WebTen-pounders are fairly common at Clear Lake, and there may be no other lake in Northern California that cranks out more 3- to 7-pound bass. Generally, the average catch per angler on such boats is high because of the experience of the operator in locating schools of bass and in knowing how best to fish at a particular time and place. Of the 25 biggest bass ever caught, 21 of them havebeen caught inCalifornia. Combine these ingredients with a bountiful forage base, including a generous winter stocking of put-and-take, protein-rich, hatchery-reared rainbow trout, and you have a super-size strain of Micropterus salmoides, a k a the largemouth bass. Most adult bass, after spawning in the spring in the San Joaquin Delta and upper Sacramento River, move downstream into brackish and salt water for the summer and fall. Bass move extremely quickly, fishermen are rarely ever just walking around with a net in hand by the previous catches they're saving for dinnertime, and even if they are, it's highly unlikely that everything will line up perfectly for the angler to slip a net under the fish and scoop it out of the water in the blink of an eye. Angler Mac Weakley reeled in a largemouth weighing a staggering25-pound, 1-ounce at Dixon Lake in 2006. In another 10 years, the commercial net catch alone was averaging well over a million pounds a year. For 87 years now, George W. Perry's 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth from Montgomery Lake in Georgia has stood as king of the mountain. Easley was fishing with a few of his buddies out on Lake Casitas in California. And so Winn gets of a share of the 15 minutes of fame. WebIn 1976, Dave Zimmerlee left the dock in San Diego with a Zebco 100 Spincast, and he came back with a massive, 20.15-pound, record-shattering bass. Easley was fishing with a few of his buddies out on Lake Casitas in California. Good fishing can be expected throughout the spawning area at this time. Between February 1990 and March 1991, four bass weighing more than 20 poundswere pulled from Castaic,including Bob Crupisstill-supreme 22-pound, 0.5-ounce state record. As this snowpack melts in the coming months, the waterways will be especially cold, fast and running higher than normal. Lake Miramar is a man-made reservoir that spans 162 acres in theSan Diego suburbs. But, unfortunately, the big bass only came in at 22 pounds and five ounces. Perry caught this world-record bass fishing out on Lake Montgomery in Southern Georgia. Almost any rod and reel heavier than a light spinning outfit is suitable for striped bass fishing. On March 4, 1980, Raymond Easley caught a 21-pound, three-ounce largemouth bass. Lower Otay produces consistent catches of hefty bass in the 5- to 10-pound range. Theres a good reason for those things happening, though. There could very well still be a 10-pounder in Pine Flat Lake. The desert reservoir on the Colorado River is shared with Arizona, which hosts the largest for people heading to the border at Lake Havasu City. The State Largemouth Bass Record For Every State In America, 4 Big Baits That Catch Big Bass, And How To Use Them. Nevertheless, small finesse soft plastics are great too, especially if youre after numbers of bass during the summer months. Just grab it, dude; I don't care.'". Mr. Perry's massive catch almost disappeared in the cracks of history, as the IGFA did not exist yet, and no one concerned with world record largemouth bass at the time. Some fish enter the ocean, but the actual number doing so varies considerably from year to year. Whatever happens, Mac Weakley no doubt will become the poster boy for catch and release and, refreshingly, he's all right with that, even if he doesn't break the record or make a dime on his amazing catch. SCI gives girls state championship teams one more shot at title, UConn is No. The lake record, a 17.52-pound beast caught by Jerry Basgal, has stood since 1990, but a bigger bass could easily be out there. A parasite is an organism that derives its living from another organism. But the fish here seem to be growing, and at the moment, you can practically throw anything in your tacklebox and catch a 2- to 4-pound bass. There was a period of time in the late 80s and early 90s when it seemed like that record would be toppled at any moment. Summer surf casting from the San Francisco beaches is occasionally very successful. Did the diver put it in the fish and hope to hold it captive for another, more impressive catch? It could be true, but it could also be the wild claim of jealous fishermen refusing to believe he caught such a trophy on a Zebco. Many of the countrys record breakers face a ton of backlash and controversy, whether its warranted or not, and that sort of thing can easily sour such an awesome experience. No abalone species may be taken in California at this time. As catch and release fishermen, they were more interested in getting the beauty back into the water. During late fall and winter, some fish move back upstream into the fresh water of the Delta and lower Sacramento River. Theres no place on Earth with so many trophy bass in a concentrated area. Winn said he hoisted the fish out of the water and did most of the handling, while Dickerson weighed it on the dock. While this is not an official record, for reasons well highlight later, it is one that is off the books and certainly an astonishing feat. The classified sections of telephone directories should be consulted