Clear Lake will be loaded with bass boats starting today as the WON BASS Tri-States Tournament of Champions gets under way. The tournament concludes Saturday and is expected to draw more than 100 boats from throughout the West.
The two-day event is based out of the Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa and the weigh-ins begins 3 p.m. each day. On Sunday, Angler”s Choice will hold a team tournament out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina in Lakeport.
The fishermen will continue to find tough fishing conditions. The cool weather has dropped the water temperature and the weeds are also dying off. The water temperature has been as low as 68 degrees in the mornings. Strong north winds are another factor. The good news is an improved weather forecast for the weekend.
The successful fishermen are using a combination of tactics ranging from crankbaits, plastic frogs, jigs to drop-shotting a plastic worm. Guide Bob Myskey said his clients caught more than 20 bass Monday by fishing with live jumbo minnows and drop-shotting a plastic worm. He also guided Tuesday and his clients caught 15 bass on plastic worms. He said the trick is to keep moving until you locate fish.
Several readers have inquired about the cost of a guided trip on Clear Lake and what the guide furnishes. There are currently five full-time guides on the lake in addition to several part-time guides. The price varies according to the guide but the average is about $50 per hour, with a minimum of five hours, and that”s the rate for two people.
The guide furnishes all the equipment — bass boat, rods and reels, and lures such as plastic worms crankbaits. If jumbo minnows are used the guide charges for the minnows, which run cost about $12 a dozen. The client brings his own lunch. Some of the guides furnish soft drinks and others don”t.
The guides are required to be bonded and licensed by the Department of Fish and Game.
If you have limited time and want to catch bass, there is no question that hiring a guide is the way to go. Names and telephone numbers of guides currently operating on Clear Lake can be obtained from the Lake County Visitor”s Center at 800-525-3743 or from the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce at 263-5092.
A few catfish are starting to show for fishermen who are drift fishing. Cut bait and nightcrawlers have been taking most of the catfish, which are averaging about 4 pounds. Crappie action has been slow.
No local waters are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. A few trout are being caught out of Upper Blue Lake by trollers using Kastmasters or Cripplures. The lake was stocked last week. Bass fishing has been ranging from fair to good.
At Indian Valley Reservoir, about the only action is for bass. Drop-shotting a plastic worm tight to the rocks has been the most productive method for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The road into the lake is in good shape.
The Zone A deer season wraps up Sunday and the final weekend could provide the best hunting of the season. The cool weather has the deer on the move and the bucks are now chasing the does. It rained on Wednesday and I immediately journeyed up to the Deer Valley area in the Mendocino National Forest. I hunted the entire afternoon and saw only one doe. I did see a lot of turkeys. Apparently there just aren”t many deer in the A zone this year.
