JARED BIDDLE AND RUSS VEZZALI TAKE CLEARLAKE BY STORM

Weather predictions for Clearlake, CA on Saturday were possible showers lingering throughout the day on the week prior to the tournament and as the time closed in on Saturday, thunder storms with down pours were expected by the Weather Channel. While weather meteorologists on channel 3, 13 and 40 all gave similar forecast reports, they did vary some as to when we were to actually get the rain and wind, even though they all have the same Doppler system.

During the check-in on Friday, there was a little wind mixed with sunshine then cloudy conditions. A few sprinkles were felt as the sun made a quick appearance in the late afternoon then the skies grew dark and dreary. Several teams came into Clearlake Bait & Tackle to get their Quagga Mussel inspections, made some purchases and signed up for the tournament. There was talk about the weather and what we were to expect in the early morning hours. Several teams traveling from Nevada had turned around and went back home when they were told chains were required to go over the pass, while a few teams who had traveled earlier in the week from Nevada came to sign in for the event and mentioned they would deal with thoughts of traveling home in the snow after the tournament was over as their main focus was on battling the weather to catch the winning weight.

We were told fishing was tough on Friday for many anglers and one team who had pre-fished decided they were leaving California and driving back home as they did not put one fish in their boat so getting over the pass was their thought pattern at that time.

Saturday morning check in for the anglers started at 4:30 AM. A few anxious anglers were ready to get their boat number and have their boat compartments checked so they could launch while it was just starting to sprinkle. As the early morning time had passed several more anglers showed up to sign in, have some complimentary coffee and snacks and get their thoughts on where to begin their day of fishing, Mother Nature decided to give us some "liquid sunshine". At 6:45 AM when the boats were released, the showered began.

When everyone was out headed to their fishing destinations, the rain became part of the scene and at times it was like someone had pulled the curtains closed as you could barely see across the parking lot. We were thinking of the anglers who were out there battling the rain, potential rough water conditions and trying to locate bass to fill their live wells with five better than average size fish to claim the tournament their victory.

While several anglers struggled to catch bass others said the rain helped them land their limits. The windy and wet weather was not an obstacle to overcome for Jared Biddle of Santa Rosa and his partner Russ Vezzali of Rohnert Park came to the scales with the winning weight of 35.27 pounds for their five bass. They had a kicker that weighed 8.37 pounds, which gave them Second Big Fish, which was caught by Jared. Jared told the crowd they fished rocks and weeds in the south end of the lake using crank baits in the Clearlake Hitch color. Jared showed the crowd the "fish" look-alike bait that landed their fish. For their efforts they took home $2,385.00 for First Place in the tournament and Second Big Fish. Congratulations guys!

Second Place went to the team of Jerry Autry from Modesto and Matt Cox from Atwater who brought a limit weighing 27.45 pounds. Their largest bass weighed 5.95 pounds, not enough to place them with a Big Fish but enough weight to give them Second Place and Option money to celebrate with. They told the crowd they drop shotted worms and "fished points in about 15 to 18 feet of water." They took home $1,220.00 in winnings and trophies.

Third Place went to the team of Nick Nourot and his partner Ryan Bottini, both from Benicia came to the scales with 26.44 pounds which they caught using weightless worms, drop shotting and Flipping in the "mid lake" area. Their largest bass weighed 6.29 pounds, not enough to qualify for Big Fish in this tournament, but added to their weight giving them Third Place money - $335.00.

Dustin Keen from Fair Oaks and his partner Troy Deguchi from Rancho Cordova caught 24.96 pounds, anchored by their largest bass weighing 7.28 pounds caught by Dustin, giving them Fourth Place and Dustin Fourth Place Big Fish. They took home $800.00 in winnings for their efforts. Nice team work guys!

Fifth Place went to the team of Matt Leverich of Oakley and his partner Travis Tate who weighed in 23.75 pounds. Their largest bass weighed 6.27 pounds caught by Travis. They took home $510.00 for their wet day on Clearlake!

Honorable Mentions:

First Big Fish was caught and landed by Craig Smith as his wife Barbara had to stay home in Truckee and work that day. Craig caught this beautiful 8.40 pound lunker that went along with his other three bass that weighed 17.45 pounds. He needed Barb in the boat to catch another bass to give them a limit. Craig took home $520.00 for his nice bass and his First Place Big Fish trophy to show everyone. Congratulations Craig for your hard work that paid off on a tough day of fishing.

