After an unusual storm hit California earlier this week, the weather is improving and fishermen should see a definite improvement at Clear Lake during the Fourth of July weekend.
While many of the bass are still spawning, others have moved off the beds into the deeper water. I went out with the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) electroshocking team Tuesday night and the boat I was on worked the Lakeport area. In a space of four hours we shocked more than 200 bass, all of which were weighed, measured and released. Most of the bass were in less than 5 feet of water and many were around the docks.
The clue to catching these bass is to work the weed beds with either Senkos or jigs. Senkos remain the most popular lure on the lake. Most of the action has been in the north end of the lake where fishermen are casting their lures into the small openings in the weed mats or beneath docks. A handful of fishermen also report having good success casting a Fluke over the weeds. The Fluke is a soft plastic lure that resembles a small minnow. It is rigged on a 3/0 hook weedless style and fished without a weight. The lure is retrieved with short jerks, which gives it the appearance of an injured baitfish.
The topwater action is slowly improving and the best action is at dawn and the last hour before dark. Skitter Pops, Zara Spooks and wide variety of other topwater lures have been successful. There is a little action on plastic frogs cast to the weed mats, however, that should improve as the water heats up. During the hottest part of the day the bass seek these weed mats for shade and that”s when a frog can be deadly. It”s also one of the most exciting methods of bass fishing.
Ken Taddie of Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven reports crappie action is picking up off the docks at the resort. Bluegill, bass and catfish are also biting. Catfish are also being caught off the docks at Lakeside County Park. Catfish action has also been very good in Horseshoe Bend, at the State Park and in Cache Creek. Some catfishermen report catching up to 10 catfish per outing and a few are weighing up to 15 pounds.
Boaters are reminded this holiday weekend that all the major boat ramps around the lake will be manned by volunteers checking for compliance with the quagga mussel sticker program. If you launch your boat and it doesn”t have a current sticker, you will probably be cited by the sheriff”s boat patrol and ordered off the lake. The fine could be as much as $1,000. There will be several patrol boats on the lake during the holiday weekend so the chances of being checked are very high.
Upper Blue Lake continues to provide fair trout action for both trollers and bank fishermen. The bass fishing has been very good for fishermen using either plastic worms or jigs. The East Branch of the Russian River is worth a try this weekend. The stream hasn”t been stocked with trout for a couple of weeks but there should be some holdovers.
Letts Lake is a perfect spot to visit during the holiday weekend. The trout fishing has been excellent and bass are also being caught. If you have a small boat or a float tube, then a trip to Highland Springs Reservoir will produce good bass fishing. The little lake is located on Highland Springs Road just south of Lakeport.
For a day trip, Lake Pillsbury is an ideal place to visit. Even if you don”t plan on fishing, the lake is great spot for a picnic. It”s also a great opportunity to see the herd of resident tule elk staying at the north end of the lake.
At Indian Valley Reservoir, bass are the prime attraction although the catfish action has also been good. Several fishermen have asked why the kokanee fishing is so poor. The DFG planted the lake with small kokanee last year and they haven”t grown large enough to catch. Typically is takes kokanee three years to reach more than 12 inches.
Ocean salmon fishing off Fort Bragg is slowly improving and many of the fishermen report catching one to two salmon per trip. The bottom fishing is rated as good.
