w this eleswhere:

"There are reports being circulated that a bass weighing 22 pounds 7 ounces was caught at Clear Lake, California today (March 8, 2005) by someone pre-fishing for an EverStart tournament. Reports are sketchy as are attempts to confirm the story, but apparently FLW and DFG officials are in the process of locating and certifying the scale used to weigh the fish."

Anybody heard or know about this...........???

Dan

I'm gonna go way out on a limb here and guess that this is just another stupid rumor started by someone who knows that 22-7 is just exactly enough to break the WR. Quite a few threads about this on other websites, but not one first hand report. Pretty sure Clear lake couldn't produce a WR anyhow.

I called Dorothy Higgins form Limit Out in Clear Lake Oaks and she said that people had been coming and going all day (FLW crowd) and that nobody could confirm this rumor. She seemed to think that with as many people that she spoke to today that were on the lake, one of them would have know something. IMHO, its just rumor.

I seriously doubt that Clear Lake has the potential to kick out a 20 plus based on A) lack of a longer growing season B) lack of trout, and C) lack of pure florida genes, most if not all have been back bred many times through with northerns.

I dont know of the rumor but the lake does have the potential,there are other forms of good forage,hitch ,bluegill,small bass,carp etc..Granted I would expect the rumor to be more true if the lake had trout in it or if the report came from a trout stocked lake like Casitas.
brian

I sort of doubt the rumor is ture either but I don't doubt there is a few 20+lb fish out there. I was on Clear Lake saturady and cought over 250 lmb on jerk baits what a blast! Eventhought most of them were not very big they still fisht like crazy, my friend got 2 fish on one lure twice aswell. You would think with a ton of small bass the big boys will eat them just aswell as trout also don't forget all the crappie and hitch.
Taylor

Guys, Aaron Martens, Art Berry and myself all have seen a 20+ @ Clear Lake, it's VERY possible.

Well, guys on nbcf are saying its a hoax now. People were sure trippin off of this one though. Those cell phone calls were flying left and right lol. There's lots of lakes where the WRB could be and that's all part of the excitement of chase :)

When you're out fishing this spring, remember to bring your camera, scale, measuring tape, and cell phone. Program in the DFG numbers and don't forget that the number for caltip is on the back of your fishing license if you're in a pinch. If you're in a small boat with no livewell, now is the time to buy that 70 or 100 quart cooler and some catch and release livewell additive or similar. I don't want to hear any stories from forum regulars this year about giant fish with with no pics because the camera was at home, no weight because the scale was in the truck, or about fish that got killed from over handling with no livewell. Get prepared, it cold be you who catches that next pig.

Thanks for the update and good advive on catching a big one.


FIT

Back in the early nineties DFG shocked a 26 pound large mouth Bass out of Clear Lake.

I never under estimate a large natural lake.
This lake has been around way before the Indians.

Clear Lake has unbelievable fertility, and an unbelievable forage base. However, it doesnt have trout, and trout are higher in protein than any other forage. What that translates into is much more rapid growth rates. Eating trout, aka protein pills, is what enables bass to reach 20 plus before they reach their maximum age, without trout, and especially in a cooler region, its very unlikely that a bass would grow to over 20. This is what I meant by I doubt Clear lake could produce a 20 plus in the absence of trout. Hitch and all those other bait fish just dont have the growth potential for bass that trout do.

Couple this with the fact that very few fish over 15, well actually 13, are caught from Clear Lake, and its even more unbelievable a 20 plus is in Clear Lake (there was a 16.5 caught cranking there about a year ago though, I saw pics and my buddy weighed it).

Sure a freak is always possible, but IMHO its highly unlikely at Clear Lake.

And until I see a pic of a carp netter or DFG hoisting a 25 pounder from Clear Lake, theres no way I would ever believe a 25 pounder swims in Clear Lake. However, I would love to eat my words!

... have access to trout for forage?

Probably not ...

Just a thought.

I can't wait to see a new WRB from anywhere!!

Check out: http://www.record-bee.com/Stories/0,1413,255%257E26902%257E2754785,00.html

I also believe Trout is a high protein source for the making of a WR.
Also believe that all birds of feather, Rodents, Reptiles, and Crayfish play a big part too.

Bass are opportunist when feeding.

Early Clear Lake was a big source of a commercial crayfish, which is still a large amounts of crayfish line the shores.
Thinking - lots of easy protein.

What ever :+

I would like for some day have the opportunity to witness a record breaking fish. ANYWHERE!

here is a 20lbs from hodges. no need for trout to hit a record fish. the trout just make it happen faster. <http://www.sdfish.com/gallery/albums/Old%20Gallery/Freshwater/60.jpg>
chip gilbert .... bassaholics clothing