It’s been hot ‘round these parts. Low 100s and upper 90s have been on tap to get us feeling like summer is really upon us.

With the steady hot temperatures has come the onset of some seriously good fishing. Bass are on. Cats, on. Crappie, well we’re getting some of those too.

The algae bloom and decay problem that has plagued the south end of the lake now for weeks seems to be easing up a bit. In addition, efforts have been made by the city and county folks to clear the public ramps to make launch and recovery an easier process. It’s going to be a great weekend to fish Clear Lake!

The bass bite has surged to life in the past week. Anglers are finding fish by dipping Senkos, Brush Hogs, tubes, Ikas, creature baits and finesse worms.

Live bait anglers have been enjoying a solid bite on minnows and live crawdads (yes, we have live crawdads – while supplies last). Target areas that are deeper and offer the fish some kind of structure. Rocks, docks, weeds and walls are the four keys that we look for this time of year (my wife complains that I chant “rocks, docks, weeds and walls” in my sleep).

Looking for a top water bite? Try the last hour of darkness and first hour of light in the morning with frogs like River2Sea’s Bully Wa. Same thing goes for when the sun is going down in the late evening hours.

Crappie. Now here’s an interesting tale. I’m reading (in an unnamed local print media) that there’s no crappie to be caught. Yet, I’m getting reports nearly every day of a decent bite here in the south end.

Here’s the thing … We’re seeing the fish and photos here in the store so there must be something to the reports that we’re getting. Come and fish for crappie – you won’t be disappointed. Deep water, a slow presentation, and live bait will get you a nice stringer.

Oh, and one other essential element – you’ll need a boat. You may not limit out at 25, but you’ll best what you can feed a family in one meal with average catches around a dozen or so.

Catfish action has been hot, hot, hot. Big cats, little cats, plenty of cats. Crawdads, minnows, mackerel, anchovies and the list of viable baits goes on. No real trick here, just get out and soak some bait in your favorite catfishin’ hole.

In our events and classes news, we’ve got a very full calendar for July. Here is a list of classes:

– Introduction to handguns: July 9, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

– Fundamentals of marksmanship for handguns: July 16, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

– Hunter safety: July 17, 18 and 19 (three sessions/one class)

– Semi-auto pistol operation: July 23, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

– Handgun care and cleaning: July 30, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Visit our “Events & Classes” page at www.994Fish.com , call 707-994-FISH (3474) or come by the shop for more information. Registration and classes are held here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle.

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.