Rain and dropping water temperatures will greet bass fishermen on Clear Lake this weekend.
Bass fishermen are hoping the change in weather will accomplish two things dissipate the red-colored water and improve the fishing. There is no question the fishing has tightened up as most of the fishermen are happy to put eight to 10 bass per day in the boat.
Local guide Richard Pounds clients have been the exception. According to Pounds, his clients have been doing very well casting reaction lures such as lipless crankbaits and deep divers.
Most of the successful fishermen say the trick to success is to keep moving until you locate a school of fish and then work the area thoroughly.
A number of people have asked what it costs to book a guided trip on the lake. The cost varies but most of the guides charge approximately $40 per hour, with either a four- or six-hour minimum. The guide furnishes all the equipment, however, if live minnows are used the clients pay for the minnows.
Pounds said he is amazed at the number of fishermen who will book a guided trip just prior to competing in a tournament on the lake. During the recent Angler”s Choice Tournament of Champions, Pounds said he had several bookings from fishermen entered in the tournament.
The reason for hiring a guide is to learn the lake and find out where the bass are holding and what they are biting on.
This is also the time of the year when fishing with live jumbo minnows starts. This year, because of the abundance of bass, the minnow fishing should be nothing short of awesome. The only downside is the cost — a dozen jumbo minnows cost about $13 and it”s not uncommon to go through two or three dozen during a day”s fishing. Jumbo minnows can be purchased at Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks. Clear Lake Outdoors Tackle Shop, located on Soda Bay Road in Lakeport, also will have jumbo minnows later this year.
The two-day Future Pro Classic will take place at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa on Saturday and Sunday. The bass tournament feature 75 boats and the weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. on both days.
Angler”s Choice has scheduled two special team tournaments on Clear Lake this year. The tournament dates are Nov. 18 and Dec. 3. The entry fee is $175 per team and includes big bass. These tournaments are not part of the regular circuit. For more information call Tim Cooke at 262-5852.
The cooling temperature has improved the crappie fishing on the lake. Some of the traditional crappie areas such as Kono Tayee and Shag Rock are now starting to kick out a few fish, some of which are huge (weighing more than 3 pounds).
Catfish action has slowed a bit although a few fishermen have been catching five to 10 fish per day using shrimp or cut bait.
No trout plants are scheduled for Upper Blue Lake this week. There are a few holdover trout being caught by trollers working the middle of the lake with Kastmasters or Needlefish. Bass fishing continues to be slow.
There are no reports coming out of Indian Valley Reservoir and no word if the lake has been stocked with trout this month. This is typical for the winter months as few fishermen care to make the trip to the lake. However, winter months are often the most productive time for trout and bass. The best part of fishing the lake during the winter is the lack of fishing pressure. On most weekends there will be fewer than five boats on the entire lake.
Duck hunting has slowed considerably at the refuges in the Sacramento Valley. The refuges had a delayed opening due to a late rice harvest. They opened last Saturday and hunting was rated only fair as the hunters averaged about four birds on Saturday and less than two on Sunday. On Wednesday it was even worse as few birds were bagged. The hunting won”t improve until it freezes up in Oregon, which will send the ducks and geese down to their wintering grounds. The hunting at Clear Lake has been very slow.
The Department of Fish and Game is still looking for youngsters to sign up for the Annual Lake County Junior Pheasant Hunt, scheduled for Nov. 18. The hunt takes place on county land located next to Highland Springs County Park.
The hunt is free and is open to all licensed junior hunters. A minimum of one non-hunting adult must accompany every two hunters. For more information call 944-5531.
