After I got "skunked" at West Medical Lake early this morning, I drove to nearby Clear Lake to fish for warmwater species (like Bluegill and Crappie). For a while, I was alone at the fishing dock at the Fairchild AFB Clear Lake Recreation Area (at the southeast corner of the lake). In 2-1/4 hours (7:45-10:00 AM), I caught (and released) a nice 8" Black Crappie, two 5" Bluegill, and two 5" Pumpkinseeds (see photos). Other fishermen off of the dock were having little luck with bobbers; they could not cast far enough to reach deeper water as I could with my 3/8-oz. silver Kastmaster slab jig.

I would cast about 60 yards and "count down" the lure about 8 seconds to get it down to where the fish were, just above some weeds. The fish all struck within a few twitching retrieves; they liked the "dying minnow" fluttering action of the Kastmaster. The Black Crappie didn't fight much, but the Bluegill were quite strong for their size.

I had fun, but wish I had been able to get down to deeper water where the German Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are lurking.

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