November 3, 2000 The bass fishing hasn't really changed much in the last week. Crankbaits and plastics, especially Senkos are the top artificials and for fast action jumbo minnows are the way to go. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says anglers are catching a few fish from 3 to 6 pounds with crankbaits and Senkos in 6 to 12 feet of water on rockpiles and docks. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake reports the regulars are taking up to 5 fish per outing with crankbaits and Senkos in rocky areas with depths of 5 to 12 feet. Anglers using jumbo minnows are catching 15 or more fish around 3 or 4 pounds with several reaching 7 or 8 pounds. In the north end of the lake crankbaits and plastics, especially Senkos are the top baits but most fish are being taken around the few remaining weed beds or under docks in 3 to 5 feet of water. There is still no lake level report available but it hasn't changed much. At the last available report on 10/22/2000 11:00hrs it was 1.24 feet on the Rumsey gauge. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed   November 10, 2000 The bass fishing was pretty decent until the cold and windy weather took over a couple of days ago. The winter pattern has taken hold which means the fish are schooling up so where you catch one there will more than likely be a bunch more. Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake rates crankbaits and jigs as the top artificials. The fish are running from around 2½ to 4 pounds with an occasional 5 or 6 pounder. Anglers using live jumbo minnows are catching and releasing at least a dozen fish per outing with quite a few fish over 5 pounds. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks echoes Al's report except to add Senkos to the list of artificials that are producing good results. Terry Knight, outdoor columnist for the Lake County Record Bee says most anglers fishing the north end of the lake are catching their fish with crankbaits, ripbaits and jigs in 3 to 5 feet of water. The fish are running 2 to 4 pounds with a few 5's and 6's thrown in. The key is finding a school of fish and staying with them. There is still no lake level report available on the internet but it remains at slightly over 1.2 feet above rumsey. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed   November 17, 2000 The bass fishing is excellent in the south end of the lake for minnow fishermen and fair for the lure tossers. The north end is fair at best. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says drifting jumbo minnows over rockpiles in 15 to 20 feet of water is producing lots of fish from 2 or 3 pounds up to 5 or 6 pounds. Anglers throwing crankbaits and Senkos over rockpiles are catching 3 or 4 fish per outing running 2 to 5 pounds. Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports the minnow fishermen are having a field day with bass from 3 to 8 pounds at Bass Alley and Jago Bay. Crankbaits, jigs and drop-shotting with 4 inch worms are producing some nice fish. Al suggests fishing the breaks in anywhere from 10 to 20 feet. According to Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee the north end of the lake is tough but there are a few nice fish being taken with jigs and ripbaits working the ends of docks with at least 2 or 3 feet of water. The lake level is down to 1.12 feet on the rumsey gauge. Good Fishin........Catfish Ed Attention serious bass fishermen! For detailed "Clear Lake Bass Fishing Reports" Click Here (ncbf.com)   November 23, 2000 The bass fishing continues to be red hot for those using live jumbo minnows and slow for the lure fishermen. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says the live minnow anglers are catching and releasing up to 20 bass a day running 3 to 4 pounds with an occasional 5 or 6 pounder. Crankbaits and jigs are accounting for 3 or 4 fish per outing weighing from 2 to 4 pounds. Al Freitas of Don's Bait & tackle in Clearlake reports live jumbo minnows are accounting for catches of 20 to 30 bass per trip running from 3 or 4 pounds up to 9 pounds. Deep diving crankbaits and spinner baits are producing 3 or 4 fish per trip. Both the minnow users and the lure tossers are finding their fish on breaks in 6 to 12 feet of water. The north end of the lake is giving up a few 2 or 3 pounders for persistent anglers throwing lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits on the ends of docks with 3 or more feet of water. A Happy Thanksgiving to all. Catfish Ed The lake level is holding steady at 1.12 feet on the rumsey gauge Back to Year 2000 Bass Reports