December 6, 2001 The nasty weather has kept most bass fishermen off the water as well but the few that are going out are still doing very good with live jumbo minnows and only fair with artificials. Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports most anglers using jumbo minnows are catching 6 to 10 fish per outing while those using artificials are managing 3 or 4 fish per trip. Jerkbaits and pig-n-jigs are the top lures in the south end of the lake while cranking and drop shotting are producing in the north end. Rocky areas in 8 to 10 feet of water are producing in the south end while docks and rocks in 3 to 6 feet of water are the way to go in the north end. Most of the bass are running from 2½ to 4 pounds with an occasional 5 to 7 pounder. A few local shore fishermen in the Nice/Lucerne Area are catching a few nice bass with Rattletraps and crankbaits off Keeling Park and the public beach across from the Holiday Harbor RV Park. Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed The lake level is coming up and is at 2.37 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. Attention serious bass fishermen! For detailed "Clear Lake Bass Fishing Reports" Click Here (ncbf.com)   December 13, 2001 The bass fishing hasn't changed much since last week. The wind has hampered the fishing quite a bit, especially in the south end of the lake. Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake says the fishing is hit and miss. One angler went out with jumbo minnows and caught and released 12 nice bass one day but went back out the next day and caught only one fish. Some quality fish have been taken lately including an 11½ and 6½ pound bass with pig-n-jigs in around 23 feet of water in the south end of the lake. The north end of the lake is improving due to the rising lake level. Throwing lipless crankbaits and jerkbaits on breaks and docks is producing some nice fish. Boat harbor entrances where a channel exists are particularly good spots. I caught a 4½ and 2½ pounder on a shad pattern Rattletrap on Sunday right at the mouth of Holiday Harbor. Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed The lake level is still coming up slowly and is at 2.57 feet on the Rumsey Gauge.   December 20, 2001 The nasty weather is also making it tough on the bass fishermen but the few that are going out are catching quality fish. Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says most successful anglers are catching their fish in the north end of the lake around docks and rocky areas. No one is catching big numbers of fish, not even those using live jumbo minnows but most of the fish being caught are running from 5 to 9½ pounds. The usual 2 to 3 pound fish have all but quit biting lately which is a common occurrence at this time of year. Two fishermen caught 11 bass weighing from 4½ to 9 pounds throwing Weapon Jigs and ripping jerkbaits in just 4 hours of fishing in the north end of the lake. Merry Christmas and Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed The lake level is rising and is at 3.26 feet on the Rumsey Gauge.   December 27, 2001 This week's bass report is almost a carbon copy of last week's. Brad Stevens, manager of the newly opened Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says rip and or jerkbaits are taking most of the bass in the north end of the lake. Pointer #128's, Staysees and Speed Traps are the top producing baits. In the north end of the lake, the rising lake level is causing the fish to move into the tules and shallower docks. Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says it's about the same as last week with ripbaits and jigs producing most of the action in the south end of the lake. Jig fishermen are catching their fish in rocky areas and breaks in 15 to 25 feet of water while the ripbait action is best in shallower water around docks, tules and flooded brush. Anglers using jumbo minnows are managing 4 or 5 fish per outing while lure tossers are lucky to catch 2 or 3 fish. Most of the bass are quality fish running from 4 to 9 pounds.   Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed The lake level is rising and is at 3.83 feet on the Rumsey Gauge. Attention serious bass fishermen! For detailed "Clear Lake Bass Fishing Reports" Click Here (ncbf.com) Back to 2001 Bass Reports