Clear Lake is kicking out huge bass in the 10-pound-plus class. On Monday, local fishing guide and tournament angler Paul Bailey guided two clients and they caught an 11-pounder, a 10.4-pounder and a 9.6-pounder. Bailey said all the fish were caught in the south end of the lake using crankbaits. It wasn’t just Bailey’s clients who were hauling in huge bass. The two bass tournaments held last weekend produced a couple of 10-pounders, two 9-pounders and at least a half-dozen 8-pounders. One reason larger bass are being caught is because of cooler water. Bailey said water temperatures ranged from as low as 60 degree to 64 degrees.
It’s not just large bass being caught but the number of fish as well. Most of the fishermen say they are having little trouble boating from 10-20 fish per day. Deep-running crankbaits have been very effective, especially in the deeper water in the south end of the lake. This lure will dive down to 15-20 feet of water. Jigs have been effective when they are retrieved super slow. Drop-shotting a plastic worm has been working on the smaller bass. Of course, if you really water to catch a lot of bass then live jumbo minnows are especially effective. All the tackle shops carry the minnows and as the water cools down they can be deadly, especially on the larger bass. What is puzzling is the lack of action in the north end of the lake, especially in the Rocky Point area. There is no question the bass are there but they are not biting in the traditional areas. One theory is they have moved offshore into the deeper water. Catfish action continues to be very good. Fishermen who are using live jumbo minnows have been catching from five to 10 catfish per day. Just about every location is holding catfish and some of the better areas are the State Park, Shag Rock, Henderson Point, the water intake near Redbud Park and the docks in Nice and Lucerne. A few catfish are also being caught from the docks at Lakeside County Park and at Library Park in Lakeport. Crappie action remains slow although a few fishermen have been catching five to six a day. The good news is bluegill action has been very good off Henderson Point, in Soda Bay and at Shag Rock.
Upper Blue Lake is providing some excellent trout action. Several fishermen reporting catching an easy limit, and some of the trout are up to 14 inches long. The best action has been for those drifting Power Bait or nightcrawlers. Most of the action has been for the boaters but bank fishermen are also finding success. The lake will be stocked with trout next week. The bass fishing has been rated as fair. Fishermen using jigs or drop-shotting a plastic worm are having the most success.
Bass are also being caught at Highland Springs Reservoir. A small boat or a float tube will get you access to the fishing areas. The best news is the fishing pressure is practically nil. On any given day there will only be a couple fishermen out on the lake.
Duck hunting on Clear Lake has slowed to a crawl. There have been very few hunters out and even fewer ducks being taken. The refuges in the Sacramento Valley are giving up an average of about two birds per hunter. The fall wild turkey season opens Nov. 14 and Lake County is loaded with wild turkeys. In fact, many people now consider them to be pests because they leave their calling card on decks and patios.
