CatfishED.com

May 5 2000

     Al Freitas Of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says he's finding large concentrations of fish in the tules suspended just off the bottom. Brush Hogs and Baby Bass Zipper worms are still the top producers and they are quality fish running from 3 to 5 pounds.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks reports good action around tule lines and docks using weightless worms, lizards, Bass Trix and Senkos. The Keys are giving up a lot of fish as well as the main lake. When the wind becomes a problem the Keys are a welcome option. Most of the fish are running 3 to 5 pounds.

     The north end of the lake is still a little tough but knowledgeable anglers that put in the time are taking some nice fish including a few 7 and 8 pounders. Plastic lizards, Dead Ringers and Senkos flipped or pitched inside the tules and under docks are accounting for the majority of the action.

     Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed

     The lake level has dropped slightly to 7.42 feet on the Rumsey gauge.

(7.56 is considered full pool)

May 12 2000

     The nasty weather has cooled down the bass fishing considerably. The few successful anglers have been fishing the more sheltered areas.

     Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says most anglers are fishing in sheltered areas such as the Keys with weightless worms and regular plastics around docks and tules for fish running 2 to 3 pounds.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle says the topwater bite has started when the wind is down or in sheltered areas using Pop-Rs, frogs and buzzbaits. Senkos and Basstrix are taking some nice fish around docks and tules.

     The north end is producing fair action with lizards, grubs and worms around docks and tules. Weightless worms pitched or skipped under floating docks are accounting for a few fish as well.

     Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed

     The lake level dropped slightly to 7.22 feet on the Rumsey gauge.

(7.56 is considered full pool)

May 19 2000

     The unsettled weather has kept the bass fishing from really taking off. With the warm weather and two major bass tournaments (West Coast Bass Pro-Am Fri- Sat and 100% Bass on Sunday) scheduled for this weekend, we should have a better picture by next week.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says the fish have moved shallow and are taking Senkos and Bass Trixs thrown around tules and docks. Most of the fish are running from 2 to 3 pounds with a few to 5 or 6 pounds.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle agrees the fish are shallow and recommends throwing inside the tule lines with Senkos, Zoom Brush Hogs and Optimum baits. Al and his partner managed 5 fish from 4 to 9 pounds earlier this week using this method.

     Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports fair fishing for 3 to 5 pounders pitching Weed Wogs inside the tules around Lakeport and the Nice/Lucerne area.

     Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed

     The lake level continues to drop slightly and is at 7.17 feet on the Rumsey gauge.

(7.56 is considered full pool)

May 26 2000

     The continued warm weather has the bass on the prowl. There are lots of large fish cruising the shallows as well as large concentrations holding inside the tules.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle rates the fishing as "awesome" all around the lake. He suggests throwing Senkos, Baby Bass Zipper worms and Zoom Brush Hogs inside the tules for quality fish running from 3 to 5 pounds with a few to 9 pounds. Al fished the north end of the lake earlier this week with Baby Bass Zippers and Brush Hogs and managed 8 quality fish with the biggest running 9 pounds.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Tackle says most of the action in his area is in the main lake rather than the Keys. He recommends throwing Senkos and Optimum swim baits around tules, docks and rocks for quality fish going from 3 to a little over 5 pounds.

     Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed

     They are keeping the flood gates open for irrigation in Yolo County, therefore the lake level continues to drop and is at 6.86 feet on the Rumsey gauge. (7.56 is considered full pool)