CatfishED.com

April 6, 2001

     The unsettled weather is causing the bass to move in and out of their spawning beds. Last Saturday there were lots of fish on the beds especially in the north end of the lake. On Sunday the wind drove them back out and it's been hit or miss all week.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports most bassers are catching 5 to 10 fish per day throwing plastics inside the tules in 2 to 4 feet of water. The top baits have been Senkos, Brush Hogs and Hula Grubs in that order. The fish have been running around 2 to 3 pounds with quite a few 5 to 7 pounders mixed in. A lot of the fish are being taken by sight fishing on the beds in sheltered areas with clear water.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is now dropping slightly and is at 5.17 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

April 13, 2001

     The colder than normal water temperatures have kept the bass from starting to spawn. A few of the smaller males are starting to cruise the shallows but most of the larger fish are hanging out in a little deeper water.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports most of the larger fish of 5 to 8 pounds are being caught on Senkos, Brush Hogs and Dead Ringer worms around docks in 5 to 6 feet of water all around the lake and especially in the north end. Fishing inside the tule lines in 2 to 4 feet is producing a lot of the small males of 2 to 3 pounds. One successful angler caught 11 bass from 1½ to 3 pounds throwing blades and Hula Grubs in the shallows near the Pipeline in Clearlake.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is now dropping slightly and is at 5.13 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

April 20, 2001

     The lousy weather is keeping the bass in the staging mode, they are cruising the shallows but very few are actually spawning yet.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports good catches by anglers throwing Senkos, Brush Hogs and Dead Ringer worms inside the tules in 2 to 4 feet of water. The fish are running 2½ to 5 pounds. Al suggests looking for cruising fish and throwing your lure a foot or so ahead of them. An extremely quiet presentation is necessary as they are very spooky. These conditions prevail just about everywhere on the lake including the North end.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping slightly and is at 5.10 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

April 27, 2001

     The warm weather has the bass moving back on the beds although there are still a lot of big females cruising the docks and outside the tule lines.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake suggests throwing Senkos and Brush Hogs under docks and outside tules for cruising fish of 3 to 5 pounds or throwing tube baits and grubs to bedding fish.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks says most bassers are catching a lot of 4 to 6 pound fish sight fishing with plastics such as Senkos and Brush Hogs on the spawning beds. One angler caught 5 bass for a total weight of 46 pounds with a 12½ pounder being the biggest throwing chartruese gitzits to bedding fish.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level isn't changing much and is at 5.15 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".