The bass tournament fishermen return to Clear Lake this weekend for a two-day Bassmasters Federation event. The tournament will operate out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina in Lakeport and weigh-ins start at 3 p.m.
There also will be a float tube bass tournament on Saturday and Sunday. That tournament will go out of Clear Lake State Park.
The bass fishing has slowed a bit but is still rated as good. Most of the fishermen are having little trouble catching 10-20 fish per day, but the problem is the size — most are weighing between 2-3 pounds and that”s not good enough to win, or even finish in the money, in a bass tournament.
Intense fishing pressure is being blamed for the slowdown in action. With all the fishermen prefishing for upcoming tournaments, the lake is crowded with bass boats.
The lake level is dropping, which will force the bass out of the tules. It should also concentrate the bass. The water depth in front of many of the docks in the north end of the lake is only 3 feet.
Jigs and crankbaits continue to be the top lures. The more successful fishermen are flipping the jigs tight to the pilings. There has been a decent crankbait bite over the rockpiles in the south end of the lake. Of course, the old standard of drop-shotting a plastic worm is practically guaranteed to load the boat with bass, although most will only weigh 2-3 pounds.
Jack Asdourian of Redding showed that you don”t need a fancy bass boat to catch big bass at Clear Lake. Asdourian was staying at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa and decided to go fishing. He cast a nightcrawler off the resort”s docks and hauled in a 10-pound bass.
Catfish action remains very good at just about any location around the lake. The old standard of shrimp, nightcrawlers or cut bait all have been effective on catfish weighing from 2-15 pounds.
Upper Blue Lake was scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. With the cooling water, the fishing should be good for the weekend. Bass action has been very good.
Quail hunters have been having mixed success in the Mendocino National Forest. One of the better areas has been near Lake Pillsbury. Pine Mountain is also producing decent hunting.
One of the most common violations hunters are cited for is having a loaded weapon in a vehicle. Recently a hunter wanted to know what is considered a loaded weapon? According the the Fish and Game, a gun is considered loaded when there is a unexpended cartridge or shell in the chamber. A shell in the magazine is not considered loaded. However, if the person is at any public place or on any public street in an incorporated city, or in any public place or public street in a prohibited area of an unincorporated place, a firearm is considered loaded if a shell is attached to the firearm in any manner that includes the chamber or clip.
When in doubt, keep all the shells out of the gun.
The Lake County Junior Pheasant Hunt is scheduled for Nov. 18 at Highland Springs. Two junior pheasant hunts will be held on Lake County Flood Control District property, located at the southern end of Highland Springs Road at the shooting range area, approximately 6 miles south of Lakeport. There will be morning and afternoon hunts and each hunt will be limited to 20 hunters. The hunt is sponsored by the Department of Fish and Game and pheasants will be released just prior to each hunt.
The hunt is free and is open to all licensed junior hunters. A minimum of one non-hunting adult must accompany every two hunters. Each junior hunter will be limited to taking two rooster pheasants.
The Konocti Rod and Gun Club will be proving a free barbecue for the young hunters.
To apply for the hunt, send a standard post card with the hunter”s name, address, telephone number, 2006-2007 junior hunting license number and name of adult chaperon. The chaperon must be at least 18 years old and have a current hunting license. Up to two hunters may apply on one card by providing the complete information for each junior hunter.
Send the postcard to Highland Springs Junior Pheasant Hunt, Department of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 47, Yountville, CA 94599. The postcards must arrive at the DFG office no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 2. The drawing for the permits will be on Nov. 3. For more information call 944-5531.
