Crappie, bluegill bite takes off on Clear Lake
Bass action has slowed to a crawl on Clear Lake. The cold weather and coronavirus restrictions have kept most of the fishermen off the lake, and eventhefew who have been out say the bite is really tough. Most of the fishermen are happy to put two or three bass in the boat for a full day’s effort.
The advice nearly all the fishermen have been giving is to use a super slow retrieve. For those who just want of catch more than a bass or two, the answer is to use live minnows. All the local tackle shops have live minnows in stock.
A few fishermen have been successful casting jigs or an underspin, which is a jig head with a blade rigged on the bottom. They also come with just a leaded hook and a small swimbait, such as a Keitech, attached.
The fishing pressure on the lake has been very low and the rain forecast for the weekend won’t help. Newjen is hosting a team bass tournament Saturday. The tournament goes out of Konocti Harbor Resort with the weigh-in starting at 3 p.m. From all indications a number of tournaments will go out of Konocti Harbor in the coming years as the resort is actively seeking tournaments.
Clear Lake is scheduled to host 37 major bass tournaments in 2021. There are also 39 club tournaments scheduled for the lake this year as well as two catfish derbies. The next major tournament is scheduled for Jan. 30 and will be an American Bass team event.
Chamber team tourney
Sign-ups for the 33rd annual Lake County Chamber of Commerce/ Konocti Vista Casino and Resort Team Tournament open Feb. 5. The tournament is scheduled for March 20-21. It was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. This tournament started back in 1987 when it was known as the Record-bee/ Bruno’s Team Bass Tournament.
At one time it was one of the largest bass tournaments in the nation with 225 teams. This year the entry fee is $200 per team and includes big-fish options.
The tournament is popular because it pays back 100 percent of the entry fees. Tournament entry forms can be downloaded from the chamber’s website or picked up in person at the chamber office, 875 Lakeport Blvd., in Lakeport. According to Melissa Fulton of the Chamber of Commerce, entry forms have been mailed to last year’s participants. For more information call (707) 263-5092.
Catfish
Catfish action has been good for the few anglers out after them. The best action has been in the south end of the lake near Redbud Park and off Rattlesnake Island. A few catfish and bluegill are being caught by shore anglers at Lakeside County Park. Jumbo minnows, nightcrawlers and cut bait all have been effective for catfish weighing up to 20 pounds.
Crappie/bluegill
Whereas the bass action has been slow, it’s just the opposite for crappie and bluegill. Fishermen report catching and releasing up to 50 bluegill a day, some weighing more than a pound. Some huge crappie are also being caught, which should be a good indication of what to expect for the remainder of the winter and spring. Nightcrawlers have been the top bluegill bait and small jigs or live minnows have been the top crappie lures.
Trout
Trout action has slowed at Upper Blue Lake although a few fishermen have been scoring using Power Bait. The fishing pressure has been nil — on any given day there will be only two or three boats on the water. The lake was stocked two weeks ago.
Duck season
Duck hunters go into their last week of the season, which closes Jan. 31. Most of the hunters report it has been a terrible season with few ducks. Apparently there was a poor hatch last spring.