The Need to Breed - Clear Lake Channels

After reading Catman's report from last week, stating that the water temps had finally reached 70 degrees, I knew a trip to the lake was in order. I launched the boat at 4pm on Monday. Anchored up for the first half of the trip. The overnight anchor bite was slow at times, but we managed 10 fish on the decks before dawn.

Nice way to start off the trip.

Fat female full of eggs

Another fish caught at anchor

Once morning came, I had my sights set on drifting the flats as I knew the increase in water temps from the high 60’s to mid 70’s over the last 10 days should have the fish on the chew. Drifting is my favorite way to catch these fish and for the first two hours of the morning drift, the bite was on fire (we landed a fish about every 10 minutes). Highlight was a triple header. The females were all full of eggs & the males were full of baitfish.

All the fish were FAT, even the males

The annual summer algae is making a comeback

We caught numerous males with fresh scars on their tales and sides. I love this time of year as the male channels are showing their dominance with one another in their quest to court the best females. The males use their pectoral fins to jab one another, and their tales to slap, often resulting in abrasions and scrapes. The strongest and most persistent get the best females.

The need to breed, body and tail scrapes on the males.

Part of a triple header on the drift. An 11 pounder is sitting on the deck, outta sight, in this pic. The fish on the left was the first of the 3 fish landed and laid on the bottom of the boat for about 10 minutes while we dealt with the other rods. It took some effort, but the fish swam away upon release. Should have been a quad but the first fish busted off.

Big fish of the trip landed about 2am Tuesday morning

Off the water on Tuesday before the heat got too bad. Water temps were at 75 degrees when we arrived and 77 degrees when we left. Some of the channels are in pre-spawn mode, while others are already spawning. All fish were released to finish their business.

More than 20 fish hit the decks on this trip. Lots of 7 to 10 pounders with some teen fish in the mix. Nothing below 6 pounds. All quality fat fish. Even though the big fish above looks like a monster, we did not manage to hit the 20 pound mark on this outing, maybe next time.

A little fish porn to finish out the report

Tight lines . .