I noticed that, by numbers, that the fishing might be a little tough. What do most of you attribute this to?

Post spawn or spawn?
Numbers of people fishing the same general area?
Certain area of lake? It's usually at State Park, isn't it? Maybe this area will be better.

This is mostly just a topic for discussion.

In the past we have never hit it when the bite has been good. This year it should be much better. The spawn isnt in full swing yet so there will be some post spawn and spawning fish. Location will be a bit better then state park this year as well. The keys hold a ton of site fish and flip fish. State Park is complete diffrent then the Keys.

I haven't been on Clear Lake this year to see what's up but in years past, late May would find the lake in a mostly post spawn state with a few bed fish left hanging around. Typically by late May there have been big boat tournaments for a good 3 months every single weekend. For a tuber or kickboater to weigh a 20lb bag, you have to get real lucky or find some secluded water. The water that's typically good will have a bunch of boats on it constantly which cuts down on the size of the limits.

In a boat if you have good water, you can run around to different spots and get a 4lb fish here and and a 4lb fish there there. In a tube/kickboat you might get one or two of those quality fish but getting 5 of them is hard. Some of the guys who did well last year ran around in their trucks to get a few quality fish at each spot. Kind of like being in a boat :) The guys who do well will either do something like that, or they will find one of those kick ass Clear Lake holes where you throw into the same spot 3 casts in a row and pull out three big fish.

I have to agree with Rob. The lake is tough in May. The water is clear & the bass seem to mostly be in post-spawn.

I will say that last May, on Saturday, John Broussard came by in his boat. He & his partner had something like 5 fish for 35 lbs caught on swimbaits. Some of that may have been from sight fishing - I don't know. William Perez had a great Sunday by catching 20 lbs on a Carolina rig from a relatively small area near State Park. But Kevin ran away with it by sight fishing the south end. I guess he & Jeff were able to locate some bed fish. Plus, Kevin is a good sight fisherman.

The good thing in May is that, even if you're only able to scrounge up a small limit each day, you have a good chance of finishing in the money.

I'm also going with what Rob has to say as it is so very true. The good thing is it does seem the fishing has been quite a bit different this year with the VERY high water that John saw the other week. Should open up much more flipping water which is always fun. I actually ran to the Keys both days last year and should have finished better but as I said on a previous post, did not change a bent hook until I had lost three quality fish. Oops :*

I would primarily count on more of a post spawn bite with a few fish left hanging onto the spawn. Let's hope for some bad weather so we can get more sight fish for our tourney ;)

Can't wait!

Todd

Regardless of the response, I'm still making the journey. With no regrets.

With what has been said, is it fair to say that I am at a HUGE disadvantage here? Not only have I never fished the lake (which doesn't bother me) I have never seen it.

That pretty much eliminates 'running'. I wouldn't know where to go?

What can I expect as far as fishing areas. You guys have already touched on the time frame (spawn, post spawn). Is the primary area around M&M just bank pounding? Or...are there plenty of docks, trees, mats, drop offs? I'm not asking anyone to give away their areas, just wondering what to expect when I get there?

If you plan to stay around the Keys, you've got docks, docks & more docks, plus some scattered tules & other vegetation. Finding areas where the boats can't get to can often be productive back there.


Have you seen this satellite shot, which I've posted before? These are the Keys (the camping and 'home' launch site is off that outer peninsula):


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/2372.jpg

Jeff thanks. I've looked at that several times. I've also looked at a couple topo maps. I guess my main question or concern is how far is it to get to all those docks and tullie areas? Are we talking like a 30 minute row? That's not a problem, I just would like to go into it knowing, since I can only have a gameplan based on past reports.

woodsac,

The keys is a fishing paradise. Docks, tullies, wood, rock, it has it all. Expect heavy cover and moderate water clarity anywhere from 2 to 5 feet. If you go outside the keys you have rockpiles and heavy tully banks. I don't think you'll be at a disadvantage too bad having never fished it before. Anyone can run into the fish. Just remember at Clear Lake if you stick one good fish, keep pounding that spot. The fish for whatever reason tend to really group up at Clear Lake and if they are feeding you can sometimes pull several nice fish out really fast.

Thanks, that helps a lot! Good to know about the grouping of fish as well. I just didn't want to get stuck fishing open water or a flat bank somewhere I have never fished. With the info you just gave me, even if don't lots of catching, it'll still be fun fishing :-)

I think that anyone who does not fish this lake regularly is at a dis-advantage but isn't that always the case? IMO SCBBC has some excellent fishermen and they fish this lake more frequently than other clubs which tends to give them an advantage as a club in general. That being said, a Clear Lake rookie can still win it as the lake could kick out some mighty big bass and as always with fishing luck is involved.

The keys has a lot of stuff to throw to: submerged trees, docks, weedbeds, etc. Personally I am glad we are back at M & M; that way maybe I won't hear Mitch stick a big fish directly behind me throwing the same bait as me!

I can't wait to get up to Clear Lake, win or lose. I think that it and the Delta are my best chance to catch a trophy bass.

Buzzfish

I noticed that about the overall weights for two days. Some people that did well first day, blanked on day two, or vise versa. That's what's so interesting about two dayers. I had a 4+ pound lead on day one of one of ours last season. Then I could only come up with one fish the next day, which left me in second place.

I have fished clear lake 2 times this month. The first time was 2 weeks ago the again last weekend. We fished the keys. All I can say is the bite is pretty damn good. A friend of mine and I got close to 30 fish on the first trip biggest went 3.1. with 5 going around 14. Alotof nice fsh just no real size anywhere. Then last weekend I blanked(just wasnt my day) but my friend and Dad did well. My Dads biggest was around 3.5 He landed 11. My buddy on the first day landed around 10 biggest 3.2 Then the nextday around 15 fish biggest over 8. The bite is good now(I wont say what they are biting on but they are biting). Good luck to everyone fishing. See you there!!!

IFISH say's,

Drop-Shotting Spinnerbaits ??:+ :+ }( Or is it sight fishin helicoptor lures ? hehe Just being a silly fool guy's ! :+

IFISH

I'm heading up there in a friend's boat this weekend. What is the water clarity like right now? Did you fish all over the lake or only around the keys?

I'll give a full report when I return... hopefully with a few pictures.:7

Mike F

Maybe I shouldn't be sharing this but I want you guys to do well and realize what a great lake Clear is.

If you're fishing near somebody and see them hook a fish, keep a mental picture of the spot, location, methods, etc. If they continue on quickly don't be afraid to fish it again using something different. You'll be suprised how many good fish can come like this.

Also, if you see an area that's being pounded by numerous anglers (especially if you see boats coming in, hitting it, leaving, another boat comes in hits it, leaves, etc) and NOT producing fish, make SURE to also hit this area. Like the other guys have mentioned, the fish tend to school up at Clear and you'd be amazed how they can turn on and off during the course of the day.

Hope I'm not spoiling too many secrets!

Todd

Thanks Todd.

Don't worry, your sectet is safe with me :P

I'll give you the rest of Todd's secrets later. lol If I had some I would give you some as well.

Heres a little article on clear lake patterns this time of year,you may or may not have seen it but for those who haven`t it provides some pretty good info.
http://www.norcalbass.com/articles/695

Also go to this site and watch the video, "Clear Lake Top to Bottom".

http://www.westernbass.tv/