Clearlake.
Wednesday’s conditions
Sunrise: 6:23 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 42 degrees
Expected high temperature: 57 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 55 degrees
Wind: calm
Relative humidity: 96 percent
Day’s outlook: showers
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