Paes & Henry Take Clear Lake Title With 27.98 lbs. 

by Nor-Cal Staff   

Saturday, April 24,1999 - Lakeport, CA .... After a three-year absence, Nor-Cal Bass made its return to Clear Lake with a bang. Seventy Pro and Amateur anglers fished the 4th qualifying event of the 1999 season for over $5,700.00 in prize money. The weather was ideal with temperatures in the 80's and hardly any wind to speak of. The anglers brought 167 black bass to the scales that weighed 479 lbs. A number of huge fish were brought in with several weighing over 6 lbs.  This was capped off by a 12.14 lb. monster caught by Ron Henry of Ceres, CA.  

After the weigh-in was over and results tallied, Pro Tim Paes of Turlock, CA and his partner Ron Henry of Ceres, CA took the Clear Lake title with a 6 fish limit that weighed 27.98 lbs. Paes and Henry's limit was anchored by 2 huge Clear Lake bass that put them over the top. Paes reported that his 8.34 lb. bass was caught splitshotting a 4" Fishin Musician reaper on 8 lb. Silver Thread line in 10 ft of water while Henry's 12.14 lb. monster came on a chartreuse spinnerbait in about 4 ft of water. Paes also stated that the team started their day in the Trailer Park Lagoon looking for bed fish and only had 4 flipped fish in the boat for about 8 lbs. at noon when he decided to make the run to Konocti Bay and fish main lake structure for staging fish. The move paid off as the teams‚ 2 big fish came from that area.  Paes went on to say that the key to their victory was fishing the isolated tulle clumps that were surrounded by rock. For their outstanding day on the water, Paes took home $1,455.00 while Henry, who also had big fish honors in the amateur division and for the event, which earned him a beautiful plaque, took home $1,080.00 for a team total of $2,535.00.  

Second place for the event went to Pro Ed Gomes of Hilmar, CA. and his partner Ron Wilson of Modesto, CA. Gomes and Wilson brought in a 6 fish limit that tipped the scales at 24.66 lbs. The teams‚ weight was anchored by Gomes' 8.14 lb. black bass. Gomes who is sponsored by: Stratos Boats, Boats Unlimited, Fishin Musician Worms, Joe Gomes & Sons Petroleum and Al Enos Chevron, reported that the team fished several areas of the lake pitching Brushhogs in 2 ft to 7 ft of water. The key to their finish was having a combination of vegetation and wood. For their great finish, Gomes took home $793.00 while Wilson earned $509.00 for a team total of $1,302.00.  

Third place in the Pro Division went to Pro Dale Carney of Millbrae, CA who fished with Lee Freeman of Alameda, CA. Carney and Freeman brought 6 fish that weighed 21.90 lbs. However, Freeman, who was late for the morning check in, but still made it under the 15-minute penalty clause, had 2 lbs. deducted from his total weight that unfortunately knocked him into 7th place. Carney, who is sponsored by: Stratos Boats, Boats Unlimited, Shimano, P-Line, Super Pork and V&V Custom Baits. reported that he spent the day fishing the Trailer Park Lagoon and the outside areas of Rodman Slough where he keyed on tulle and rock in water up to 4‚ deep. Carney went on to say that all of their fish came on the Super Pork Slinky and small worms. Carney also took big fish honors in the Pro Division with his 8.52 lb. toad. Carney's 3rd place finish earned him $652.00.  

Rounding out the money winners in the Pro Division was: 4th place Dan Perkins of Arnold, CA with 21.88 lbs. earning $220.00. Fifth place went to Dan Sexton of Hughson, CA with 21.22 lbs and winnings of $180.00. Finishing 6th was George Azevedo of Turlock, CA with 21.02 lbs and earnings of $120.00. Taking the last money spot in the Pro Division was Duke Lizotte of Waterford, CA with 20.96 lbs and earnings of $100.00. In the Amateur Division Mike Bugarin of Modesto, CA finished 3rd with 21.88 lbs. and winnings of $321.00. Fourth place went to Derick Rossi of Burlingame, CA with 21.22 lbs. and earnings of $110.00. Finishing 5th was Tom Gomez of Merced, CA with 21.02 lbs. taking home $90.00. Sixth place went to Wayne Clouse of Atwater, CA with 20.96 lbs. earning him $60.00. Finishing out the Amateur Division was Lee Freeman of Alameda, CA with 19.90 lbs and winnings of $50.00.  

The $75.00 cash award from B.A.I.T. Insurance went to the first Pro out of the money with a B.A.I.T. sticker on his boat. The winning pro was George Goodman of Waterford, CA. The prize was awarded by B.A.I.T. Prostaffer Vince Costanza.  

We would like to thank our trophy sponsor for Clear Lake, Boats Unlimited, along with our product sponsors: Fishin Musician Worms, Keeper Custom Worms, Super Pork, Excel Lures, Malibu Boats and Delta Bait & Tackle who gave a nice rod & reel combo that was valued at more then $100.00. Thanks also to the City of Lakeport for hosting our event. Also a very special thank you to Stratos Boats, Johnson Outboards and Boats Unlimited, because of their support our Pro's will be fishing for a 1999 fully rigged Stratos Bass Boat.  

The fifth stop on our tournament trail will be New Melones on May 15, 1999. Glory Hole Sports will be the official check-in site from 3:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. The weigh-in will take place on the marina and will be followed by the awards ceremony at Glory Hole Sports.  

The top 25 Pro and Amateurs from the 6 tournament Pro-Am season will qualify for the 1999 T.O.C. The Pro Division qualifiers at the T.O.C. will be fishing for a 1999 fully rigged Stratos Bass Boat. For more info on Nor-Cal, contact Tournament Director: Don Mutchler at (209) 523-0454 or Diana Wilson at (209) 577-0696.