Bass fishermen at Clear Lake continue to struggle with huge weed beds and a dropping lake level. Actually, the fishing area has shrunk to about three-fourths the size of the lake.
The entire north end of the lake from Lakeport to Rodman Slough is little more than a giant weed bed that extends more than a mile out into the lake. It”s so bad in many areas that outboard motors are becoming fouled with weeds.
Most of the fishermen are concentrating their efforts in the south end of the lake where the fishing is good but not great. Because of the limited areas where you can fish, several boats are working the same area. In other words, the fishing pressure has been intense.
The topwater action that had been going on all day a few weeks ago is now limited to the first two hours after daylight and the last hour before dark. Most of the fishermen are either casting jigs or drop-shotting during the middle of the day.
Without a doubt, a jig is one of the most effective lures in the tackle box. To a bass, the jig resembles a crawfish, which is a bass delicacy. Most of the fishermen attach a trailer to the jig to give it more action, and one of the best trailers is the Paca Chunk made by NetBait. This thing looks and acts like a living creature and the bass just gobble it up. A pack of eight costs about $2.50 and they can be purchased at any of the local tackle shops.
The jig should either be cast or pitched over the rocks or back into the weed mats and allowed to fall. When it hits the bottom, just gently lift the tip of your fishing rod. When a bass grabs a jig, all you will usually feel is a slight tap. That”s the time to set the hook. It is one of the easiest lures to fish.
Now that hydrilla has been found again in the lake, fishermen are cautioned to be sure and clean all the weeds off their boats and trailers before leaving the parking lot. Hydrilla can spread very easy to other bodies of water or even around the lake. If it ever gets established it will cost millions of dollars to eradicate.
Angler”s Choice will hold a team tournament on Saturday. The tournament operates out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina, with the weigh-in starting at approximately noon. Fishermen can sign up for the tournament either tonight or Saturday morning prior to the blast-off at the Clear Lake Outdoors tackle shop located on Soda Bay Road in Lakeport. Call 262-5852 for more information.
One of the most popular bass tournaments held on Clear Lake is the Bob”s Marine, Champion-Stratos-Javeline team tournament. The tournament takes place on Sept. 8-9 out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina. Proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To enter the tournament you must be the owner of a Champion, Stratos or Javelin bass boat. Call (209) 551-2165 for more details.
Catfish action is still very slow. One problem has been heavy weed growth that has stymied the fishermen. A few crappie are being caught in the deeper water in the south end of the lake.
The East Branch of the Russian River is scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Upper Blue Lake won”t be stocked until next month
Several readers have called wanting to know the status of the elk poaching case, one in which three bull tule elk were illegally killed in Spring Valley on the opening day of deer season. According to Department of Fish and Game (DFG) game warden Loren Freeman, the case is moving along well and he is confident there will be an arrest soon.
“I”m donating a lot of time to this case because I want those individuals that are responsible to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Freeman said.
The Fish and Game Commission has set the waterfowl season for 2007-08. In Lake County and the Sacramento Valley, the season opens on Oct. 20 and runs through Jan. 26, 2008. The daily limit is seven birds per day. That limit may contain all mallards but no more than two hens. One pintail, one canvasback, two redheads and three scaup can be part of the seven-bird daily limit.
