Catfish grab the spotlight at Clear Lake this weekend as the second annual Lakeport Catfish Derby gets under way at 5 p.m. today. It runs until noon on Sunday.
The derby is a fundraiser for the Lakeport Yacht Club and the entry fee is $55. Fishermen can sign up as late as 9 p.m. tonight at the yacht club, located at the Fifth Street Ramp in Library Park, Lakeport. Derby officials will be at the yacht club all day today to accept entries. There is also be a children”s division for those 15 and under. The entry fee is $10.
All activities take place at the Lakeport Yacht Club and the awards ceremony starts at 1 p.m. Sunday. The derby pays down to five places and each fisherman can weigh in one catfish at a time. If a fisherman catches a larger fish it will replace the one the fisherman previously weighed. The winner receives $1,500 provided the derby draws 100 fishermen. Call 279-1974 for information.
The derby should produce some huge catfish — the winning catfish last year weighed 15.26 pounds. In fact, the catfish action is literally on fire right now with fishermen weighing in a good number of catfish between 10-15 pounds in recent days. One of the better areas continues to be at Lakeside County Park where on Wednesday evening Chris Sprague and Deena Wilkerson of Kelseyville caught three catfish, including a 17-pounder, while fishing off the dock. Another fisherman caught two catfish from the same dock Wednesday.
The State Park is also producing some very good catfish as is Shag Rock. The docks at Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven are another hot spot. The hot baits have been live crawdads and nightcrawlers.
Bass fishermen are working hard and covering a lot of water to find their fish. The key to success is to locate the baitfish and watch for grebes feeding on the small fish. The bass are following the baitfish. The problem is that one day you will find nonstop action and the next day you won”t get a bite in the same area.
Most of the local fishing guides report their clients are averaging from five to 10 fish per day, but they also have been moving constantly looking for schools of bass. The good news is the weeds and the algae continue to break up and there is a lot of open water. The Lakeport area is a good indication. Where there were massive weed mats a couple weeks ago the water is now clear.
The top bass lures have been the lipless crankbaits retrieved yo-yo style and chatterbaits. Jigs and live crawdads are also producing a fair number of bass.
The Sunday Shootout will be held on Sunday. The local tournament operates out of the Konocti Vista Casino and the hours are 6 a.m. to noon. The entry fee is $20 per team plus $10 for big fish.
The popular Bob”s Marine Champion-Stratos team tournament is scheduled for Sept. 8-9. Fishermen can sign up for the tournament the evening of Sept. 7 from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Konocti Vista Casino. Entry forms will be available.
Giant bluegill are still being caught at various locations around the lake. Shag Rock continues to be one of the hot spots. There is no crappie action to speak of although a few crappie are being caught off the docks at the Indian Beach Resort in Glenhaven.
No local waters were stocked with trout this week. The East Branch of the Russian River is scheduled to be stocked next week. Trout action at Upper Blue Lake is rated fair with trollers getting most of the action. The East Branch of the Russian River is still providing decent action for those fishing in the deeper holes.
Local deer hunters are hoping for cooler weather. To date the success in Zone A has been very poor. Local game wardens report they are validating few bucks for hunters.
