Intermittent high winds and rain have plagued fishermen on Clear Lake this week. The fishing has been good on the days that were fishable. Here's what we've been hearing.

The bass are biting well in 2 to 12 feet of water. Our "Fish Formula" this week has us fishing tules and docks on the shallow flats all around the lake. (That is, not shallow docks next to deeper water, but rather shallow next to shallow or gradual depth changes.) Jumbo minnows are the top producer among live bait fishermen. Spinner baits, shaky heading and drop shotting finesse worms, and creature baits like Zoom's Brush Hog and Yamamoto's Flippin' Lizard are top artificials. Water temps are still hovering around the 60 degree mark. Low 60's on the warmer days and upper 50's on days like today.

The crappie are in at Rodman Slough, Clearlake Oaks Keys, and the State Park in Kelseyville. Live minnows are number one. Some crappie are coming in at the public pier at Redbud Park and along the shallow standing docks at the south end of the city of Clearlake. Suspend your bait below a small bobber or run them with just a small piece of split shot. Watch your line as the pickup may be lighter than you expect.

The biggest news about the lake this week is the catfish bite. Many anglers have reported good success fishing for catfish both from shore and by boat. Shore anglers are catching cats from private docks down on Cache Creek while boaters are drifting bass alley, Indian Island, and the mouth of Cache Creek. Mackerel, jumbo minnows, and inflated nightcrawlers have been doing the trick. And catch this?Ķ Jessie Boyd and 4 year old son Joseph teamed up to land a whopping 25 pound 10 ounce giant on a nightcrawler while fishing in Cache Creek. There have been a few others, too. Bill Silva nailed a 20 # 8 oz. cat on a nightcrawler down on the creek, Todd Koerlin and Donny Larmour from Oakland had a nice stringer of cats that topped out with a 15# 10 oz. cat. All of theirs were caught on mackerel. Then there were Paul and son Blake Pappas from Vacaville. They caught some nice cats on jumbo minnows with the biggest tipping the scales at 17# 4 ounces.

Perhaps the catfish are just warming up for the Catfish Derby coming up May 18, 19, & 20. Looking to get in on the derby??? Stop by the shop for an entry form. Don't miss out on the fun ??? come join us on Clear Lake for the biggest catfish derby west of the Mississippi!

Bob Rider, Owner
Lakeshore Bait & Tackle
14913-D Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, CA 95422

707.994.FISH

707.994.4961 fax
www.994Fish.com