Supermat

Come on out! Clearlake is an awesome fishery. As the time draws closer feel free to contact me and I'll try to key you guys into the bite a little bit. This far out, any info you get will just be generalities.

I had the pleasure of speaking with an outdoor writer for BASS magazine last week. Their coverage will be minimal but ANY coverage of the issue by a national publication is a great step. The country needs to be aware of what is taking place. I applaud them as an organization for taking an interest in West coast issues. Thank you!

Flyfisher, I see your point. If I really thought this fight was about Hitch my stand would be geared toward finding a true compromise that would protect all of that species. What I really believe is happening is an intertwining of multiple political issues. Not far away is the California Delta. The Delta is a battle ground right now for state water rights issues. Plan are being made (and being fast tracked to completion) to bypass the Delta all together and take the water South. Having the largemouth become an "invasive species" at Clearlake sets the precedent needed to push the Delta tunnels through. With stripers already considered invasive, the largemouth following suit makes the argument to let the Delta's water quality fall to the wayside a much simpler argument. Additionally, I've seen more hitch in the last 12 months than in the last 10 years combined. Their population is booming! Its growing in portions of the lake that it wasn't in, in recent years. If anything, they are on the rise because they're adapting to changing depths and water quality.

Its a real problem. The center for biological diversity led the lawsuit that ended trout stocking in many of our lakes. Some lakes have resumed planting but most have not. It happens that quickly. "Native" species matter more than "invasive" species and "threatened" species matter most of all. Turning a blind eye will not get us anywhere. This IS happening and there are plenty of negative examples around the state and nation that show what talking heads in a courtroom can do to a lake once they decide one species matters more than another. As much as I love the shops around Clearlake, I would not expect a lot of help to come from them. Of the three, Clearlake Outdoors will take an interest for sure but a group of people looking to push an agenda will not take a lot of inspiration from a tackle shop. I'm not trying to put a negative spin out there, I'm trying to be realistic. Raising a united voice against what is being done is the best approach. I've seen the "science" they've used to make these rulings and its appalling. I'm on that lake day in and day out and see the hitch's movements on a regular basis. While they're spouting about zero hitch in Adobe this year (the mouth had a sandbar in it) thousands of hitch successfully spawned just one bay over. They didn't all die, they moved. I've attempted to share that information with the biologists to no avail. The reality is, there is a political agenda that has very little to do with hitch. They are a stepping stone in a greater picture so if you want to save your bass, knuckle down for a fight because whatever we're seeing in front of us is not the true battle at all. Sure I'm just a fisherman but I'm a fisherman with a lot of time on the water. That time has allowed me to see a lot of things that directly dispute the incomplete science being used in the court room. That's enough for a 7 AM rant. :-)

I've been wearing the Simms for several years. I like them because they're light but it never fails that the face begins to rip. I've probably gone through 6 or 7. I just picked up a few from Salt Armour, just trying something different.

I'd love to weigh in on this topic as well. Like many, i still use original power pro for a lot of applications. That said, more and more I'm shifting to 832. They're both great lines and both work extremely well. My only complaint, and really, its not a complaint at all is that Sufix 832 sinks. While this is generally a non-issue, you need to be aware of it if you use it for topwater and intend to fish slowly. I fish it for frogs quite a bit but my frogs are always in motion. Just something to be aware of. If you're slow fishing, power pro is still the go to. I too have tried the Supercast and just like shanksmare, had issues with the coating coming off at my connection knots. The line was definitely weakened and had some major problems. That's not a line I will try again. Just some thoughts... hopefully they're helpful.

StarCraft, Talking to him a few weeks ago it sounded like he was down on the river now. As far as I know he plans to be bass fishing in the late fall/winter but am not 100% sure when he's coming back up. Pearl is a good dude and can stack the fish!

If I had to choose just one setup for a tube, it would be my Dobyns DX783 Spinning. Reel... whatever happens to be hanging on it. :-) Unlike a lot of the guys, I spool 20 lb Sufix 832 Braid then tie an 8 lb Flouro Leader. I'm using 3 1/2 inch double-dipped tubes so pretty thin baits compared to say, a coffee tube. I rig on a 3/16 or 1/4 oz head with a 60 degree light wire jig hook.

There is no doubt there are bass out in the current. They may not be there all the time but when they want to feed, they're moving out there and gorging. How deep is the river? I ask because you want to remember, you can have slow pockets on the bottom, not just the sides. Anywhere you have high spots with pockets behind them (watch the depth finder) bass will fill those holes as well and eat the food as it passes overhead. That said, the fish on the bank will be an easier target in the beginning. Squarebills and lipless cranks are an easy option. Throw at a 45 degree angle up stream to start and just run it down the banks... the fish will help you adjust from there. I also find that throwing a heavy jig or heavy shaky head and just letting the current drag it down the bank can be deadly effective when the fish are feeding. As mentioned above, calm pockets are a given. If there is a tree or boulder breaking the current the bass won't be far. I hope that at least gives you a start!

I appreciate you throwing my name in the mix. August is a great time to come up to Clearlake, the frog bite is BOOMING! I can be reached at 707-514-9704 if you've not yet locked in a trip. I'm not sure I have much availability left but if not, would be happy to recommend other quality guides that might. Its a great time of year, you definitely need to find a way to get out there! Matt Allen

Dink, September is a great time to be here! The Fall transition will just be starting. There's still plenty of topwater fishing but you'll have a shot at some swimbait, crankbait, and jig fish as well. I love that time of year! Don't worry about the algae blooms. For whatever reason, the water is already clearing up. We've got 3-5 feet of visibility in places we normally have 0-3" of vis. I guide on Clearlake, Berryessa, and the CA Delta. In September there is no question you should be at Clearlake. By the time you get to Napa you'll have already done the bulk of the driving. Its roughly an hour from there to the lake. There is a reason Clearlake was just ranked the #2 lake in the nation. Its an AMAZING fishery! I love the Delta but it is more complicated and in the fall can be heavily influenced by weather. Clearlake on the other hand is generally quite consistent and offers a shot at GIANTS. My home is in the Delta but I choose to do the drive (and guide) every week on Clearlake because the fishing is that much better much of the year. They're both worth experiencing just to say you've done it but if you want a shot at fishing you'll never forget, do the drive. I'm not here to push my business but feel free to contact me on everything from fishing to winery recommendations. I'm not on the board that often anymore but feel free to call/text 707-514-9704. I hope you guys have a great time on your tour of California! Matt Allen

Try what is up there now. That's crazy, can't even put the words together.

I try to keep my knot selection very simple. The four knots I use are the San Diego Jam, the Palomar, the double palomar, and the blood knot. I filmed a video on how to tie them and its hosted on our blog. Unfortunately if I put the word tactical next to the word bassin in order to create a url this website eliminates it like nothing I've ever seen! Who knew it was so hard to give helpful information. If you can figure it out for yourself from that you'll enjoy the video!

Where's the photo of that one jig fish you caught?

Thanks!