California Delta vs Clearlake?

[Darth-Baiter]

My friends are in a debate.  They want a PB and they are torn at the place with the best potential. I say the Delta, but every one seems to think Clearlake holds the better bass.  NorCal guys, thoughts?  
 

my 7 lb cane from the Delta.  My 2nd place fish is fromClearlake.  Hmmmm. 

[WRB]

2 very different ecosystems; natural lake vs river system.

Clear Lake is the oldest and only natural bass lake in California. The San Joaquin / California Delta is massive made up from 5 rivers and 1500 miles of fishable water ways.  

Clear Lake get far more fishing pressure and has a good population of DD size bass, but imo easier to learn to bass fish then the Delta Tidal system.

Tom 

[Caliyak]

I would say Delta. It would be easier to see the big girls swimming around in the calmer waters of Clear Lake. I would prefer the Delta. 

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, Caliyak said:

I would say Delta. It would be easier to see the big girls swimming around in the calmer waters of Clear Lake. I would prefer the Delta. 

I feel the same about the Delta.  More real estate for bass elbow room. in my opinion only. 
 

but WRB’s insight is spot on. I think Clearlake bass are easier to pattern 
 

 

[camman]

My bigger fish have all come from the Delta.  My biggest limits of 5 have come from Clear Lake.  I’d agree with above that I would focus on the Delta for a PB.

[Darth-Baiter]

12 hours ago, camman said:

My bigger fish have all come from the Delta.  My biggest limits of 5 have come from Clear Lake.  I’d agree with above that I would focus on the Delta for a PB.

Yea.  My biggest dink-fest was on the Delta.  Nursery fish.  So many dinks.  But I agree, my biggest keeper limit is Clearlake by a long shot. 

[bendopolo]

On 2/25/2023 at 8:27 PM, WRB said:

2 very different ecosystems; natural lake vs river system.

Clear Lake is the oldest and only natural bass lake in California. The San Joaquin / California Delta is massive made up from 5 rivers and 1500 miles of fishable water ways.  

Clear Lake get far more fishing pressure and has a good population of DD size bass, but imo easier to learn to bass fish then the Delta Tidal system.

Tom 

You are forgetting Lake Elsinore, Southern Californias’ largest natural Lake. Full pool after a decade of low water, this lake is full and  will go off for a couple of years. Endless Treetops and Topwater.

[WRB]

Didn’t consider Elsinore a natural lake, thought a earth dam west end?

It’s decent spinnerbait lake when full pool. 

Haven’t fish Elsinore in 40 years.

Tom

 

[zeth]

Clear Lake by far. But for a PB there are a ton of other smaller easier to fish places with larger fish. 

[gulfcaptain]

So there are giants at both. Biggest limit with a 9.7 kicker at Clear lake. Had 50+lbs for 2 days with 2 days of practice.  The delta, well it's huge, tides, everything looks good but isn't. Had zero fish days there or all small.  Took me 3yrs fishing 3 times a year 3-5 days each time and then it finally started clicking. Yes pb is from the delta, 11lb and some change, but it's a tough fishery that will humble you.  If I was going for a pb trip, I'd go to Clear Lake. But love fishing both. It's a great break from S. Cal fisheries. 

[Caliyak]

16 hours ago, gulfcaptain said:

So there are giants at both. Biggest limit with a 9.7 kicker at Clear lake. Had 50+lbs for 2 days with 2 days of practice.  The delta, well it's huge, tides, everything looks good but isn't. Had zero fish days there or all small.  Took me 3yrs fishing 3 times a year 3-5 days each time and then it finally started clicking. Yes pb is from the delta, 11lb and some change, but it's a tough fishery that will humble you.  If I was going for a pb trip, I'd go to Clear Lake. But love fishing both. It's a great break from S. Cal fisheries. 

Gulfcaptain, does Castaic or the Lagoon still produce big fish? would Castaic compete with Clear lake or the Delta? 

[WRB]

Castiac is a tough lake for bass over 6 lbs the past 10 years.

The Lagoon is very small and electric only but still produces a few DD’s (for Butch Brown who nearly lives on the Lagoon).

 Casitas produces larger size LMB on average and a few DD’s each year, get lower fishing pressure do to quagga restrictions.

We have nothing to compete with Clear Lake or the Delta.

Tom

[gulfcaptain]

There isn't a lake in S. Cal that produces like the delta or Clear Lake. So many much better fisheries. Yes we have big fish, but the lack of significant  trout plants of the past the larger sized fish have fallen off. 

[ryanerb]

I would vote for clear lake. Delta can be VERY humbling, and dealing with the tides and sea lions can be tricky. So much water to cover, etc

[Darth-Baiter]

My kayak mover, my very reliable Toyota Tacoma is showing some weakness. Im

hearing a very squeaky u joint or carrier bearing.  
 

maybe no fishing this weekend.  Truck may be in a shop. Dang. 

[TnRiver46]

24 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

My kayak mover, my very reliable Toyota Tacoma is showing some weakness. Im

hearing a very squeaky u joint or carrier bearing.  
 

maybe no fishing this weekend.  Truck may be in a shop. Dang. 

I been hearing that for years, they can fix it once it breaks haha. Fish on 

[Zodiack]

On 4/24/2023 at 10:40 PM, ryanerb said:

I would vote for clear lake. Delta can be VERY humbling, and dealing with the tides and sea lions can be tricky. So much water to cover, etc

Ah it ain’t that bad ?

[Darth-Baiter]

well, if you live in Rio Vista....

 

hahahha..to be honest, both options have been very sucky for me.  might be me, might be the big winter rains..  probably me.

[WRB]

The easy fishing during the spawn cycle is over, now it’s mid summer and a lot harder to locate the big girls. 

Flipping, pitching, punching heavy cover or froggin it’s all about bubba power bass fishing now.

The 20 lb + bags are now during night events on the Delta.

Tom