In This Issue:
Clear Lake Conditions
Novermber and December
The Bite This Month
Fall Break Maintenance
Dates in November
Gift Certificates
Closing
Volume 1, Issue 13
November, 2007

Clear Lake Conditions

Lake level is pretty stable at 1.1 feet, that is almost the same as October 1.   Water temperature is between 61 and 65 depending on the area of the lake and time of day.  Water clarity is still very good with some areas in the south being outright clear.
 
Weeds continue to disappear from the surface but are still holding on pretty well in a few areas of the lake.
 
The water level is still low and you need to pay attention to rocks, pilings, and underwater debris that is coming in to play.

Bass Fishing

November and December

From a competition point of view, these are the two slowest months, the off season if you will.  From just a fishing point of view, the fishing here can be good but there are few anglers pursuing the bite.  Instead of a normal newsletter next month, the December Newsletter will be an assortment of great fishing pictures from throughout the year. We will get back to a monthly issue in January.

Bass Fishing

The Bite This Month

The anglers who managed to put 3 good days together to qualify for the final 4 day in the National Guard event used different presentations and different areas of the lake.  Various swim baits, crank baits, jigs, and plastics landed 10 anglers at the top of the 196 competitors.

The area around Rattlesnake Island, Henderson Point, and Jensen Point into Jago Bay produced above average weights for competitors.  At one point, Henderson had 17 boats sitting on it and Jensen had about the same.

The hot swim bait for the eventual winner was a new swim bait built by Osprey Lures.  It looks like the normal osprey body but it has an internal weight and hook system for bouncing along the bottom.  The bait has a single large hook that extends out of the back.  Apparently, one of the keys for the winner was finding an effective trailer hook set up as he lost numerous fish in practice and during the first couple of days of competition.

Another top competitor stuck with two medium range crank baits made by Lucky Craft.  One was a RC1.5 and the other was a BDS 3, both in ghost minnow.  Neither of these baits runs more than about 5 feet deep and he stayed on some shallow rock on the Oaks side (back side) of Rattlesnake Island for 4 days.

Two other top competitors spent all of their tournament time fishing Henderson Point and ledges around Rattlesnake Island.  They primarily threw jigs for 4 days with a few crank baits tossed in to mix it up.

Other than what we saw during the tournament, fishing is not easy but it is productive you make the most of your stops and move around a little.  Probably the best bite right now is wacky rigging a senko or zoom trick worm on a small light hook and inserting a small nail weight in the “head” portion of the worm (see photo).  This causes the bait to take on a spiral as it falls and in combination with a rhythmic shaking of the rod tip, is producing bites on areas of steeper rock.  Bites are relatively light and have the feel of the rod loading up as opposed to a definite tap.  Best colors right now are watermelons and green pumpkins.

The other bait that will work for sure is a batch of live minnows.  I have spoken to numerous anglers over the past week who have had limited success with artificials and then switched to minnows and whacked them.

Look also for the rip bite to really get going.  Cooler mornings and clear nights mean cold morning temps and cooling water.  This sets up good conditions for the ripbait in a lot of areas around the lake.

Nail Weight

Left side is River2Sea tungsten nail weights in package, easy to use but spendy.  Hooks are Owner #1 octopus hook on top, Gamakatsu #1 split shot/drop shot hook below.  The other weight shown is a standard lead pencil weight that can be cut off to make whatever size weight you want.  Worm on left is the Zoom trick worm, worm on the right is same worm with nail weight in nose that still needs to be pushed in and wacky hook in place.  Zoom packages are pictured below.

Trick Worms

Bass Fishing

Fall Break Maintenance

Fall is a season when fishing pressure drops off.  Hunting seasons are in full stride, football occupies a lot of folks’ minds, and fishing trips drop off.  This is a great time to get some basic maintenance done on the equipment that keeps you going.

If you own a boat, and use it often, two to four times a month, annually have the lower unit fluid changed, pull the prop off and check for dried weeds or fishing line wrapped around the prop shaft on both your outboard and electric, and have the water pump impellor changed on your outboard.  Never assume that all bolts and nuts stay on forever…I know several people who did a basic inspection of the major components of their rig and found things like nuts backing off that hold the outboard to the transom of the boat!  This stuff does happen, believe it or not.  At the same time check the condition of your trailer tires and trailer wheel bearings.

Check the condition of your batteries.  If they are maintenance free, at least clean up the terminals and visually inspect the cables for corrosion.  If the batteries require maintenance, pull the caps off, check the internal fluid level and top off with distilled water as needed.  I am currently working on an overview of batteries as they relate to the type of boats we use and should have it ready for the next issue.

A little care now can save you some big dollar repairs down the road, not to mention save you some down fishing time.  Most dealers are into a real slow time for them so they have the time to make a fast turn around for you rather than waiting for a failure in the spring when they are busier than all get out.

Bass Fishing

Dates in November

November and December are somewhat on hold for me.  During the first day of camera boat duties in conjunction with the National Guard tourney, I had a little setback called a heart attack.  The good news is I survived, the bad news is that I probably won’t be up and running full tilt until the end of January.  I am following the doctor’s orders and look forward to a full recovery.  My partner Jim has filled in very well to complete the trips I had booked in October and will cover any immediate trips that might pop up between now and my release.  I am planning on being fit and strong for the first of the year and remain optimistic about making 2008 better than 2007.

Bass Fishing

Gift Certificates

This is the time when purchases of gift certificates peak.  This year I have the opportunity to utilize credit cards for gift certificate purchases through my good buddy Keith Bryan at Powell rods.  Hopefully this will make it a little easier for you or your family to take advantage of a great gift idea!

bass fishing clear lake, California

New Product Review

I have not had anything new brought to my attention or offered for review.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Closing

Do your family and me a favor.  Do you know what your cholesterol level is?  Do you know what your blood pressure is?  See your Doctor and find out if you don’t know, do a little maintenance on yourself.  If either is out of whack, get it fixed, period.

Bass FishingI was lucky from a perspective that firstly, I survived, secondly, I believe I will recover fully, and thirdly, I did not have to go through major surgery.  I have spoken to many people over the preceding weeks who have shared stories of family members or friends who did not make it.  In most cases, they did not know anything was wrong until the day of their event.  Believe me, hearing news you don’t want to hear from your doctor is better than the pain of going through a cardiac event.  Just do it!

Good fishing and I look forward to seeing you soon!

bass fishing clear lake, California
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Clear Lake Guide Service
5020 Steelhead Drive
Kelseyville, CA 95451
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