Bass Report-June 25 1999 It appears as if the summer pattern of bass fishing on Clear Lake has settled in. Although there are still reports of some late spawners, most of the fish are hanging around shallow rockpiles, on the outside of tules, under docks, and in the weedbeds. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports excellent results by flipping or pitching plastic baits such as Baby Bass Worms or Zipper Worms in the front of tule lines. Al adds that some anglers are still catching a few late spawners on beds. According to Terry Knight's column in today's Lake County Record Bee, the topwater bite has broken wide open. Terry suggests using a Pop-R or similar lure if you are an inexperienced topwater angler. The pros are using lures such as the Zara Spook which require a little more skill to work properly. The north end of the lake is producing a lot of fish with topwater lures around weed beds early in the morning and late evening when the wind is calm. Skipping grubs and tube baits under docks is the top producer during the day.   Bass Report-June 21 1999 The bass fishing remains good except for the pesky northwest winds that keep pounding the lake, especially the south end. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says flipping or pitching plastic baits such as Zipper Worms and Brush Hogs around tules, shallow rocks and docks is the way to go. He adds that the plastic frog bite is still good in the early morning hours in the Keys. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports decent fishing when you can get out of the wind. He suggests throwing plastics around the outside of tule lines and near or under sheltered docks. Al informs us that the plastic frog bite has broken open in the Clearlake area also. The more sheltered north end of the lake is producing large numbers of small bass in the 1 1/2 to 2 pound class. The top methods are shaking a worm in tule pockets and skipping a grub or small plastic worm up under floating docks.   Bass Report-June 18 1999 The majority of bass anglers are catching lots of fish all around the lake. Most of the bass have spawned and are holding in shallow rockpiles, around docks and on the outside of tules. Wendy Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports excellent fishing with plastics, especially Zipper Worms around docks and shallow rocks. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says his customers are catching a lot of 2 to 3 pounders using plastics such as Brush Hogs and Zipper Worms fished around shallow rockpiles near Rattlesnake Island. Bob adds that they are still nailing quite a few nice fish on plastic frogs in the Keys. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports lots of bass in the tules in the north end of the lake grabbing plastic worms and jigs. He adds that a few fish are hitting topwater baits early in the morning before the sun hits the water. Another productive method has been skipping salt-pepper grubs under floating docks around the Nice/Lucerne and Lakeport areas.    Bass Report-June 14 1999 The bass fishing is rated good for most serious bassers. Plastic worms, grubs and Brush Hogs are still the top baits. The plastic frog bite is in full swing in the Keys also. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports good fishing around tule lines and offshore weed beds as well as shallow rockpiles. Most of the fish are running 2 to 3 pounds with a few larger ones thrown in. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says that knowledgeable bassers are catching at least 10 fish per day mostly with plastic worms and grubs. Bob adds that the fish seem to be scattered rather than schooled up so that you have to cover a lot of water and work it thoroughly. He also says the Keys are experiencing a good plastic frog bite. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee has a similar report for the north end of the lake. He suggests shaking a plastic worm in tule pockets as another productive method.   Bass Report-June 10 1999 I'm doing this report on Thursday evening instead of Friday morning because I'm in the catfish derby that starts tomorrow at noon. I need time in the morning to prepare the boat and tackle etc. The bass fishing hasn't changed much this week. Most of the fish have spawned and are holding in 4 to 7 feet of water outside of tules and brush as well as around docks and seawalls. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports decent fishing with Brush Hogs and plastic worms around tules and brush as well as shallow rock areas. Bob adds that the plastic frog bite has started to take off in his area and a few are grabbing buzzbaits as well. Most of the fish are in the 2 to 4 pound class. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) has a similar report. Al reports a lot of fish showing around offshore weedbeds and shallow rockpiles. He says plastic worms and grubs are the top producers. The best bets in the north end of the lake are pitching or flipping plastic worms and grubs around docks and seawalls or pitching blades in tules and brush.   Bass Report-June 7 1999 Unfortunately the wind returned in force on the weekend and put a damper on the fishing. There were two tournaments over the weekend. On Saturday W.O.N. held a team tournament and the winner had 28 pounds for a five fish limit. The big fish for the contest was 9 pounds. Operation Bass (Redman) held a draw tournament on Sunday and the winning weight was 20 pounds for a five fish limit. Big fish for the tournament was 6 and 1/2 pounds. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports most fish are coming out of tules in the south end of the lake. Al says dark blue and black seems to be the color for plastic baits and the frog bite is starting to happen. Dark blue and black is the hot color for the frogs also. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says pitching and flipping plastics in the tules, especially in the Keys has been the way to go. Most of the fish are in the 2 to 3 pound class with a few 4 or 5 pounders showing up.   Bass Report-June 4 1999 The bass fishing is still decent in spite of the cold and windy conditions we experienced all week. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says that most of his customers are getting at least 8 to 10 fish per outing, mostly in the 2 to 3 pound class. The top baits have been plastic worms and Brush Hogs. The Keys and sheltered areas around Rattlesnake Island have been producing most of the fish. Bob adds that most of the fish are still shallow (3 to 6 feet). Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports plenty of bass grabbing Baby Bass Zipper Worms, Brush Hogs and Flukes. Most of the fish are being taken in shallow water around docks and tules. Shallow diving crankbaits are starting to produce in sheltered areas and on the main lake when the wind isn't blowing. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports a little tougher fishing in the north end of the lake. Most of the fish are being taken shaking plastic worms on the outside of tule lines or pitching worms or grubs tight to the seawalls.   Back to old bass reports