LAKEPORT – Competitors are set to launch Thursday in the Bassmaster Elite Series Golden State Shootout.
Pro anglers will be blasting off at 7 a.m. from Library Park in Lakeport.
Anglers and pros alike were invited to compete in the five-day event.
There have been noticeably more fishermen out on the water, which is because March 15, 16 and 17 were practice days.
Tournament waters – considered all waters open to public fishing in Clear Lake and all rivers, creeks and canals connecting to Clear Lake – have been off-limits to pros from Feb. 15 through this past Sunday.
All contestants had a briefing along with registration on Wednesday at Robinson Rancheria.
They are to report to Library Park between Third and Fifth streets Thursday to launch their boats. Contestants will go out in flights. Flights and check-in times will be staggered to give each contestant equal fishing time.
The launch site is also the weigh-in site, so participants must be back by 3:30 p.m. for weigh-ins for the three days of the tournament. Each day the fish limit is five and they may not be smaller than 12 inches.
On Saturday, the top 50 pros and top 50 participating marshals will be announced and pros that placed 13th through 50th will receive their awards.
The top 12 pros will be known by Sunday; that will be the final day of the competition. The awards presentation will be held at the weigh-in site.
For more information, visit www.lakeportchamber.com . For general information about Bassmasters fishing tournaments and Bassmasters Magazine, visit www.bassmasters.com and www.ToyotaFishing.com .
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