Clearly, it’s time for some fun
FLW Series Western to wrap up season on record-setting California pond
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Last April, Stren Series Western Division anglers crushed countless FLW Outdoors tournament weight records during a monster catch fest at California’s unparalleled Clear Lake. This week, the FLW Series Western Division is closing out its 2007 season on Clear Lake, and it goes without saying that the anglers are more than happy to be back here.
There are several reasons for that.
One, it’s the last tournament of a long season, and many guys are looking forward to heading home for the winter to recharge.
Two, the weather here in Northern California is, well, very California-like. It’s perfect, with calm, cloudless skies and temperatures approaching 80 degrees slated for the rest of the week.
Three, and most importantly, this lake coughs up 7- to 10-pound largemouth bass like a Pez dispenser. While it’s officially fall-transition fishing here and not spawning time like they saw at the April Stren, these anglers lucked into a warm front that many think will spur fish activity this week.
“Get out your camera,” pro Ted Nguyen said before Wednesday’s initial takeoff. “We’re going to see some fish, especially with this weather. It’s going to be fun.”
While it remains to be seen whether anyone will catch the 30-pound plus limits seen here last April, it goes without saying at Clear Lake that anything less than 20 pounds will not make the cut. Total catch rates should be a lot lower than what we’ve seen here in the spring, but don’t be fooled by the fall fishing. These anglers will catch a few good 9- and 10-pound bass this week.
To that end, there seemed to be a lot of boat decks loaded up with light tackle and plastics Wednesday morning. It will be interesting to see if the drop-shotters can outcatch the swimbaiters at Clear Lake this week.
As the fourth and final event of the 2007 Western Division season, the standings leaders will really be pushing to win Angler of the Year. And it’s a tight one on the pro side coming into this tournament. Clayton Meyer leads with 571 points, but Randy McAbee Jr. and Brent Ehrler are close behind him with 567 and 564, respectively.
One thing to watch out for this week, believe it or not, are the wildfires currently raging in Southern California. A number of anglers hail from the Los Angeles and San Diego areas. No word yet on who has been affected – if anyone – but the field is almost entirely full at 196 boats, so the draw of competing at Clear Lake is obviously a big one. Still, the distraction factor could play a part as those horrendous fires burn down south. In fact, the standings leaders all live in Southern California: Meyer is from San Diego, McAbee is from Bakersfield and Ehrler is from Redlands.
Logistics
At stake this event is a $125,000 cash prize for the Pro Division winner and $25,000 for the Co-angler Division winner.
Anglers take off from Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa located at 8727 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville at 7:30 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at Konocti Harbor Resort beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s takeoff will be held at Redbud Park located at 14655 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, Calif., at 7:30 a.m., and the final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 15960 Dam Road in Clearlake beginning at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Fujifilm trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.
The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results, streaming video and audio.