Stage set for colossal Clear Lake catches

Another day of warm, clear conditions bodes well for Stren anglers

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – They needed warmth and they’re getting plenty of it. No doubt, another day of intense sunshine will bring joy to the Clear Lake bass and anglers seeking them in the Stren Series Western Division event.

Day one saw the start of a warming trend that should last through Friday, but an early-week cold front lowered temperatures, and strong winds stirred the lake. Conditions are now settling, and the prespawn fish that had been in limbo during the weather fluctuations started moving into their shallow spawning areas late yesterday.

A few anglers found big fish, including Jim Davis’ 10-10 that took Snickers Big Bass honors on the pro side, and Kyle Baker’s 9-13 – the heaviest co-angler fish. Most had to pick their way through smaller fish.

The scene should change significantly on day two, as a second day of sustained warmth will likely trigger the major spawning movement that anglers have been eagerly awaiting. Cottonwood, Calif., pro Benny Lentz finished day one in 93rd place with 14-4, but he has high hopes for greater success on day two.

“I had plenty of fish yesterday, but they were all the same size – I just needed that one kicker,” Lentz said. “The fished moved up (yesterday), so we’ll get them this morning.”

Planning to flip jigs in the tules at the north end of Clear Lake, Lentz expects day two to deliver big limits – including the one in his bag: “I really do have high hopes (for a big stringer). I’m looking for about 23 to 24 pounds today.”

In 31st place, Gene Gray of Atascadero, Calif., found five on day one for 17 pounds. He intends to leverage his later flight to take advantage of the warm conditions in the afternoon.

“I’m going to go by the same game plan I had yesterday and then spend the afternoon looking for bed fish,” Gray said. “I’ll be throwing a swimbait and covering a lot of water in an area with a mixture of creek mouths, tules, rocks and docks.”

Lincoln, Calif., pro Wade Curtis set the bar high on day one with his whopping limit of 34 pounds, 11 ounces (eighth-heaviest stringer in FLW history). Establishing a lead of 8 pounds, 9 ounces, Curtis caught his fish in prespawn mode. If he locates a bunch of aggressive fish in the shallows, he could be tough to catch. Dan Tracy of Prunedale, Calif., leads the Co-angler Division with 23-7, but Baker (co-angler Big Bass winner) trails by just 6 ounces.

Day one saw 13 stringers of at least 20 pounds on the pro side and five for co-anglers, so many are poised to make big moves on day two. The key for most will be finding groups of big fish that have moved into shallow spawning areas and getting to them before they’ve seen too many baits.

The creeks and tule stands at the lake’s north end hold great potential, but less obvious spawning flats in the south end may see less pressure. Fortunately for the fishermen, sunshine will follow wherever they go.

Logistics

The Stren Series event, which runs April 16-19, is the third of four regular-season Western Division events. Hosted by Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, the Clear Lake tournament offers a total purse of $275,225. The winning pro could earn as much as $65,000 in cash and prizes if contingencies are met, and the winning co-angler could earn as much as $35,000.

Anglers will take off from the Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa marina, located at 8727 Soda Bay Road, at 6:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday. Anglers take off from Redbud Park in Clearlake, Calif. at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Weigh-ins also will be held at the marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 15960 Dam Road in Clearlake, beginning at 4 p.m.

The full field competes Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and the top 10 pros and 10 co-anglers advance to Saturday’s final round. Winners will be determined Saturday by the heaviest accumulated weight from all three days of competition.

Thursday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:31 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 46

Expected high temperature: 76

Water temperature: 62

Wind: SW at 5-7 mph