A low lake level plus warm conditions will greet the bass pros competing in the Eighth Annual Triton Bass Owners Team Tournament this weekend at Clear Lake. The tournament is expected to draw about 80 boats and it operates out of Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina.
Weigh-in times are 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Fishermen from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona as well as from throughout California are entered. Last year the winning team had 54 pounds for the two-day event. Well-known fishing radio celebrity Kent Brown will once again serve as emcee.
The tournament could produce some heavy weights if last weekend?”s Angler”s Choice tournament is an indicator. The winning team of Mark Crutcher and Greg McCosker won with an incredible two-day weight of 62 pounds. They said they caught more than 20 bass each day and most of them were caught using jigs or plastic worms flipped into the weed mats. The hot spot during the tournament was along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline. Other areas producing good numbers of fish were the State Park, Henderson Point, Shag Rock, Anderson Island and the rock piles near Rattlesnake Island.
Catfish action remains strong for the few anglers out after them. Most of the catfishermen have been fishing from shore. One of the better spots has been Lakeside County Park. One of the better areas for boats has been Shag Rock. Live minnows have been the top bait. Crawdads, if you can find them, and nightcrawlers also have been effective.
Boaters are warned to be careful when they are launching or loading their boats on trailers. The lake level continues to drop and the ramps still open are usable for even large boats, but be careful when backing in your trailers and be sure they don”t drop off the end of the ramps.
Trout fishing remains very good at the East Branch of the Russian River. I fished the river with Gary Hill of Kelseyville on Tuesday and we limited out in less than an hour. We used Power Bait and fished the deeper holes. Upper Blue Lake also has been producing a decent number of trout and a lot of bass. Trollers are catching most of the trout and the best action has been near the Narrows. Bass action has been very good for 2- and 3-pounders and the best area has been the shoreline along Highway 20. Drop-shotting a plastic worm has been the top lure.
The opening of the quail season in Lake and Mendocino counties provided good hunting. Some of the better areas were at Elk Mountain, Bear Creek and Snow Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest. Hunters reported that wherever there was water there were plenty of quail.
B-zone deer hunters report seeing a good number of bucks in the higher elevations of the Mendocino National Forest. Hull Mountain has been one of the better areas. Snow Mountain also has been good for those who hike in a couple of miles.
The drought has resulted in wildlife showing up just about everywhere. Earlier this week a female bear and her cub walked through the Pier 1800 Mobile Home Park in south Lakeport. The bears walked down the lagoon that borders the homes. Bears also have shown up around the homes in Upper Lake and Clearlake Oaks.
The annual Lake County junior pheasant hunt is scheduled for Nov. 8, The hunt is limited to 16 hunters and the deadline for applying is Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. The hunt is managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and is sponsored by the Konocti Rod and Gun Club and the Lake County Rod and Gun Club. The hunt takes place at Highland Springs. To register or get more information call (916) 374-9137.
