Clear Lake Conditions

Water level today is documented at .66 feet Rumsey, very little change from last month. Last year on this date it was .90. The major storm we anxiously awaited the first of October did the same as last year, missed us to the South and West. While we readied for a storm that was forecast to give us 3 to 7 inches of rain in one day, Lakeport received 1.5 inches and Clearlake received 2.5 inches. The entire month of October we only saw 2.9 inches for the area which all soaked into the ground. No streams have begun to run into the lake yet. As a reminder, you can check out current lake level and dam releases shown on an hourly graph with the links available on our web site (clearlakeguideservice.com).

Water clarity is good over most of the lake. A brown algae bloom drifted up from the lower part of the lake but is subsiding. There are parts of the lake with 3 to 5 feet of visibility and others with around a foot. The surface algae blooms of the summer are gone for the rest of the year.

The water temperature is holding in the mid 60’s over most of the lake. You will see high 50’s in the morning and mid 60’s on most afternoons.

There are remnants of the vast weed beds off shore, particularly in the Lucerne area and up through Nice.

All of the main launch ramps around the lake remain usable.

Activity This Month

The good news is that the lake gets a break for the fall and winter with no major tournaments scheduled during the month of November by the time this newsletter is published. According to the DFG list of tournament permits we review, there are four tournaments this month over a period of 5 days of competition. On the 6th and 7th a two day ABA Team T.O.C. will have taken place. Anglers Choice has a team event on the 14th, WON has a team event on the 15th, and the BASS Fed has a permit for the 22nd and 23rd. Most of these events will be 25 to 40 boats and the TOC is over so it doesn’t matter how many boats they fielded.

As always, if you are planning a trip to Clear Lake and don’t know if your dates are going to be shared with a competitive event, drop me a line and I will let you know what I see listed on the calendar maintained by DFG. Just another service we offer.

October Fishing Recap

October’s trips were rewarded with some pretty good topwater action. It wasn’t awesome, and it wasn’t consistent but when it was on, it was good! The other bite that showed up again was the live bait bite.

Live bait trips posted some 20+ fish days and some good sized fish to 7 pounds. Artificial trips provided some days of tough fishing and numbers in the 5 to 10 fish range.

We missed an entire week due to the National Guard event that took place during the 3rd week of the month. The top ten in this event used presentations all over the board from shallow crank baits, to surface baits, swim baits, rip baits, jigs, and punching.

Overall, the only bite that remained consistent was the live bait. Fished on a light line with a tiny split shot, these were by far the most productive days.

Aside from shiners, spooks, rip baits, and shaky heads did most of the damage with a few swim bait fish thrown in for good measure.

Just like last fall, the most productive swim baits have been the Baitsmith, the 5” paddle tails, and the Osprey top hook talon. The more successful methods of presentation have been to fish these baits very slowly along the bottom.

October’s numbers showed some improvement again over September, and right now, November is looking even better. The numbers for October include: 15-four pounders, 8-five pounders, 1-six pounder, & 1-seven pounder. October was second only to March for fish 4 pounds and over. Prediction from last month’s newsletter (…Based on 2008’s numbers, October should be good too) looks to have been right on.

Jack Perkin's personal best

Jack Perkins with his new Clear Lake personal best, a 7 pounder that was in excellent shape! This fish came right after he released a 5 ½ pounder. Nice pair of casts Jack! Must have been the new Corvette.

November Fishing

It is official, the shorter days, the time change, and cooler weather all signal that fall is here. Yesterday was a great example. It was almost 80 degrees, the lake was dead flat, a cool morning with a sweat shirt and then an afternoon warm enough for a t-shirt. There was very little fishing pressure and Jim and I had his two little boys out for some fall fishing fun. We spent about 4 and a half hours on the North end of the lake with a rapidly dwindling supply of live shiners that started at 2 dozen. Little Hunter and Austin reeled in 16 fish to five and a half pounds including a hand full of 4 pounders. The fish fought so hard that we had to hold the rods while they cranked the handles. What a blast! Last November we had some awesome live bait trips and it looks like the same bite is available this month.

For artificials it can be a real up and down deal like the rest of the year has been so far. Look for small rip baits, rattle baits, worms, and swim baits to be effective choices. Last year we really started using the super fluke too with very good results.

Overall, I like the shallower upper end of the lake in the fall. This year as in most years, it appears that the fish up north are in better shape than the fish in the lower arms of the lake. Fall fish should look fat and round and that is what yesterday’s fish looked like. Don’t get me wrong, the lower ends of the lake produce too, it is just my preference to stay north.

