Me and a few guys are camping this Friday and are going to do some fishing. I haven't heard much about this lake. We will have a couple of jon boats and was wondering if I could get any bit of advice that would help our chances. We are willing to catch anything, but we will mostly be night fishing.

BCrad,

Where are you camping? That will help target info. How big are your johnboats? I wouldn't advise certain areas with boats that are likely to tip over or get swamped...

I'm not sure of the exact spot yet, but I do know it will be on the South side of the lake. I have a 12.5' and my buddy has a 14' both with 5 hp motors.

Don't know if you'd consider this, but camping on the island can be pretty cool, free, and great bank fishing. I've done it a couple of times and you can catch catfish and sandies all along the bank. You could lanch at Clearlake for a very short ride over, or at Avalon/East Fork for a little longer ride.

Other than that, if you're married to the South End I can't really suggest much except catfishing. There's not much timber for crappie to hang in.

Be careful with that size of boat and be sure to have your lights on at night. Otherwise, you could get run over.

Is it pretty obvious when the sandies are around this time of year? Should I be looking for the birds or are they deeper? Also is my best bet for catfish live shad?

BCrad, check out this link to see some of the better camping areas:
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/lavon/Information/Maps.asp I would opt for 1)Clearlake and the very short ride to the island, 2)Ticky Creek or 3)Lakeland. In those scenarios you dont have to get your shorter boats out on the big water and risk getting swamped by one of our inconsiderate boating bretheren. Be very scary to get swamped out on the open lake. On the island you have access to a great sandbass fishing off the point and south side. For catfishing, there is submerged trees north of Clearlake. If your focus is catfishing, I would go to Ticky or Lakeland and fish those coves with jugs. I am a big fan of cut shad and other smelly stuff. If you can scare up a goldfish or 2 or maybe a crawdad, you might get an old flathead to bite in one of the coves. Just my .02.