The spring season is here and the fishing on Clear Lake is swinging into gear. Winter, like a house guest that's worn out its welcome, lingers for a bit longer than we would like. A fresh blast of cold air and rain have taken our glimpse of spring from us but only for a short time. There's big news for our crappie anglers, the bass fishing is good on live bait, and the catfish action has turned on quite well.
Bass anglers are working deep-running crankbaits and finesse rigs over rock piles and ledges for only mediocre action. The best action is on live jumbo minnows. Bait anglers are having a great time with good numbers of fish and quality sized bass being claimed. A brief glimpse of warm weather had the north end of the lake warming and some action improving on swim baits but the weather has turned cool again and a cold front has set the shallow water action back another week or two.
Crappie have now made an appearance here in the south end of the Redbud Arm. Notable locations for crappie are the mouth of Cache Creek and the end of the Clearlake pipeline that runs through Beakban Island. Other areas are getting attention as well. For now the best hours for good crappie action are between 3am and 6am and the hot bait is live medium minnows - of course. We're hearing good things, seeing some nice fish come through the shop, and hanging some pictures on our brag board. They're BAAACK!
Catfish action has kicked into gear with anglers finding success from the banks of Clearlake. Mackerel, crawlers, and live minnows have been accounting for much of the success. Sizes range from 2 pounds (good fryers) to 12 pounds. I haven't heard tell of any real monsters yet this season, but our season is young. Stay tuned!
Derby Time is right around the corner. The annual Catfish Derby is taking place May 14, 15 & 16th this year. This event draws over 500 adult anglers and more than 100 youth fishermen. What a great time, too! Applications are available in the store or online at the
ClearlakeOaks.org site. With action heating up on the whiskerfish, the Derby should turn out some great fish!
The annual Lake Friends of NRA banquet is now just two weeks away! Tickets are going quickly and this event sells out every year. So mark your calendars for Saturday, April 10 at the Lions Hall in Middletown and swing by Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake to buy your tickets or tables. This is our flagship event for the year! Be sure to preview some of the nearly 40 guns we'll have at the event, get your tickets, and show your support for the Lake Friends of NRA.
And lastly, I'm extremely happy to announce that April 1st is our Fifth Anniversary here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle. To celebrate we're offering two great anniversary specials. First, for the entire month of April we'll be offering our Jumbo Minnows at $10 per dozen. (That's the 2005 price!) Second, we're giving away a Front Sight Firearms Training Institute certificate good for a Four Day Defensive Handgun Class. Come in and enter the drawing by visiting the store and filling out an entry any time during the month of April. The drawing will be held on April 30th at 5:00pm.
