Clear Lake bass fishing is on the verge of busting wide open. In fact, it is already producing some of the best topwater action of the year.
Credit the warm weather and increasing aquatic weeds for the fishing improvement. The bass are holding at the edges of the weed beds and a topwater lure such as a Zara Spook or Lucky Craft Sammy cast tight to the weeds beds will produce explosive action.
I fished near Lakeport on Monday with Mike Rothstein of Kelseyville and we enjoyed non-stop topwater action. In a space of approximately six hours we caught and released at least 35 bass, several topping 4 pounds. All were caught on topwater lures.
Without question this is one of the most exciting methods of bass fishing. When a bass explodes on a topwater lure it”s often just a big shower of water. The fisherman more than often sets the hook too soon and misses the fish. But that”s what makes it so exciting.
The Sammy or Spook are basically do-nothing lures that resemble a cigar. The lure is retrieved with short jerks, which makes the lure swing back and forth, much like an injured minnow. Fishermen call this type of retrieve “walking the dog.” The trick is to either cast it in the open water next to a weed mat or in the shade of a dock. Make several short jerks and then pause. Often a bass will grab the lure during the pause.
Another topwater lure that”s extremely effective is the buzzbait. This lure has either one or two spinner blades that are bent at an angle to make the water churn when it”s retrieved. The lure is cast and retrieved using a constant retrieve, which causes the lure to ride on the surface of the water. Often a curly-tailed grub is added as a trailer.
Actually just about any type of topwater lure will work throughout the day. The trick is to cast it either to or over the weed beds. Some of the better areas are the docks north of Lakeport and the area around the Konocti Vista Casino and Resort. The docks at Nice and Lucerne are also producing good numbers of bass.
Shore anglers have been catching bass off the docks at Library Park in Lakeport. Most of the successful fishermen have been drop-shotting a plastic worm.
There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake this weekend. Starting Sunday bass tournaments will be limited to a six-hour duration to protect the fish during the hot summer months.
Crappie action is still very slow. A few crappie are being caught by persistent anglers, but it”s hardly worth the effort. The big question is what has happened to the bluegill? Normally at this time of the year the bluegill bite is red-hot, but not this year.
No local waters are scheduled to be stocked with trout this week. Upper Blue Lake will be stocked next week. The trout action at Upper Blue Lake has been good when the winds allow the fishermen out on the lake. The best action has been trolling the middle of the lake with either a Kastmaster or Cripplure. Trout action has been fair at Lake Pillsbury.
Tiny Letts Lake, located in the Mendocino National Forest, was stocked with trout this week and should be a good bet for the weekend. Letts Lake can be reached by taking U.S. Forest Service Road M-10 out of Stonyford.
Only small boats without motors are allowed on the lake. There is also excellent access for shore fishermen. The lake contains both trout and bass. There is no size limit on the bass. This is a great lake to take the family camping.
