Clear Lake: Early Report

Jack, did Natalie find any more skinks?

Eric, good to chat with you Saturday night. Sorry I didn't make the morning roll call.

The food fest under Melissa's EZ Up and at Jedmo's site was off the hook. Too bad the fishing was too. Had a great time with Jedmo and Darius' families and friends. 

Managed to coax a couple of newbies onto the water on my Trident. I think they're hooked.

Somebody left a couple of bait buckets and a homemade cart behind at site 65. Hope they were reunited with the owners. 

Will post some pictures when I get my USB problems resolved. 

And I just love those clean restrooms with automatic flushes!!  Even the ranger was nice about us having more than two cars to a site. However, I heard she issued a ticket to an unnamed kayaker. Still, she was nicer than the one at O'Neill Forebay.

Howard

Hey Jedmo how about a pic of the new camp-digs?

i am slammed at work.....i will post pics and spread more love around A.S.A.I.C. 

Thanks to Eric for all his work in getting us all up there(evenTHOUGHiWUSS'Dout)

Jack, did Natalie find any more skinks?

Eric, good to chat with you Saturday night. Sorry I didn't make the morning roll call.

The food fest under Melissa's EZ Up and at Jedmo's site was off the hook. Too bad the fishing was too. Had a great time with Jedmo and Darius' families and friends.  

Managed to coax a couple of newbies onto the water on my Trident. I think they're hooked.

Somebody left a couple of bait buckets and a homemade cart behind at site 65. Hope they were reunited with the owners.  :Will post some pictures when I get my USB problems resolved.  

And I just love those clean restrooms with automatic flushes!!   Even the ranger was nice about us having more than two cars to a site. However, I heard she issued a ticket to an unnamed kayaker. Still, she was nicer than the one at O'Neill Forebay.

Howard

thanks hojo that was all my crap i was in sight 68

Here it is Ben. I hope my mother in law just gives it to us. It definitely came in handy with the rain and all for sure.

Jedmo

I would assume we also have a problem using live bait for a fish that is easily caught on lure.

Yep, but I could see maybe setting the kids up with some to get their interest in fishing started.

we fish the river for Salmon or Steelhead or even Sturgeon - isn't that where they spawn?

The point I was trying to get across was not the location of spawning activity, but the timing.  Largemouth are spawning now.  I think I would have a hard time taking any fish that was actively spawning.


Although I'm a kayak angler, I consider myself a bass fisherman and spend most of my time fishing for and researching largemouth bass.  I can't compete with the big boys on the big boats, but I run in alot of the same circles and fish alot of the same water.  There is an etiquette in the bass fishing world and as hard to believe as it is, keeping fish during the spawn is looked down upon.  C&R is encouraged, but the choice is yours.  Just know that you are viewed differently than you would be on the salt.

Hold on guys - Before we throw stones

I tend to release my catch,
But I can't be upset at those who don't as long as they do so in a legal way.
If we have a problem with keeping our catch than I would assume we also have a problem using live bait for a fish that is easily caught on lure. The truth is the laws make for a sustainable loss and in "most" situations many warm water species tend to over populate. If no laws were broken and the system wasn't abused than I say "Have a great dinner" but use moderation.

Funny thing is nobody is complaning about catching Salmon or rockfish when they are believed to be in a more serious state (according to studies) - also - we fish the river for Salmon or Steelhead or even Sturgeon - isn't that where they spawn?

Maybe we all have something to learn about bad form?

Haha thats funny Eric. Fish were caught on live bait way over lures on Sunday. With all the ones I talked to fishing minnows. I cant say for Terry. He wasnt there. Live bait is the enviromentally concsious bait to use anyway. No toxics enmmitted into the atmosphere during making and natural decomposition is the green way to go. I have pulled fish out of CL with 2 huge creature baits and 3yards of line still attached to the poor thing. Thats a shame. Herein lies the title of my new book. The Hypocrisy of the Artificial Primadonna: A guide to using natural bait.

C&R is encouraged, but the choice is yours.

