Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3817 August 2- 16 2019 | Page 7
Aug 2 - 16, 2019
VOL.38 • ISS. 17
5
Spotlight On Kayak Fishing...
Sponsered by
Kayak City
in Citrus Heights, CA
Kayak City.Com
916.565.1400
Small Lake Bass
Fishing in the
Summer Heat
By Wes Ward
Bass fishing in the Summer heat can get tough on many
big lakes and reservoirs. The bass scatter and suspend in
deeper water to escape rising water temps, making them
challenging to find and even more challenging to get to
bite. Along with a tough bite, the summer temperatures
also attract pleasure boaters to many of our favorite
waterways, presenting whole different set of challenges
for kayakers.
Clementine is a perfect destination for the kids to get in on the action.
I often chose to chase bass on smaller lakes in the
Photo by Wes Ward, Fish Sniffer Staff.
summer. Not only do they tend to be less crowded, but
the bass are less affected by the heat with fewer options
to hide. Lake Clementine, just outside of Auburn CA, on
the North Fork of the American River is one of my favorite summer hangouts. on light tackle. Start pitching the senko in the shallows early, and slowly
The lake is relatively small at just under 3 miles long and a few hundred
move offshore as the sun creeps up in the morning focusing on submerged
yards wide. Although it is relatively deep, the bass tend to pile up on the
trees and brush. It’s not the most effective way to cover water but will
steep banks among the tule patches and many laydowns lining the lake in the
produce all day long.
summer months. On any given day, you can find a ton of bass up to three
My favorite technique for targeting larger bass in the lake is to work big
or four pounds within a few yards of the shore, making it ideal for kayak
topwater plugs at first light. A Whopper Plopper seldom fails to produce
anglers.
a few big blowups. Work the bait right along the edge of the tules VERY
Fish are
slowly where the bass push baitfish against the cover.
typically easy to
Lake Clementine is not going to produce huge numbers of big fish, but is a
catch on just about great place
any tackle you
to beat the
choose. Crank-
heat away
baits and spinner-
from the
baits are almost
crowds on
sure to attract
any given
numbers of small
day. Access
bass anytime of
is very easy
the day. Jigs and
for kayakers
plastics worked on at the main
the bottom a few
launch, and
yards off the shore the size of
will land bigger
the lake
fish.
is perfect
My go-to setup
to cover
at Clementine is
much of the
a wacky rigged,
lake in a
weightless senko
morning.
Access at Lake Clementine is excellent for kayakers. The
launch has plenty of room and is very well protected from
current and wind.
The Lake Clementine dam was erected in the late 1930s to stop the
flow of silt down the American River.
AMERICA’S FAVORITE
LANDING NET BRAND!
55555
"BEST NET I HAVE OWNED"
"EXCELLENT HIGH QUALITY NET"
"GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE"
Targeting laydowns with crankbaits is an effective way to find active bass along
the steep banks.
SAVVY ANGLERS VISIT
WWW.EGOFISHING.COM