We are going to clear lake in July and are new to fishing in california. what do you all recommend to catch bass or trout is there a better time of day? thanks

Hello and welcome to the site :) Clear Lake has lots of bass but it doesn't have any trout in it. Well maybe one or two have been caught there but they are not stocked and by no means worth fishing for.

In July the weather will probably be very hot so your best times to fish are early morning and late evening. Clear lake is known for an excellent summer time bass bite and things to use are lures like frogs, zara spooks, rattle traps, speed traps, senkos and drop shot. If you just want to go catch numbers of fish, try a 6" roboworm in MMIII color on a drop shot setup. Throw your frogs around the matted weeds and try your zara spooks early or late around the tullies and weedlines. If it's windy, pick up your crankbaits and rattle traps and give those a go.

If bass is tough, another thing to try is crappie. The docks at Konocti are a very popular place to fish for the crappie with mini jigs or whatever you like.

hope that helps!

You just got some great recommendations, I'll second all of those! The other advice I can give you is to pick up a Norman Crankbait Deep Little 'N or DD-22 in either a crawdad or shad color and throw that. Depending on conditions when you arrive you may only catch a few on it but its very plausible to have 100 fish days with that bait.

Matt

Hey Matt! Thanks! Off to the local bait store I go.
Should be a lot of fun.
All the best
Crystal:-)

Hi Again guys!
You guys have been great and I have yet another question OK? I have been researching these lures and am having a tough time finding some of these in little old Placerville. Maybe the bait shops up in Clearlake? Also, from what I have been able to attain, I am confused about the techniques. I am thinking that I tie the roboworm on with a leader and a small spit shot 12 or so inches down and bounce these off the bottom????? HELP! Also what size hook do I need. Are the rattle traps top water fishing? I am pretty new at this california fishing stuff, the first time out actually. Arg!
Any advice?
Thanks so much.
Crystal

Here is a run down on how to do drop shotting
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/guides/dropshot.html

6" Roboworms are a good place to start lure wise
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpageSFWROBO-RW45ST.html

The M.M. III color is very popular. Oxblood light red flake is also great.

A rattle trap is also called a lipless crankbait. A really good cheap rattletrap type lure is the Cordell Super spot which goes for $3 but catches fish just as good as a lot of $15 baits. Chrome and black is always a good bet color wise
http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpageHDLCOTTON-CSS.html

There are quite a few tackle stores around Clear Lake. This website has a good listing of the local shops about half way down the page.
http://www.lakecounty.com/things/fishing.html

I don't know a ton about the different shops at Clear Lake but some of the ones you hear about commonly are Limit Out Bait & Tackle and Tackle It. If you went to those shops, they'd have the right type of lures for Clear Lake.

-Rob

Hi Guys! These sites are great! Once I saw the pictures I made the note of what was already in my tackle box, and then I went to the local Walmart tonight and found most everything on the recommended list, even the roboworms, so picked up a few of what i think looks effective. Going to get busy and tie up a few drop shot rigs from the pictures.
Thanks again for all of your help
Really appreciate it.
PS - Picked up the boat today, it is really nicer than the pictures. Going to take it out for a spin on Jenkinson Lake (any advice for this one? Sly Park California) mid week this week. My understanding is that they stock trout there along side the native bass. The locals say bobber fishing with corn? I want trout for the table so is this going to work? Arrg!
Thanks again
Crystal

Hello! Thank you very much for the advice. Did not know about the trout so that is a good thing to know before I bait up! The Bass fishing should be fun. I did that back in Wisconsin where I grew up so hopefully the techiques are close to the same. all the best
Crystal:-)