After several weeks of bone-chilling weather and poor fishing, the bass fishing turned on at Clear Lake this past weekend. Credit the warming weather for the complete turnaround.
The results of two bass tournaments held last weekend show once again that Clear Lake is alive and well. On Saturday, 100 Percent Bass held a team event and a pair of local fishermen finished in first place. George Bates and Steve Kelly of Kelseyville took top honors with a five-fish limit weighing 25.61 pounds. They also caught the big fish of the tournament a 9.4-pounder. Their winnings came to $1,650.
Bates said he and Kelly caught all their fish using a Shakey Head jig rigged with Maverick plastic worms in the craw worm or watermelon candy pattern.
The tournament drew 29 boats and it took more than 20 pounds to finish in the top six places. The average weight per fish in the tournament was an impressive 3.68 pounds.
On Sunday, Angler”s Choice held a team tournament and the winning weight was 24.36 pounds. That tournament drew 28 boats and it took at least 20 pounds to finish in the top eight places.
Bates, Kelly load up on bass, win 100 Percent tourney
The reason the fishing has improved is because of the rising water temperature. In comparison to a week ago when the water temperature was dipping down as low as 39 degrees in the mornings, this week the water temperature has been ranging from a low of 45 degrees in the morning to a high of 52 degrees in the afternoons.
Both the north and south ends of the lake are producing good numbers of fish. The top lures have been Lucky Craft LV500 lipless crankbaits and various types of jerkbaits. Jigs also have been effective but they must be retrieved super slow. A few bass are being caught by drop-shotting a plastic worm near the docks.
American Bass (ABA) will hold a team tournament on Sunday. The tournament operates out of the Skylark Motel in Lakeport and the weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. Fishermen can enter the tournament as late as Sunday morning at the Tackle It tackle shop, which is located on North Main Street in Lakeport.
Crappie fishing on Clear Lake is still nothing to brag about. The better crappie fishermen are managing to catch 20-30 fish for a day”s effort, but most of the fishermen are struggling to put 10 fish in the boat. The trick is to keep moving until you locate a school of fish and then work them carefully. The crappie are biting very lightly and you have to watch your line. If it moves to one side, set the hook.
There have been reports of a few fishermen snagging the crappie. This is not only illegal, it”s also unethical. In fact, the game wardens have been watching the lake for snaggers.
Upper Blue Lake was scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Typically right after the lake is stocked the fishing is good for at least a week.
This an excellent lake to take a youngster fishing. You can fish from the docks at the Pine Acres Resort or the Narrows Resort for a small fee. Boats can also be launched at these resorts.
Trout action at Indian Valley Reservoir is literally wide open. The few fishermen that have been visiting the lake are catching 10-20 fish per day and some of the rainbows are 18-20 inches. The top lure has been a red/gold Kastmaster rigged behind a set of flashers and trolled at a depth of 10-20 feet. The best areas are from mid-lake to the north ramp or just in front of the dam. A few kokanee are also being caught.
Steelhead fishing on the Russian River was excellent two weeks ago and then the water level dropped and the action slowed. The good fishing should return with the recent rains.
