The catfish action so good at Santa Ana River Lakes that many anglers are catching a limit and then purchasing another permit and adding even more nice fish to the stringer.

One of the best catches this past week was make by Scott Zimnicki of Garden Grove who landed a total of 40 catfish that weighed in at 135 pounds. His big cat was a 7 1/2-pounder, and all of his fish were landed on mackerel fishing at the road and the Bubble Hole.

The biggest catfish reported was a 12-pound, two-ounce fish that was part of a 15-fish, 24-hour permit stringer landed by Tony Alburto, Anaheim, while fishing from a boat. The total stringer weighed in at 47-4, and he was fishing with the M&M (marshmallow-meal worm) combo doused with Nitro Gravy. Fred Redboat (and we're not sure that's his real name) from Los Angeles caught a 15-fish stringer that weighed 70 pounds at the Toad Road, and his top catfish was a 7 1/2-pounder. All were caught on shrimp or mackerel.

While shore anglers are getting their share of catfish, the best bite by far is for boat anglers who can fish the deeper water. A wide variety of cut baits and prepared baits are working on the cats, but most anglers are adding scents to improve the action. Catfish plants go in each week all summer long, and trophy fish from five to 15 pounds will be a component of each week's plant. The average cat planted will be in the 1 ?? to two-pound range.

A few bass are showing for anglers fishing plastics. Cesar Villarel, Orange, landed a 3 1/2-pound largemouth fishing near the boat dock, but the stickups in the Catfish Pond have been consistently the best area for the bass.

Santa Ana River Lakes is open seven days a week with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on day passes or from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on an evening pass. Each of these $20 passes has a five-fish limit. Each week all summer long, the lake will be open to 24-hour fishing each Thursday through Saturday. These passes have a 15-fish limit and cost $60. A spouse and up to three kids 12 and under can help dad catch his 15-fish limit on these passes. For Santa Ana River Lakes fishing information, call (714) 632-7830 or log on at www.fishinglakes.com.