The weather has finally warmed up enough to make fishing on Clear Lake at least a little more comfortable. Now all that’s needed is for the fish to start biting. Without question the past month has seen the bass fishing take a nosedive. Typically at this time of the year you can expect to catch at least five or six fish for a day on the water, but not this year. A good day this year is two or three fish. The slow action has just about everyone confused. There are literally hordes of baitfish everywhere you look.
The dropping lake level has reduced the areas where anglers can fish. Typically during the winter months most of the bass concentrate either in the tules or off the rocky points. The hot spot the past month has been in the Clearlake Oaks arm around Rattlesnake Island.
The other major factor is a lack of fishermen. With no bass tournaments scheduled for November the fishermen are staying away, Normally most of the fishermen would be prefishing for upcoming tournaments, but not this year. A typical day has about 15 bass boats being launched at the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. In fact, on most days there have been fewer than a dozen boats being launched.
The good news on the fishing scene is the outstanding catfish action. The few anglers fishing for catfish have been catching up to 20 catfish a day. The larger catfish have been weighing more than 20 pounds, and 10-pounders are common. Shrimp, nightcrawlers and even hot dogs have been the top baits.
Lures
It’s amazing how fast lures become popular among fishermen and then fade. Ten years ago the Alabama Rig was the hottest lure on the lake and even throughout California. Nowadays only a few anglers still use it. The lure is basically a wire spreader where up to five lures, such as small swimbaits, are attached to a wire harness. California law allows for a maximum of three lures to be used on an individual line although each lure can have a maximum of three hooks.
Fishermen normally rig three lures with hooks and two others as dummy lures without hooks. These are called “teasers.” The lure is deadly during the winter months when the water is cold and clear. Actually, there are a number of setups that can be used. Instead of swimbaits you can use small crankbaits or spinnerbaits.
The entire rig is cast and then retrieved slowly. To a bass, the five lures probably represent a school of minnows. Years ago just about every tournament fisherman would use the Alabama Rig exclusively. However, after a couple of years the popularity of the lure dropped sharply. Why? No one knows.
Perhaps it’s because the lure is heavy and casting one all day leaves the fisherman exhausted. This is especially true for the recreational angler. It will be interesting to see if the Alabama Rig makes a comeback this winter.
Minnows
The other hot bait for large bass during the winter is jumbo live minnows. The primary food sources for adult bass during the winter months are either minnows, such as the juvenile bass, hitch and young crappie or crawdads. Most of the bass feed on minnows and because of the thousands of juvenile bass, hitch and crappie and even threadfin shad this year there is an abundance of food.
Several years ago fishermen discovered jumbo minnows would readily catch very large bass during the winter months. Actually, the minnow fishing improves as the water gets colder. In fact, most of the local fishing guides use jumbo minnows almost exclusively during the winter months.
The minnow can be rigged several ways. One way is to run a size 2 hook through the lips of the minnow and then attach a small split shot about 10 inches up the line from the hook. The minnow is allowed to swim above the rocks or beneath the docks.
The other technique is to use a slip bobber and drift with the live minnow suspended about 4-6 feet beneath the bobber. A bobber stopper is attached to the line, which allows the fisherman to make an easy cast. The stopper controls the depth of the minnow. Commercial bobber stoppers are available at local tackle shops.
Other lakes
Upper Blue Lake is scheduled to be stocked with trout next week. Conditions are perfect at Upper Blue Lake. There is plenty of water and it is nice and clear.
