This is a great time of year to visit Clear Lake. The weather is nice, albeit a bit on the HOT side at 97 degrees today and low 100's yesterday. The water is warm and the algae is in bloom. (That's good for the fishing!) And most importantly, the fish are biting. You crappie lovers may be a bit disappointed, but if your quarry is bass or catfish the game has come to town.

Bass anglers are enjoying a steady bite on plastics, top water lures, and crank baits. This is the time of year where it is okay to either 1) Fish with nothing but that thing you love to fish with. (You know, your confidence bait.) or 2) Fish something completely different and outside your box. Both will likely work well for you. Bassers are reporting catching fish anywhere within the 2 to 20 foot range. We are hearing some complaints that the smaller coves are choked off with weeds or the top of the water is a thick teal color from the algae. Folks, bass are structure dwellers. Fish that new structure (the weeds) or enjoy a hot bite under that thick teal cover. The bass love it.

For you catfishermen, we've seen some nice fish this week.?? Cut baits of all varieties ??? anchovies, mackerel, shad, etc. ??? are all working nicely. We even saw a cooler FULL of frogs that one angler gigged up while catfishing. Cache creek has been one of the most productive spots that we're hearing about. Also, if the winds cooperate, a slow drift through Bass Alley will yield some big whiskerfish.

Crappie reports are few and far between. Some folks have reported catching one or two while targeting bass around local docks. Those that are fishing exclusively for crappie are having their best luck in the early morning or evening hours. The bite hasn't been consistent enough to dictate that any particular lure is the "hot lure" but minnows have proven most effective.

And don't forget that June 17th is the last day to take advantage of the Early Bird special - get $40 of free Special Drawing tickets - with your NRA Dinner ticket purchase. The dinner is being held at the Masonic Lodge in Clearlake on Saturday July 7th at 6 pm. Tickets are $50 and are only sold in advance (no tickets will be sold at the door as this is a catered event). Come enjoy the prime rib dinner and have a shot at one of TWENTY or more guns we'll have at the dinner. Sponsor packages and dinner tickets are available here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle.

-Bob Rider, Owner
Lakeshore Bait & Tackle ??