Fishermen are battling wind just about every day. A few bass have moved in the shallows to spawn. The fishermen are using a wide variety of lures that range from shallow running crankbaits to plastic worms. The drop-shot technique has been one of the more successful methods of fishing. Fishermen are rigging the dropshot with either a six-inch plastic worm or a Senko and allowing it to rest on the bottom and then making a super slow retrieve. The bass are gently picking up the worm and slowly swimming off with it. The Senko can also be fished on a split-shot and slowly inched along the bottom. Square-billed crankbaits have also been successful as have the LV500. For those that aren’t in a tournament, a jumbo Senko is catching fish
A live minnow fished under a sliding bobber has been successful. Most of the anglers have been happy to put five or six fish in the boat for a full day on the water.
The best news on the fishing scene is the crappie and catfish action. Most of the fishermen report catching from 15 to 50 crappie a day. They are being caught all around the lake with the Nice-Lucerne shoreline being one of the better areas. Soda Bay and the Henderson Point are two good areas. The docks at Library Park in Lakeport are also producing a good number of crappie. Most of the successful anglers are using either a red-white or black-white crappie jig rigged under a bobber. Some of the crappie being caught have been huge, weighing up to 3 pounds. The crappie action has been so good that a number of local fishing guides have been switching to crappie from the bass.
Catfish action has also been good with some huge catfish being caught. The best action has been offshore about a half mile. The trick to success is to keep moving until you locate a school of catfish and then use either a nightcrawler or cut bait. Even the fishing guides report their clients have been catching catfish on crankbaits while fishing for bass.
Clear Lake was once a favorite lake for the carp bow and arrow fishermen. The past two weeks the carp have moved into the shallows to spawn. They can be seen thrashing around in just about every cove. One area that has been holding a lot of carp is the Lakeside County Park. There is no limit on the number of carp that can be taken but you must have a current fishing license.
A free hunter education class will be offered on June 29 and 30 at the Highland Springs Range house. Individuals will have the opportunity to meet a California state game warden and experienced instructors. You will get hands-on experience with safe hunting equipment. Successful completion of the course will qualify the individual to obtain a California hunting license.
Classes will be from 9 am to 3 pm both days. Contact Bob Bridges at 707-263-5187 to sign up and for any questions.
