Clear Lake Conditions

Water level today is documented at .52 feet Rumsey, again, very little change from last month. Last year on this date it was 1.2. We have seen a couple of days of rain that did not amount to any lake rise. No streams have begun to run into the lake yet, and at least one local expert states we need to see at least 5-6 inches of rain for full run-off to begin. 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. There are parts of the lake with up to 6 feet of visibility and others with around a foot. I have not seen any algae blooms over the last several trips on the water.

The water temperature on the upper end of the lake is running 49 in the morning and up to about 55 on the lower end of the lake in the late afternoon.

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

Activity This Month

According to the DFG permit list there are only two tournaments on the lake in December. WON and Angler’s Choice each have one team event this month. One is on the 5th and the other follows on the 12th. Most of these events will be around 25 boats.

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.

November Fishing Recap

This is the second year in a row that the fishing in November was “off the hook”, actually, all over the hook. Most of the fish caught were on live shiners. Make a note for next year so you can take advantage of some 40 to 50 fish days! We had two 50+ fish days, a handful of 40 fish days, and most trips produced 27 to 32 fish. I sent out a hot bite note and the folks who jumped on the opportunity were not disappointed.

The size of the fish this past month was excellent, no huge fish, but no small ones either. Most days produced from 1 to 4 fish of five pounds or better and bunches of four pounders every day. The artificial bite was pretty slow with the best day a 9 fish day on rip baits the last day of the month.

two ladies with fish

One of our clients, Kaz Ichiki decided to share a little of his fishing adventures with his family. Here his daughters, Ayumi and Narumi show off the result of a double. He fished very used water all day but they all had a great time and the girls whacked them!

largemouth bass

Jack Perkins had a good year of fishing with a number of fish worthy of a pic. Note the water conditions…there are a lot of days like that in October and November.

The numbers for November are the best since the month of March. 36-4 pounders, 14-5 pounders, 2-6 pounders, and 1-7 pounder. Considering there were not as many days on the water as March, on a per day basis, November was better.

We found the bulk of our fish during the month on the upper end of the lake. Our pattern was shallow water, 2 to 5 feet of depth. It didn’t have to have deeper water nearby although on some spots it was. Almost all of our better spots involved docks and while some fish came from underneath them, some came from wherever the shade fell, and in almost all cases, the fish were in the shallowest water that was shaded.

The water has been cold and even using live bait, the fish were sluggish to take some times which explains why the artificial fishing is so tough.

Seriously, if you like catching lots of 3 to 4 pound fish and don’t mind using live bait, make a note for next November because this year’s 3 to 4 pounders will be next year’s 4 to 5 pounders.

December Fishing

This is a month of cold mornings and possibly some really nice afternoons if the wind doesn’t blow or you are not flying around the lake in a bass boat. We usually don’t get the real cold mornings until January, but frost is frost.

One thing about fishing this time of year, you won’t typically have a lot of company so safety is the first concern. Life jackets, sock caps, and an extra set of clothes to change into in the event of an accident are not optional they are mandatory. If you get into trouble on the water you are kind of on your own. The last 3 years we have had fishermen drown during this time of year, don’t let the next one be you.

Fishing for bass during December can be a real test of patience for the most experienced angler. When we had an awesome population of threadfin shad, it was no problem catching fish, put on a rip bait and go fish, you were going to be successful. In the current environment, there will be very little bait to key in on this winter. Correspondingly, the rip bite will be spotty at best.

Typical winter fishing dictates slow presentations. Jigs and texas rigged brush hogs fished slowly on rock will produce some fish. Look for afternoons to be better than mornings, especially afternoons of nice, sunny days. We have done really well with the versatile shaky head during the cold water period. Even though we preach slow presentations during the cold weather, that constant shaking of the worm or brush hog provides just the right annoyance to get some bites.

Conventional wisdom suggests go deeper with cold water. You certainly can but don’t believe for a second that all of the fish in the lake vacate the shallows and head for the deep end of the lake. Reservoir fishermen feel more comfortable fishing deeper water and they are going to concentrate on the deeper ledges and breaks of the Rattlesnake area and they will find action in those areas. Those of us who have developed a comfort level fishing in shallow water will find action on the upper end of the lake as well as some of the shallower bays in the Redbud arm.

Winter Chores

December and January are quiet months for a lot of anglers. Cold weather, slow fishing, the holidays all contributes to a lack of interest for a lot of anglers. They are great months though for playing with your stuff.

Start with your rods and reels. Clean them up. Take off the reels and clean up the rods. Use regular dish washing soap on a scrubber to clean the cork and make them look new again. Use Qtips on the inside of your guides to look for damage that may be to small to see, if there is a crack, it will catch the cotton on the tip. Clean your reels with that same soap or with WD40. Replace the line, and take them apart so you can put a drop of oil on the bearings holding the spool. Put a drop of lube on the worm gear that positions the line eye of the level wind. One warning on oil and lube, more is not better, use it very lightly.

Look at the hooks of your most used lures and either sharpen them or replace them. If you have lures made out of wood and they have a crack, seal it with a clear fingernail polish or clear varathane. Replace blades that have rust on them as well as skirts that have gotten ratty looking.

While you are going through your toys, make a list of things you might need to refill like hooks, sinkers, etc. Also, make a note of the baits that you carry with you everywhere and yet you still have not used. Make a decision, either take them out of the space or commit to use them.

Do this stuff now and what you will end up with is a little list of stuff that you want or need to replace or want a few more of and that list can make a great stocking stuffer list for your family to work from.

If you do not plan on using your boat this winter, make sure that you have completely drained the water from the outboard. Check out the condition of the fire extinguisher, your life jackets, and tie up ropes. If your boat has a bilge pump, check it out. Winter is also a great time to have your engine serviced by at least replacing the gear case lube, water pump impellor, and remove the prop to check for fishing line/dried weeds wound around the propeller shaft.

A little work now can prevent problems when you are in the heat of battle during the spring as well as possibly prevent a major problem later.

Bassmaster Elite Viewing

We have already booked two of the 8 spots available for watching the Pros during the upcoming Elite event in March. Due to the fact that this event will bring close to 250 people to town, room space will be at a premium in Lakeport so act now to have a better choice on where you get to stay.

A seat in my boat goes for $150 and lunch and soft beverages will be provided. It is a great way to watch some of the best competitive anglers in the world fish in our own back yard. Kevin Van Dam, Skeet Reese, Denny Brauer, Rick Clunn…you know the names, come watch them for an 8 hour day of fishing, not a 30 minute TV show. Make arrangements now to confirm your ride to watch the best.

Looking Ahead to 2010

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 next Spring. As I reported last month, 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.

February, March, and April are good months for bigger fish and swim bait fishing. April, May, and June are good months for sight fishing, good numbers of fish and lots of water to cover. July, August, and September are good months for surface action. Based on the last couple of years, October and November provide some hot live bait action. Live bait is always an option although the best months are March, April, October, and November.

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.

Fishing Licenses 2010

Don’t forget that you can purchase your new fishing license on line now from the Fish and Game web site. You can do it from the comfort of your chair now and have it mailed to you for the 1st of January.

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.

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!