One last round of trout plants coming
SUNSHINE and BUTTERCUPS my fellow anglers! So,, raise your hand if you are like me and you will be glad when 2020 is over. I think that I have said this before but, I have a hoodie that say’s “I Fish So That I Don’t Choke People” on it. Relax, it’s humor. For us anglers, our saving grace has been our ability to get out and away from all the bad news and social garbage. On the water and happy to be “socially distant.” Ahh,- Exhale!
CLEAR LAKE: Boy, the #1 rated bass fishery in the United States has shrunk some. The lack of rain last winter is starting to really show its affects on Clear Lake. There are a few things to watch out for. The Lakeport, Nice and Lucerne areas of the lake is shallow. You have to be alert and on your toes. There are submersed rock piles, cables, tires and old dock supports that are now just below the water surface. Plus, the Algae Muck Monster is still out in full force. I have learned the hard way that you must be careful when fishing the muck. Make sure your gas motor is off and up out of the water. Your outboard motor will suck the slime up in to your cooling system and plug it up.
With all this being said, I am not saying that you should not fish Clear Lake. It is the #1 rated bass fishing lake for a reason. Many, many, BIG BASS
LIVE IN IT! Just be safe on the water !
No secrets. This is what works for me right now on Clear Lake. The first thing I do is look for areas where there are still some weed matts that are still alive. These areas generally have a bit more oxygen and will hold more bait fish, Find the bait fish, you have located the bass. Once you have found the area you want to fish, take your time. Small points on the weeds, little clear pockets, anything that is out of the ordinary is where I spend my time. Take it slow. My wife Teresa has become very good at drop- shotin’. So good that, I have had to take it up for myself. Right now, I think it is the “go-to” technique. You’ll catch numbers of bass.
With maybe a 3 — 5 pounder in the mix. But, most are 2 pounders. Man, it sure beats raking leaves!
But, the best is yet to come… Give it two or three weeks and the big bass will be on the hunt looking to fatten up for the winter months. Then, we will be sayin’ “FISH ON, — It’s a BIGGIN’ !”
TROUT ANGLERS: Attention all you trout anglers. The word on the dock is that California Department of Fish and Wildlife is going to be stocking a couple of our local waterways with rainbows. Both, the Upper Blue Lake and the East Fork of the Russian River (CREEK) will receiving plants the next couple weeks. Finally some GOOD NEWS in the trout fishing world! Go get ‘um!
Thanks for reading and remember to keep it reel! -Don = 4REEL Fishin’