Clear Lake will be packed with bass fishermen this weekend as the two-day River2Sea team bass tournament gets underway Saturday morning. The tournament is expected draw at least 100 boats and operates out of the Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport. The weigh-in each day starts at approximately 3 p.m.
Bass boats will have to share the lake with seaplanes this weekend as the annual seaplane splash-in takes place in Lakeport. Boats are encouraged to be on the lookout for planes that are landing and taking off. The splash-in is based out of Natural High School in Lakeport.
The bass pros should have little trouble weighing in a five-fish limit but the big question is if the larger bass finally show up. To date, the size of the bass being caught at Clear Lake continues to be between 2-4 pounds. This weekend’s tournament is just the first in a series of bass tournaments scheduled during the next few weeks.
Overall the bass fishing has been rated very good at Clear Lake where most of the anglers are having little trouble boating 15-30 fish. The Bob’s Marine Tournament held last weekend drew 35 boats and the winning weight for two days was 37 pounds. The big fish of the tourney weighed 10 pounds but most of the fishermen brought in limits that weighed less than 10 pounds.
The fishermen report that the bass have moved into the shallow water around the docks. The docks at the north end of the lake near Rocky Point has been one of the better areas. Jigs have been one of the top lures followed by drop-shotting a plastic worm. A few fishermen are finding decent action on topwater lures cast along the edges of the docks. The trick to success is to keep moving from dock to dock until you locate active fish. The shoreline from Lakeside County Park to the state park is also providing good fishing. Henderson Point is another area worth a try.
A few crappie are being caught off Henderson Point and off the bank at the county park. Catfish action has been slow and few fishermen have been after them
Upper Blue Lake is giving up a few bass but the trout fishing has come to a standstill. The lake hasn’t been stocked in nearly two months. The only action at Lake Pillsbury is for bass. This is another lake that hasn’t seen any trout stocking in more than three months. A good bet is Indian Valley Reservoir. The lake is in beautiful condition and the bass action has been nothing short of fantastic. For the float tubers and kayakers, Highland Springs Reservoir, located just south of Lakeport, is an excellent choice. Gary Hill of Kelseyville has been fishing the pond the last two hours before dark and has been having excellent luck on topwater lures. The best part is that the fishing pressure is just about nil.
Zone A deer hunters go into the final week of their season and the hope is for some cool weather. The bucks still aren’t in rut and the hot weather has kept the deer holed up in deep canyons during the daylight hours. Deer processor Larry Poff has processed 115 bucks to date. He said just about all the bucks have come off private land. Poff said he spoke to one of the local game wardens and the warden told him he hadn’t validated a single buck that came off public land. Poff can be contacted at 349-6800.
The B-zone deer seasons opens Saturday and a good number of local hunters will be hunting the Mendocino National Forest in the Covelo area. This area always produces some trophy books. The deer will be at the higher altitudes early in the season. Hull Mountain is another good choice.
