Bass fishing on Clear Lake continues at a torrid pace. A good example are the results local fishing guide Bob Myskey is seeing. Earlier this week he guided two clients for six hours and they caught a grand total of 75 bass, several weighing in the 5-pound class. Other fishermen report similar results. In fact, one fisherman fishing from a dock at Library Park in Lakeport caught nine bass on Wednesday.
Just about every type of lure is catching fish, the top one being a Jig. LV500 lipless crankbaits have been successful as have white spinner baits. Of course, drop-shotting a plastic worm is guaranteed to put a lot of fish into the boat. The fish are widely scattered and not every location is holding fish. One of the better areas has been the shoreline along Highway 20 near Pepperwood Cove. The bass have been holding in 10-15 feet of water above the rocks. Long Tule Point is another good area. Bass are also being caught near Frazier Point. The trick to success is to stay on the move until you locate active fish.
Gary Hill of Kelseyville has been fishing from his float tube at Clear Lake State Park and is catching from 10-30 fish a day, several weighing more than 5 pounds, including an 11-pounder. He has been using plastic worms and Senkos. All this means you don’t have to own a $60,000 bass boat to catch fish at Clear Lake. This is also a great time to take a youngster fishing as you are sure to catch plenty of fish.
Several fishermen have reported seeing a threadfin shad die-off in the south end of the lake. This is common for this time of the year. Water temperatures in the 80s will kill thousands of shad. To date, there have been water temperatures at Clear Lake as high as 90 degrees. The shad are also a short-lived fish, most only living two to three years. Every year late in the summer there are shad die-offs at Clear Lake. This year there are literally millions of shad in the lake.
The few catfishermen out on the lake are catching some nice catfish, several in the 20-pound-plus class. Cut herring or liver are the top baits
The good fishing should bode well for the Lakeport Yacht Club’s annual catfish derby, which is only a week away. It takes place Aug. 26-28. The entry fee is $50 per adult and $15 per child younger than 16. The winner of the kid’s division receives $300, second place is $200 and third place $100. There is a raffle starting at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 28. Fishermen can enter the derby as late as 9 p.m. on Aug. 26. For more information call 279-1974 or 339-1590.
Crappie action has slowed a little but is still rated good in many areas. One of the better areas is off Shag Rock. Henderson Point is also providing good action. Another area producing decent numbers of crappie is Kono Tayee. Shag Rock is also producing some large bluegill.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) hasn’t stocked the East Branch of the Russian River or Upper Blue Lake in more than a month. It’s been even longer for Lake Pillsbury and Letts Lake. It’s unknown when they will stock these waters again. It’s all part of a reduction in funding for the trout stocking program.
Zone A deer hunters had mixed action for their opener. Hunters who had access to private ranches did very well whereas those who hunted public land saw few bucks or deer of any kind.
