The recent warm weather has helped the bass fishing on Clear Lake. A good indication were the results of two separate American Bass (ABA) team tournaments held last weekend.
On Saturday. the winning team of John Pearl and Gary Collins of Upper Lake caught a five-fish limit weighing 33.71 pounds. They also caught the big fish of the tourney, a 10.03-pounder. On Sunday, the winning team of Chris DeVette and Thom McMihon, both from San Ramon, caught a five-fish limit weighing 25.05 pounds. They also caught the big fish, a 8.17-pounder.
The best areas remain at midlake. Shag Rock and Henderson Point have been good areas. The docks along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline have been providing decent action as have the docks in the Lakeport area. What is surprising are the number of bass being caught by dock fishermen at Lakeside County Park. I observed an angler haul in three nice-sized bass within a period of less than an hour on Monday. He was using live jumbo minnows.
The Clearlake Oaks arm is also providing decent action. The top lure remains drop-shotting a plastic worm and working it slowly. Just about any color will do. A number of the tournament fishermen reported catching their fish on A Rigs. Jigs are another good option.
Of course, the best technique is to use a live jumbo minnow. You can rig it either beneath a bobber or allow it to swim freely. Just about all the local fishing guides use jumbo minnows during the colder parts of the winter because they produce fish. Normally a bass will slowly take the minnow in its mouth and swim away with it. Fishermen should watch their bobber carefully for any unusual movement and give the bass plenty of time to swallow the minnow before setting the hook.
Bass tourney
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce team bass tournament is only three weeks away and to date only 35 teams have signed up. There is normally a rush during the final week of sign-ups. Last year the tournament drew 133 teams and the same number is expected this year.
Crappie/bluegill
The good news is the crappie action continues to improve. Just about every dock in the north end of the lake has been holding crappie and bluegill. The State Park has been a good area as has Shag Rock in the Narrows. Bluegill action is also good around the lake. Most of the successful fishermen are using a nightcrawler suspended beneath a bobber. Some of the bluegill have been huge, exceeding a pound.
Fishermen are being warned that if they exceed the daily limit of 25 crappie and bluegill combined they can expect a visit from the local game wardens. I observed several game wardens patrolling Lakeside County Park and Library Park in Lakeport and they were checking fishermen for fishing licenses as well as over-limits of fish.
Catfish derby
The Clearlake Oaks/Glenhaven catfish derby is scheduled for May 15-17. The entry fee is $50 for adults and $10 for children younger than 15. The derby is the largest west of the Mississippi River and annually draws more than 1,000 contestants. Entry forms are available at all local tackle shops. Call (707) 596-0248 for more information.
Trout action
Trout action has been good at Upper Blue Lake. The lake was stocked a week ago and both bank fishermen as well as boaters have been catching some nice-sized trout. The bass fishing has been good at both Upper and Lower Blue Lakes.
Lake Mendocino
Bass are still being caught at Lake Mendocino. Smallmouth bass are making up most of the catch. The best action has been near the dam. Fishermen are reminded it’s illegal to use live minnows as bait at Lake Mendocino.
