What a difference a week makes when it come to bass fishing on Clear Lake. A week ago the bass fishing was about as slow as molasses, but this week the fishing has been rated from good to excellent. It could be the weather changes or some other unknown factor, but many fishermen are having little trouble catching 10-25 fish per day.
The results of two WON BASS team tournaments held last weekend are a good example. It took 27 pounds to win on Saturday and 26 pounds to win on Sunday. Just about all the fishermen brought in limits in both tournaments.
The bass have moved into the shallow water chasing bait fish. Lipless crankbaits or drop-shotting a plastic worm have been the hot lures. The bass are ranging from 2-5 pounds.
As expected, those using live jumbo minnows continue to do very well. Guide Ross England said one of his clients caught more than 50 bass on Monday while using live minnows.
Live minnows cost $12 a dozen and fishermen rig them several ways. One is to use a slip bobber and hook the minnow either through the lips or just beneath the dorsal fin. Cast the minnow to a dock or a submerged rockpile and allow the minnow to swim. If the minnow keeps swimming to the surface, attach a small split shot sinker just above the hook. When a bass grabs the minnow you will often just see the bobber move off to one side. Wait until the bobber goes under the water and count to at least three before setting the hook.
Another method is to rig the minnow without a bobber. Just run the hook through the lips of the minnow and allow it to swim freely. When a bass grabs the minnow you will see the line move off rapidly. Count to three and set the hook. On a good day you will use at least two dozen minnows.
Some of the better areas have been the docks north of Lakeport, the Nice-Lucerne shoreline and the docks at Library Park in Lakeport. In the south end of the lake, the Boat Works has been producing good numbers of bass. The rockpiles near Rattlesnake Island also have been good.
Not many fishermen care to brave the cold temperatures at night but for the few fishermen who have been venturing out after dark the action has been very good. According to Franz Bingel of Clearlake Outdoors, a number of anglers are catching big bass at night. On Sunday evening, R.C. Stephens of Clearlake caught a 10.8-pound bass near Rattlesnake Island.
Crappie is rated fair to good for fishermen who are willing to stick it out. The docks at Kono Tayee are holding a lot of crappie but they have been hard to catch. The successful fishermen have been putting in a lot of time but they are catching fish and some have been huge, weighing more than 3 pounds. Live minnows have been taking most of the crappie. Crappie jigs are also working. No crappie are being caught in the north end of the lake.
A few fishermen are still catching catfish off the docks at Library Park in Lakeport. The docks at the Indian Beach Resort also have been giving up a few catfish. Threadfin shad or live minnows have been the top bait. Nightcrawlers are also working.
No local waters were stocked with trout this week and none are scheduled to be stocked next week. It appears the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has temporarily halted all trout stocking.
Duck hunters are eagerly awaiting any type of storm to get the birds moving. The refuges in the Sacramento Valley are averaging only about a bird per hunter and the duck clubs aren”t doing much better. The hunting is even poorer at Clear Lake.
The DFG now has a boat permanently assigned to Clear Lake and the game wardens have been out checking fishermen and duck hunters. If you”re fishing, be sure to have your license attached where it can be seen.
It”s supposed to be attached above the waist.
