This winter has to go down as one of the best bass fishing winters in recent history. Just about all the fishermen report catching from 10-30 fish per day and they’re ranging from 3-5 pounds.
One of the hot lures this week has been the A Rig. Dave Burruss, owner of Clear Lake Outdoors, reported catching 15 bass in one small area in the south end of the lake using the A Rig. In addition, he said he had a number of bass follow the rig right up to the boat before turning away. Most of the fishermen are rigging three swimbaits with hooks and two as teasers. Burruss said the located the bass holding tight to the bottom in 20 feet of water. He rigged the A Rig with small swimbaits, such as a Keitech, and his retrieve was super slow with pauses. The bass would pick the lure up off the bottom and slowly swim away with it.
The rig actually comes with five wires rigged like a spoke. By California law, the A Rig is limited to three hooks although the other two wires can be rigged with hookless swimbaits. To a bass the entire rig resembles a school of minnows. The entire rig is cast and allowed to settle on the bottom. The rig is retrieved slowly. The best type of cast is a lob cast. When a fish strikes, be sure to make a sweeping hook set. The good news is that the price for an Alabama Rig is very reasonable, costing less than $20. You have to have a fairly stiff casting rod. The only downside is it takes considerable effort to make long casts, and if you cast for several hours your arms and shoulders can get very sore. The good news is it is the ideal lure for winter bass fishing.
The bass have definitely moved into their winter pattern and most fishermen report the best action has been in the deeper water in the south end of the lake. Just about all the fishermen say you have keep on the move to be successful. Once you locate a school of fish, work them very slowly.
Bluegill/crappie/catfish
Bluegill fishermen have been catching hundreds of fish all around the lake. One of the better areas has been Henderson Point. The docks at Lakeside County Park are also producing good numbers of bluegill. Nightcrawlers rigged beneath a bobber have been the most productive technique.
The catfish action has slowed although a few fishermen have been scoring on some large catfish. The best action has been along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline. Horseshoe Bend is another area producing some catfish.
Winter is normally crappie fishing time and crappie are already being caught at several locations around the lake. The Clear Lake Crappie Association is holding a crappie tournament Feb. 22. It will be a team event and will operate out of Clearlake Oaks. Fishermen can sign up for the tournament at either Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks or at Lakeport Bait and Tackle in Lakeport.
Trout fishing
Trout action is still rated as good at Upper Blue Lake. Several fishermen report catching trout weighing between 1-2 pounds. Both bank fishermen and boaters have been catching fish.
Park visit
Winter is an ideal time to take a hike at Clear Lake State Park, located on Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville. It’s the perfect time to view some wildlife. You’ll see deer and a wide variety of birds at the park, which offers a number of hiking trails.
