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Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 23 August 2007

Created: 23 August 2007

Last Updated: 23 August 2007

Weather changes – cool last week to hot this week and shorter days (the sun’s going down earlier and rising later) have things mixed up a bit this week. Stay tuned for more on that …

But first, I want to mention our CatFest event happening Saturday afternoon/evening. Come join us at the shop around 4 p.m. as we get our rigs and bait ready and have some fun telling tall tales. We’ll hit the water shortly after the store closes at 5 p.m. We’ll have a fun raffle for CatFest participants before we go. We’ll fish until about 11 p.m. (or later for some). The idea here is to fish as a group (a flotilla of boats, if you will) and have fun.

With that said, let’s talk bass. Bass anglers have been somewhat frustrated this week by the changing conditions. Some have found it difficult to locate fish while others have done well. Look for the fish to settle into a pattern for the next few days as the weather approaches the century mark and holds. Try tying on Husky Jerk and X-Rap baits fished in the 12 to 20 foot range. Look for stained water mid-morning for best results. Also try the top water bite for the first few hours of the day. Finally, don’t be shy about digging deep with a jig or Carolina rig once you’re into the heat of the day. The water temps are running in the mid-70s.

Most of the crappie fishermen are looking forward to the cooler weather of late fall for the crappie bite to make another surge. For now those anglers fishing minnows over at Konocti are having some measure of success. Jig anglers have reported a lesser bite on the artificial lures.

Catfish are being found in deeper water areas all around the south end here. Monitor Island and Pirate’s Cove are the first two to come to mind. Areas around Rattlesnake Island in the Oaks arm are producing. A mixed bag of bait from mackerel (our favorite) to minnows to nightcrawlers or chicken livers should do the trick.

Notable Catch: Roy Balzer of Clearlake has had a good time fishing the Sacramento River lately. He nailed a big salmon that tipped the scales at 45 pounds – dressed out. Roy stopped by the shop on his way back into town for a quick photo opportunity with his catch-o-the-day. Way to go, Roy!

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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Written by: Editor

Published: 21 August 2007

Created: 21 August 2007

Last Updated: 21 August 2007

KELSEYVILLE – Due to the Labor Day holiday, the monthly meeting of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 88 has been changed to the second Saturday in September.

The Flotilla will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at Zino's (formerly the Lakeside Inn), 6330 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville.

Flotilla 88 of Lake County encourages anyone who is interested in joining its active group to attend the meeting and learn how this volunteer organization benefits Lake County. 

For additional information, please call the Flotilla's information number at 707-278-0553 or contact Commander Rich Thomas at 707-987-0418.

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Details

Written by: Lake County News Reports

Published: 17 August 2007

Created: 17 August 2007

Last Updated: 17 August 2007

These four trout were caught in eddies near Spring Valley using nightcrawlers. Courtesy photo.

Cooler weather and strong winds have greeted anglers at the launch ramp this week. Daytime highs have been in the 80s and water temps in the upper 70s. The winds have made it tough to get out in smaller boats, but will serve to stir up the lake adding much needed oxygen and breaking up the algae.

The fishing has toughened up a bit … Looks a lot like we’re going to settle into a fall pattern right on queue as the kids head back to school and summer wanes.

The bass have made a move for deeper water. Deep running crank baits, jigs and Carolina rigs have been the top methods of tying into some nice bass. Anglers are running in 16 to 25 feet of water and looking for submerged structure. Live bait fishermen are doing moderately well with minnows fished with a split shot two to three feet up the line. Let the minnow run where it wants without a bobber.

Crappie anglers are reporting that it has become more difficult to locate the schools. Some folks have continued to have success in the Luebow Point and Jago Bay areas as well as over at Konocti Harbor Resort. The action at Four Poles seems to have dropped off substantially. For the very best action you must be on the water at daybreak. Minnows are strongly favored over crappie jigs. Panfish Assassins in a few of the key colors (crystal shad, chartreuse shad and gold pepper shiner) are still selling as well.

Anglers seeking catfish are likely the happiest folks on the lake. Catfish continue to be caught from 2 to 20 pounds (and bigger) all over the southern end of the lake. From Pirates Cove down to Indian Island and right on into the residential areas of Cache Creek anglers have reported good success on mackerel. Clams, nightcrawlers and anchovies are all runners up in the top bait category.

And now for something special … A camera phone picture of some nice trout caught in the North Fork of Cache Creek tells the story well. Customer Anthony and a friend fished the eddies near Spring Valley for a little over an hour to catch four trout to 20 inches. Anthony used nightcrawlers with several split shot above to drift the bait into the calmer waters. He added that the current is still very strong as they continue to flow water out of Indian Valley Reservoir.

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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