Bass fishermen on Clear Lake continue to battle cold weather and a slow bite. There also has been a lack of fishermen. A good example was Thursday morning at the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport where there were only two boat trailers in the parking lot.
The water temperature on Thursday morning at the Fifth Street ramp was a chilly 42 degrees. The lake level was minus-2.4 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. The recent rains have raised the lake level approximately three inches.
There are only two public boat ramps open on the lake and they are the Clearlake Oaks ramp and the Fifth Street ramp in Lakeport. Hopefully when the lake level rises to zero on the Rumsey Gauge some of the other public ramps can be opened for launching.
There are no bass tournaments scheduled on the lake for the rest of December. There are a couple of club tournaments. Several club tournaments are scheduled for January.
Fishing scene
One the fishing scene, the action for bass has slowed considerably. A good example were the results of last weekend’s’ American Bass Association (ABA) tournament held Sunday. The tournament drew only 15 boats and a grand total of eight bass were caught. The winning weight was 11 pounds for four bass.
The best action has been between noon and 5 p.m. and one the top lures continues to be live jumbo minnows rigged beneath a bobber and fished very slowly. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits have been effective as well. They should also be retrieved slowly and allowed to bump the bottom. Jigs and plastic worms have been effective when allowed to crawl over the bottom.
One reason the fishing has slowed is because of the cold water. During the winter months it can take a bass several days to digest a crawdad or a minnow. Their metabolism slows down and they barely move much. Studies have shown that a bass can go without food for several weeks during the cold months.
Some of the more productive areas include Henderson Point, the water off of Henderson Point and in Soda Bay, and the deeper water near Rattlesnake Island.
Catfish/crappie/bluegill
Catfish action remains very good for the few anglers after them. Some of the fishermen have been catching up to 20 catfish per day using shrimp and fishing in water as deep as 20 feet. The catfish have been ranging in size from a few pounds to as large as 20 pounds.
The crappie action remains slow but should improve in the coming weeks. A few bluegill are being caught by anglers using nightcrawlers.
Trout action
Trout action at Upper Blue Lake remains fair for the anglers willing to stick it out. Both the bank fishermen and boaters have been catching some nice-sized trout. The lake is not on the current stocking schedule.
Hunting
On the hunting scene, pheasant season closes Dec. 25 and overall it has been a poor season. Many of the hunters haven’t bagged a single bird.
Quail season runs through Jan. 30 and hunting in the national forests and other public land has been very good.
The fall wild turkey season closed Sunday and it was an excellent season. Most turkey hunters had little trouble bagging their birds.
The bear season runs through Dec. 26 or until 1,700 bears are taken statewide. To date. hunters have bagged 1,066 bears across the state.
Hiking
Once the weather clears plan a hike up to Wright’s Peak on Mount Konocti. Winter is the ideal time to hike up the mountain because it is cool. Don’t do it alone but make a party of it and invite several friends.
Clear Lake State Park in another excellent choice and here you can hike alone if you wish. The park is safe and well patrolled.
