Recreation
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
For bass, the folks working artificials are still struggling. Early morning remains the most productive time of day for jerk baits, deep running cranks, drop shots and jigs. No magic here. Just work 'em hard, hit all the key "zones" and go slow.
Now we have seen a shift in the live bait bite. Minnows are an annual fall favorite for bass as the water cools. That bite seems to have kicked in well now – and just in time as our first load of JUMBO minnows is due next week. We've had plenty of good healthy XL sized minnows, but there's something about JUMBOS that smacks of that great fall bite on Clear Lake. For the first time since early summer, we had customers running out of minnows and coming back for more before the morning was over
yesterday. That's encouraging!
There's big news on the crappie front, too. We've got a couple of local guys doing a bang-up job locating crappie in the Jones Bay/Jago Bay area. They're getting from 8 to 20 crappie per outing using live medium minnows. They're not having any luck on jigs or other offerings, but they are finding that the crappie will eat minnows with regularity. So I'd like to put forth a challenge – call it the Clear Lake Crappie Challenge. We need crappie hunters to get out and do their thing and report back.
Register at the shop before you go out and bring your stringer in when you come back in – let us get some pictures. Each week we'll judge the best stringer and award the winner a prime place on our Wall of Fame as well as on our up-and-coming Crappie Challenge page at 994Fish.com.
Catfish are STILL HUNGRY. Mackerel and minnows are tops (as usual). All the other players are in the mix also – chicken livers, anchovies, night crawlers, marshmallows, etc. The drift from Leubow Point to Indian Island along the bass alley area was productive for Guide Dave Gilbert of Hook Setter Fishing (350-3136) late Thursday afternoon and into the evening. Dave and his crew were dragging mackerel.
Our expansion project continues – it sure is nice to have some room to breathe and some room to move amongst the merchandise. We're just a few weeks away from our new displays and some great new product – more of what we love to love. Come on by for a hot cup of coffee see all the activity going on here.
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
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- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
Here's what we've got for you in this week's report.
Bass anglers have figured out that minnows are a favorite for fall bass. Local Guide Bob Myskey gave us a good report on Thursday with 23 bass boated, almost four dozen minnows used. The best bite for bass was at the 20 foot depth. (Specific location undisclosed, understandably.)
We've had a few good reports this week that indicate at least some of the bass are willing to cooperate. We're seeing deeper running crank baits and lipless cranks starting up. Drop shotting deeper water is working as well. While this isn't an all day bite, things are improving ... I'll keep you posted.
We've got some spotty reports of five to 10 crappie coming out of 24 to 30 foot water. Jones Bay and Jago Bay are getting attention. The action isn't consistent from day to day, but there is action. Minnows, here again, are the key to finding some nice big slabs.
The catfish continue to be hungry and willing. Big minnows or the usual stuff out of the freezer are doing the trick. Boaters are having the best luck. Jago Bay and the tip of the pipeline here in the Redbud Arm are producing.
For event news, or store news, not sure which to call it ... We've begun our planned expansion project. We just added another 640 square feet of retail space to our store. The project will continue for the next few weeks before the new part of our store is up to speed, but we're excited to be growing.
Stop by and see what's going on, but pardon the dust as the work is getting done. Your favorite sport shop is growing to serve you better with more of what you want!
And for some of you may know, we were burglarized this week. The thief got nothing (we put our guns in a vault at night) but sure did make a mess of things. We're still finding glass! I mention this only to say a very sincere thank you to many of you that called, emailed or stopped by to check on us. And also, a big heart-felt thank you to West Alert – our security company – and the Clearlake Police Department who have done such a great job this week!
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
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- Details
- Written by: Editor
CLEAR LAKE STATE PARK – The Clear Lake State Park Visitor Center will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, for tours and shopping throughout the day.
A very special program, “Bird Watching, When, Where, What and How,” will be presented by Brad Barnwell at 1:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
Barnwell’s exceptional field study and photography equip him to answer questions of the novice and the experienced. Do you have problems finding and identifying birds? Are you confused about what birding book or binoculars to buy? This entertaining program will help you solve these problems.
Barnwell, a Clear Lake State Park docent, Lake County Land Trust and Redbud Audubon member, has been leading bird walks for these same organizations for a number of years, as well as conducting birding surveys at both Rodman Slough Preserve and Clear Lake State Park.
Come and learn some tips on birding and enjoy Clear Lake State Park at the same time.
So mark your calendar and bring a friend to the Clear Lake State Park Visitor Center on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m.
Barnwell also will lead a bird walk on Oct. 26. Participants are to meet at 8:30 a.m. at the visitor center ramp.
There is no entrance fee to the park for participating in programs, walks or visiting the museum.
Clear Lake State Park is located at 5300 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville.
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- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The event is being conducted under a special use permit issued by the Forest Service to the Oakland Motorcycle Club.
There are additional enduro events planned for the Fouts Springs area on the Grindstone Ranger District. These events are scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9, by the Valley Climbers and Sunday, Nov. 23, by the Richmond Ramblers. All events are being conducted through special use permits.
These events are being held on designated roads and off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails. The courses are not closed, meaning the roads will remain open for public use.
However, Forest visitors are encouraged to be aware if they are recreating in the Fouts Springs area:
Watch for signs indicating the event area.
Pay close attention to signs indicating the route and the direction of travel – the event consists of one-way loops. If you are using part of the enduro route, you are encouraged to travel in the same direction, going with the flow.
Listen for traffic and, if driving, open the driver side window enough to be able to hear engine noise that may be approaching.
If you are driving, avoid cutting corners and stay to the right on the roads. For other recreational uses, avoid lingering on roads and watch for traffic.
“The Mendocino National Forest, like other public lands, is managed for multiple uses,” said Grindstone Ranger District Implementation Officer Paul Montgomery. “We want the public to have a safe and enjoyable recreation experience on the Forest. Visitors should be aware of these events and be able to plan their weekend activities accordingly.”
These events typically draw hundreds of motorcycle riders and spectators to the area. Campgrounds near the event location are likely to fill up quickly.
The water for the Fouts Springs Recreation Area is currently shut-off until further notice. As a result, the dump station at the site is also closed until further notice.
Forest visitors in this area will need to bring water with them for both potable use, including drinking, as well as for any other needs.
For more information, please contact the Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino.
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