| September marks a transition time at ClearLake. Air and water tempeatures are at their peak and the bass here will seek areas of the lake where there is low light penatration and cooling water. The primary food source now becomes the everpresent schools of bait fish now flourishing through out the lake.
There will be an early morning and late evening topwater bite found in select areas of the lake. You need to look for little coves and sloughs that these schools of bait fish use during the night as their bedrooms. They travel to and from these areas and many active bass will be out feeding on them at the mouths of these small coves, bays and sloughs. Big poppers, prop baits, Spooks and Jitterbugs are very effective during the first and last hours of sunlight.
During the periods in between, three basic patterns will hold up. The most productive of which I feel is the deep water bite. From Soda Bay, through the Narrows and down to the southern ends of the lake, you will find many structural changes, humps and rock piles that the largest of Clear Lake's bass, generally use. The most productive zone is that 24 foot range. Any structural change at that depth, is a primary trigger zone for catching these deep fish.
Productive baits to use are a black or brown jig with a single or double tail Yamamoto trailor. Big 8-10" plastics in dark colors also temp the biggest of these deeper bass. Berkely Power worms are an excellent choice. And for you SENKO lovers, scale up to the bigger 9L bait and git it down there.
Another great pattern this time of year is tossing crankbaits. Through out the day, many fish will gather under the security of the thousands of docks found through out the lake. Big lipped baits in chartruese shad and brown or red craw patterns will produce many bites in these areas.
One other great pattern that holds this time of year is the frog bite. Most of this is done up on the main northern portion of the lake. The banks are shallow and loaded with tulles and weeds. As the day progresses and the sun pounds the water's surface, these fish will tuck in under these grass beds next to the tulles. Fish hat frog in the open water around the tulles and open grass pockets. The excitement of this bite will thrill the weakest of hearts.
And if you aren't finding fish on any of these patterns, there is one that goes when all else fails. Tie on a 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz jig. Tip it with an electric blue Wacko Bump, split the tail on this bait. Then go looking for tha many matted clumps of grass found through out the lake. Put that jig combo right in the middle of te thickest part of the clumps and yo-yo it up and down, 10-15 times and hold on!
When fishing is tough up here during the day, many a local fisherman and guides go out at night, stick to the southern ends of the lake and try to find areas where you can be protected from the late northern winds that come up. Big black worms and jigs, will boat you the nicest of Clear Lakes Trophy bass.
Good Luck & Keep A Tight Line! | 
