March 3 2000 The bass fishing is very productive all around the lake. Most of the fish are moving into shallower water now that the lake is up they are going into their pre spawn mode. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake suggests flipping tules and flooded brush with Dead Ringers and Brush Hawgs. Another good choice is pitching spinnerbaits in the same areas. As always live jumbo minnows are producing the most action. The fish have been running around 3 pounds with a few hawgs up to 9 pounds. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks says there are a lot of bass falling for Brush Hawgs and blades around the docks in the Clearlake Oaks Keys. For the most action and a better chance for bigger fish Bob recommends live jumbo or extra large minnows. Jeannette Owen of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) suggests pitching blades around tules and brush in around 5 feet of water. She adds that on sunny days crankbaits have been producing as well. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level has stabilized at 7 feet on the Rumsey gauge. Last available report was 11:00PM on March 1st.   March 10 2000 The bass fishing has toughened up a bit, especially in the south end of the lake. Part of the problem is the fish are in a transition period as they move shallow to prepare for the spawn. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says they have been running hot and cold. The bite seems to go up and down with the fronts that move through the area. Al says that on the bad days even the live minnow guys are having a tough time. Lure tossers have been taking fish from 4 to 7 pounds throwing Hula Grubs and Brush Hogs in june bug and crawdad colors. On the rare times that the sun shines crankbaits and ripbaits are producing goodly numbers of fish. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports most bassmen are taking 6 or 7 fish per day running around 3 pounds with a few larger fish up to 6 or 7 pounds. The most productive pattern has been flipping pig-n-jigs or Brush Hogs in the flooded brush and tules. The Lakeport and County Park area as well as the Nice/Lucerne area have all been productive. Big George Hawley, local Clear Lake guide has been nailing lots of fish with spinner baits around Lakeport and Rocky Point especially when the sun comes out which unfortunately has not been very often lately. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level has risen to 7.44 feet on the Rumsey gauge as of 7:00pm Thursday evening.(7.56 is considered full pool)   March 17 2000 The bass fishing is still a hit or miss proposition. Some anglers are catching up to 30 fish per day while others are lucky to manage 3 or 4. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake reports very good results with jumbo minnows for those that put in the time and effort. Al and his partner caught 11 fish from 2 to 4 pounds throwing blades on long tule points and flipping and pitching Brush Hogs, Dead ringers and Hula Grubs around docks. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks says they are still doing well in the Oaks Keys flipping Brush Hogs and Zipper Worms into tules, flooded brush and docks. In the main lake, blades and jerkbaits are working well also around tules and brush. Percy adds that as always live jumbo minnows are the way to go for more and bigger fish. Jeanette Owen of Lakeport Tackle (707-263-8862) suggests throwing blades and crankbaits into tules and brush in 2 to 8 feet of water. She adds that the best time has been in the afternoon since the water is at it's warmest in the shallows then. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level has stabilized at 7.50 feet on the Rumsey gauge. (7.56 is considered full pool) March 24 2000 The few bass fishermen that are talking are experiencing a tough bite. A lot of the fishermen are prefishing for the Bruno’s Foods Team Bass Tournament this weekend so they aren't saying much. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake and his partner managed 7 bass averaging around 3 pounds including a lunker that went close to 10 pounds flipping Brush Hogs in flooded trees. Live minnow dunkers have been taking a lot of good fish around the pipeline in Clearlake. Percy Oved of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks reports slow fishing but adds that they are catching a few with jerkbaits and blades in the Keys. Anglers using live jumbo minnows are catching their fair share around Rattlesnake Island. In the north end most anglers are catching only 1 or 2 fish per outing. The few that are being caught are falling for ripbaits and plastics in flooded brush and tules. The fish are staging in the shallows for the spawn and should become more active very soon. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level is steady at 7.58 feet on the Rumsey gauge. (7.56 is considered full pool) March 31 2000 Bass fishing with artificials is rated fair at best but the live minnow fishermen are still doing well. The water temperature has been reaching 58 degrees in the afternoons and will probably top the 60 degree mark by the weekend. The fish are still staging in the shallows in a pre-spawn mode until the water gets just a shade warmer. It could happen this weekend depending on the weather. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks reports fair action for bass running around 2 to 3 pounds with a few to 8 pounds in the Keys with Dead Ringers and Brush Hogs mostly in the afternoons when the water is warmer. Rattlesnake Island is producing a goodly amount of fish with live jumbo minnows and a few with plastics. Al Freitas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake says live jumbo minnows are still the best producers with most of the fish running around 3 or 4 pounds. Docks and flooded trees are the way to go for lure tossers and 8 inch Dead Ringers and Brush Hogs are the lures of choice according to Al. The north end of the Lake is producing around 4 or 5 fish per outing with most of the fish running 2 to 3 pounds. Plastic worms, Brush Hogs and Pig-n Jigs are accounting for most of the action. This weekend should see a great improvement especially in the north end if the weather holds. Good Fishin.......Catfish Ed The lake level is stabilized at 7.58 feet on the Rumsey gauge. (7.56 is considered full pool) Back to Year 2000 Bass Reports