Let's start right out with this?Ķ BIG FISH! Really BIG FISH! I'm astounded by the number of big bass we're seeing come out of Clear Lake. I've been writing about a big fish ??? or two or three ??? each week. This week is no different!??

Most bass anglers are finding success fishing shallow water around tules and other structure. The north end of the lake, near Kelseyville, is getting the most attention. Areas with similar characteristics at the south end are not seeing as much pressure and have become quite productive this week as well.?? Minnows, rip baits, smaller swim baits, and jigs are tops this week. The stories are spectacular. Like story of Ron Bell's twelve pound five ounce bass caught on a mini-jig while fishing at the Sunset Fishing Resort here in Clear Lake. Ron said, "It wrapped my line up around one of the pilings so I just kept some pressure on it until she came free." He went on to say that he thought he had a carp until the fish finally surfaced. It was then that he realized he had a trophy largemouth bass on his mini jig and six pound line. He kept his cool, played the fish, and ultimately landed it with a net ??? by himself.?? Ron took good care of this great fish until we opened our doors this morning. He brought us the fish, we weighed it and took pictures, and he released her back where she was caught from. Too cool

Then there's Mike. Mike and his sons were up visiting from out of town. They're regulars here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle. See Mike was fishing a live crawdad when his rod went BENDO.?? The results?Ķ?? A whopping thirteen pound thirteen ounce largemouth bass.?? These guys also handled their trophy fish with care. They weighed her and took some great pictures right on the boat and sent her on her way. Now, come on guys, it isn't every day you land a bass that's just a few ounces shy of fourteen pounds. That's simply exceptional!

What a fishery we have here at Clear Lake!

The crappie action has been great too.?? We've seen a few things shift around in the last week though.?? For starters, minnows have taken over as the primary means of catching crappie.?? Mini jigs that were working just a couple of weeks ago are leaving some anglers frustrated.?? We've also noted that the crappie are beginning to move into shallower water as the weather and water both warm up. You'll have to do a little scouting to find yourself a good location. I would begin working the regular spots (Konocti, Four Poles, Kono Tayee, Henderson Point) but be ready to move to nearby coves and docks to see where the action is best.

On a side note, they've posted NO TRESPASSING signage on the private property at the Four Poles. Someone went in there with a machete and chopped on a bunch of their trees and bushes to make themselves a better fishin' hole. Couldn't leave well enough alone and respect that it was someone's private property. Couple that with the trash left behind each day and the owners had enough. So, needless to say, this hole is closed to shore fishing. The moral of the story here: Abuse it and lose it!

Catfish are biting with some regularity right here at Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake. That signals the beginning of our catfish season here.?? Nightcrawlers have been the top bait for shore anglers. Boaters are hooking up on cut baits. Stay tuned for more good catfishing to come in the next few weeks.

And the trout action at Indian Valley is still going strong. A few guys have been making regular trips up to IVR and having a great time of it catching some nice rainbows. It seems that the trollers are doing best down by the dam at the south end while the bank fisherman are doing great fishing the north end. Nightcrawlers and dough baits are the two baits we're hearing about the most. Now is a great time to be thinking trout and the remote nature of IVR makes it the perfect spot for fishing with less boat traffic and pressure.

-Bob Rider, Owner
Lakeshore Bait & Tackle
14913-D Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, CA 95422
707.994.FISH
707.994.4961 fax
www.994Fish.com