The water level here at Clear Lake is fine for fishing. There are plenty of both shallow and deep water areas to try your luck. Even with the drought, Clear Lake is much better off than most lakes and most of the ramps around the lake are usable and they are "Free" . The water conditions are actually very good and the algae blooms have not been a problem. Boat traffic is very light and it seems that people think the drought and or the algae blooms have effected the lake but that is not the case. Mid lake the water is clear and conditions are perfect for boating. The lake is currently fishing slow to tough, fishing slow and being patient is the key to feeling the bite. I recommend using light line, and definitely having a good sensitive rod that is matched for the size of bait and technique you are using. Currently I have been concentrating my customers on using the drop shot technique and I use Dobyn's rod's, the champion series 701sf is a great rod. I use power pro line, 20lb test with a fluorocarbon 12lb test leader and I rig the bait about 12 inches above the 1/8oz weight. Watermelon candy has been one of my better colors.
Even with a tough bite this past week my customers have managed to land several fish in the three to seven pound class. Catching 5 to 8 fish has to be considered a good day for my ""Five Hour"" trips and for most customers catching a solid three pound bass is better than what they are use to. The weeds are already dying off and many areas of the lake are starting to clear up. I haven't tried a lot of top water but for those who have the time to stay with it, black buzz baits, frogs, Rico poppers and river to Sea whopper poppers have been putting some fish in the boat. The silver side minnows are starting to show and mass up in schools, this will help the top water action around the remaining weed beds and reaction baits such as chatterbaits and spinnerbaits will work as the bass start to feed on the minnows. The lake is slowly dropping about 2 1/2 inches a week and by October we will be a "minus" on the Rumsey gauge that is used to measure the lake depth. This will mean that some of the ramps will not be usable but the main ramp in the Oaks, Clear Lake and Lakeport should still be okay. It will also mean that you will need to use caution while boating in close to shore and any extending points going out into the lake.
Currently I would say it is a great time to get out on the lake, the water conditions are good and you can almost have the lake to yourself during the week. You also can at any cast catch a fish over five pounds such as the seven pound fish that my customer caught earlier this week. (See the photo page for July) If it's topwater you like, come try it, If it's drop shotting you like, come try it, if you want to fish jig's, come try it, in other words even with a tough bite, it's still a good time to fish and all of the above will work if you stay with it. Have Fun, be safe, be courteous, God Bless, Bob
Even with a tough bite this past week my customers have managed to land several fish in the three to seven pound class. Catching 5 to 8 fish has to be considered a good day for my ""Five Hour"" trips and for most customers catching a solid three pound bass is better than what they are use to. The weeds are already dying off and many areas of the lake are starting to clear up. I haven't tried a lot of top water but for those who have the time to stay with it, black buzz baits, frogs, Rico poppers and river to Sea whopper poppers have been putting some fish in the boat. The silver side minnows are starting to show and mass up in schools, this will help the top water action around the remaining weed beds and reaction baits such as chatterbaits and spinnerbaits will work as the bass start to feed on the minnows. The lake is slowly dropping about 2 1/2 inches a week and by October we will be a "minus" on the Rumsey gauge that is used to measure the lake depth. This will mean that some of the ramps will not be usable but the main ramp in the Oaks, Clear Lake and Lakeport should still be okay. It will also mean that you will need to use caution while boating in close to shore and any extending points going out into the lake.
Currently I would say it is a great time to get out on the lake, the water conditions are good and you can almost have the lake to yourself during the week. You also can at any cast catch a fish over five pounds such as the seven pound fish that my customer caught earlier this week. (See the photo page for July) If it's topwater you like, come try it, If it's drop shotting you like, come try it, if you want to fish jig's, come try it, in other words even with a tough bite, it's still a good time to fish and all of the above will work if you stay with it. Have Fun, be safe, be courteous, God Bless, Bob
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