Recreation
I’ve essentially got three things to say this week … Live bait, live bait, live bait.
All of our key game fish species in Clear Lake are responding well to our lively minnows. Deep water is also the name of the game all around. Our weather for the coming weekend looks splendid. I just love writing the fall report when we finally settle into our seasonal pattern. Here it is …
Bass folks are still trying the usual tackle tricks to get fish to bite artificial lures. This time of year, however, these fish have feeding on the mind and are simply looking for a good tasty meal.
Enter the JUMBO MINNOWS. And by JUMBO, I mean we’ve got some of the biggest healthiest baitfish we’ve seen in a good long time. Most successful bass anglers are dangling live bait over some kind of feature – be it a rock, rock pile, rise, hump, or whatever – in water that stands 25 to 30 feet deep. Drop 'em down on a split shot rig, a drop shot rig, or a slip float rig.
Now, I should mention that a few anglers are finding a few nice fish in shallower water, too. You’ll have to try your luck on this as the reports are widely scattered with regard to where, on what and how many.
The biggest news, save maybe for the size of our JUMBO minnows this week, is the crappie bite. They’re at it again. It’s November and the crappie typically turn on in November. This year is no different.
We’ve got slab fishermen out daily now reporting good catches from some of the popular spots. We’ve talked about 'em now for a while – Kono Tayee, Shag Rock, Konocti, Jones and Jago Bay. Still nothing from the coveted Four Poles, but that’ll be coming along soon to I suspect. We’re not getting enough feedback yet to have a pattern on artificial lures, but the minnow bite is doing well. We’ve tripled our normal stock of medium minnows to keep you in the bait and on the fish!
Cats ... What can I say? Drift one of these HUGE JUMBO minnows down through any number of fishing holes, and you’re going to catch catfish. They LOVE minnows this time of year. The bigger, the better. Water from twelve feet deep to thirty feet deep and everywhere in between has kicked out some fine catfish lately.
Come enjoy the great weather this weekend and fish one of North America’s finest lakes. See you soon!
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait and Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, telephone 707.994.FISH (3474). Visit him online at www.994Fish.com.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
I’ll start with bass. Lipless crankbaits, deep cranks, jerk baits, drop shotting, and jigs – all are working to a limited extent. I’ve got guys fishing in three feet of water and all the way down to 28 feet of water with some success. Plan on working hard for a few decent fish. Now, the minnow guys are enjoying an improved bite (typical of this time of year) on jumbos. Most are working submerged rock piles or humps and finding bass stacked in layers. The lake’s water temp is running in the mid-50’s currently.
The crappie bite is taking the spotlight this week. Slabs from one to 3 pounds have been found with frequency over in Jones Bay, at Konocti Harbor, and a new mention of Kono Tayee and Shag Rock. The prevailing bite seems to be deep water (greater than 25 feet) with features (like rocks or humps) that rise up 8 to 12 feet from the bottom. Live bait has accounted for most of all the crappie caught, with a few coming on assorted jigs. Look for this bite to open wide up as we move on towards the winter. (Crappie for thanksgiving? Yum!)
Lots of anglers fishing for bass and crappie are reporting in with plentiful catches of whiskerfish. Catfish hunters are enjoying a reliable bite on shad, mackerel and live jumbo minnows. A slow drift down the Glenhaven shoreline was productive for one angler reporting in today. Others are catching cats in all the regular deep water holes.
Overall, we’ve got us some very typical fall season conditions. Call or email for the very latest updates or stop on in and check out our newly expanded store. We’ve more than DOUBLED our floor space and we’re adding product in every category and adding new stuff, too. If you haven’t been in over the last month, you’ve got to check us out. We’re planning a VERY SPECIAL promotion for December, so stay tuned!
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait and Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Call the shop at 994-FISH (3474) or visit them online at www.994Fish.com.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
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