It’s Catfish Derby weekend here on Clear Lake and there’s a fantastic buzz in the air with all the preparations for this, the largest derby west of the Mississippi. The weather looks great as we head into our weekend with forecast temperatures into the upper 90’s. Bassin’ is good, some crappie are being caught, and the catfish are hungry.

The bass reports have anglers doing well in shallow water – from 2 feet to 6 or 8 feet. Key lures have been Brush Hogs and creature baits like Maverick’s Bugly and Bugly Jr., finesse worms, spinner baits and smaller swim baits. Some folks are even working top water lures like frogs and wake baits with success.

Structure areas like tules, shallow rocks and docks have been tops. Don’t overlook the deeper water nearby – there are still some staging bass. Jumbo minnows are the hot ticket for live bait anglers. Fish ‘em in the same areas I just mentioned. Run your minnow with just a single piece of split shot about three to four feet up your line. Use enough weight to make the minnow work, but not enough to drag it down.

Our friend Ken, owner of Indian Beach Resort in Clearlake Oaks, tells us that they’re catching some nice crappie from their docks during the wee hours of the night. Reports have anglers catching from five to 10 crappie in an outing. Use live medium minnows and work directly below the floating docks. Other anglers have reported similar results fishing docks and dock pilings here in the Redbud arm of the lake. Some crappie, albeit fewer in number, are being taken from Redbud Park here in the City of Clearlake during the daytime.

Catfishermen are enjoying a consistent bite all around the lake. Most of my shoreline property owners are reporting several fish per day from their docks using a variety of bait. Mackerel, as usual, is king. Shad, anchovies, night crawlers and live minnows are also favorites. Chicken livers and clams are getting some action as well.

This is going to be a fun weekend to be a catfish angler on Clear Lake. Derby headquarters is at the fire station in Clearlake Oaks. Fishing for the derby kicked off at noon Friday.

I’ve been promised regular updates to the leader board all weekend. I’ll have the standings posted here in the shop as they’re updated. Call or stop in to see if your fish is in the money! And lastly, I’ve got some great folks coming out to do a barbecue booth in our parking lot this weekend. They’ll have great barbecue pulled pork, brats, and more on sale beginning around mid-day today and running through the weekend.

So come on by, grab your bait, pick up some great food, and have a super weekend on our state’s largest natural lake. It's derby time!

Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, CA 95422, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com.