Kayak fishermen take the spotlight from the high-powered bass boats this weekend as Clear Lake will literally be wall to wall with kayak tournament anglers. Five kayak tournaments are scheduled for the weekend with fishermen from throughout the western states competing.
The number of kayaks alone is expected to be in the neighborhood of 200. Unlike other tournaments there is no blast-off for kayak tournaments. They can launch from anywhere around the lake and unlike regular bass tournaments there is no weigh-in.
Kayak tournaments are different from traditional bass tournaments in other ways as well. As each fisherman catches a bass, he/she places it on a special measuring board and takes a photo of it with an iPhone or equivalent device. The photo, showing the length of the fish, is automatically transmitted to a judge who registers the fish to that individual. The winner is the fisherman who has the longest total length for five bass.
After taking the photo of the fish, the fisherman releases it back into the lake. There are no livewells on the kayaks. All bass must be at least 12 inches long. A contestant can catch as many bass as he/she can but only the top five count.
The modern tournament-rigged kayak is like looking at a modern bass boat without the big outboard motor. The kayaks have foot peddles, a remote-controlled electric motor, comfortable seats and the most modern electronic fish finders. They are so stable you can stand up in them without capsizing. The cost of one of these modern fishing machines can be as high as $8,000.
While most of the kayak tournaments take place Saturday and Sunday and are based out of Library Park in Lakeport, one of them takes place Friday. It is the Lakeport Bait and Tackle Kayak and Belly tournament, which has approximately 70 contestants.
Fishing scene
The bass fishing scene at Clear Lake remains tough. Most fishermen report being happy to catch two or three bass for a day’s effort. The successful fishermen are those who have the patience to tough it out.
Jigs and Senkos worked around the weed mats have been one of the more successful methods. A few fishermen have been successful using topwater lures. The bass have been widely scattered around the lake.
There are currently only four public ramps open. They are the Clearlake Oaks ramp, Redbud ramp in Clearlake, County Park and the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. Even on these ramps care should be taken when launching a boat.
One piece of good news is that the aquatic weeds on the lake are starting to disappear as we move in late summer. This is normal. The algae is also beginning to disappear.
Big tourneys
There are several large bass tournaments scheduled for September and October and the big question is if the lake level will high enough to allow them to fish. The lake level is predicted to be as low as minus-4 feet by October and if that occurs all the boat ramps will be closed.
Other fish
Catfish action remains very good for the few anglers fishing for them. Nightcrawlers and pieces of cooked chicken have been the top baits. One of the top areas has been the shoreline at Lucerne. The Shag Rock area also has been giving up some large catfish.
Crappie action has slowed although a few fishermen have been catching large crappie.
The bluegill action has been excellent and some large bluegill are being caught on small redworms or nightcrawlers.
Other waters
There is still very little trout action at Upper Blue Lake although the bass fishing has been very good. The lake still hasn’t been scheduled for a trout plant.
