November 26 1999 The bass fishing is improving considerably as the winter pattern sets in. Most of the fish are being caught with crankbaits such as Rattle Traps and Speed Traps. The colder water ( low 50s ) causes them to school up. Where you catch one, you will probably catch a bunch. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports excellent action with crankbaits around rockpiles and docks. One of the best spots in the Nice/Lucerne area has been the seawall at the Aurora RV Park in Nice. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) also suggests using crankbaits around dock pilings and rockpiles, especially for the larger fish. Al says that the minnow bite is wide open. If you want a lot of action, use extra large or jumbo minnows with a splitshot and just drift near docks until you get a hookup, when you do, the chances are that you on a school of fish. Al says he just got in a supply of jumbo minnows so he should have plenty for the weekend.   November 19 1999 Due to the nasty weather most of the week there have not been many fishermen on the lake. I made a lot of phone calls to various sources but I didn't find out much. The hottest news is that bass fishing guide "Big" George Hawley caught a 11 pound 12 ounce bass on a Speed Trap earlier this week. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) suggests throwing Speed Traps and other crankbaits that suspend in the 5 to 6 foot range since the bass, especially the larger ones, seem to be suspended at that range. I spoke with some local fishermen that were fishing in the Nice/Lucerne area who were doing fairly well throwing baby bass colored crankbaits and ripping Rogues and Rattletraps around docks.  I'm sorry to say that's all I have for this bass report. Hopefully there will be more detailed information next week.   November 12 1999 The winter bass fishing pattern is just starting to take hold, the water temperature is in the mid 50s and the fish are still active. Bob Simmons of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) reports excellent action skipping watermelon-green grubs under docks and throwing crankbaits around docks and rockpiles. Percy Oved of Limit Out Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports lots of bass to 4 pounds flipping Dead-Ringer worms in tules around Rattlesnake Island. Percy adds that they are doing well with blades and crankbaits as well. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) suggests throwing Baby Bass Zipper Worms, grubs and blades in 3 to 5 feet of water around rockpiles and docks for fish to 5 pounds. Al adds that the live minnow bite is so hot that he is selling out of minnows every weekend.   November 5 1999 Bass fishing is rated very good all around the lake. Water temperature is ranging from the high 50's to the mid 60's and the fish are feeding heavily to fatten up for winter. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee was out for about 3 hours on Wednesday and caught and released 12 bass from 2 to 3 1/2 pounds throwing crank baits around the docks in the Nice/Lucerne area. Bob Simmons of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) reports excellent action cranking around docks and throwing Brush Hogs around submerged rockpiles. Bob adds that he has been doing well with jerkbaits around the tule lines. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports good results with Dead Ringer worms and Brush Hogs in the rocks and crankbaits around the docks. Al Freitas Of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) was out yesterday with a customer and they experienced red hot action split-shotting Little Reapers and fishing grubs with a dart head. They caught fish in all sizes from "dinks" to a whopping 7 pounder. Al adds that the live minnow bite has really turned on just about anywhere that you can wet a line in the Clearlake area.   Back to Old Bass Reports