What a difference a week makes. Last week sunshine, sunshine, sunshine. This week – rain. But that’s OK. The fish haven’t really noticed the change all that much. The lake is hovering in the 47-degree (at the south end) to 51-degree (at the north end) range. Overall, the bass bite is steadily improving as we swing towards the springtime. Let’s look at the detailed report …
My goodness, we got into some minnow action this past week. (A fact that the minnow hatchery folks are taking to the bank.) It took three shipments of minnows to get us through the President’s Day weekend. The bass fishing surged with bass to nearly 11 pounds being reported as shallow as – are you ready for this? – 2 feet.
The reports would have us suggesting that you can find bass from 2 to nearly 20 feet. Rocky Point, County Park and State Park all at the north end of the lake have yielded good results for many anglers. Indian Island and Rattlesnake Island have also come up in conversation repeatedly. The key for most? Tules.
Besides minnows (and they’re No. 1 for sure) we’re getting wind of jig and drop shot bites developing well. Jerk baits and the very beginnings of a swim bait bite are also on the scene this week.
Now, my admonition … This current series of storms is likely to set us back some, but not to the tough bite we were experiencing a few weeks ago when the weather was really cold. The warming days following this spot of unfavorable weather should really get things moving. And another side note: All of the bass we’re seeing are fat, healthy fish. I don’t know about you, but my nerves are just jumping over the thought of the spring bass bite here on Clear Lake.
Now, for a dose of stark reality - the crappie scene is still suffering this week. We have had isolated reports of crappie being caught here and there, mostly from private docks in deeper water on live bait. None of the reports have given us a good picture of where or when to fish for the slabs. Keep up the hunt and keep us posted – they’re bound to show up some time.
Catfish action has been steady. We weighed a nice 19-pound, 8-ounce cat that the Koerlins nailed on mackerel. Others are catching whiskerfish on everything from our freezer – shrimp, clams, anchovies, mackerel, shad, etc. The quantity numbers aren’t super, but most folks fishing for cats are catching them. And the shore anglers have done just as well as boaters for catfish lately.
And speaking of catfish… It’s never too early to start talking up the annual Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association Catfish Derby. This annual event draws on the order of 500 anglers with the top prizes being a boat, motor and trailer combo in the adult category and a youth-sized ATV for the kids division. This year’s event is being held May 16, 17 and 18. Questions? Give us a call or come on by. We’ve got your entry forms here in the shop.
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
Cold, rain and snow this week have kept the fishermen at bay and made conditions miserable for those that braved the elements to wet a line.
The fishing is ultra-tough this week. Bass tournament guys are striking out and crappie anglers are simply unable to locate the slabs.
There are few details beyond that … The good news is the lake level is up nearly 2 feet from just a few weeks ago. The gage height in Lakeport was at 3.20 feet and rising when I checked Friday afternoon.
We had a pretty good bass bite on last Thursday and Friday for those anglers fishing live jumbo minnows. That bite started to taper off quickly again as we went into Saturday and was difficult again before the end of the weekend.
Bass guys tossing artificial lures – of nearly any variety – flat out struck out. The weather has been so bad in the latter part of this week, there aren’t any reports to work off of. Your best bet is likely to wait until the lake is fishable again and see what the recent rains have done for us. Water clarity, temperature, food source and water level will all be effected.
The crappie report hasn’t changed any from last week’s report. Tough as nails. Can’t find ‘em. Keep trying and let us know ASAP when you’re onto ‘em. We’ll keep fresh bait in the tank and product on the shelves so we can get you outfitted when they come back! (Now how’s that for an honest report, eh?)
The only upshot to this report may be the catfish. A few anglers have had a bit of luck bank fishing for cats with nightcrawlers, mackerel, and anchovies. Look for areas surrounding inlets for actively feeding catfish.
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
Gang to serve as Mendocino College interim athletic director
Written by Editor
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
UKIAH – Along with guiding the Mendocino College football program, Tom Gang will now have additional duties by serving as the interim athletic director.
Gang took over the athletic director duties this month, after previous athletic director Gary Garabato left for another athletic director position.
