Back to Clear Lake 6-23-21

[Pat Dilling]

Clear Lake has been our happy place lately.  Kate and I went on Wednesday and had a decent day for size, but not so many numbers.  Water temp was 71 when we launched.  The typical summer algae bloom is definitely on, more in some places than others.  So the water looks scummy in top, but is actually fairly clear underneath.  We targeted rocky areas with deep water not far behind us in the South end of the lake.  Still primarily jig and finesse baits for us.  We were using Z-Man Hula Sticks in green pumpkin and PB&J, and a drop shot with halogram shad 4" worm.  I have heard there is a topwater bite and tried for a while, but no luck.  Kate Started us off with a nice 2.5.  We moved to a location we did well last time and we both lost decent fish.  Kate is still new to fishing and learned that you do not try to horse a good fish to the net.  Then in the space of 15 minutes I caught a 4.54 and then a 5.48.  After that I moved us to areas new to me that I had selected via map study.  These we more subtle rocky points with flats falling into deeper water.  We found a few more, but most in the 2 pound range.  We finally ended up back where we started. I was using a drop shot and hooked up something big.  I evidently had my drag too tight and before I could get it loosened the fish pulled my rod under the boat and snapped my line. So I learned something too.   Hardest pull I have had in a long time.  I was using 15# braid with 10# Seguar fluorocarbon leader.   Will never know what had me, Clear Lake has some huge catfish, but I prefer to think it was a big bass.    Kate ended the day catching a nice crappie.

[coldfront]

great report.  was fortunate to get to fish Clear Lake one day while out in Cali on a work detail.
would have loved more time on it.  very interesting, and I thought, diverse habitat, in that lake.

I'd be wondering just how big that bass was too!
I'm in the Bill Dance drag school:  I tighten just to the point I get a little slippage on a really hard hookset.  and clamp thumb down for added support during the hookset.  but there's just a bit of give if a big fish takes that 'big surge'...

[Pat Dilling]

Let me add that Clear Lake is extremely low and has rock piles where you least expect them, even around launch ramps.    Be careful and stay in the middle of channel marker lanes.  I would get off plane and use the trolling motor at least 40-50 yards off shore.

[Pat Dilling]

great report.  was fortunate to get to fish Clear Lake one day while out in Cali on a work detail.
would have loved more time on it.  very interesting, and I thought, diverse habitat, in that lake.

I'd be wondering just how big that bass was too!
I'm in the Bill Dance drag school:  I tighten just to the point I get a little slippage on a really hard hookset.  and clamp thumb down for added support during the hookset.  but there's just a bit of give if a big fish takes that 'big surge'...

Thanks, With finesse set ups I usually keep my drag fairly loose and do a "reel set" or "sweep set".  This usually works well with ultra sharp wire style hooks.  This was a new reel and I guess I have not learned it yet.  Normally in open water like we were in I want the drag loose enough that a big fish can pull line off with some tension and just take my time getting it back.  This one just kicked my butt and there was no way I could turn it before half my rod was under the boat.

[Mike Cork]

Man I'll take size over numbers any day!!! Congrats on some great catches.

You are entered into the Dobyns Champion Series rod giveaway, post more reports for more entries
click here for giveaway rules