This time of the year is slow for guiding and I haven't had a lot of time out on the water. The recent rains of around five inches has brought the lake up to 1.05 on the scale that we measure by. Last year the lake was at 5.92 feet so you can see we still have a long ways to go to normal. The good news is that the main ramps at Redbud park in Clear Lake, the ramp at Clear Lake Oaks, plus the two ramps in the town of Lakeport at 3rd & 5th streets are all very usable with no problems launching. If you are planning on launching out of the Casino marina or the State park, you may have to use your trolling motor to navigate out to the main lake. ""Be Careful"" very shallow there. With the low water conditions, practically no one is fishing the upper or West end of the lake. The good news is that the people who are fishing the Rattlesnake and Redbud arms of the lake are catching some good solid fish. It is rare to catch one under two pounds and most are all above the three pound range. The minnow bite is the best way to go for putting fish in the boat. Fish are being caught both shallow and deep, experiment and move around to find fish. I am using bobber set ups for targeting fish in the 3 out to the 8 to 10 foot range. In deeper water such as 15 to 25 feet, I am using a split shot or drop shot rig for the minnows. A typical five hour trip for me for two people should put 10 to 15 fish in the boat and will improve as we go further into March.
Those who are using strictly artificial baits and may be pre fishing for upcoming tournaments are using a variety of Alabama rigs, swimbaits in all sizes including the big Huddleston and the ""68" Huddleston, top hook ospreys are also a favorite. Jig's, crankbaits both shallow and the new strike king deep runners along with shaky head rigs and drop shot are also working. Don't forget the lipless cranks used in a yo yo style retrieve. I will say from all the reports, you really have to put your time in using all of the above and if you catch a limit of five fish for your efforts, you can say you have done well. If it's your first time to put your boat out in the lake, be sure to get it inspected and get your clearance sticker. Also all of the deeper fish are coming up with over inflated bladders, be sure to weigh, take a picture and release them right away so they can swim down and equalize their bladders.
I am looking forward to another great year on Clear Lake. If you are planning a trip with me in the future, please try and book early, I am booking up for the prime months so don't miss out. Be safe, wear your life jackets, be careful in the shallow shoreline areas, God Bless, Bob
Those who are using strictly artificial baits and may be pre fishing for upcoming tournaments are using a variety of Alabama rigs, swimbaits in all sizes including the big Huddleston and the ""68" Huddleston, top hook ospreys are also a favorite. Jig's, crankbaits both shallow and the new strike king deep runners along with shaky head rigs and drop shot are also working. Don't forget the lipless cranks used in a yo yo style retrieve. I will say from all the reports, you really have to put your time in using all of the above and if you catch a limit of five fish for your efforts, you can say you have done well. If it's your first time to put your boat out in the lake, be sure to get it inspected and get your clearance sticker. Also all of the deeper fish are coming up with over inflated bladders, be sure to weigh, take a picture and release them right away so they can swim down and equalize their bladders.
I am looking forward to another great year on Clear Lake. If you are planning a trip with me in the future, please try and book early, I am booking up for the prime months so don't miss out. Be safe, wear your life jackets, be careful in the shallow shoreline areas, God Bless, Bob
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