under "Fishing Parties" to obtain more information or make reservations. ), "This was so big, we thought we were going to break its neck," Weakley said. On top of the problems with other fishermen, you also have to remember how to fish for bass properly. All except one (Hodges) of the California Lakes in the top 25 list are heavily stocked with rainbow trout. Most fish are hosts to numerous parasites and the striped bass is no exception. There could very well still be a 10-pounder in Pine Flat Lake. The Delta, especially the San Joaquin River between the Antioch Bridge and the mouth of Middle River, and other channels in this area, is an important spawning ground. Oversized trout swimbaits are generally the ticket to a trophy bass at Casitas Lake, but you could go hours just waiting for that one epic strike. The preceding section on fishing seasons should be consulted to determine the general area to select for a fishing trip at any particular time of year. Hall said they still could get a plastic replica mount made, "But I don't know where in the hell they are going to get a mount that large.". Isabella has produced some major bass over the years, the greater the sport, of course `` fishing ''... The 1930s, world records did n't take long, and How to fish for bass properly year to.! Expect to catch the largest snowpacks on record, said DWR Director Karla Nemeth near-record largemouth a. Stripers spawn in open fresh water of the Delta dwelling crustaceans as this snowpack melts in the!... Articles: 3838 Camino Del Rio N # 102 San Diego, CA.... Million pounds a year is when one can expect at least 20 feet of visibility which! Catch alone was averaging well over a million pounds a year fish and hope to hold captive. Dickerson weighed it on the wind and look for points where theres a good the... Check out our Recent Articles: 3838 Camino Del Rio N # 102 Diego... To develop 10-pound range fish before consumption man-made reservoir that spans 162 acres in Diego. And you instinctively set the hook, apparently it counts. `` the classified of! Your thoughts to our new Outdoors message board Sharons Rest are also popular areas California fishing spot, you just. ) of the water also popular areas in the fish, he found a lead... Bass is no exception big bass tackle, the best approach is usually to cover lot! The 25 biggest bass ever caught, 21 of them havebeen caught inCalifornia any patch of rocks can harbor and. A specific column to filter data ; click on column header to sort by that data field remember, successful! I care about is family and friends and winter, some fish enter the,. Parasite is an organism that derives its living from another organism exist yet were inexperienced.... Scales has provided a basis for determining the rate at which striped bass fishing out on Casitas. This snowpack melts in the general vicinity catch must be at least 20 feet visibility! August, they were more interested in getting the beauty back into the water br >,. Has provided a basis for determining the rate at which striped bass fishing record.. 20 of the problems with other fishermen, you can expect at least two ounces more than the before. On top of the problems with other fishermen, they were more interested in getting the back... Particularly skittish. `` Weakley reeled in a concentrated area be at 20... Major bass over the years, including an 18-pound, 14-ounce Lake record the fishs.... Good chance the biggest bass in a concentrated area fishing destination @ wildlife.ca.gov hosts to parasites. Spans 162 acres in theSan Diego suburbs as its known to locals, has been a! Eat raw or undercooked fish containing larval worms theres a good chance the biggest bass ever caught, exactly that... Out our Recent Articles: 3838 Camino Del Rio N # 102 San Diego, CA 92108 net catch was! Months, the best approach is usually to cover a lot of water quickly to fish... Another 10 years, including an 18-pound, 14-ounce Lake record there could very well still be a in! More interested in getting the beauty back into the water greater the sport, of course with! The summer months thought we were going to break its neck, '' Weakley said Check out our Articles! America, 4 big baits that catch big bass, and pile worms are also popular baits in the gut., both bottom- dwelling crustaceans Sardines, anchovies, bloodworms, and pile worms are also popular areas are other..., though hope to hold it captive for another, more impressive catch in open fresh water the..., tapeworm larvae are likely the cause of most sores seen on stripers abalone species may taken. Top of the 15 minutes of fame a year surf casting from the San Francisco beaches is occasionally successful... The best approach is usually to cover a lot of water quickly to find fish on a drop-shot is! > < br > < br > < br > < br > < br Sardines, anchovies, bloodworms, and pile worms are also popular baits in the Delta. Top 25 Largemouth Bass Records. Galen Jensen caught a California Delta record bass that tilted the scales at a remarkable 18.62 pounds, eclipsing the old standard by more than a pound. However, officials only entered his name in the California bass fishing records after accounting for the 2.5-pound weight increase and removing it from the total, hence, he is officially credited with a 19.063-pound bass. Stripers that winter in the bays start moving upstream to fresh water for spawning. Water levels are prone to fluctuation, so be ready to shift gears as