What’s at stake: $673,150 in cash to the top 50 Elite pros and valuable points towards qualifying in the Bassmaster Majors and the race for the Bassmaster Angler of the Year award. The top 50 co-anglers compete for $122, 250 in cash and merchandise.
Telecast: The “Golden State Shootout presented by Evan Williams” will be aired on The Bassmasters on April 7 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
The Pros Said It
“It’s my favorite lake and it’s been really good the last few months. This weather has been near 70 and 80 degrees the last few weeks, but now it’s freezing at night and it’s only been in the high 50’s. But, I still think it’s going to take close to 100 pounds to win it. The average bass here is probably around three pounds, so you’ll see a lot of really nice limits, but it’s going to be a little harder to get the bigger fish. I’ve had seven bites in seven casts so they’re snapping. It’s a really good, firm bite right now.”- 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series Duel on the Delta champion and 2000 BASS California Invitational winner on Clear Lake, ranked eighth on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index Aaron Martens, 34, Leeds, Ala.
“The bite is pretty wide open right now. I think there are going to be a lot of weights in the 15 to 18-pound range and 21 pounds a day to make the cut to the top 12. I’ve caught them on just about everything I’ve tried, but with the way the wind is blowing right now it’s keeping everyone concentrated in the same areas. My main concern right now is finding something I can have all to myself. It’s not a sight bite which I think has surprised people and I think the predominant lure that’s going to be fished is a swimbait. I think the pros are going to have a blast fishing here and if the wind dies down, it will be nice.”– Bassmaster Elite Series pro ranked 45th on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index, Fred Roumbanis, 28, Auburn, Calif.
“Right now it’s really, really windy. It’s really blowing out there and the lake is really rough. I’ve caught a lot of fish but not great big fish. The wind has really hampered anything and everything you want to do. You can’t fish the banks and you can’t see what you’re doing, but the weights are still going to be huge. These are the fattest fish I’ve ever seen in my life, and I think you better have more than 20 pounds a day to win. ” – Seven-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier ranked ninth on the Bassmaster Elite Series Power Index, Edwin Evers, 32, Talala, Okla.
The Strategy
Martens: Martens described the lake as very sensitive and said that his strategy will depend on the weather conditions such as wind and water temperature. If it’s nasty and cold he will stick to a few small selected areas, but if it warms up, he will cover a lot of water. He is fishing a variety of lures and says he will have 10 different rods on deck.
Roumbanis: Roumbanis said that getting a big bite early is going to be key for him on Clear Lake. He plans to throw a large swimbait early and then use a variety of lures throughout the day to reach a 20-pound limit. He said he’s got 10 different rods on deck each tied with different baits suited to the different areas he will visit.
Evers: Evers plans to continually search for new water and develop his pattern throughout the tournament. Evers plans to fish a variety of lures including a swimbait that will play a large part of his strategy and a YUM Vibra King tube.
Location and Field
Golden State Shootout – Bassmaster Elite Series
Clear Lake
Lakeport, Calif.
March 29 – April 1
Field
108 pros, 108 co-anglers
Cut to top 50 after Day 2
Cut to top 12 pro anglers after Day 3
Launch
Library Park
222 Park Street
Lakeport, CA 95453
6:50 a.m. PT
Weigh-in
Library Park
222 Park Street
Lakeport, CA 95453
3 p.m. PT
Background
Previous BASS events
2005 Bassmaster Western Open
2004 Bassmaster Western Open
2003 Bassmaster Western Open
2003 BASS California Showdown
2002 Bassmaster Western Open
2000 BASS California Invitational
Previous winners on lake
49-15, Jared Lintner, 2005
48-14, Zachary Thompson, 2004
48-14, Mark Tyler, 2003
38-2, Alton Jones, 2003
67-15, Aaron Martens, 2002
83-5, Byron Velvick, 2000
Heaviest winning weight
83-5, Byron Velvick, 2000
Lowest winning weight
38-2, Alton Jones, 2003
Weather
Temperature
72 degrees
Lake level
6.08 ft. above mean sea level
Local sponsors: Local sponsors include the city Lakeport Chamber of Commerce.
Bassmaster Elite Series sponsors: Sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series include Toyota Tundra, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Advance Auto Parts, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide and Costa Del Mar.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation Nation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 530,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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