Bass fishermen have less than a month before the Chamber of Commerce’s annual bass tournament. The tournament is scheduled for March 16 and 17. It was once the Record-Bee/Bruno’s bass tournament and at one time it was the largest bass tournament in Western United States with 225 teams. This year’s tournament is expected to draw approximately 100 teams. As of Thursday the number of fishmen entered in the tournament was 24 teams, Fishermen can sign up for the tournament as late as Friday March 16. Entry forms are available at the chamber office or the local tackle shops.
The tournament will go out of Library Park in Lakeport with the weigh-in each day starting at 3 p.m. American Bass (ABA) will operate the tournament.
Overall the bass fishing has slowed considerably. Most of the fishermen, including the bass pros are struggling to put five fish in the boat for a full day on the water. They all say without their electronics they wouldn’t catch any bass.
The bass tournaments return to Clear Lake this weekend when American Bass holds a team tournament on Saturday. The tournament should have a field of about 50 boats and will go out of Library Park in Lakeport with the weighin starting at 3 p.m.
Overall, the bass fishing on Clear Lake continues to stay in the typical winter pattern, which means fishermen need to take it slow and have a lot of patience. A good example is Gary Hill of Kelseyville. Hill fishes just about every day from his float tube and on most days he is highly successful. But lately he reports that he has been catching only one or two bass, or even nothing. He reports that water is clear and the conditions are perfect but the bass aren’t cooperating
The good news is that a few fishermen are having good success casting an Alabama Rig. One fisherman reporting catching 10 bass earlier this week and he used the A Rig exclusively. The fishermen using the A Rig are concentrating in the deeper water in the south end of the lake. They are making a super slow retrieve and are letting their lure bump the bottom. Fishermen are reminded that legally only three lures with hooks can be attached to the Alabama Rig. All other lures must be hookless.
A number of fishermen are wondering which brand of the Alabama Rig they should buy. There are dozens on the market and new types are being manufactured daily. A lot of fishermen prefer the three-branch rig over the five-branch setup. In fact, some fishermen are making their own. Several fishermen said they like the two-branch rig. One suggestion is to use a striped bass trolling spreader and modify it by attaching two swivels. The wire in the spreaders is the same type that is used in making spinnerbaits. Instead of attaching the expensive swimbaits you can use Flukes or curly-tailed grubs. In fact, you can even use small crankbaits. In other words, let your imagination guide you.
As expected, the fishermen using live minnows are having the most success. An average day using minnows should produce 3-5 bass. The best action has been in the deeper water in the south end of the lake. Areas such as Konocti Bay, Jago Point and the rockpiles around Rattlesnake Island have been fair to good for the minnow dunkers. Bass are also being caught along the Nice-Lucerne shoreline. In the Lakeport area, the best action has been in the deeper water off Rocky Point and the rock ledge near the Pit Stop.
