CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As the top 10 pros took off for the final round of National Guard Western Division competition Saturday morning, an excess of swimbaits were seen bouncing around boat decks as anglers raced through Clear Lake at upwards of 60 mph.
Swimbaits have a reputation in the West as big-fish baits, and they will be needed today. With over a 7-pound lead, the odds are in favor of pro leader Chris Zaldain claiming his first tour-level victory. But stranger things have happened and everyone is well aware of Clear Lake’s big-fish potential.
Although Zaldain is in his rookie campaign as a professional angler on the Wal-Mart FLW Series, he’s no stranger to success on Clear Lake. In 2005 he won a boat as an amateur at the Bassmaster Open on Clear Lake. With one more successful day, he’ll earn a six-figure payday. Pretty neat stuff for fisherman with career FLW Outdoors earnings of only $25,000.
“I’m fairly confident I can catch another bag of over 20 pounds,” he said. “I’m going to hit as many main-lake points as possible, fishing big, huge lava rocks.”
Zaldain isn’t just a one-hit wonder either. He currently sits 18th in the Western Division points race and is sure to climb into the top 10 at the conclusion of this event. As one of the top-30 pros in his division, he’ll be participating in the East-West Fish-off Feb. 7-9, 2008.
“I feel like I deserve it,” Zaldain said of his recent success. “I’ve worked so hard to get here. A win would me everything to me.”
The stakes
Pros are competing this week for a top award of $125,000 plus valuable points in the hope of qualifying for the East-West Fish-off and a shot at advancing to the $2 million, 2008 Forrest Wood Cup, where the winning pro will earn as much as $1 million – the sport’s biggest award.
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.
On the Web
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.
Saturday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:33 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 49 degrees
Expected high temperature: 72 degrees
Water temperature: 60-64 degrees
Wind: SE at 5 mph
Maximum humidity: 50 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy