(Clearlake Oaks) Largemouth bass action is heating up at Clear Lake as the water rises from recent storms.
“The water level is higher right now than it has been for the past two years,” said Troy Bellah of Clear Lake Outdoors. “The water level is now 4.4 and the lake is 7.5 when full. We got our fingers crossed that the rain will continue, but it will probably get full this season.”
The bass fishing has been solid between the storms. “These storms have come from the west, so they are warmer than normal for this time of year and the water temperature is 2 to 3 degrees warmer than is typical for now,” said Bellah.
Bellah and his partner reported great action during a recent Clear Lake Bassmasters Club Tournament, winning first place with a 20 pound limit topped by a 6.83 lb. largemouth taken on a spoon and a 6.33 pounder caught on a Lucky Craft Pointer Minnow rip bait.
“We fished the middle section and south end of the lake, where the water is clearer,” he noted. “Anglers participating in the event found the best action while fishing ripbaits, jigging with 1 oz. spoons and throwing Alabama rigs.”
Crappie action is also improving. Anglers are hooking a few slabsides while jigging with small spoons and chartreuse colored jigs off Konotyee and Henderson Point.
“Not many folks are catfishing now, but a couple of guys reported good action while fishing cut bait off Shag Rock,” he noted. “Their fish weren’t huge, ranging from 7 to 10 pounds.”
