Our seasonal change on Clear Lake is in full swing now. The lake temperature is dropping consistently and the water has cleared from our summer of algae. Bass are on the jumbo minnow bite and catfish are active as well. Still, there are no signs yet of our much anticipated crappie bite ... yet. Here are the reports.

 

Bass reports are a mixed bag – which is largely typical of the "fall change."

We're hearing about some bass crashing minnows and feeding. We're hearing about bass being caught deep. We're hearing about bass being caught at those transitional depths where there are ledges and drop offs. Mostly, we're hearing that the bass bite is just darn good during the middle of the day for anglers dipping jumbo minnows.

 

The artificials folks are working a variety of lures – with lipless cranks, sinking swim baits and drop shot rigs topping the list. Fall is an awesome time to be on the lake in pursuit of bass!

 

We're getting lots of calls every day with the crappie question, "Are they in yet?" Short answer is, "Nope." However, we're on what should be the leading edge of the crappie season on Clear Lake.

Now is the time to start hitting some of our key crappie spots – Kono Tayee and Shag Rock just above the Narrows; Jones Bay, Four Poles & Konocti Harbor Resort in the Redbud Arm; and the Glenhaven and northern Clearlake Oaks areas. What we need now is crappie anglers getting out there and working live minnows to start looking for the bite.

 

This is always a tricky report this time of year – can't really say the crappie aren't in because there really aren't a lot of folks looking for 'em. Once we get some anglers on the water working live bait we'll have a better idea what's truly happening on the lake. We've got the minnows ...

 

Catfish anglers are content with a perfectly sound bite on the whiskerfish. Jumbo minnows have been working famously well. Other typical baits like mackerel, anchovies, shrimp and night crawlers have been working too. There's no mystery here ... Soak your favorite bait at your favorite catfish hole and wait for the rod to bend.

 

I've got dates for a hunter safety class coming in mid November. Fish and Game Warden Mike Pascoe has agreed to teach a class for us on Nov. 10, 11, 17, 18 and 21. Weeknight sessions run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Saturday class runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a five-session class including the Saturday range day.

 

The Clearlake area location is still to be announced. I'm still working on securing a location that will accommodate our group. Email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call us at 994-FISH (3474) or drop by Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake for more information. You must register with us to reserve your seat in the class.

 

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, located at 14913 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the shop online at www.994Fish.com .