Clear cut
EverStart Series Western Division anglers battle it out in effort to qualify for today’s top-10 cut on Clear Lake
LAKEPORT, Calif. – After an impressive opening day of competition, where more than 3,410 pounds of bass were brought to the scales, 344 pros and co-anglers departed Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. Thursday with one very distinct and unified goal in mind – to secure a berth in today’s all-important top-10 cut.
Although temperatures were a bit cooler at takeoff this morning, the National Weather Service is suggesting that highs will reach upward of 84 degrees – a development which should keep the hungry bass bite going strong for at least another day.
“Last Friday I woke up with ice on my boat, but it’s gotten warmer every single day,” said Kirk Beardsley, currently standing in second place in the Co-angler Division. “The water temperature started out at 50 degrees, and it’s probably gone up about 6 to 8 degrees since we’ve been here. It’s going to be around 80 degrees for the rest of the week, and that means that the fishing is only going to get better from here on out.”
Although anglers are only able to keep a maximum of four fish in today’s competition – per a new interpretation of the bass-fishing tournament rules by the California Department of Fish and Game – plenty of healthy sacks should materialize at weigh-in once again in today’s competition.
Currently, Sieg Taylor of Clearlake, Calif., holds the top spot in the Pro Division after landing an impressive four-fish catch of 30 pounds, 5 ounces in yesterday’s action. Meanwhile, Douglas Davis of New Castle, Colo., has the lead in the Co-angler Division with a healthy day-one total of 20 pounds, 14 ounces.
EverStart action continues at Thursday’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. at Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina, located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road in Lakeport, Calif.
Thursday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:30 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees
Expected high temperature: 81 degrees
Water temperature: 56-60 degrees
Wind: from the northwest 5-10 mph
Humidity: 73 percent
Day’s outlook: sunny