Clear Lake this week....10/31/2014
Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 4:12 pm
Clear Lake this week….10/31/2014
Well, today is Halloween and things are more than interesting around here this week.
The Redbud launch facility is now CLOSED due to low water and construction of the
new facilities which has now begun. I suspect the best we can hope for regarding when it may open again is probably January, depending on rainfall of course. Those wishing to use the south end ramps will now have to go to Clearlake Oaks which remains open at this time. However, there are no Mussel Stamps available there as you will see below, while Lakeport continues to have 3 to 4 feet of water at the end of the ramps at both 3rd and 5th Street facilities.
Tackle shops? Well, we’ve seen some changes in hours/days of operation at several of the local tackle shops, which can be a huge inconvenience if you’re not aware. Since the closing of the Redbud ramp, the largest of these becomes Limit Out Tackle which is now CLOSED, and will remain so through sometime in mid to late November. His means that you will need to use Clear Lake Bait and Tackle for your mussel stickers then proceed to the Oaks if you’re going to stay down south, and on that note, be advised that Clear Lake Bait and Tackle is now CLOSED on Tuesdays as part of their normal winter hours change, and as far as the north end of the lake goes I have not heard of any changes at Clear Lake Outdoors, operating Monday thru Saturday, and CLOSED Sundays.
Current conditions have the lake at minus.80 Rumsey with surface temps between 60-68 degrees depending on local. Overall the bite is improving a bit, still staying in one place and loading the boat is not the pattern of choice at this time.
With regards to techniques, the reaction bite continues to be up and down, but overall has improved, with DD22’s, Megabass Deep Six, and Lucky Craft BDS cranks leading the way. Focus on the rocky ledge areas of the lake and move around. Covering water right now will help with both quantity and quality. However, should one really want to “fish slow”, don’t be afraid to pick up the trusty ole 5” senko, and again, focus on the rocky ledge areas, and you will eventually find success in most of the likely places as well.
What next? Well, as November rolls along, cooler water temps and shorter days will also begin to turn on the minnow bite. Yeah, Yeah, I know, but there is a reason I mention this. Despite the cooler mornings (air temps), this is a great bite to put younger children on, and fished the proper way with proper terminal gear your kids can have an absolute blast without becoming hot or bored, plus you just might hook a kid for life! Stay tuned, I think we’re going to explore this further later this month. As noted, the most important aspect is the terminal equipment and as always, the practicing of Catch, Photo, and Release!
Well, today is Halloween and things are more than interesting around here this week.
The Redbud launch facility is now CLOSED due to low water and construction of the
new facilities which has now begun. I suspect the best we can hope for regarding when it may open again is probably January, depending on rainfall of course. Those wishing to use the south end ramps will now have to go to Clearlake Oaks which remains open at this time. However, there are no Mussel Stamps available there as you will see below, while Lakeport continues to have 3 to 4 feet of water at the end of the ramps at both 3rd and 5th Street facilities.
Tackle shops? Well, we’ve seen some changes in hours/days of operation at several of the local tackle shops, which can be a huge inconvenience if you’re not aware. Since the closing of the Redbud ramp, the largest of these becomes Limit Out Tackle which is now CLOSED, and will remain so through sometime in mid to late November. His means that you will need to use Clear Lake Bait and Tackle for your mussel stickers then proceed to the Oaks if you’re going to stay down south, and on that note, be advised that Clear Lake Bait and Tackle is now CLOSED on Tuesdays as part of their normal winter hours change, and as far as the north end of the lake goes I have not heard of any changes at Clear Lake Outdoors, operating Monday thru Saturday, and CLOSED Sundays.
Current conditions have the lake at minus.80 Rumsey with surface temps between 60-68 degrees depending on local. Overall the bite is improving a bit, still staying in one place and loading the boat is not the pattern of choice at this time.
With regards to techniques, the reaction bite continues to be up and down, but overall has improved, with DD22’s, Megabass Deep Six, and Lucky Craft BDS cranks leading the way. Focus on the rocky ledge areas of the lake and move around. Covering water right now will help with both quantity and quality. However, should one really want to “fish slow”, don’t be afraid to pick up the trusty ole 5” senko, and again, focus on the rocky ledge areas, and you will eventually find success in most of the likely places as well.
What next? Well, as November rolls along, cooler water temps and shorter days will also begin to turn on the minnow bite. Yeah, Yeah, I know, but there is a reason I mention this. Despite the cooler mornings (air temps), this is a great bite to put younger children on, and fished the proper way with proper terminal gear your kids can have an absolute blast without becoming hot or bored, plus you just might hook a kid for life! Stay tuned, I think we’re going to explore this further later this month. As noted, the most important aspect is the terminal equipment and as always, the practicing of Catch, Photo, and Release!