Unseasonably warm weather the past week has brought the lake temperature back up towards the 50-degree mark. There’s been a good solid bass bite on live bait, there’s hope on the horizon for the crappie bite, and a few catfish have made an appearance. The weather forecast has us gradually cooling as we move through this coming weekend and into the beginning part of next week.

Bass anglers have been enjoying a lively bite on jumbo minnows. Transition areas to deep water have been the name of the game for most. Successful anglers are willing to try different depths and presentations of the live bait for best effect.

The flip side of this enthusiastic report is that the folks working artificials are finding an overall tough bite. Simply stated we’re in a typical winter bass pattern where the fish prefer (almost exclusively) live bait. Some areas that are producing this week are No Name Reef, Wheeler Point, Frazier Point, Glenhaven Reef and Henderson Point. Look to other areas with similar features to be doing well also.

We’ve got high hopes for the crappie bite to swing back into gear. A few of our crappie hunters have hit the water this past week to find crappie tightly schooled but not so willing to bite. Those that did catch the slabs were meticulous about their presentations.

What I believe is necessary is an ultra-finesse presentation of live bait. Two or four pound fluorocarbon or copolymer line coupled with a light wire Aberdeen hook and BB-sized split shot – add a live minnow and fish slowly. Most importantly… Come by the shop and let us take some pictures of your catch!

The catfishing has sprung back to life with the warmer weather. We’ve had our regulars get back at it and they are doing pretty well fishing deeper water with live minnows or night crawlers. This bite will probably hold as long as the weather does.

Now that we’re into the new year, I want to take a minute and highlight the Clearlake Ducks Unlimited Banquet coming up in February. But first, let me say this – for every $250 we raise, DU gains an acre of habitat. What a phenomenal statistic!

So on with this. We have many fine firearms on display that will be featured at the event. Some will be auction items, others will be on drawings, others yet will be on games that you play for chances to win. We also have dinner tickets on sale here in our store.

The event will be held at the Lion’s Hall in Middletown on Feb. 21. Come on down to the shop for an early preview of the guns, pick up some drawing tickets for the Browning Silver 70th Anniversary shotgun, and get in on the dinner too. Join us for this fabulous event that benefits our wildlife habitat.

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com.

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