Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3803 Jan 17- Feb 1 2019 | Page 7

VOL.38 • ISS. 3 Jan 17 - Feb 1, 2019 FRESHWATER 5 Spotlight On Kayak Fishing... Sponsored by Kayak City in Citrus Heights, CA Kayak City.Com 916.565.1400 Clear Lake Kayak Catfish Hunt! By Kevin Hofer Known to many as the “Bass Capital of the West” there is a lot more to this livers or special place than bass. Clear Lake is the oldest lake in North America at an a night astonishing 480,000 years, and is also the largest natural freshwater lake in crawler. California. Don’t let the size of the lake or the amount of bass boats on it any On most given day intimidate you, since there of my are ample opportunities for kayak cat trips anglers of all experience levels to be I keep found here. it pretty With roads circling almost the entire simple, a lake and public launch sites scattered pack of throughout the shoreline, you can hotdogs Clear Lake is noted for the outstanding bass action it offers, but it’s also pretty much get a kayak on the water and maybe a top notch catfish lake. Here we see author Kevin Hofer posing with a monster whiskerfish on the shores of Clear Lake. wherever you would like to fish. The a bag of Photo courtesy of KEVIN HOFER, Kayak City Fishing Team. majority of anglers may target bass, mackerel but many overlook the amazing catfish or shad. fishery that the lake has. On my latest trip I tried a new-to-me technique… dragging live minnows It wasn’t until I entered a year-long along the bottom. It produced some nice fish for sure!!! All the baits catch fish, tournament with NorCal Kayak some days one will work better than another, but unless you want to bring an ice When hunting trophy catfish at Clear Anglers and I needed to catch a catfish, chest full of bait just choose a couple and go for it. Over time you will find your Lake, live crawfish and shiners are top choices. that I started targeting them at clear confidence bait and not be constantly thinking “should I put something else on” Photo courtesy of FISHSNIFFER.COM. lake. I knew there were big ones in or “should I move to different spot”? the lake but where to find them? After With channel cats in the lake getting up in the 30 lb. range kayakers can have a looking over some maps of the lake, I chose a few spots to try where there was lot of fun battling with these beasts. A quick release on the anchor allows you to some deep water close by. In the Rattlesnake Island and Redbud area I began fight the fish away from your anchor line and lets the fish tow you around. They to get these bottom dwellers dialed in and found a passion for targeting catfish. actually put up a decent fight and things can get a bit nerve racking when you Anchoring my kayak in the shallows and casting out onto the drop-offs has feel the cat rolling like an alligator in your line. My preferred method of landing seemed to be the best method for me, no matter what location I choose. Over is a net or just a pair of fish grips, clamp down on that bottom lip then I usually the years now of chasing Clear take to shore if possible to get accurate measurements. Lake cats and trying many Once your skills are all honed in, or if your just feeling lucky there different areas, I’ve had the is a chance to put these fishing skills to the test. Annually for the past best success along the south 30 or so years Clearlake Oaks and east shores. Rodman has hosted the biggest catfish slough on the northwest side derby west of the Mississippi. of lake can be a beautiful and For a shot at $10,000 all productive place to fish as well you have to do is catch a though. heavier catfish than the other The tough part is choosing sometimes up to 1000 anglers. what bait to offer up to the Whether you want to just go whiskerfish. I’ve tried so many out have a good time fighting different things, ranging from fat fish or your trying to win commercially made stink baits Kevin Hofer (left) and Chris Mayes always seem to be on big money, Clear Lakes Standard catfish baits such as the night crawlers seen here or chicken livers to the old standard of chicken big fish. Here we see them with a pair of massive Clear Lake catfish will provide the work very well at Clear Lake. catfish. opportunity! Photo courtesy of KEVIN HOFER, Kayak City Fishing Team. Photo courtesy of FISHSNIFFER.COM. Turner’s Outdoorsman Has Been Serving Anglers, Shooters and Hunters Since 1971! T urner’s Outdoorsman, California’s leading hunting, shooting, and fishing specialty stores, began in 1971 as a single store in Long Beach. Over the years, Trout ~ Kokanee ~ Salmon ~ Shad we have OFFICIAL SPONSOR grown to 20 stores, located throughout California. 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