In This Issue:
Current Conditions
The Bite
Ultimate Bass Seminar for Kent Brown
Powell Diesel Rod Line
Adding Video
Impact of Low Lake Level
Bookings
Volume 6, Issue 4
March, 2012
Bass Fishing

Current Conditions

Clear Lake is currently holding steady at 3 feet Rumsey, not good! In some areas around the lake we already are a full 18 inches behind in rain fall and for the year almost 3 feet off of the annual total and we are running out of time.

Water clarity is very good overall around the lake with visibility to 6 -7 feet in some areas and the normal 2 feet in others such as Rodman Slough. Until today’s cold morning and the few ahead of us the water temp is holding above 50, we fished in some 53.5 degree water yesterday afternoon.

Bass Fishing

The Bite

This remains the most productive and fun winter I have fished here since I began the guide business 10 years ago! Almost unbelievably we caught another 29 pound plus limit of fish yesterday while out fun fishing with some minners I had left over from a previous trip. In this month alone we have landed 30 four pound fish, 12 five pounders, 7 six pounders, 2 seven pounders, and 2 eight pounders. Many of these fish were caught by clients being introduced to the A Rig. For the most part, that is all we have used this entire winter.

Just for a change of pace we have personally used minners a couple of days just for fun and also done a little bit of shakey headin’ and been very successful with both.

The key on the deeper ends of the lake has been 15 to 28 feet of water around rock of some sort. The key on the shallower upper end of the lake has been something underwater, whether it is pilings, junk, isolated rocks, or grass in 3 to 7 feet of water. By far the bulk of our bigger fish have come from the shallower upper end of the lake.

Bass Fishing

Gone Fishin’ Ultimate Bass Seminar for Kent Brown

We were asked to be a guest speaker at Kent Brown’s Ultimate Bass University over at Gone Fishin marine in Dixon last week and to discuss the A rig and answer questions. We did, and were glad to see such a big turn out. There were just too many questions to go over here so the high points were:

  • 7 1/2 foot rod (preference is Powell Endurance 795 and 775), also Powell Max 765CB, Matt Newman’s iRod Swimbait Junior
  • 5 bait rigs rigged with all baits the same including the two dummy baits (non hooked)
  • At least for here, the lightest possible rigs you can get for shallow water
  • 15, 17, or 20 pound test P Line CXX and Izorline Platinum in 15 or 17 pound test
  • 5/0 swim bait heads in 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4 oz (jigs4bass.com)
  • Plug knocker

Gotta See Some Fish Right???

Clear Lake Fishing

On the left, Mr. Howard Swarts with his first A Rig fish and personal best, a 7 pounder. That smile was for real and came even with the four pounders.

My buddy TJ and an 8 pounder he caught yesterday while we were fun fishing with minners. It was not big fish of the day, my 13.5 pound channel cat was. Our best 5 bass went 29.5 pounds though.

Clear Lake Fishing
Bass Fishing

Powell Diesel Rod Line

My good buddy Keith, owner of Powell Products has introduced a new line of rods that is going to make some noise here real soon. The diesel line of rods includes 4 models, one spinning and three casting rods.

I have been testing these rods lately and have to say that I am impressed. There is a 765 swimbait, flip, carolina rig rod, a 706 crank bait rod, a 723 casting rod for jigs, and a 713 spinning rod that will do great all around work with senkos and shaky heads. So far I am giving this line of rods a big thumbs up! Great looking, durable, and oh by the way, under $70 bucks at Tackle Warehouse. These rods do not have a warranty with them and have gone away from the Fuji components but I have to tell you, they are performers.

Bass Fishing

Adding Video

I have been looking into doing some short video clips that can be linked (somehow) to my web site that will be instructional and hopefully a little entertaining. Looks like there are a couple of real convenient looking and water proof set ups out there that should do the trick for me once I can figure out how to set the camera/mike up, how not to sound like a dork fish, and how to edit, so with any luck I will be able to introduce the first editions in the next newsletter.

Bass Fishing

Impact of Low Lake Level

Here is how low the lake currently is and what some of the impact we will see on the lake. Adobe creek (one of the primary running water spawning grounds of the Clear Lake Hitch) is not running. There is standing water in the lower stretch between the bridge on Soda Bay Road and the lake, but none running at this time. Kelsey creek is running but not by much, I am really not sure how navigable it is to the hitch to get to their traditional spawning grounds.

Low and clear water means weed growth, strong weed growth out farther off shore than in the past as sunlight is able to penetrate down into new lake beds. Probably also means we will lose more tule bed area this year. Also means we will probably see algae blooms earlier and more often this year.

Good news is I am really looking forward to some awesome sight fishing while we can when the fish begin to spawn we should be able to see them all over the place, literally!

Bass Fishing

Bookings

For those of you who have watched for these newsletters and taken advantage of the good bite I thank you. We have made a lot of happy anglers this winter. 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.

March is looking pretty good for me with still some good availability for you. April was almost a complete sell out last year and with the bite this year I expect to see the same so if you are thinking about getting here, you better get it scheduled while your date might still be open.

I will begin to transition to a little more traditional swim baits this month but still expect the A rig to perform well through the end of April. Of course, live bait is still an option as always and we are keeping our hands in the old shaky head routine as well. Just tell me what you would like to do and we’ll shape your day to your liking.

bass fishing clear lake, California

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, and keep a tight line.

bass fishing clear lake, California

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!

Bass Fishing 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!

bass fishing clear lake, California
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Kelseyville, CA 95451
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