CatfishED.com

June 7 , 2001

     The catfish are cooperating all over the lake, as always there is more catfishing activity in the south end therefore more fish being taken there.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports good catches anchoring in Cache Creek and drift fishing the usual hotspots such as  Bass Alley, White Rock, Monitor Island etc. Mackerel is the number one bait in the creek while jumbo minnows, mackerel and clams are producing on the main lake. A lot of the smaller eating size cats of 4 to 5 pounds are being caught along with a few bragging size in the 10 to 20 pound range.

     A friend of mine by the name of "Catman" from San Jose CA has really been slamming them in Cache Creek and around Bass Alley. He caught and released 14 cats from 2 to 15 pounds using mackerel, minnows and nightcrawlers from last Friday night to Sunday morning. He would have done even better but had to fight heavy winds and whitecaps for most of the weekend. For a complete account of his trip click here.

     The north end of the lake is seeing very little catfish activity. The fish are cooperating for the few anglers trying for them. Live crawdads, shrimp or nightcrawlers fished under a bobber in 3 to 6 feet of water around rocks and submerged tires is accounting for most of the action.

June 14, 2001

     The catfishing is still holding up except that the winds have kept some anglers from fishing the main lake.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 says most catfishermen are fishing in Cache Creek due to the heavy winds on the main lake. Most fishermen are coming in with 6 to 10 fish per boat anchoring in the creek with live crawdads and cut mackerel. The cats are running anywhere from 3 or 4 pounds to 18 pounds.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks 707-998-1006 reports fair catches of catfish from 7 to 12 pounds in the lee of Rattlesnake Island using clams as bait. There are quite a few nice cats being caught off private docks in the Clearlake Oaks Keys using anchovies and nightcrawlers.

     The north end of the lake is still producing some really nice fish around submerged tires and rocks with live crawdads and nightcrawlers fished under a bobber in 4 to 7 feet of water. Some anglers are cruising the shallow areas and sight fishing for them using a live crawdad on a single hook attached directly to the end of their line with just a small split shot to sink the crawdad.

June 21, 2001

     The catfishing is very good in the Clearlake Oaks arm, slow in the City of Clearlake area and fair in the north end of the lake.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks 707-998-1006 says anchoring at the north end of Rattlesnake Island in 10 to 20 feet of water with live jumbo minnows and crawdads is producing good catches of catfish from 10 to 17 pounds and an occasional monster up to 23 pounds.

     Pete Lygren of Glenhaven Beach Campground and Marina 707-998-3406 says his customers are catching quite a few nice cats anchoring in 10 to 20 feet of water behind Rattlesnake Island and in Horseshoe Bend with live jumbo minnows.

     Al Freitas of Don's Bait & Tackle in Clearlake 707-995-9668 reports slow fishing for catfish in the Clearlake area. There are a few fish being taken in Cache Creek by shore fishermen with minnows and mackerel but that's about it.

     The north end of the lake is still giving up some nice cats for the few anglers trying for them. They are still spawning around submerged tires, rocks and pilings. Shrimp and live crawdads are still the top offerings.

     Andy Rico of Nice caught the same 11 pound channel catfish 2 days in a row from my seawall, the fish fell for a chunk of raw bacon the first day and a crappie jig the next. The fish is still hanging around my wall evidently waiting for more food.

June 28, 2001

     There is plenty of catfish action in the Clearlake Oaks area and in the north end of the lake, I was unable to get a report from the Clearlake/Cache Creek area this week.

     Terry Knight, Outdoor Columnist for the Lake County Record Bee says there are still a lot of spawning channel catfish hanging around submerged tires in the Lakeport area. A couple of bass fishermen happened on a school of them and caught and released 11 cats running from around 10 to over 17 pounds. They had no bait with them so they simply teased them into grabbing Fat Gitzit tube baits.

     It's the same situation in the Nice/Lucerne area, find some submerged tires or rocky ledges in 4 to 8 feet of water and you will probably spot a few catfish hanging around them. Bait up with a live crawdad or nightcrawler on the end of your line and cast to individual fish, they will usually grab your offering immediately.

     Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks 707-998-1006 reports fair to good action behind Rattlesnake Island with live crawdads and cut bait such as mackerel or anchovies. Bob adds that there are quite a few large cats coming out of the Clearlake Oaks Keys including 15, 17 and 19 pounders taken with mackerel.