Thursday, 28 March 2024

The Rider Report: Fall weather brings better bite

Well, with Labor Day weekend behind us maybe we’ll all have a little more time for fishing … You know what I mean – busy summers with kids out of school and vacations to be taken.


Now the little ones are back to grade school, your big kids are doing the high school social thing, and your college kids have returned to their campuses. Hopefully, with all the busyness behind us, we can get down to getting back on the water. (And you thought summers were for having fun. Hah!)


And for all of us, kids or no kids, we look forward to a fall season with fewer boats on the water and improved fishing conditions. While we’ve still got some warm weather yet to go – today’s forecast to be just above 100 again – cooler weather should be right around the corner. And with it, we’ll see the weeds die back and the fish eating well before winter sets in.


September always sees a boost in the number of fish caught over the months of July and August. We’ve seen proof of that already with reports from our local regulars who keep us up to date on what they’re doing each week (and in some cases daily).


Actually, I’d like to take just a moment of your time to recognize a few folks for their contributions. Paul Turmaine, Clint Abbott, Jerry Sloneker, Vern Westberg, Fishing Guide Dave Gilbert, Fishing Guide Bob Thein, Gary Moore, Don Wiese and Bob Koch are all regular contributors of sound and honest fishing information. There are many more that we hear from, but these guys all get kudos for sharing what they love on an ongoing basis. Thanks, fellas!


OK, on with the bite reports …


Bass anglers continue to see the best action before 9 a.m. The bite has opened up some with up to twice as many fish caught when compared to the same period from a week ago. The tough mid-day bite continues also. Most are working jigs, drop shot rigs or Carolina rigs (Baby Brush Hogs, Ol’ Monsters, and Big Dead Ringers) in deep water to keep the bite going. You’ll work hard at it this way, there are bass to be had. The water temp is running in the mid-70s.


A few diehard crappie anglers have been working late hours to find only a few fish a some deep water spots. There’s not much to report on this front … What we’re seeing is a very typical summer crappie bite. If we take a cue from the last few years, we shouldn’t really see much action until November. I’ll keep you posted.


On the catfish front, folks are still having a good time chasing cats all around the lake. My shore anglers staying at resorts and campgrounds around the lake are reporting decent catches. Boaters are also. All of the usual suspects (mackerel, anchovies, night crawlers, shrimp, etc.) have made an appearance this week for popular baits. We’ve had a pretty darn good year for catfish and there’s no sign of it letting up any time soon. So get out there with your favorite drifting or shore fishin’ rig and let ‘em take some line!


Bob Rider owns Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Visit his Web site at www.994fish.com or call him at 994-FISH (3474).


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