“Tom Gang has proven his leadership and organizational abilities with our football program. I am very confident he will bring the same qualities to the job of interim AD,” said Mendocino College Vice President of Education and Student Services Meridith Randall.
Garabato, who served as the Mendocino College athletic director for the last 18 months, left to take the same position at College of Marin.
Gang just finished his fifth season as head football coach and has led Mendocino to two Bay-Valley Conference Championships in 2005 and 2007.
“It is a honor to serve this college in this capacity,” Gang said.
The search for a permanent athletic director will begin this spring.
UKIAH – Five members of the 2007 Bay Valley Conference championship football team have earned scholarships and transferred to four-year colleges.
Another member has given a verbal commitment for future attendance in the fall.
Sophomores Steven Joachim (Miami, Fla.), Drew Blundell (Potter Valley), Nick Fross (Ukiah), Gary Miller (Ukiah) and Greg Tompkins (Arcadia, Fla.) are enrolled for the spring semester at their respective schools.
Joachim is attending the University of Memphis (NCAA DI-FBS). He was a two-year all-conference selection at receiver and finished this season with 50 receptions for 627 yards and nine touchdowns. The University of Memphis competes in Conference USA and played in the New Orleans Bowl in December.
Blundell, a 12-game starter on the offensive line, is attending Quincy University (NAIA) located in Quincy, Ill. Quincy University competes in the Mid-States Football Conference and finished this past season at 6-5.
Fross is attending Minot State University (NAIA) in Minot, North Dakota and was a 21-game starter at center for the Eagles. Minot State competes in the Dakota Athletic Conference and finished this past season at 6-4.
Tompkins is attending Charleston Southern University (NCAA DI-FCS), in Charleston, South Carolina. Tompkins had 54 tackles and three interceptions while playing safety for the Eagles. Charleston Southern finished 5-6 while competing in the Big South Conference.
Miller is attending Bemidji State University (NCAA D-II) in Bemidji, Minn. Miller, who was all-conference, had 58.5 total tackles and four sacks this past season while playing linebacker. Bemidji State University finished the season at 7-4 and competes the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Sophomore Jermaine Jacobs (Sacramento) has given Portland State University (NCAA DI-FCS) a verbal commitment and will begin school there next fall. Jacobs had 34.5 total tackles and seven sacks and was selected as the conference defensive player of the year this past season. Portland State, which competes in the Big Sky Conference, finished the year at 3-8.
“Since my tenure began here at Mendocino College, we have made it a priority to prepare all student/athletes for the opportunity to earn an athletic scholarship to a four year university,” said Mendocino College Head Coach Tom Gang. “These young men have done a great job and the entire college community should be proud of this accomplishment.”
The Rider Report: Minnow bite may be up, crappie bite scarce
Written by Bob Rider
Friday, 18 January 2008
Tough fishing has challenged bass and crappie anglers this past week. The water temperature is running around the 41-degree mark. The weather has been cool, but pleasant this week. It should remain clear to partly cloudy through the weekend and right on into next week. Here are the details of the report …
The bass folks are striking out soundly on artificials. This is the “throw the tackle box at ‘em” type of fishing that we struggle with each year when the water temp drops to the low 40s.
Minnow anglers reporting in late Thursday indicate that the minnow bite may be on a definite upswing. Several sets of anglers reported catching fish from 10 to 20 feet deep, in rocky areas, on just about every minnow they put in the water. That’s a GIANT improvement over just two or three days ago. The next few days should get pretty interesting …
Crappie anglers are searching for a bite with little or no luck. None of the key spots that normally hold crappie are producing – right now. We expect this condition to change dramatically – hopefully we’ll see the bite turn back on soon. This may be an all of the sudden kind of thing … Stay tuned – if we get good word of a crappie bite we’ll kick out a special report to let you know. Shoot us an e-mail (
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) or call (707-994-FISH) for the latest, up to the minute reports.
Catfish anglers are quietly enjoying a decent bite. Cut bait and nightcrawlers are the top baits. Shore anglers have been having the best success – which tells us that the bite is in close to the shoreline. Look for stained water where a fresh food supply has washed into the lake.
Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).
