CatfishED.com

July 3, 2002

     The south end of the lake has been supplying most of the bass action lately.

     Bass 'N Guide Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says she's been fishing the south end of the lake because of all the floating weeds in the north end. There are a few fish being taken in the north end by drop-shotting around docks and in rocky areas such as Little Rocky Point. Anglers throwing plastic frogs over floating weed mats are catching a few fish, especially in the early morning.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says the bass fishing is good in the south end. He and bass guide Bob Thein went out on Monday and caught 9 bass, 7 of them with buzzbaits and 2 with chug bugs. Brad recommends fishing weed mats and docks. A few fish are being caught with Senkos on rocks and under docks and some anglers are catching a few on plastic frogs early in the morning. Most of the fish are running from 2 to 3½ pounds with an occasional 5 or 6 pounder.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.52 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

July 11, 2002

     The summer pattern is starting to take hold with the topwater bite improving in the shallows and plastic worms and grubs fished in deeper rocky areas producing some good catches.

     Bass 'N Guide Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 reports a pretty good topwater bite throwing Ricos and frogs in the late evening and early morning hours. A lot of bass are being taken by drop-shotting 4½ inch worms in rocky areas such as Little Rocky Point. Most anglers are catching 4 or 5 fish per day running from 2 to 4 pounds.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says the topwater bite is improving in the south end. White buzzbaits and plastic frogs are accounting for most of the fish. Some good catches are being made drop-shotting 4 inch worms in rocky areas in 8 to 12 feet of water and fishing live jumbo minnows under a bobber is accounting for a few fish.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.30 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

July 18, 2002

     The aquatic weed spraying is also affecting the bass fishing in the north end of the lake.

     Bass 'N Guide Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says that due to the spraying, most serious bassers are heading for the south end of the lake. The top method is drop-shotting with 4 to 6 inch worms over rocky areas and around docks, crankbaits are accounting for a few fish as well. Most anglers are fishing from daybreak until around 11:00AM to beat the heat and catching 4 or 5 fish running around 2½ to 3 pounds.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says most of the bass fishermen he's talked to have been having a tough time, catching only 3 to 5 fish for a day's effort. A few fish are falling for topwater baits such as buzzbaits, Pop-Rs and Chug Bugs worked over submerged weed beds in the early morning and late evening hours. Senkos thrown over weeds and under docks are producing a few fish as well. Most of the bass are running from 2 to 4 pounds.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 4.02 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

July 25, 2002

     Bass Guide Big George Hawley 707-279-9269 says his clients have been experiencing lots of action including some nice catches in the Nice/Lucerne Area. Drop-shotting 4 inch worms over rocks and skipping 4 inch dart head rigged worms under docks is accounting for most of the action. His clients have been averaging 4 or 5 keepers running from 3 to 4 pounds each for a 3 to 4 hour trip plus a lot of fat and scrappy 10 inchers to add to the fun.

     Bass guide Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 says her clients have been catching some nice fish including an 8½ and 6½ lb'er yesterday morning. Most anglers are catching 3 or 4 keepers in the 2 to 3 pound class plus a lot of 10 to 11 incher's for a morning's effort. Drop-shotting 4½ inch worms over rocky areas in 10 to 20 feet of water is the way to go.

     Cary of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 confirms the drop-shotting action. He suggests using 4 to 6 inch worms and fishing over rocky areas in 8 to 10 feet of water. He says most fishermen are catching 3 to 5 fish per trip weighing from 2 to 4 pounds apiece. The topwater bite has become very sporadic, one day is good and the next you can't get a single blow up.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level is dropping and is at 3.58 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.