Clear Lake

BWC · 04-06-10, 04:19 AM

Hey everyone,

This is my first post so I wanted to start by saying hi. I also am not sure if I am posting my question in the right spot. If not, I apologize.

Anyway,

Around the middle of next month, someone surprised me with an opportunity to stay at a resort for a week of bass fishing at Clear Lake in California. It is from May 16 to May 22. I was already excited and then I heard that on ESPN, they ranked that lake as #2 in the world for bass fishing a couple of weeks ago.

I was hoping to get some insight from anyone that has fished there. It's 43,000 acres and I would hate to fish the east side the whole time, only to find out that it's common knowledge that you do much better fishing on the west side or something like that. Is there anything unique to that lake that does well?

I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible when I get down there. I am reading as much as I can...and when it comes to fishing, I'm not too proud to ask some questions.

If anyone can help, it would be very appreciated.

Aaron

MallenManson · 04-06-10, 06:48 AM

Welcome to the forum Aaron! No advice here, since I only fish Michigan water (for now).
Color me jealous of your trip though!

BassinNC · 04-06-10, 09:59 PM

Wrong side of the us for me but welcome to the site.

RussB · 04-07-10, 12:22 AM

Swim baits, Big 7 " Senkos, Jigs work real good there. Start out by throwing swimbaits in the 5-6" size and work your way up. Have fished this lake on a couple of occasions on two weekly trips in the spring. Money Minnows, etc work great.

Russ

bassinbob · 04-07-10, 09:30 PM

Welcome to both of you guys. Good luck on the trip.

BWC · 04-14-10, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the replies. I don't want to waste the week down there so I think I might try to book a guide on the first day. Hopefully that will give me an idea how I want to spend the rest of the week fishing.

I found out they have a casino near the lake so one way or the other it is going to be great times.

cassidyta · 04-16-10, 02:04 PM

BWC,

I have fished it 4 times in the past year (twice in tourneys)
While swimbaits will be a lot of fun there, don't be hesitant to downsize either. I have triggered more bites of off IKA's than anything else. 2nd would be frogs.
As far as locations, I have not really identified a bad spot for numbers.
I believe that your decision to get a guide is a good one.

Naevulle · 04-17-10, 04:07 PM

Welcome. For the california area, deep crankbaits over dropoffs and channels, jigs, plastic crawfish, beavers or anything resembling a crayfish, "large" swimbaits if you want a big one (they are there and they will hit them). I have a friend that consistantly catches 12-17lb lmb on swimbaits over there (I hate him for it lol).

04-06-10, 04:19 AM	#1
BWC BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2	Clear Lake Hey everyone, This is my first post so I wanted to start by saying hi. I also am not sure if I am posting my question in the right spot. If not, I apologize. Anyway, Around the middle of next month, someone surprised me with an opportunity to stay at a resort for a week of bass fishing at Clear Lake in California. It is from May 16 to May 22. I was already excited and then I heard that on ESPN, they ranked that lake as #2 in the world for bass fishing a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping to get some insight from anyone that has fished there. It's 43,000 acres and I would hate to fish the east side the whole time, only to find out that it's common knowledge that you do much better fishing on the west side or something like that. Is there anything unique to that lake that does well? I want to make sure I'm as prepared as possible when I get down there. I am reading as much as I can...and when it comes to fishing, I'm not too proud to ask some questions. If anyone can help, it would be very appreciated. Aaron

04-06-10, 09:59 PM	#3
BassinNC BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: albemarle, NC Posts: 788	Wrong side of the us for me but welcome to the site. __________________ 138 bass in 2K10. Biggest 4LBS 14oz.

04-07-10, 09:30 PM	#5
bassinbob BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pitts. Pa. Posts: 3,801	Welcome to both of you guys. Good luck on the trip. __________________ you can have my fishin rod when ya take it from my cold dead hands

04-16-10, 02:04 PM	#7
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	BWC, I have fished it 4 times in the past year (twice in tourneys) While swimbaits will be a lot of fun there, don't be hesitant to downsize either. I have triggered more bites of off IKA's than anything else. 2nd would be frogs. As far as locations, I have not really identified a bad spot for numbers. I believe that your decision to get a guide is a good one. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

04-06-10, 06:48 AM	#2
MallenManson BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Beulah, Michigan Posts: 6,431	Welcome to the forum Aaron! No advice here, since I only fish Michigan water (for now). Color me jealous of your trip though! __________________ Bass fear me. Women pepperspray me.....

04-07-10, 12:22 AM	#4
RussB BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Auburn,WA Posts: 2	Swim baits, Big 7 " Senkos, Jigs work real good there. Start out by throwing swimbaits in the 5-6" size and work your way up. Have fished this lake on a couple of occasions on two weekly trips in the spring. Money Minnows, etc work great. Russ

04-14-10, 07:13 PM	#6
BWC BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 2	Thanks for the welcome and the replies. I don't want to waste the week down there so I think I might try to book a guide on the first day. Hopefully that will give me an idea how I want to spend the rest of the week fishing. I found out they have a casino near the lake so one way or the other it is going to be great times.

04-17-10, 04:07 PM	#8
Naevulle BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 22	Welcome. For the california area, deep crankbaits over dropoffs and channels, jigs, plastic crawfish, beavers or anything resembling a crayfish, "large" swimbaits if you want a big one (they are there and they will hit them). I have a friend that consistantly catches 12-17lb lmb on swimbaits over there (I hate him for it lol).

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