November 7, 2002 The big news is there is a huge school of baitfish (threadfin shad and silverside minnows) in the area between Luebow Point and Wheeler Point. This area is very close to Frasier Point and Konocti Harbor Marina where the catfish gathered in huge numbers last winter. Several bass fishermen have been catching and releasing lots of big cats while jigging Tail Spinner Spoons in 25 to 35 feet of water in the same area. I didn't hear of any actual catfishermen working the area but I'm sure anyone fishing with shad or just about any cut bait would experience all the action they could handle. According to Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707) 998-1006 most of the cats being caught in the Luebow/Wheeler Point Area are going from 20 to over 30 pounds including a 34 pound monster which would be a new lake record , the old record is 33¼ pounds. Since it was a bass angler that caught it he didn't go through the trouble of getting it certified, he immediately released it instead. If last year is any indication, the baitfish will move towards Frasier Point and near Konocti Harbor and stay in that area until late January. This should provide good catfish action from now until the end of January assuming we don't experience any exteme freezes this winter.   November 14, 2002 The catfish action has been improving steadily in the south end of the lake. There are large schools of baitfish (threadfin shad and silverside minnows) showing near Wheeler and Frasier Points with lots of hungry catfish lurking below. According to Bob Higgins of Limit Out Bait & Tackle in Clearlake Oaks (707) 998-1006, most anglers are catching at least 5 or 6 fish per trip. The hot spots are: between Wheeler and Frasier Point, Monitor Island and Rattlesnake Island. The top baits have been shad and anchovies except at Rattlesnake Island where jumbo minnows are the best choice. One boat had 9 catfish weighing from 8 to over 20 pounds while drifting with jumbo minnows near Rattlesnake Island earlier this week. Catfish Guide Anthony Howard (707)-994-3023 went out for a little fun fishing by himself earlier this week and caught and released 8 cats weighing from 8 to 15 pounds while fishing near Frasier Point just outside of the baitfish with cut mackerel. Anthony adds that he saw a huge school of baitfish at Monitor Island as well. All the signs indicate another fantastic winter bite at or near Konocti Harbor Marina. As this report indicates, there are several schools of baitfish concentrated just a short distance from the marina so if history repeats itself they will be in the marina area in a couple of weeks or so.   November 21, 2002 Most of the catfish action seems to be concentrated in the Clearlake Arm of the lake between Luebow and Wheeler Points. Sandy Hager of Tackle It Sport Shop in Lakeport (707) 262-1233 reports lots of cats being caught in the south end of the lake. One angler caught 8 fish weighing from 10 to 24 pounds while drifting with shrimp at Wheeler Point. A bass fisherman caught and released 26 catfish between Luebow and Wheeler Points with a 3 inch leach tied on a drop shot rig. Catfish Guide Anthony Howard (707)-994-3023 went out for a little fun fishing again this past Sunday and caught and released 4 cats ranging from 20 to 23 pounds with nightcrawlers rigged on a drop shot rig while drift fishing near Wheeler Point. My wife and I tried Frasier Point Sunday morning and caught 3 fish weighing from 4 to 10.5 pounds with shrimp plus we missed several good take downs.   November 27, 2002 This is probably the shortest catfish report that I have ever done. I guess everyone is more concerned with turkey than catfish. The only catfish action that I've heard of is in the Clearlake Arm of the lake between Luebow and Wheeler Points. I'm sure there are other areas that are producing some decent catfish action but no one's reporting them to me. As of last weekend there was still a large concentration of baitfish near Wheeler Point and drifting near the birds with cut bait or frozen shad was accounting for a few cats. I did get an email from one gentleman that caught 3 cats weighing from 4 to 12 pounds fishing near Wheeler with chicken liver but I have a hunch he would have done better with cut bait.