Clear Lake fishing tips

Hey guys,

I need a solid and tap some of that collective expert knowledge out there!

I'm headed to clear lake next weekend with a couple of families, but no serious fisher-people.   It'll be mainly lazy car camping at Clear Lake State Park campground.

I'm planning on taking the tandem so people can just go out and paddle around, and one of the kids coming asked me to teach him how to fish. So I've got 2 questions I could use a little advice on:

1. I want the little guy to have a great experience. At his age, I think size won't matter, and catching quantity fish will be a blast (no boredom for his first time). I'm thinking of just targeting panfish for him. Get some worms on a little jig and throw on a bobber, and let him go to town. I've never fished Clear Lake before, so any advice about the plan above and a place to fish (off the yak is fine if it's really close to the campground).

2. I imagine I'll have some time to slip away for a little serious fishing (albeit emphasis on "little"). Does anyone know how the conditions are lately and have any tips for getting some bass there this time of year? Dropshot a roboworm? Toss a frog on some mat? Any hot areas close to the campground that won't be overrun by bass boats?

Whatever happens, a little time on the lake will be great.

Thanks,

Kook

Also - any bait shops close to the campground, or should I pick up some worms before I leave?

Heading out Friday morning. Any tips for fishing from CL SP campground?

(learned this from Mooch) Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Heading out Friday morning. Any tips for fishing from CL SP campground?

(learned this from Mooch) Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

PM sent!

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,14654.0.html
this lake is ever changing. right now you need to work for fish and try multiple disciplines until you make it happen. there is no magical lure that works at the c-lake everytime.
I spend the hot summer months on the other lake county waters but I recently took victims at Anderson Island on plastics. If you are limited to the state park area, Id focus on the bottom structure about 40 yards off of the trees on the eastern point of the campground boundry. Just watch basscar for awhile and they will show you where to fish. there are no secrets in that area.
my haunts in soda bay are cheeze and arent holding enough water right now around the springs so I wont suggest spending time there.
Might try fishing up Kelsey creek and paddle until you find the edge of the cooler clearer water. start there and work plastics out to the main body of the lake. If you can explore more of the lake Id suggest deep cranking the narrows from Braitos marina to shag rock. throw the frog at Braitos if you are there late. heard dollar island has a crappie bite going on. worms will most likely bring home cats right now but its c-lake, anything can happen at anytime.
depending on my week, I may try to get out there and fish with you.
Id jig and crank deep. theyre hunkerd by the heat.
good luck and wear lots of sunscreen.

Darius, Hydrospider, thank you both for the tips!

I'll probably only be fishing solo early in the morning, and then may opt for the cover of shade during the day. It's a family camping trip and I'll need to keep an eye on the WAF.

I'd heard the crappie and panfish bite were off as of last week, but maybe it re-engaged. I hope so, because I've got a little guy that will be with me and I want to put him on some fish with a slip bobber, some worms on a jig, and a Spiderman rod!

I'll be in the yellow Malibu2, but I heard Darius may be there on Sunday as well. Think I'll go up the creek as you mentioned, mabe some plastics Wacky Worm out front in the deeps. Any mats around to toss a frog out on? Guess I'll bring one just in case.

Kook

Any mats around to toss a frog out on? Guess I'll bring one just in case.

ummm yeah
I guess I didnt do a very good job with the intel. I could have been more "clear" about the conditions.
this may help

Its Confirm I will be there Sat afternoon then probably fish night also, but i will stick to mouth of the creeks to avoid zooming basscar at night probably if I dont get sleepy enough till morning..

Any mats around to toss a frog out on? Guess I'll bring one just in case.

ummm yeah
I guess I didnt do a very good job with the intel. I could have been more "clear" about the conditions.
this may help

Ugh! That ain't right...

just got off the water and the cooler weather and winds seemed to have busted up some of the cheeze. not sure but there may be a tourney this weekend as I spotted alot of regulars out there.
again, good luck this weekend

just got off the water and the cooler weather and winds seemed to have busted up some of the cheeze. not sure but there may be a tourney this weekend as I spotted alot of regulars out there.
again, good luck this weekend

It'll be fun whatever happens. I'm just looking forward to getting out and camping with friends. Any bass caught would be a bonus. Maybe I'll see you out there.

Thanks again for the intel and advice!

Hey guys,
how did it go out there on the northend?
Darius_MMIII has claimed some mastery of these waters and I was looking forward to a solid report.
sorry I didnt make it over there. I didnt have the time to fish so I paddled the southend for the workout.
maybe next time
hope you guys nailed em

Darius_MMIII has claimed some mastery of these waters and I was looking forward to a solid report.

OBKOOK just ask me if I made it, well unfortunately I didn't my work found its way to f#*ked my schedule, obkook says its too hot and he got skunk, cant say much for my self! 

Yep, I stunk like skunk mixed with rotting shore cheese.

But then, I really didn't get much line time in the water. I had my hands full with my friends 5 year old and his "new" spiderman rod. Put a casting weight on it and had him practice in a little field area next to the campsite. That lasted about 10 min. and then it was fair game to cast at anything (tents, dogs, picnic table...). Actually he did really well and I was impressed by his determination.

However, I decided that I didn't want to try him fishing from the yak. So I took him along the creek and we did a little bobber fishing there instead.

It *was* hot. 104F in the campsite in the sun. Slightly less in the shade. And we had some camp newbies with us, so I took on most of the camp task duties as well. We all did get out in the yak, but it was a round-robin affair with couples going out to have a little fun.

Was a helluva lot of fun, but not enough of a try at fishing to merit a report.

My only hope was that Darius would show on Sat night and give me the excuse to ditch everyone Sunday morning for a serious outing! (sorry you got stuck at work, dude. That sucks...)