CLEARLAKE, Calif. – With beautiful weather gracing the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers for the fourth straight day, the final field departed Red Bud Marina for the last time shortly after 6:30 a.m. Saturday in their quest for a tournament title on Clear Lake.
Currently, pro Sieg Taylor of Clearlake, Calif., has the overall lead – which he’s held for three straight days – after netting a semifinal catch weighing 24 pounds, 10 ounces. However, pro Fred Rex of San Jose, Calif., remains hot on his heels after recording a day-three catch of 23 pounds, 9 ounces.
Meanwhile, the Co-angler Division is also a very close contest. Heading into today’s final event, Kyle Clement of Anderson, Calif., has the overall lead with a 16-pound, 1-ounce catch. But Douglas Davis of New Castle, Colo., ensured that he would remain in close sight of the leaderboard after producing a catch of 14 pounds, 14 ounces in yesterday’s competition.
While other anglers in both divisions are a bit further behind, all 20 finalists are in play for a tournament title, due solely to the fact that Clear Lake – one of the most productive fisheries in the nation – has the ability to cough up 30-pound stringers on a fairly routine basis.
To be sure, there is a lot at stake in today’s finals as anglers battle for a share of a total tournament purse worth more than $200,000. First place in the Pro Division ultimately could be worth as much as $60,000 – including a new Ranger boat and various contingency awards – while co-anglers will be battling for a top award of up to $35,000.
Per tournament rules, first place in each division will go to the angler who weighs in the heaviest fish – within the confines of a four-fish limit – over the course of the semifinals and finals.
EverStart action concludes at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart, located at 15960 Dam Road in Clearlake, Calif.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:27 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 49 degrees
Expected high temperature: 77 degrees
Water temperature: 56-62 degrees
Wind: from the northwest at 5-10 mph
Humidity: 67 percent
Day’s outlook: partly sunny