Taylor leads round one of EverStart Series event on Clear Lake

LAKEPORT, Calif. - Rookie pro Sieg Taylor of Clearlake caught a two-day total of eight bass weighing 49 pounds, 8 ounces to lead round one of the EverStart Series Western Division event on Clear Lake near Lakeport. Taylor, who weighed in four bass for 30 pounds, 5 ounces on day one, tried to break the EverStart Series two-day weight total on only eight bass but was a 1 pound, 8 ounces short. The two-day record was caught two weeks ago on Sam Rayburn by William Davis of Russellville, Ala., and consisted of 10 bass weighing 51 pounds.

The timing of the event at Clear Lake - one of the best largemouth fisheries in the world - was perfect to catch fat, aggressive prespawn bass. Wednesday's weigh-in was one of the most impressive in FLW Outdoors history. Over 50 bass weighing 8 pounds or more were brought to the scales, and the total number of bass weighed in the Pro Division remarkably averaged more than 3 pounds each.

Thursday's catch was slightly lower than day one, but still one of the best in EverStart Series history - especially considering the four-bass limit at this event. Anglers caught nearly 3,200 pounds with numerous 20-pound limits.

"I started at the same place I did yesterday, doing the same thing," Taylor said. "I can't complain, but I did lose three 5-pounders today. There were boats all around me, but surprisingly, I was the only one catching fish. I had about 16 1/2 pounds at 8:30 this morning, and then just started hopping around trying out other areas. I'm really excited and think I can win this."

Rounding out the top-five pros are Tom Kilduff of Dewey, Ariz. (eight bass, 45 pounds, 3 ounces); Jon Strelic of Alpine (eight bass, 41 pounds, 8 ounces); Brent Lyon of Reno, Nev. (eight bass, 39 pounds, 2 ounces); and Fred Rex of San Jose (eight bass, 38 pounds, 15 ounces).

Kilduff caught a 9-pound, 12-ounce bass to earn the day's Snickers Big Bass award for the Pro Division worth $600.

Gary Davison of Susanville caught a two-day total of eight bass weighing 34 pounds, 2 ounces to lead the Co-angler Division. Davison's limit included two 7-pounders and was caught with reaction baits in 5-10 feet of water.

Rounding out the top-five co-anglers are Kyle Clement of Anderson (eight bass, 32 pounds, 4 ounces); Douglas Davis of New Castle, Col. (eight bass, 32 pounds); and tied for fourth are Gary Key of Phoenix, Ariz. (eight bass, 31 pounds, 6 ounces) and Leroy Bertolero of El Macero (eight bass, 31 pounds, 6 ounces).

Michael Kirk of Redding caught Thursday's Snickers Big Bass in the Co-angler Division - an 8-pound, 9-ounce lunker worth $220.

EverStart Series tournaments are four-day events consisting of two rounds. The entire field competes Wednesday and Thursday, and the top 10 pros and co-anglers - based on two-day accumulated weights - advance to the final round. Anglers start at zero Friday, and pro and co-angler winners are determined Saturday based on two-day accumulated weights.

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Posted by DODGE at March 10, 2005 12:40 PM in Tournament (FLW)