THE OUTDOORS : Weather, Bait Make Catfish Bite

Warm weather has made for an excellent catfish bite at Southland lakes, with bait that smells--anchovies, mackerel and stinkbaits--producing nice stringers.

Rene Attaway of Fountain Valley caught five catfish at Irvine Lake totaling 89 pounds--nearly an 18-pound average--for the week’s best catch.

Largemouth bass fishing is typically slow for August, though several lakes reported good top-water action in the early mornings and late evenings.