Bass Report-May 31 1999 The combination of Memorial Day weekend and the great weather has brought hordes of bassers to Clear Lake. The majority of anglers are really hammering the fish. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports excellent bass fishing in the south end of the lake. Al's daughter Kim Frietas of AAA Guide Services took a party out on Saturday and caught over 50 bass on a combination of Jumbo Minnows and plastic baits. Al says the bite can be anywhere from fantastic to just fair depending on finding a concentration of fish. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) also reports good fishing in the south end of the lake. He says most of his regulars are catching at least 15 to 20 fish from 2 to 3 pounds with an occasional 5 pounder per outing on plastic baits. The north end of the lake has been a little tougher but the serious bassers are doing pretty well. The hot method in my area in Nice has been split-shotting green weenies in just about any color around sea walls and docks. There are a lot of cruising fish in these areas and therefore a finesse bait such as a weenie is just the ticket.   Bass Report-May 28 1999 The weather and the bass fishing has been fantastic. The majority of fish in the south end of the lake are up shallow and still in the spawning mode. Most of the fish in the north end have spawned and are holding in the tules and around docks. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) reports great bass fishing with Brush Hogs and pig-n-jigs in 2 to 5 feet of water around tules and brush. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) says that any bass fisherman worth his salt is averaging at least 10 bass from 2 to 8 pounds per outing flipping or pitching Brush Hogs and other plastic baits in shallow water on the beds. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee suggests shaking worms in tule pockets for the post spawn fish in the north end of the lake. Terry also reports plastic frogs are starting to produce. He suggests waiting for the bass to take the frog underwater before setting the hook which will result in more hook ups. This was taken from Terry's column in today's Lake County Record Bee (May 28 1999).   Bass Report-May 21 1999 It looks like spring has sprung and the bass are taking full advantage. The warmer weather has put the fish in the spawning mood. W.O.N. is holding a pro-am tournament this weekend out of Redbud Park in Clearlake. The pros should have excellent conditions especially if the predicted warm weather occurs. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports good fishing in the north end of the lake. Flipping Brush Hogs, grubs and lizards in shallow brush and inside the tule lines or working ripbaits just outside of the beds is the way to go. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) says the bass fishing is fantastic. Bob recommends using Brush Hogs and plastic worms and fishing on or near the beds. Kim Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) also reports excellent bass fishing. Kim recommends fishing Brush Hogs or worms on the beds and Flukes and Slug-gos for bigger females cruising outside of the beds.   Clear Lake Bass Report-May 17 1999 The wind died down quite a bit over the weekend although the afternoons were still pretty breezy. Some fish are spawning but there are still a lot of fish hanging in 5 to 7 feet of water around tules and submerged trees. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports very good fishing all around the lake. Al went out with his daughter Kim on Thursday and they caught 30 bass from 2 to 4 pounds flipping Baby Bass Eels and Brush Hogs in tules and trees. Kim went out yesterday and nailed 17 fish to 7 1/2 pounds doing the same thing. Ed Ott of Ed's Market in Nice (707-274-8029) reports a lot of fish to 8 pounds in the Nice/Lucerne area gobbling plastic worms and Brush Hogs near tules and brush.   Clear Lake Bass Report-May 14 1999 The cold #$%$# wind (expletive deleted) has continued to plague fishermen all this week and the prediction for the weekend is for more of the same. The water temperature remains in the high 50 to low 60 degree range. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports feast or famine for most fishermen. The fish are real cooperative one day and develop lockjaw the next. The hot spots have been the outer edges of tules with soft jerkbaits and white spinnerbaits the top producers. Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait and Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707-998-1006) confirms the on again off again action. He recommends fishing the sheltered areas such as the Clearlake Oaks Keys or Cache Creek.   Clear Lake Bass Report-May 10 1999 Wind, wind and more wind, this has continued to be the story of bass fishing at Clear Lake. The bass are staging in the more sheltered areas and holding out in 5 or 6 feet in the more open shoreline areas. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports the same basic pattern of flipping Brush Hogs and shaking worms in the tule pockets. Terry says the fish have been averaging 2 or 3 pounds with a few to 6 or 7 pounds. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports decent crankbait action in the windy areas where the fish are deeper. Flipping Brush Hogs and worms is the way to go in the sheltered spots.   Clear Lake Bass Report-May 7 1999 The bass have finally started to spawn all over the lake. The water temperature is still a little less than ideal but I guess the fish couldn't wait any longer. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports seeing lots of bedding fish on Wednesday afternoon. The water temperature rose from a chilly 57 degrees to over 64 degrees in a few hours on Wednesday. Terry spotted many fish moving into the shallows all over the Nice/Lucerne and Lakeport areas. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) has a similar report. Al and his daughter Kim went out on Wednesday and nailed over 15 bass including a 10 pound 6 ounce hog. Kim caught the big one on a big Brush Hog. Al says the big female had already spawned. Most of their fish fell for Brush Hogs. Al reports a lot of bass being caught in Cache Creek with blades. There have been a lot of fish in the 5 to 7 pound class taken as far up as Aztec Trailer Park.   Clear Lake Bass Report-May 3 1999 The wind just keeps blowing but the bass keep biting. Most of the fish are still staging waiting for the water temperature to rise so they can spawn. The wind, rain and cold is keeping the water temperature in the low 60's which is too cold for the spawn. Terry Knight of the Lake County Record Bee reports most anglers are catching 10 to 12 bass for a days effort. They are ranging in the 2 to 3 pound class with a few 5 to 8 pounders thrown in. Shaking plastic worms in 5 to 7 feet of water around tules and brush is the top producer. A couple of good options are Brush Hogs and spinnerbaits. Al Frietas of Don's Bait and Tackle in Clearlake (707-995-9668) reports very good action if you are willing to brave the nasty wind and cold that we have been experiencing lately. Al says most of his regulars are catching 20 to 25 bass for a days effort when they can get to their hot spots. Plastics and blades are still the way to go. Back to Old Reports