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Wanted to see what some opinions are on the best month for someone thats never fished Clear lake, Ca to make a trip. I finally have a nice rig and want to make the trip this year. I would have my wife and daughter (who both fish) along with me if that makes a difference. Any tips, timing, advice, ramp or hotel tips would be appreciated. I am doing lots of research elsewhere too but thought Id see what some of you veterans think is best time to go...thanks in advance for any info!
Lake is really coming up now with all the rain. I hear the water is cold and dirty. I would wait until February/March. Check Western Bass for Dan Isaac's posts. He usually will post every week
Last year the last two weeks of Feb the bite was really good. Late March and April not so much. Wind came up and you couldnt see the bed fish.May june has some of the best post spawn topwater and jig bite of the year. Both ends of the lake are muddy now but the rattlesnake arm rarely gets muddy even in heavy rain periods. Warm storms like we are having now might bring the water temp up faster.Its been in the low 40s.
If you want to throw swimbaits i would come late Feb or early March
As of this morning we are 2 ft from full lake level
That's great I haven't seen most lakes like Berryessa at full pool since 1996 this is great news.
Our club usually heads up there every September and April. Weather is sometimes a little rough, but overall we've had pretty good luck. We usually stay at the Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport, or Lake Point Lodge in Clear Lake Oaks. This past September a group of us stayed at the Clear Lake Vista Resort in Kelseyville and it was awesome......here's a report from my website
Date: 9/15 - 9/18Location: Clear LakeWater Temp: 72.3 - 74.1Visibility: 1' or lessTen of us spent four days at Clear Lake Vista Resort, located in Soda Bay on Clearlake. It was a truly unbelievable trip, surrounded by family (My dad, Uncle, and Cousin), as well as several great firends. We were met by great weather and absolutely unbelieveable fishing. All of us were catching 30-45 fish a day....very few dinks, and several fish over 4lbs. The largest of the trip weighing in at 6.14lbs. In the spirit of a little family competition, we decided to throw $20 each into a pot, then weigh in your largest fish everyday, the heaviest weight after four days takes it all. I was fortunate enough to take the prize with four fish weighing in at about 19 1/2lbs......my biggest fish coming in at 6.02lbs on a Black Sapherie Zoom Brush Hog. I caught approxitmately 125 keepers over the four days on a 3/8oz. Johnny C's - Reservior Lures, brown jig, rigged with a Yamamoto green pumpkin with purple and black flake twin tail grub. I also caught fish on Senko's, brush hogs, worms, spoons, crankbaits, lipless, topwater, swimbaits, and some new soft plastic baits by Dropshot Gin....but nothing compared to the quantity and qaulity of the jig bite. I was throwing my jigs on a Dobyns DX 784C ML Champion Extreme, paired with an ABU Garcia Revo reel, spooled with 12lb. BPS Excel monofiliment. Key was as soon as you felt the bite, to reel until you felt pressure, then set the hook. I missed 10-12 fish the first day by setting as soon as I felt the bite. That actually seemed to be a key for all soft plastics I threw.I definitely want to give a shout out to the folks at Clear Lake Vista Resort. The rooms were very reasonable priced, the docks were nice (power in each berth), they accomadted all of us on fairly short notice, even let one guy stay in his truck tent in the parking lot, and let us BBQ a couple nights on the water front. Besides with the boat ramp not being open (water level), and the dock ramp being a little steep (again, water level), this place is a must, and I know my fellow anglers agree....will be back www.clvresort.com/
Another shout out to the guys and gals at Richmond Park Bar and Grill in Kelseyville. We have been hitting that place up for years, and it always seems like there making more, and more improvements, every time we come back. Great food, Great service, and Great docks, right on the water. www.richmondparkbarandgrill.net/
Thank you all so much for the replies...some great info!
June,July,August ! post spawn bite has been "Awsome"! the last several years ! & the weather is fairly predictable! warm calm days " with some late afternoon & evening winds !....
Fishing was good all summer last couple years. Some people cant handle the heat though.If you come june thru sept. be prepared to have multiple days of over 100 degrees.locals fish til about 10 am or go out in evening and night fish.
I like April, Late June-Early July, and Sept. There's lots of good places to stay where you can dock your boat and re-charge your batteries. Konocti Casino is probably the best. There's also some private lake houses you can rent that have docks if you have a large group. Good luck, and have fun !!
A couple more "tips" for where to stay as opposed to when.
The Clear Lake Vista and the Konocti Vista were the same ownership until 2016. CLV was originally called the Ferndale and I have stayed there many times.
When my club was at the CLV in the spring it was under new owner and the docks were in a state of repair and un-useable. The reason this is a problem is the ramp at this motel is steep and many boats struggle here, especially with low water. The point is to check with them to insure everything is functional.
The Casino has a protected marina and good docks with power, definately a plus.
I may get some heat for this but here goes, do not stay and play in the Clear Lake area, Redbud. I have many times but would not consider this area with a wife and daughter!
Agree with Kromer, I think given the situation (wife and daughter) I would go in may or June. Post spawn bite is generally good and weather is better. Also would stay away from Redbud, but the cottages in Clearlake are nice. I'd personally stay in Lakeport, better all the way around food, lodging and launching.
Have to say for me, I like early Oct. still warm and the big mommas are on a good bite.
Yeah but you're fighting all the TOC's. the rude behavior even during prefish was unbelievable this year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbsmallie
Call Ross England. He will fill you in on the months according to the technique you want to fish or learn.
http://clearlakeguideservice.com/
as you can probably gather' by reading all these replys" that there is no "Bad" time of year !depends on what phase you like to fish the most ? pre spawn, spawn or post spawn ! Clear Lake is pretty much fishable" 350 day a year!.. come out & enjoy !....hire a guide to show you around and take it from there !......