The return of warm and sunny weather has helped the bass fishing at Clear Lake. Whereas the fish aren’t as large as they have been in the past, there are still plenty of fish being caught. The results of the opening day of the three-day WONBASS Clear Lake Open are a good example.
Of the 97 boats weighing in fish Wednesday, 77 weighed in limits. The leading weight after the first day was 26.19 pounds. It took slightly more than 18 pounds to make it in the top 20. The tournament wraps up today with the weigh-in starting at 2 p.m. at Konocti Vista Casino. The winning pro receives a new bass boat plus cash for a prize package of nearly $40,000.
Most of the fishermen said they caught their fish on plastics such as Senkos, jigs or by drop-shotting a plastic worm. Chatterbaits also were very effective. A few fishermen were successful using plastic frogs or buzzbaits. A lot of the bass have now completed their spawning cycle and are moving into the deeper water and beneath the weed mats. Fishermen also report seeing good numbers of bait fish. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) had a crew out electro-shocking Thursday and they also reported seeing bass on beds.
This is the last major tournament on the lake for the late spring/summer. There will be several team tournaments but most will draw only 10-15 boats. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will require that all bass tournaments held between Monday and Sept. 15 be only six hours in duration. The reason for the rule is to prevent high mortality of the fish because they suffer if held in livewells too long.
Recreational fishermen are having success using live crawdads or nightcrawlers. They are casting crawdads or nightcrawlers to the edges of the weed mats or alongside the tules. Some of the bass are holding in water as shallow as 18 inches.
The fishing guides report their clients are averaging up to 25 bass per day. The guides say their clients have been doing very well casting Senkos beneath the docks and at the edges of the weed mats. Algae blooms have started in many areas. That and the vast amount of weeds have hampered fishermen. The trick to success is to keep moving until you locate fish and then work the area thoroughly with plastic worms or jigs.
There has been some topwater action early in the morning and late in the evening and it should improve as the weather warms up.
Catfish action remains very good for the few fishermen out after them. Nightcrawlers or cut mackerel continue to be the hot baits. Catfish are being caught at just about every location around the lake. Horseshoe Bend, Henderson Point and the Clearlake Oaks Keys are some of the better areas. The docks at Lakeport and the Lakeside County Park are producing a few crappie as is Shag Rock. Bluegill action has been excellent as some of the bluegill are as large as your hand. Red worms and nightcrawlers are the top baits. They are being caught at several locations around the lake.
Trout action remains poor to fair in the East Branch of the Russian River and good at Upper Blue Lake. The problem this season is that the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) has been stocking the river with small trout. It’s a program the DFW started this year to save money. Most of the success at Upper Blue Lake has been for boaters trolling at depths of 15-20 feet. Shore fishing has been fair. Both bodies of water are scheduled to be stocked with trout next week.
Ocean salmon fishing off Fort Bragg has been very slow but the bottom fishing has been excellent. A good number of large lingcod are being brought in. Some of the lings have been weighing up to 20 pounds. The reason for the poor salmon fishing is because the water temperature has been too warm.
