CatfishED.com

March 7, 2002

     It's the same old story, jumbo minnows are producing good catches of bass while most anglers throwing artificials are working hard for their fish.

     Brad Stevens of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 reports ripping Lucky Craft Minnow lures and flipping jigs and Senko worms are producing 3 to 5 fish for a day's effort. Live jumbo minnows are accounting for 5 to 10 fish per person. Most of the bass are running from 2½ to 5 pounds.       The favorite area is still the mouth of Rodman Slough.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake says minnow fishermen are catching anywhere from 6 to 12 fish per outing but most lure fishermen are having a tough time boating 3 or 4 fish per day. Lure tossers are having their best luck flipping jigs and Senko worms in 5 to 6 feet of water around tules and docks. The majority of fish are weighing anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds apiece.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level has risen slightly and is at 6.57 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

March 14, 2002

     The nasty weather has slowed down the bass fishing as well but those that are willing to endure the cold and wind are getting a few for their efforts.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says the bass fishing is up and down as evidenced by bass guide Bob Thein when he and his client caught over 20 bass one day and only 7 the next using live jumbo minnows both days in the same area. Brad says bassers throwing Weapon or VPR jigs with Yamamoto grub trailers in the root beer color are catching from 3 to 5 fish per day. The colder water temps (48-52°) are keeping the fish a little ways outside of the tules in 10 to 15 feet of water.

     Brad Stevens of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 reports slower fishing even with minnows due to the colder water temps. Anglers using jumbo minnows are catching 4 to 6 fish per outing while those tossing plastic worms, jigs and jerkbaits are getting anywhere from only one or two up to 4 or 5 fish per day. Most of the fish are being taken outside of tule lines in 8 to 10 feet of water and are running in the 3 to 5 pound class.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level has stabilized and is at 6.65 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

March 21, 2002

     There are a lot more bass fishermen on the lake this week due to the warmer weather and the Northlake Ford/Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Team Bass Tournament being held this weekend. As always, the anglers prefishing for the tournament aren't telling us much.

     Brad Farrin of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake reports catches of anywhere from 5 to 10 bass per person using live jumbo minnows around Bass Alley and White Rock in 8 to 12 feet of water. Brush Hogs and jigs are producing anywhere from 3 to 5 fish per person. Most fish are running 3 to 6 pounds with several hogs going 7 or 8 pounds.

     Brad Stevens of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport says the minnow fishermen are catching 5 to 7 bass for a day's effort and anglers throwing Lucky Craft Pointer 128's, 100's and StaySee 90's are catching 3 or 4 fish per day. Fishing outside the tule lines in 6 to 8 feet of water at the mouth of Rodman Slough and in the slough as well has been a productive pattern.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level has stabilized and is at 6.67 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.

March 28, 2002

     The Northlake Ford/Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce Team Bass Tournament held this weekend produced some impressive catches including the winning weight of 66.34 pounds for 10 fish. This total included the big fish of the tournament weighing a whopping12.04 pounds. Although this was very impressive, the average catch for the 220 participants was only one fish per angler per day.

     Cary of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports live jumbo minnows are producing anywhere from 6 to 10 fish per day. Watermelon/red flake colored Brush Hogs and Senkos are producing 3 to 5 fish for a day's effort. The fish are weighing from 4 to 7 pounds each.

     Brad Stevens of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport 707-262-1233 reports anglers are catching anywhere from 5 to 10 fish per outing using jumbo minnows. Throwing Lucky Craft Pointer 128's and Staysee 90's in Aurora Black as well as watermelon/red flake Brush Hogs is accounting for 2 to 4 fish per outing. Fishing outside of tule lines in 5 to 8 feet of water at the mouth of Rodman Slough, in the slough and near the State Park is the best fish producing pattern in the north end of the lake.

Good Fishin.....Catfish Ed

     The lake level has risen slightly and is at 6.81 feet on the Rumsey Gauge, 7.56 is considered full pool.