WA T ER L EVE L S
Story
BY JODY ONLY Photos Courtesy of Skeet Reese
Coast, fishing the condition changes are an exciting prospect to the Northern California native. Clear Lake is the fishery that he is looking forward to hitting first.
“The tules there (at Clear Lake) as well as the Delta are going to be way more of a factor than they have in a long time – especially for pre spawners,” said Reese. “Understanding where the old tule lines are and where they are broken below the surface will come into play.
“The subsurface clumps down in 3- to 5-feet and the shallow, dead tules are all going to be important. There will just be rafts of dead tule mats and a flippin’ jig will just crush 30-pound limits. The potential there… Wow!”
Reese predicts another change of hands in the continuing saga of California’s record spotted bass catches.
“So many of our lakes have the potential to kick out 10-pound spots,” said Reese. “Adding another ½- to 1-pound of growth per year, a world record spot could be expected from anywhere that Project Kokanee supports us. It could easily come from Shasta, Bullard’s – there are plenty of places around that it could come from. Shasta, Folsom and oh
SPRING 2017
Berryessa is just going to be stupid-sick this year. It is going to come uncorked!”
THREE BAITS TO FISH THE CHANGES
Thinking of the new found habitat and the “shallow water paradise” that Reese described, he offered the three baits that he believes will have the greatest impact on the season.
“With the water being dirtier longer, it will be important to have a bait that moves more water and has a bigger profile,” he said. “That is why the finesse bite just won’t be the same as it has been in the past few years. If I am out there, a jig will be my go-to. I would also have a spinnerbait and a swimbait. These would cover most every situation, move water and be set up with bigger profiles – darker silhouettes.”
THE JIG TWO WAYS
“With the water coming up, the debris pockets are going to be crazy,” said Reese. “The bark and dead stuff that’s been out of water for years, is going to
39