In This Issue:
Clear Lake Conditions
April Fishing Recap
May Fishing
Fishing When the Bite is Tough
New Items
May Dates
Volume 2, Issue 5
May, 2008

Clear Lake Conditions

By the end of April, water is beginning to be pulled from the lake.  Without further rain, the lake will begin its slow process of falling until the next rain season begins.  Clear Lake topped out at close to 7.2 feet Rumsey and is now closing in on 6.7 feet, a drop of a half of a foot.  Water temperatures are still not making significant gains starting around 57 and on a good day getting up to 60.  If you get back into the ends of creeks and some protected areas, the water will be a little warmer.

Water color is good in the deeper portions of the lake, with clarity to almost 8 feet.  Overall, the entire lake is fishable, and the water clarity is good all around the lake.  Green tules are finally starting to take over in most areas as well as the emergence of duckweed, hyacinth, and primrose.


Bass Fishing

April Fishing Recap

April’s numbers were down a little from March as we dealt with some weather issues and did less live bait trips as the previous month.  We had 20-four pounders, 13-five pounders, 2-six pounders, 1-seven pounder, 1-ten pounder, and 1 eleven pounder.  Many of these fish came on live bait.
 
Most of the fish were caught on the North end of the lake in the submerged tule beds or just out in front of them, the creek mouths, and on docks.

The weather conditions and water temperatures kept both the rip bite and the swimbait bite in check for the most part, still.  Man will I be happy when Spring finally arrives…it is time to be in shorts and tshirts, not raingear or two jackets.

Bass Fishing

Chaz and Raymond showing off one heck of a double, a 10 and a 5.  Guess who’s first bass fishing trip it was?  Yep, the guy on the left Chaz, holding the 10, helping Ray celebrate his birthday.  And, yes, it was that cold.


Bass Fishing

May Fishing

Well, so much for predictions.  The water temperature has just made guessing what is happening next as bad as your local weather forecast.  There is evidence around the lake that spawning has taken place at least on some level.  I have not been able to determine if the first traditional wave of fish has moved up though.  We are seeing fry in many areas around the lake but not seeing the beds that are normally associated with them.  I can’t tell if the fry I have been seeing is bass or hitch.  The hitch did move into some of the creeks.

I have yet to get on a rip bite or swim bait bite worth pursuing as for me, it has been spots rather than patterns.  Plastics are still working, jigs flipped or pitched around trees is producing, and a few crankbait fish are being caught.

I think the best way to approach the month of May is going to be to pretend it is still March and April.  It has been a long time since I have seen the lake as slow and far behind as it is right now.

If you are planning trips to Clear Lake, watch the weather and look for some mild mornings and warm afternoons, 3 or 4 in a row, then come.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Fishing When the Bite is Tough

One of the pleasures of being a guide is knowing that no matter what the bite is, you still have to produce for your clients.  It is one thing to have a client in the boat who just wants to catch a fish on a swim bait, understanding that the bites may be few and far between.  It is another to have someone in the boat hoping for one kind of bite, and knowing it isn’t going to happen.  What do you do?

The reason for the bite being off could be the weather changed, it is cold, you name it.  The first thing is to try what you were thinking would work.  Go ahead, you planned the trip, things changed, try it anyway.  The big difference is after a couple hours of no success you have a choice to make.  Try and save the day or keep on swinging.

Most of the time, I have to try and save the day.  When the bite is off, I switch to plastics.  You can almost always catch at least some fish on a plastic worm.  It may not be glamorous, it may not be sexy, it may not be your favorite thing to do, but switch anyway.

The way you fish it isn’t that critical.  Whether you chose a dart head, shakey head, drop shot, split shot, or wacky rig, you will still be fishing a worm and fishing it slower than what wasn’t working.

Stick with your highest confidence style, color, and size.  The next step is to be very thorough with your presentation and also often means slowing down.  If something looks real good, a dock, a point, a tree, whatever, make repeated casts to the same spot.  Wear the fish out until they finally bite to just get rid of the annoyance.  Don’t be afraid to dead stick your plastic either.

Try these tips out the next time your trip to the lake isn’t working out the way you planned, it could save the day.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Bass Anglers GuideNew Items

If you have not already seen this publication or have not seen it in a while, check out Bass Angler’s Guide 2008, published by Mark Lassagne.  Mark is a guy I used to compete against back in the old days, he is still pounding away and I have moved on. 

The publication started out primarily as a comprehensive listing of all the tournaments scheduled to take place in California including dates, locations, and organizations.  Mark has continued to refine and define its purpose and it has risen up to be an impressive magazine.  The first issue of 2008 contained over 40 feature articles written by a number of well known contributors with a lot of great information.

It still has the Tournament Calendar as a special pull-out piece within the magazine.  I personally know how hard Mark works to make this publication useful and accurate.  It retails for $7.95 and if you need to find one or want to suscribe, check out BassAnglersGuide.com.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Mr BlitzAnother new item I have been goofing around with that appears to be worth checking out is the Mr. Blitz Peli-Lock Toad Toter hook.  This is a variation of several designs coming together to make it easier for you to rig and fish Basstrix type baits.

The size I have been testing is a 3/16 ounce in a 5/0 hook size that comes in a 4 pack.  The hook is a unique shape with a lead weight on the shank that has been flattened and widened to provide more stability.  Its other key feature is a keeper system that pushes into the nose of the bait so you don’t have to tear the nose of the bait up getting the hook through.  If you choose, but a dab of glue on it before you push it in and it will hold in place for as many as 8 to 10 fish from the reports I have received.

The other neat thing about this hook set up is it makes it a whole lot easier to rig the bait so it runs straight.

They come in a number of sizes and weights.  I picked mine up through a local tackle shop at a price of $4.99.

bass fishing clear lake, California

May Dates

I currently have seven dates remaining open in May.  They are the  22nd, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th.  There are still eight dates available in June.  Just a note for next Spring, you might want to think ahead a little as I have already booked dates for 2009, believe it or not.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Closing

I really appreciate all the interest and comments I have received from you all about this newsletter.  My wife Deb and I both also thank you for making 2008 and awesome year for us so far.  Our business continues to grow with the help of you and your spreading the word.  Thank you again for helping us grow and in turn, be able to provide more as we do so.

Good fishing and keep a tight line.

bass fishing clear lake, California

Miss an Issue of the Clear Lake Report?

We have archived all of our past Clear Lake Report Issues on our Clear Lake Fishing Guide Service website! Go to our Clear Lake Fishing Report Index!

Bass Fishing There is a lot of useful information available on the Clear Lake Website. Even insights into the best times to fish the lake and other fishing tips. Local lodging, weather, and even lake level reporting is available through the links we have set up.

Good fishing, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

bass fishing clear lake, California
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