Unclear on Clear Lake

Fall’s transition presents challenges, opportunities for FLW Series field

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – When Charlie Weyer placed third at the Walmart FLW Series event last month on the California Delta, choices were simple. This week, it’s not so straightforward for the National Guard Western Division’s final event of 2009, taking place on Clear Lake.

Indeed, fall’s first cold front arrived about two weeks ago and dropped daytime air temperatures about 10 degrees. That one, along with a lesser front earlier this week, sent baitfish and the bass that chase them scrambling. The result is a rather jumbled-up Clear Lake with tournament-grade fish scattered from the north end’s shallow shoreline vegetation to the deep rocky stuff at the southern extreme.

Recalling his Delta experience in which punching weed mats accounted for the vast majority of fish, Weyer said Clear Lake will stand in stark contrast: “In the Delta, I had two rods on my deck; I come here and I have 15. This is junk-fishing at its best.

“There’s a lot of diversity and a lot of different patterns working right now. You can catch them shallow, you can catch them deep – you just have to make the right choices. I’ve never seen so many patterns working on a lake. I’ve probably caught them on eight to 10 different baits.”

Noting the local axiom of “throw it all in the fall,” Weyer said that Clear Lake’s fickle nature is typical for autumn’s transitional period. Progressively cooler weather, high pressure associated with passing fronts and the movement of baitfish will the lake’s bass in a state of flux. Baitfish are probably the most consistently influential factor. A bass will tolerate a little conditional discomfort, but he won’t miss a meal.

“These conditions will push the bait up shallow, it pushes the bait deep,” Weyer said. “Wherever the bait’s going to be, that’s where the fish are going to be. They really don’t know where they want to be – they just want to eat.”

In practice, Weyer was catching fish shallow early in the morning, moving deeper by midmorning, and then returning shallow for the afternoon warmth. A lot of anglers will crank shoreline points early, while others start off with jigs. Throughout the day, deep cranking, Carolina-rigging, drop-shotting and Texas-rigging will produce fish.

Such diversity can be mind boggling, but the flipside is that everyone can fish their strengths. With so many patterns presenting the potential for productivity, switching gears and trying various tactics should safeguard most from coming up empty. Those who’ve dialed in their patterns will ride the train as long as it produces.

Orinda, Calif., pro Zack Thompson said he’s going to focus his efforts on the fish eating crawdads in 12 to 20 feet. He’ll use a jig and a deep-diving crankbait most of today in hopes of securing a good bag. Flight order, he said, will probably play a big role as the tournament progresses. Those who take off early will get to fish their prime spots, but later starts on subsequent days may deny them the same first-shot privileges on following days.

“Clear Lake in the fall always has really good fishing deep and shallow,” Thompson said. “I think you’re going to see some good bags today, with some guys not being able to follow up tomorrow.”

The week’s forecast shows a warming trend, and Thompson said that bodes well for anglers: “The front that came through this week will affect the bite a little bit. I don’t think it will be as good today as it will be the end of the week. I think the warmer weather will help. Clear Lake has a lot of Florida-strain largemouths and they don’t like the cold snaps.”

Ish Monroe of Hughson, Calif., said he’s also looking for the lake to stabilize throughout the week and produce some of the big bass for which it’s known: “The great thing is we had a day off to give the fish time to settle (no practice the day before the event). This is Clear Lake, so 10-pounders are always going to happen. I’m pretty sure there will be several fish over 8 pounds and possibly one over 10.”

Thompson’s weigh-in prediction: “I think there are going to be some good weights caught. I’ll be happy with 17 to 19 pounds – that would just tickle me to death. If I can do that three days in a row, I think I’ll be sitting pretty. Somebody’s going to have a 25-pound bag today, but I think the majority of guys are going to come in with 13 to 14 pounds.”

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Konocti Harbor Resort, located at 8727 Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville, Calif., at 7:30 Thursday and Friday morning. Saturday, anglers take off from Redbud Park, located at 14655 Lakeshore Drive in Clear Lake, Calif. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at Konocti Harbor Resort beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Walmart store located at 15960 Dam Road in Clear Lake, beginning at 4 p.m.

Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in at Walmart from noon to 4 p.m. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. The Fun Zone will also include fishing seminars from the National Guard pros, rod and reel giveaways and a drawing for a $300 Walmart gift card. All activities are free and open to the public.

The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days.

Wednesday’s conditions

Sunrise: 7:28 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 48 degrees

Expected high temperature: 73 degrees

Water temperature: 65 degrees

Wind: W at 5 mph

Max. humidity: 85 percent

Day’s outlook: partly sunny