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LAKEPORT, CA – Massive limits and spring-like conditions highlighted the inaugural Best Bass Tournament Golden Mussel Division season opener at Clear Lake on Sunday.
Under clear skies and highs reaching the 70s, 25 boats competed in a historic event that saw some of the heaviest five-fish limits recorded on the lake in recent years.
The tournament was a showcase of Clear Lake’s legendary “big fish” reputation.
Four teams brought in limits exceeding 30 pounds, while the top two finishers both broke the 40-pound mark — the largest five-fish limits recorded for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
First Place: Chris Perez of Rocklin and Kent Simpson of Galt claimed the top spot with a staggering 45.16-pound mega-bag.
Second Place: Alec Pitts of Santa Rosa and Christian Burns of Petaluma followed closely with an impressive 42.20 pounds.
Third Place: Mason McAbee of Bakersfield and Mark Cobey of Woodland secured third with 37.95 pounds.
The competition remained tight through the top five, requiring a minimum of 30 pounds to place.
Local anglers Tom Jolin and Danny Andrusaitis of Lakeport took fourth place with 30.2 pounds, followed by Nathan Phillips of Kelseyville and David Burruss, owner of Clear Lake Outdoors.
The "Big Fish" of the day were equally remarkable, with the top three individual bass weighing in at 13.07 pounds, 11.06 pounds and 10.96 pounds.
The event featured a 100% payback to the participants, supported by tournament sponsors including Clear Lake Outdoors and G-Ratt Baits.
Garrett Dixon of G-Ratt Baits provided a significant portion of the raffle prizes distributed during the Saturday evening check-in.
Tournament Director Doug Bender and his staff received high marks for the event's smooth operation.
“Blast off went off with no delays,” noted organizers, as anglers enjoyed a full eight-hour day on the water.
Following the success of this inaugural event, the Best Bass Tournament staff expressed enthusiasm for their scheduled return to Lake County later this season.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
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- Written by: Craig Nelson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Applications are now being accepted for the 13th Poet Laureate of Lake County.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2026.
The role of a poet laureate is to represent and promote poetry and literacy in the community they represent.
This is a volunteer position with a two-year term from 2026 to 2028.
Officiated by the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the Lake County Poet Laureate role was inducted in 1998 by inaugural Poet Laureate Jim Lyle.
Between 1998 and 2024, a total of 12 poets laureate have been appointed in Lake County with diverse backgrounds and visions for this role.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and a Lake County resident for at least two consecutive years.
Qualifications include having literary works published, including self-publishing, and a proven track record of literary-based community engagement and collaboration.
Applicants are asked to submit a mission statement, four original poems, two letters of recommendations, and a resume of literary involvement in the community, publications, and public readings.
Application and full guidelines can be found online at https://forms.bettercollected.com/lakecountypoetlaureate/forms/26-28-application.
If accommodations are needed for the application process, please reach out to current Lake County Poet Laureate 2024-2026 Brenda Marie Yeager, or Lake County Poet Laureate Emerita 2020-2024 Georgina Marie Guardado.
Questions can be directed to
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
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