There are two depths of water to be fishing, one is 15 to 20 feet and the other is 4 feet and shallower. If you normally fish reservoirs then I know you are going to be more comfortable in the deeper water. For the rest of us, there are plenty of fish in the shallows.

The deeper fish are on ledges, drop offs, rock piles, and steeper rock banks. The shallower fish are hanging around docks and specifically in the shade under or around those docks. My number one choice for this month other than live bait would be a shaky head. 3/16 ounce, junebug trick worm, nothing fancy, just fish the heck out of it.

Fall Rip Baits

Ripping in the Spring and ripping in the Fall are just about the same with one exception, bait size. While the favorite bait size of many anglers during the spring is the 128 size pointer type bait, you won’t get as many bites if you stick with that size in the fall. It is what I like to call the difference between power rippin and finesse rippin.

I have found that by down sizing the lure size in the fall we get more bites. Yes, sometimes the fish are a little smaller in general, but not always.

Sticking with Lucky Craft baits just as a reference, my fall selections are the pointer 78 versions and even the 65 size. Beginning a couple of falls ago, a friend of mine turned me onto the little Staysee 65 and what a find! Remember that you are trying to match the real bait size and most bait is still relatively small in the fall.

Fishing Lewers

Unless you are really good with a bait caster, you may want to throw the little 65 on a spinning rod. A seven foot two or three power rod will do the trick and I have been using 8 pound test braid so I don't overpower the bait. The hooks on these little baits are some of the smallest you have ever used for bass but they work so I don't change them. I do back off on the drag quite a bit though to not open the hooks up while fighting a fish.

These little baits are not easy to find. As mentioned, Lucky Craft makes a couple of diminutive baits and the other brand I have used successfully is Yozuri. The color choices are pretty simple Aurora Black, American Shad, and Golden Shiner pretty much cover the bases. You don't need to carry a ton of these little baits, just a few will do and my favorites are the Aurora Black and Ayu, but do carry some and give them a try right now, you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Looking Ahead to 2010

We are always looking for new ideas to present so here is one that was suggested by a new client Jamie. The Bassmaster Elite series will stop on Clear Lake on March 18 through the 21st, a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday event headquartered out of Lakeport. For the first time during such an event we will be offering seats in our boat during the tournament to watch the pros on the water and maybe even follow around some of our local talent such as Skeet, Ish, Greg, Jared, and Fred. I don’t know yet whether we will follow one angler during their day or just cruise the lake to watch the favorites, that will depend on the folks riding in my boat. Look for a full day from blast off to weigh in and no fishing, just watching the pros compete. Lunch and soft beverages will be provided, all for $150 per day, limited to two riders per day. We hope this will be a great opportunity for anglers who want to watch the pros but don’t have a way to get on the water. We are prepared to offer a second and third boat to satisfy demand. Sign up for this one quickly as I expect it to fill and you will also need to be making room arrangements now in Lakeport.

The past several years the months of March, April, and May have been close to full bookings. I highly recommend that you start looking at your calendar and firming up your plans for the next Spring. There will be one less full time guide on the water in 2010 and I anticipate fully booking out my available dates in those three months between my regular clients and his past clients that he has promised to send my way. Start thinking about your travel plans and let’s get your dates in the book now, either go to the web site, email me, or call me now to make sure your dates are locked in.

Quagga Update for 2010

It has been reported that a change in the process is likely to be implemented on the first of January, 2010. The move will be made from a sticker to a cable tie that will be attached to the bow eye. This tie will be color coded for each month and good for only that month. If you live outside our area, the cable tie will have to be replaced prior to your first trip to the lake of each month. The process will be similar if not the same as is currently in place regarding the cost, the paperwork process, and businesses offering the service. It is not finalized as of today, but the plans sound pretty firm as of now.

Just a friendly reminder that when you make your first trip to the lake this year with your own boat, make the time to get it inspected and put your 2009 sticker on your hull. Citations have been issued by the sheriff’s boat patrol and the fine totals out at around $350 at this time. All of the tackle shops around the lake will take care of the inspection and the sticker is $10.

If you want to make sure you are not “carrying” in your boat, keep a gallon of bleach around and dump a cup full into your bilge and live wells. Also put a light solution of bleach in a standard garden sprayer and spray the parts of your boat trailer that get wet when launching your boat.

Gift Certificates

Just a reminder that we do offer gift certificates that can be for a complete trip or can be used against the price of a complete trip. If you are interested, just drop us a line or give me a call.

Closing

Thank you for your continued interest and support of Clear Lake Guide Service! Our business continues to grow with the help of you and your spreading the word and my wife Deb and I both thank you. Good fishing and keep a tight line.

Three Fish

Live bait fishing at its best, 3 sevens are kinda hard to hold, give him some credit!

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!

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!