Clear Lake Trip...PICS HEAVY

[Bassinator]

Hey so I had to try out the amazing clear lake so my dad and I went down there for about a week to fish. We hired a guide the first day just to see what was really hot at the time. We did top water with spooks in the early morning and drop shot in the afternoon. we fished all day with our guide and the biggest fish we caught was around 3 pounds and I'm thinking, "What??? this can't be right". The next day we decided to stick to the same tactics and the very first fish we caught was a monster. We were fishing around some pilings in about 25 feet of water and were marking some crappie schools. I made the first cast and hooked into something huge with my drop shot. I could hardly lift her with my spinning rod, and then the hook popped out. While I was laying on the deck crying.. my dad says, "lets see if he is still there" and casts right back in the same spot and hooks this monster.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake_bass_trip_BIG_ONE_-33.jpg
:clap:
She measured about 24.5 inches long and had an 18 inch girth. She was huge. After that you can only imagine what rigging we stuck with. we then fished the rest of that day and the rest of the week with drop shots and spooks around docks, pilings, and rock piles and we averaged around 3 pounds per fish. We went back to the same pilings a lot and caught tons of fish including this nice 4.5 pounder with the same drop shot rigging.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake-32.jpg
This trip was a blast and I think I am spoiled now.:laugh:
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake-08.jpg
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake-53.jpg
Heres another pick of that hog with me holding it.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake_bass_trip_BIG_ONE_-35.jpg
My sis even caught one so it made it worth it for her. haha.
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/clear_lake-14.jpg
I looked up those measurements and the site said around 9.5 pounds but I want your input on how big it was. Thanks for reading.

[MikeN]

Clear Lake will ruin you for life. You won't want to fish the ponds around here after catching so many 4 lbers in a row that your arms are sore.

I figure the monster was around 9 maybe bigger. We caught some big bass down there --- but they did not have the belly girth that your pig has. Our's were right at 7 and skinny?? Your's has to be at least 9.

Sounds like you one incredible trip. Congrats on the big fish!!:clap:

How was the frog bite?? That's what I'm hooked on now--hammering those big Clear Lake fish on a frog--nothing like it!!

We will be there again for a week in July.

[Bassinator]

Ya I was thinking 9 or bigger and thanks for your input. The top water bite was really slow and we hardly had a bite. But I never did try a frog. I imagine it would be good to skip under docks with those frogs. Thats probably what you did well on. haha. 7 pounds is huge too so.. congrats on those fish.

[Super Fluke]

That fish is right about at 9 lbs. Now you just need to get a fish that big here in the north west.

[ExBassGuide]

:bowdown::applause::smash::dance::agree::eek::pass out::bigshock::cheers:

NICE!!!!
great job man!!!!!
Roger

[Jade Monkey]

nice to see what i have to look forward too !!!! wife and i have a trip planed the first week of Oct. .... thanks for sharing:clap:

[1bigfish]

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

[Bassinator]

Hey Jade Monkey, where are you staying down there?

[Hunt'nFish]

Great report!!!! Looks like a lot of fun. That's a real pig your Ol'Man caught. WOW!
Next time don't forget the scales. ;)
Loved the pics.
Hunt'nFish

[Jade Monkey]

if i might ask how much was your out of state fishing license cost ya?

[Bassinator]

37.50 for 10 days... its expensive.:bigshock:

[MikeN]

You also have to wear the license in plain site on your clothes.

We bought the necklace style license holder to be legal. I thought this was a little weird but it is the law down there!!

Also you might want to check your speed on the freeway as it is 55 when towing a boat in California. CHP likes Oregon plates towing boats around 65/70 mph down there!!!!

It is a long haul down there but---well worth it!!

[Jade Monkey]

thanks for the info ..... a buddy told me about balloon fishing with minnows anyone else tried this or is it legal in cali...??? ( maybe this should be another thread?)

[Knot in leader]

It is legal down there but most people use a sliding egg sinker and fish on the bottom.

[Knot in leader]

Nice fishing report and love that flat water in the background. We had wind all week while we were there.:clap:

[Bassinator]

Ya it was glass the whole time we were there... but it sometimes got up to 104 degrees:passout: