Bass fishermen on Clear Lake are finding mixed results. Some fishermen report catching from 10-30 fish per day and others are struggling to put a couple of bass into the boat. The good news is that several bass caught this past week topped 8 pounds. The fish are schooled, so if you locate a school the action has been nonstop.
Just about all the anglers say the trick to success to keep on the move and cover as much water as possible. A variety of methods are being used to catch fish and they range from drop-shotting a plastic worm, rigging a plastic worm on a split-shot, to casting reaction lures.
For years, long before the drop-shot became popular, the top technique was split-shotting. A split-shot is attached about 12-16 inches up the line from the plastic worm. The rig is cast and retrieved very slow and with long pauses. Often all you will feel when a fish takes the worm is a slight pressure. The best rod to use is a light- or medium-action spinning rod with 8-pound test line.
One problem facing fishermen is the color of the water. In most areas the water is still a dark brown with visibility of less than 12 inches. The brown color is caused by dying algae. The water should be much clearer by mid-November and the fishing should improve. Some of the better areas have been Rocky Point, Lakeside County Park, Konocti Bay, Henderson Point and the rockpiles near Rattlesnake Island and Jago Bay. The water outside of Clear Lake State Park is also holding some bass.
For those who fish from shore, a few bass are being caught daily off the docks at Library Park in Lakeport and at Lakeside County Park. The docks at Redbud Park in Clearlake are also giving up the occasional bass.
The Battle Leukemia Fundraiser Bass Tournament is scheduled for Saturday out of Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport. There are also a couple of club tournaments scheduled for the weekend.
Bluegill/catfish
Bluegill fishing remains good for those using nightcrawlers rigged beneath a bobber. Some of the bluegill have been huge, weighing up to a pound. Catfish action also has been good for the few anglers out after them.
Trout stocking
The East Branch of the Russian River was scheduled to be stocked with trout this week and Upper Blue Lake is scheduled to be stocked next week.
Other lakes
Gary Hill of Kelseyville has been fishing Lower Blue Lake from his float tube and reports he has been catching 20-30 bass per day, some of them weighing as much as 5 pounds. Plastic worms have been his most successful lure. Fishing on the lake is by either a float tube or kayak.
Hiking
The fall months are an ideal time to hike in Clear Lake State Park. The park is super clean and a safe place to hike. There are a number of excellent hiking trails. As a bonus, you often will see wildlife such as deer and even a bobcat, not to mention a wide assortment of birds.
The cool months are also an excellent time to make a hike up to the summit of Mount Konocti. To reach the area take Konocti Road out of Kelseyville and drive to the parking lot. The trail to the summit is actually a gravel road. The view from Wright Peak is nothing short of fantastic.
