When I got to State Park Friday it was overcast and sprinkling a little so instead of setting up a tent in the rain I went fishing. That was an adventure in itself with 2-3 foot rollers on the lake and breakers mixed in here and there. I almost got flipped by a rogue wave when I wasn't paying attention. Ok I don't think I would have flipped but it really got my attention. Any way the water was very low but I did manage 1 fish on a shakey head and I shook off a five on a jig that showed itself to me and another on a blade for 4 hours of fishin.

Day 1 dawned to clear skies and no wind. Myself and 3 others would stay to fish at State Park. I made my way to the point near the swim beach in the pre-dawn hours and tossed a swimbait until almost safe light for nada. then I beat it to the tulles in front of the campground for the first light bite. I flipped a 3 pounder on a jig right away then followed it up with the five pounder I shook off the day before :+ about a half hour later I nabbed one on a blade on the tulle edge then the shallow bite shut off. I went for a long dry spell then as I was rowing to another spot around noon I passed over a 2 foot ledge out in the midddle of nowhere so I backed off and threw a Bevy Shad and scored my next two and a full limit, but these last 2 fish were barely 13 inchers. Around 1:30 I was again out in front of the campground tossing my trusty Clear Lake special spinnerbait when I wondered what would happen if I slowed it way way down. I started dragging it thru the weeds in deep water, if you want to call 5-6 feet deep, and got tagged by a good fish but lost it. Hmmm, was slow the ticket? Yes it was, I caught 3 more blade fish before weigh in all dragging the bait as slow as I could and still turn the blades. I finished the day with just over 14 1/2 pounds in tenth place.

Day 2 saw the same conditions as day 1 except there were 5 of us this time at State Park. I went north to some water that I like and I know hadn't been touched by anyone yet. I scored with a 3 pounder in the dark on a zipper worm then filled my limit with a drop shot after sun up. Yes I worked the area over with other stuff before resorting to a drop shot but this was for money so I folded and did it anyway x( I figured I had about 9 pounds and new I needed to upgrade if I was to get a check so about 10:00 am I started back to the campground. I caught 4 more fish on the money blade and all of them culled the drop shot fish with the largest just over 4 pounds and the smallest at around 2 1/2 :) I finished the day with just over 15 pounds and just under 30 pounds for the tourney which was good enough for an 8th place finish. I was pleased with my finish since I stayed at State Park, but this year I just couldn't compete with the guys that ran to Konocti and had the 20+ lb sacks Saturday or Bills 23 lb sack on Sunday.

I had a great time as always, never got my number called at the raffle but I did score a sic Quantum visor! Here's the best part, with the FLW cut off I never saw a boat anywhere near me at all for the whole 3 days. Us kick boaters had Clear Lake all to ourselves pretty much :P

Congrats to Bill, Kevin, Matt and every one else that did well and thanks to Rich and the rest of the SCBBBC staff for another great fall Classic at Clear Lake.

I'll be there next year for sure!

MT

What happened to the Shasta Region prediction of having 3 in the top 5? That was a lot of jibber jabber without nuttin to back it up ;:+
LMAO ;)

Thanks for the report Mitch, I was wondering how you did. I am sorry I did not make it on Friday morning about 5 a.m. I popped something in my knee while loading my kickboat x( .

cool report Mitch wish i could have made it but i too fell to injury, not only did i miss the classic but i will also have to miss the TOC, :-(

see you all next year

FIT

Great report MT, wish I could have gone, but I just love to work :-( , next year...

Nice report Mitch.

Regarding all the injuries -- I didn't know fishing was so dangerous! Guys are dropping left & right...if I can just stay healthy 'til the TOC...maybe I'll have a chance by default...

good job Mitch. Figuring out that blade bite must have felt really good.