The bass pros return to Clear Lake this weekend for the annual Triton Boat Owners team tournament. Only those who are registered Triton boat owners are eligible to compete. The two-day tournament goes out of Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport. The weigh-in Saturday starts at 2:30 p.m. and the weigh-in Sunday is 2 p.m.
The tournament has always been a popular event for bass fishermen. Besides the actual tournament, there is a giant raffle Saturday evening during which fishermen can win prizes worth thousands of dollars. Last year there was a field of 59 teams and the winning team of Paul Bailey and Mike Escamilla caught 29.4 pounds
Weather will play a major role in the tournament. If it is windy, the fishing will be tough. Fishermen who were out prefishing this week reported a mixed bag. Some caught as many as 15 bass per day and others said they were lucky to put three or four in the boat. Most of the fishermen predict it will take approximately 40 pounds to win it.
Overall the bass fishing at Clear Lake is holding steady. The good news is the larger bass are being caught. A tournament held last weekend saw a number of bass between 5-7 pounds weighed in. The big fish of the tourney was 9.57 pounds.
Fishermen are using an array of lures and tactics to catch their fish. As expected, the top two methods have been drop-shotting a plastic worm and working a jig slowly along the bottom. A few fishermen have been finding success casting a small swimbait with an underspin attached. Regardless of the method used, the key to success is a slow retrieve. Some fishermen are going deep for their fish. Gary Hill of Kelseyville caught about a dozen bass while fishing in his float tube off Henderson Point. He said most of the fish were caught at a depth of more than 15 feet.
The other good news on the fishing scene is the catfish are becoming more active. One fisherman from Sacramento reported catching at least a dozen catfish near Rattlesnake Island using cutbait. He said the largest catfish weighed close to 12 pounds.
Crappie/bluegill
Crappie and bluegill are also being caught in good numbers. Shag Rock has been very good for bluegill. Nightcrawlers have been the top bait.
Other lakes
The Department of Fish and Wildlife website reported that Lake Mendocino was stocked with trout last week, but it is doubtful if it actually occurred. Several fishermen fished the lake earlier this week and didn’t catch a single trout. The bass fishing has been rated as fair.
Upper Blue Lake is kicking out a few trout and some nice-sized bass. The lake hasn’t been stocked with trout in at least two months.
Deer season
The B-zone deer season is in full swing and hunters report the cooler weather has the bucks going into rut. The best hunting has been in the Mendocino National Forest out of Covelo. It’s a long drive but worth it. A large portion of the forest is still closed because of the recent wildfires. A map of the closed areas can be obtained by going to the Mendocino National Forest website.
Quail season
Quail hunters report seeing plenty of birds and some have bagged limits. One of the better areas has been the Cache Creek Wildlife Area.
Hiking
Now is a great time to hike up to Mount Konocti. The cooler weather makes the hike enjoyable and the view from the mountain is nothing short of fantastic.
