Current Conditions

Clear Lake is very slowly creeping up gaining a foot since the last newsletter. It is currently 5 feet Rumsey, and slowly rising, let me reemphasize, slowly. For all the stormy days we have endured the past week or so it just hasn’t put much water in the lake. We even enjoyed the look of snow around the lake this week.

Water clarity is very good in the lower sections of the lake with visibility to 6 -7 feet. In other areas as little as 18 inches such as Rodman Slough. The water temperature is holding just above 50, we found some 56 degree water one afternoon this week.

The Bite

Bass are being caught on all sorts of presentations right now. Jigs, plastic worms, chatter baits, swim baits, and “the rig” were all reported this week. A tournament was actually won here yesterday on a presentation other than the rig, by using a normal, old fashioned swim bait. Of course second and several other top finishes were on the rig.

Seems like the typical Spring deal here on the lake, follow the hitch and be around spawning areas and you find concentrations of bass....and a pile of boats. I can safely say that my peaceful winter has come to an end as more and more boats show up every day and even during the week.

Top baits for the month should include swim baits by Osprey, Baitsmith, Huddleston, and River2Sea. Jerk baits in 4 to 6 inch lengths made by Lucky Craft, Excalibur, and Rogue are staples for the month of April. The jig bite is improving, mostly on structure but as more fish continue to move up it should improve around the lake. As the weather improves and water temperature increases the Senko in 5, 6, and 7 inch sizes will be a good choice for heavily pressured water.

Finally, the most consistent producer the past several weeks has been the dependable shaky head and trick worm. We have not caught a big fish on one this year yet, not one over 7, but it has been a real producer on those off days.

Most of the fish we are targeting come out of the 4 to 6 foot range of water. In some areas we may have the boat in 7 feet of water and in others 9. Keep moving until you find a patch and then have a little fun, move on and leave a spot for someone else to fish.

Powell Rod Update

Just a quick update on Keith’s new Diesel line...looks like a winner and the hot rod in the line is the 765 model. No surprise there, it is one heck of an utility rod. Also have another month of fishing the Endurance 795 model and it is turning into a go to swim bait rod for small to medium swim baits as well as a top notch A Rig rod.

Pics From the Past 2 Weeks

A real interesting set of pics with A Rig fish including a double, swim bait fish, live bait fish, and a monster crappie caught on a SWave swim bait! There were of course lots of other shots but I liked these.

Live Bait

I have not done very many live bait trips this year as most of our days have been spent showing people the basics of A Rig fishing. We did have a couple of guys up this week from the southern part of the valley who fished an afternoon and the following morning using live bait per their request. I second guessed myself and took 4 dozen shiners for the afternoon and boy was I glad I did! We used them up in 4 and a half hours catching 31 bass including four 6 pounders and twelve 5 pounders. That afternoon I learned that the tackle shops had all run out of minnows and the scheduled delivery did not arrive so I started the next morning with two dozen baits and we were done in two and a half hours. Needless to say, they are eating minnows!

Used Boat for Sale

If any one of you are interested or know of anyone in the market one of my neighbors has a 2004 Ranger 519DVX with a 200hp Optimax that is immaculate and only has 95 hours on the motor. Most of those hours are from the State Park to Shag Rock and back. Drop me a line and I can put you in touch with the guy. He is asking $21,000. I don’t get anything out of it other than I think it is a great boat that is pretty much loaded and maybe one of you are in the market.

Bookings

For those of you who have watched for these newsletters and taken advantage of the good bite I thank you. We appreciate the response we got from the last newsletter and believe those of you who took advantage of the timing enjoyed the time on the water.

April is pretty much booked up, a good thing for me but not so good if you have been thinking about coming to the lake to fish with me. Currently I have the following dates still open and looking to fill: April 9 &11. Other than those dates we are in to May already, my favorite month for sight fishing!

Right now we can do most anything on the lake from live bait to big swim baits. For those of you still interested in putting some fish in the boat on the A Rig, I am pretty sure it is going to continue to be effective next month. BTW, to date since the first week of December we have landed close to 450 fish on the rig so I feel pretty confident we can add to that number with your help. Just tell me what you would like to do and we’ll shape your day to your liking.

As always, if you are thinking about booking a trip or just coming up on your own and want to avoid a big tournament, drop me a line and I will share with you the events on the schedule that I am aware.

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, stay in touch, we will talk to you next month or sooner, 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!