A dropping lake level combined with warm weather will greet the bass pros competing in the Seventh Annual Triton Boat Owners Team Tournament this weekend at Clear Lake. The tournament is expected to draw about 90 boats and will operate out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina.
The weigh-in starts Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Fishermen from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona as well as from throughout California are entered. Last year”s winning team had 49 pounds for the two-day event. Well-known fishing radio celebrity Kent Brown will serve as the emcee.
The tournament fishermen should find plenty of action. To date the bass fishing has been rated very good and most of the fishermen are having little trouble catching from 10-15 fish per day. The best action has been in the deeper water in the south end of the lake where fishermen report seeing huge schools of baitfish. The top lures have been the LV500 lipless crankbait, spinnerbaits, jigs and deep-running crankbaits. Drop-shotting a plastic worm has been very effective although it”s not producing the larger bass.
What is surprising is the lack of action on the Alabama Rig. This is the lure that is rigged with five small swimbaits with three having hooks and two as teasers. Last year at this time the Alabama Rig was credited with catching about 50 percent of the bass on the lake. A year later it”s just not producing. That could all change as the water clears up.
The docks at Library Park in Lakeport are one of the hot spots for bass. Fishermen who have been slowing working a plastic worm or Brush Hog have been catching three or four fish per outing. The Lakeside County Park is another good choice as is the pier at Redbud Park in Clearlake. The area around Rocky Point is producing a few bass but it”s nothing to brag about. What is surprising is the lack of fish being caught in the Nice-Lucerne area. Normally the docks in this area are loaded with bass at this time of year.
The good news is that the algae, at least for the most part, is gone for the year. The cool nights and recent rains have caused the algae to dissipate and the water is clear or has just a slight green tinge in most of the lake. The only downside is the north winds have been blowing in the afternoons. However, if you can find a sheltered area the fishing has been excellent. In other words, the lake is in prime condition for fishing.
Boaters are being warned to be careful when launching their boats. Just last week a van slid into the lake at the Clearlake Oaks ramp and there have been several other close calls at the other ramps.
Catfish action remains very good for the few fishermen out after them. The best action has been from Shag Rock to Rattlesnake Island. The deeper water near Henderson Point is also producing a few catfish. Very few crappie or bluegill are being caught. Normally the months of September and October are excellent for crappie, but not this year. Apparently the adult crappie and bluegill population is down.
Trout fishermen should find good action at Upper Blue Lake, which was stocked this week. Both trollers and bank fishermen should enjoy limits of rainbows. The East Branch of the Russian River continues to produce limits. The stream is scheduled to be stocked this week and will be stocked again next week. The successful fishermen have been using Power Bait or salmon eggs. A few are having success casting small crankbaits. The fishing pressure has been light.
The opening of the early quail season was productive in the Mendocino National Forest. Several hunters said they had little trouble filling their limits in the Lake Pillsbury area and off Hull Mountain.
The B-Zone deer hunters in the Mendocino National Forest report seeing more bucks this year, the primary reason being the cool weather. Some of the better areas have been on Etsel Ridge near Covelo and at Snow Mountain.
