Solid bass fishing continues on Clear Lake! You know, there’s a lot of talk about the lack of rain, the shortcomings of the crappie bite and the low water level. But for all that it must be said that the bass bite is simply off the hook for this time of year on live minnows. The catfish action has been decent too.

With the lake temperature in the upper 40s and clear sunny days anglers are getting a rare opportunity to fish bass right on through the toughest season of the year. And, while we’re all hoping for rain, we’re also enjoying the fishing. On with the details …

On the bass front, things look great. Catch reports are in the 20s and 30s for a day’s efforts. Live bait rules the roost, but artificials are starting to have some play. As one angler put it to me Friday morning, “About an hour before sunset, things went wild. We could have caught them on almost anything.” Not exactly your typical winter report, but certainly welcome.

One of our popular guides was musing Friday morning that there were boats on all the wholes he went to fish this week. The lake is far from crowded, but folks are catching on …the bass bite is ON AT CLEAR LAKE.

For the crappie, I’m convinced that only with rain will we see any improved action on the crappie bite. The folks I sent out last week worked diligently to bring you a positive report, but to no avail. There just isn’t any action to write about. Keep calling, and keep checking our report, because the moment things change I’ll let you know.

Catfish fans are having a decent go of it with live jumbo minnows. Fish ‘em in all the same places we’re catching bass – deep water, drop offs and transitional areas. Rig them on a 4-foot leader attached to a three way swivel with a half to three-quarter ounce weight on the drop leg (about 14” long). Drift them slowly and pay attention to your rod tip. The bite may be subtle.

In our event news this week, the Clear Lake Ducks Unlimited chapter is hosting a dinner banquet on Feb. 21. The dinner will be held at the Lions Hall in Middletown on Central Park Drive. We’ve got tickets on sale here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle as well as a preview of many of the firearms that will be available at the dinner. Please call 707.994.FISH (3474) or stop by our store for event information.

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707.994.FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com.

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