CatfishED.com

May 4, 2001

     The heavy winds are making it tough on bass fishermen especially in the south end of the lake. A lot of the fish have spawned successfully while others are still bedding.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says most of the boats are concentrating on the bedding fish in the sheltered Clearlake Oaks Keys. The hot baits have been Senkos and plastic grubs fished inside the tules and brush. Most of the bass are running 3 to 3½ pounds with an occasional 5 or 6 pounder.

     The north end of the lake being somewhat sheltered from the west/northwest winds we've been having is a little easier to fish right now. Most successful anglers are catching 4 or 5 fish per outing throwing 4 inch grubs and worms inside the tules and brush.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping slightly and is at 5.09 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

May 11, 2001

     The bass fishing is great all around the lake. There are still some spawning fish especially in the south end of the lake where the water temperature runs a little cooler.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake suggests throwing Senkos and Yamamoto Twin Tail Grubs inside tule lines and along launching ramps for bass from 3 to 6 pounds.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Tackle in the Oaks says they're catching 3 to 5 pound bass throwing Senkos and grubs outside of tules and around docks.

     In the north end of the lake successful bassers are throwing Senkos and grubs under docks and outside the tules for fish from 3 to 5 pounds.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping slightly and is at 4.98 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

May 17, 2001

     The bass fishing hasn't changed much since last week's report, there are still a lot of fish spawning in the south end of the lake.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in the Oaks suggests throwing Senkos and grubs inside the tules for fish running 3 to 5 pounds. Bob adds they are starting to get some good fish on swimbaits (Castaic Minnow, Bass Trix etc.) as well.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake almost echoes Bob's report, Senkos and Dead Ringers inside the tules for fish averaging 3 to 4 pounds with a few 5's and 6's thrown in.

     Grubs and tube baits worked around and under docks and outside the tules are producing lots of 2 to 4 pound fish in the north end of the lake.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.85 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

May 25, 2001

     The bass fishing has slowed down quite a bit but should pick up again as the fish move into their summer pattern of hanging around the weed beds.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in the Oaks says it's fairly easy to catch a limit of fish if you work for them.     Throwing Senkos and Dead Ringers in rocky areas with 6 to 10 feet of water is accounting for most of the action. Most fish are running 3 to 4 pounds with an occasional 5 or 6 pounder.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake has a similar report except he rates the fishing a little tougher. Al says a pair of anglers are doing well to catch more than 4 or 5 fish between them.

     The north end of the lake is also tough fishing as we experience this transition period from tules and docks to weed beds.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.69 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".

May 31, 2001

     The bass fishing seems to already be in the summer pattern due to our long stretch of warm weather.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks 707-998-1006 recommends throwing Senkos and Zipper Worms under docks and around rockpiles in 5 to 10 feet of water for fish from 2 to 4 pounds. Bob adds that the topwater bite on the weed beds is just getting started and the best time is from daybreak to around 7:00am.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake says the fish are hot and heavy one day and way off the bite the next. On the good days most anglers are catching at least 5 or 6 fish in the 2 to 4 pound range and an occasional 6 or 7 pounder.   Throwing Senkos or live minnows around docks and outside the tule lines have been producing most of the fish.

     In the north end of the lake skipping Senkos or grubs under docks in 4 to 8 feet of water is producing some decent catches of fish from 2 to 4 pounds. There are a few reports of early morning topwater action in the weed beds but it hasn't really broken open yet.

     Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.50 feet on the rumsey gauge, 7.56 is considered "full pool".