February 4 2000 The only real change in the bass fishing is that anglers have had to shorten their time on the water due to stormy weather. Jumbo minnows, ripbaits crankbaits, blades and plastics are the top producers in that order. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says minnows are still the top producer with ripbaits, Rattlin Rogues and blades also getting their share. Al went out with an underwater camera and viewed huge schools of bass in 20 to 35 feet of water and therefore suggests trying minnows or jigs at these depths. He caught a lot of fish with minnows while using the camera and actually was able to see them take the bait on the screen. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee tried the north end of the lake on Wednesday and did fairly well in the Nice/Lucerne area ripping minnow type baits for fish averaging 3 to 4 pounds. Terry says that crankbaits and plastics are working as well and of course minnows are still the way to go for more and bigger fish. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level is up to 2.81 feet above Rumsey as of 9:00PM last night.   February 11 2000 It's basically the same story as last week for bass anglers. Jumbo minnows are the top bait all over the lake and deep-diving crankbaits, blades and plastics are producing fair results. Percy Oved of Limit Out Tackle in Clearlake Oaks rates jumbo minnows as the number one bait followed by crankbaits and plastics, especially Brush Hogs. Percy adds that most of the action has been near shore around tulelines and submerged brush. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake also rates minnows as the top fish getter with deep-diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastic worms and grubs being the best choices for lure tossers. Jeanette Owen of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) reports good action with jumbo minnows and also suggests deep-diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics as the best artificials in the north end of the lake. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level is up to 3.34 feet above Rumsey as of 8:00PM last night.   February 18 2000 Bass fishing in the south end of the lake is still very productive but it's a little tougher in the north end due to the muddy water. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says the fish are moving shallower, and suggests trying the 8 to 10 foot range. He rates live jumbo minnows as the top bait and adds that plastics such as Brush Hogs are starting to account for a lot of fish. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks also rates jumbo minnows as the number one fish getter but adds that the ripbait bite is very good also. Jeanette Owen of Lakeport Tackle rates the bass fishing as fair using ripbaits and plastics. You have to find reasonably clear water to get into the fish in the north end of the lake. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed Attention serious bass fishermen! For detailed "Clear Lake Bass Fishing Reports" Click Here (ncbf.com) The lake level is up to 5.07 feet above Rumsey as of 7:00PM last night. February 25 2000 Bass fishing hasn't changed very much since last week. The south end of the lake is a little more productive since it has clearer water. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks says anglers using jumbo minnows are taking the most fish. Bob recommends plastics such as Brush Hogs for the lure fishermen. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says the fish are a little tougher to catch with minnows since they are no longer in tight schools. Al suggests flipping in tules with plastics or pig-n-jigs and throwing crankbaits around docks. Jeannette Owen of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) suggests shaking worms in the tules or throwing crankbaits around docks and rocky areas. She adds that most anglers are finding their fish in 4 or 5 feet of water. The Redwood Empire Bass Club had a tournament out of Lakeport last Saturday and the top 3 finishers caught most of their fish cranking the muddy water at Rocky Point and Little Rocky Point. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level is up to 6.12 feet on the Rumsey gauge as of 8:00PM last night. Back to Year 2000 Bass Reports