Third Big Fish was caught by Claudio Silva of Riverbank that weighed 8.06 pounds. Juan Valazquez of Turlock was Claudio's partner who also caught fish for the team, giving them 23.23 pounds for their day on the water. They took home $525.00 for Sixth Place and Third Big Fish. Nice team work guys!

Fifth Big Fish was caught by Jake Arbuckle of Escalon that weighed in at 6.88 pounds. Jake and his partner Andrew Maack of Holister came to the scales with 18.32 pounds overall. Jake took home $60.00 for his big fish.

TEAM WOOD TAKE FIRST PLACE IN THE SMALL BOAT DIVISON

The lake proved to be tough for many teams including the teams fishing in the Small Boat Division. The father and son team of Chuck and Aaron Wood caught two bass that weighed 6.02 pounds, giving them First Place. They might have only caught two bass but they took the winning points in their division, getting them closer to the TOC. Like many teams, they left before the Awards Ceremony, trying to outrun the rain on their trip home. We don't know what techniques they used or what baits they tied onto their line. You will receive your First Place trophies when we see you at the next tournament you fish Chuck and Aaron.

During the Awards Ceremony Emerald Premium Nuts "Sea Salt & Pepper Cashews" and "Mixed Nuts" were tossed by Brian out to the crowd and were an added bonus to the anglers who enjoyed snacking on them.

If you win money at the tournament and leave before the Awards Ceremony, you will receive you winnings at the next tournament you fish or you can meet up with your director to receive you money. Winnings will not be mailed to you.

Sponsor Tackle Store Receipts Program - If you purchase tackle valued at $20.00 OR MORE from our Sponsor Tackle Stores, listed below or go Online to make purchases through the Optimum Baits or ima websites, you will receive a discount from being a member of the BBT. Keep your receipt and write your name and phone number on the back of it then place it into the bucket, which is at every tournament check-in.  You will have opportunities to win prizes during the Awards Ceremony after each weigh-in. Remember, you MUST be present to win. At the close of the Awards Ceremony, all receipts drawn are placed back into the bucket for more changes to have them drawn at future events in addition at the TOC. If you are not present and your name is called, you forfeit your prize and it is donated to the TOC. Remember to support the sponsors who are supporting you in bass fishing whenever you can. A list of our sponsors is below and is also on the Sponsors page of the Best Bass Tournaments website www.bestbasstournaments.com Thank you for coming out and supporting Best Bass Tournaments. As always, it was great to see familiar faces and meet new anglers who will be fishing the BBT this season! We appreciate each one of you.

I would like to thank my BBT Assistants for making this tournament a success. You all did a great job checking boats, helping anglers who needed your assistance, during the weigh-in and making sure everything was properly stored in the BBT trailer after the Awards Ceremony came to a close: JD Mc Millian, Kevin Ryan, Peter Kaprielian,  Kenny Cramer, Kody Cramer and our nephew Brian.

If every angler would ask one friend to join and fish the BBT, you will have additional anglers to compete against and have more opportunities to win larger paybacks. Let your friends know that they will also be eligible to win prizes in addition to saving money on fishing tackle when making purchases through our Sponsor Tackle Stores.

Best Bass Tournaments would like to personally thank the sponsors who are supporting us and the anglers alike: Emerald Premium Snacks, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Lowrance, Republic Electric, The Fishing Instructor, Yakima Baits, Technology Integrators, Hildebrandt, Poe's Plugs, Timber Tiger, Ima, Optimum Baits, Continental Tires, Out of Bounds Speed & Marine, Wear It California, AGS Apparel, Port of Subs, America's Best Value Inn & Suites - Oroville, Clearlake Cottages, Applebee's - Oroville, Central Valley Sportsmen's Boat & RV Show

Best Bass Tournaments Sponsor Tackle Stores: Mel Cotton's Sporting Goods/ San Jose; Walton's Pond/ San Leandro; Guns, Fishing & Other Stuff/ Dixon; Coyote Bait & Tackle/ Coyote, CA; Clearlake Bait & Tackle/ Clearlake; Clearlake Outdoors/ Lakeport; Tracy Oasis Marina/ Tracy, CA

If you or your company would like to be a sponsor of Best Bass Tournaments, please contact Randy Pringle at www.bestbasstournaments.com or call 209-543-6260.