Exactly 

We can go on & on about this topic, but let's not spoil the effort & fun here...   I know lots & lots of work to put an event together (Craig, you probably know all about it now), so if you want to have some discussion, we can start it at "Fish talk" or "General topic".
anyways, thank you so much again for putting this event together, Eric & everybody who participate this even!!!

but let's not spoil the effort & fun here...

Amen Brother

i'll help by changing the topic - you are not required to keep a net on board in freshwater.

I got to the camp at 4 on Sat. and Jack had a camp all set up, Jack is a master camper and cook thanks again Jack the Taco were killer and I will have to buy some of that Basque soaking sce. Hit the lake about 6 to try and find some fish everybody said it was really slow, fished lures hard for about an hour for just 2 short pick-ups on the senko. Switched to minnows and immediately started hooking fish caught 4 fish dink,17",19",19.5, I thought ok I found them and I wanted to save my agents for the Tourney so I joined the party on shore. Woke up to crashing waves,  howling wind and driving rain and my kayak was full of wood chips from the waves it really couldn't have been much worse. I was determined to catch a few paddled out and it was a washing machine, flipped my first mino into the cat tails and I see them moving here comes a fish set up and he runs right back into the cattails then the wind gusts big time and blows my boat into them, my line was wrapped around a bunch and I was breaking them off and had cattail fur all over cool just  ahair over 19 good start I shoulda quit then. I tried fishing the main lake but it was just too windy and the water was starting to mud up. Caught a couple of smaller chunks and a dink at the mouth of the 2nd creek north then fished up the creek and didn't get a bite or mark any fish so back out to the main body nope too frikkin rough so I ducked into the creek with the ramp with the same result nothin, back out to the main nope even worse a wave hit me sideways and almost took me off the yak but at least it cleaned off all the wood chips and cattail fuzz. Back at the Length In I thought I had a good shot until I heard that Terry was fishing and I had a feeling I was doomed . Had a great time and it was super seeing everybody nice Park and great Tourney thanks again Eric for all the Booty it was over the top. Day 1 fish

Right on Naoaki! Done here. It was a great event and I am so glad I came up regardless of the weather. I sure learned something about my gear and that is the fact that I was not quite prepared for the onslaught of rain and cold. Water started seeping in the seams of my dry top around the neck area and started wicking up the sleeves of the top also. So my core became cold and it was over then after only 4 hours. I will say though that the tempest pants didnt leak one drop. My feet were dry and my lower extremities were dry too. fantastic. Tempest dry-top here I come.

xquid
If the thrill of the hunt and fun of catching fish aren't enough to satisfy you, and you still feel the need to take something home from your day on the water, it would be better form to do so after the spawn.  FYI meat hunting is more accepted on the ocean or lakes with planters rather than on a bass fishing mecca like CL or the delta.   I think I would have a hard time taking any fish that was actively spawning.


Although I'm a kayak angler, I consider myself a bass fisherman and spend most of my time fishing for and researching largemouth bass

First time at CL and not normally a bass fisherman. I apologize for not being conscious of the timing of the spawn..I appreciate your pointing out the etiquette side..

perhaps though for the newbies and those who don't "fish and research bass "as extensively as you, a less self righteous tone would be a more helpful vs flaming someone in a public format.

all the same...point taken and next time I will know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eric, I failed to thank you for putting everything  and  everyone together. I really enjoy the community and the opportunity to explore new fisheries.
I look forward to seeing everyone in Alameda..
 

By the way, Sunday early morning, I thought I was being savagely attacked by a rabid-minnow-eating-racoon. I was sleeping on my truck bed (covered and protected from the rain via tarp - thanks to Frank) when suddenly something had clamped onto my legs and feet and started pulling me out the trucks tail gate...I screamed LIKE A MAN for a change ....and started kicking away. The so called monster turned out to be an evil human being that I could not identify because it was still dark and he was wearing a hood....lucky for him, I did not have my home made prison shank available....anyway, as I gathered my thoughts and checked if I did in fact soil myself, I took a peak outside only to see a white pickup with a white camper shell - loaded with 2 kayaks (one being a familiar Hobie) peel off.....