Bass action at Clear Lake has been a hit-or-miss affair. For example, one fisherman reported he didn’t get a single bite in the morning earlier this week, however by 2 p.m. he had caught more than 10 bass. Other fishermen report similar action. The trick is to be patient and stay on the move. When you catch a fish, plan on staying in the area at least 30 or minutes.
January and February are typically the coldest months of the year at Clear Lake. The key to success is a super slow retrieve. Typically a fisherman can expect to catch from one to five bass for a day’s outing. The good news is there are still bait fish everywhere. The American Bass tournament held Sunday saw 21.01 pounds win the tournament. The big fish was 6.3 pounds. The tournament drew 16 boats
The best areas remain in the south end of the lake near Clearlake Oaks. The docks along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline have been providing fair action as have the docks in the Clearlake Oaks arm. The weather should be nice and warm during the middle of the week but the forecast is for cold weather by the weekend.
The top lure remains drop-shotting a plastic worm and working it very slowly. Just about any colored dark worm will do. Jigs are another good option. Of course, by far 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.
Sign-ups open
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce team bass tournament is only a little more than month away. The dates are March 25-26. Last year the tournament drew 136 teams and about the same number are expected his year. The entry fee is $200 per team and that includes the big-fish money. The tournament features a 100-percent payback of all the entry fees.
Other fish
Crappie action has also slowed but the bluegill action has been good for small bluegill. The best bait has been a nightcrawler suspended beneath a bobber. Some of the best action has been for those fishing from docks. Catfish action remains good.
Trout
Trout action at Upper Blue Lake is holding steady for those who are patient. Most of the trout being caught have been nice-sized. Highland Spring Reservoir is a good spot for small bass. A drive around the lake reveals an abundance of bird life. Another great place to relax is Lakeside County Park on Soda Bay Road
This is the time of the year to spend a day at the Clear Lake State Park. There are lots of wildlife and there is nothing like a hike around the park followed by a lunch. One thing the park has is an abundance of wildlife.
Column corrections
My Wednesday column last week mentioned that mountain lions had killed 27 sheep and seven goats out of Lower Lake and that the women who owned the livestock didn’t know how to deal with the lions. According to a spokesman with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the county and federal trappers will deal with any lion or other animal that harms livestock. The landowner most notify the county gricultural officer, who will deal with the animal by various methods. It can eliminate the animal or deal with it in another way.
Also, the rancher near Willits who was arrested after shooting and killing a lion was not arrested for killing the lion as the column states, but for other reasons.