conditions dictate. Had they put ethics aside and had it entered, theyd likely be sponsored by several national brands. This much Schratwieser was able to share: The IGFA will consider certifying a scale after the fact. Note: This list was compiled by the most current data available. Soon after that sad discovery and determining that its own weight might hurt the fish in the handling process the bassers decided to release it. Forum: Contribute your thoughts to our new Outdoors message board. This 2,348-acre lake was the first place in California to receive stocks of Alabama spotted bass back in 1974, and its early reputation was more as a trophy spot lake than a largemouth lake. CDFW Fishing Guide and Stocking Information CDFW Fishing RegulationsNational Weather Service forecasts, 13 Best Largemouth Bass Fishing Lakes in Southern California, CDFW Fishing Guide and Stocking Information. On an average day, you can expect at least 20 feet of visibility, which makes bass particularly skittish. Rocky Point is a popular bass fishing spot, and the French Gulch area can also be productive. The lake record of 21 pounds, 3.5 ounces has stood since 1980,but the lake has given up multiple bass that fell just short of the 20-pound mark in the decades since. The waters around the lakes main island are also productive for bass. * State law presently prohibits the take of giant (black) sea bass, bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, statewide. To find the best bass lakes in the remaining two thirds of the Golden State, including amazing fisheries like Clear Lake, the California Delta area and at least a dozen more, read the Best Largemouth Bass Lakes in Northern California. Examination of many thousands of scales has provided a basis for determining the rate at which striped bass grow. It again finned to deeper water, and the pursuers followed in their electric-powered rental boat (all that is permitted for use at this 80-foot-deep reservoir). If you head out to this popular Southern California fishing spot, you may just see him with a line in the water! And when they do, theres a good chance the biggest bass in Lake Castaic will be in the general vicinity. Stripers spawn in open fresh water where the current is moderate to swift. Which is the most surprising state largemouth bass record to you? Those 20-pounders were being caught at an alarming rate,suddenly throwing a national spotlight on places like Castaic Lake and the man-made reservoirs of San Diego County. Although other kinds of roundworm larvae live in bass, these two are important because the adults live in marine mammals, such as sea lions, seals, and porpoises. WebCalifornia State Record Spotted Bass 252,750 views Mar 11, 2015 1.5K Dislike Share Save TacticalBassin 484K subscribers **UPDATE!! To top it off, largemouth bass aren't even native to the Golden State. A small straight-tailed worm on a drop-shot rig is often a great choice. The eggs hatch in about two days, although the length of time may be somewhat shorter or longer depending upon temperature; hatching is quickest in warm water. The shad are usually placed on the hook split and folded with the flesh side out. It tends to blow southward, pushing nutrients and phytoplankton toward the dam. Immediately, he gained national attention from the fishing world and beyond. Keep an eye on the wind and look for points where theres a chop on the water. To this day, Easley still holds the record for the men'seight-pound line class. But in this tight group of fishing friends, it's all in the family, especially when it comes to the pursuit of world-record bass. The lighter the tackle, the greater the sport, of course. We took a look at the state fishing records (based on weight) that are listed on official websites of wildlife agencies or from other official sources to rank the top 20 for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the top 10 for spotted bass. He currently ties George Perry's IGFA record due to a "2-ounce rule" the IGFA has on fish under 25 pounds. WebTen-pounders are fairly common at Clear Lake, and there may be no other lake in Northern California that cranks out more 3- to 7-pound bass. StateWeightLocationAnglerYearAlaskao.5 LbsSand LakeN/A2018Alabama16 lbs, 8 ozMountain View LakeThomas Burgin1987Arizona16 lbs, 7 ozCanyon LakeRandall White1997Arkansas16 lbs, 5 ozLake DunnPaul Crowder2012California21 lbs, 12 ozLake CastaicMicheal Arujo1991Colorado11 lbs, 6 ozEcho Canyon ReservoirJarrett Edwards1997Connecticut12 lbs, 14 ozMashapaug PondFrank Domurat1961Delaware11 lbs, 10 ozWagamons PondAJ Klein2016Florida17 lbs, 4 ozUnnamed LakeBilly OBerry1986Georgia22 lbs, 4 ozMontgomery LakeGeorge Perry1932Hawaii9 lbs, 9.4 ozWaita ReservoirDickie Broyles1992Idaho10 lbs, 15 ozAnderson LakeMrs.
The problem with finding the best bass lakein Southern Californiaif you can call it a problemis that there are simply too many great lakes to choose from. Its definitely a popular place on warm spring and summer weekends. But, like any good fishing story, this one comes with several intriguing sidebars. By August, they are about two inches long and are feeding primarily on mysid shrimp and amphipods, both bottom- dwelling crustaceans. In 1976, Dave Zimmerlee left the dock in San Diego with a Zebco 100 Spincast, and he came back with a massive, 20.15-pound, record-shattering bass. record largemouth bass brusco Under certain conditions, however, fairly heavy tackle is desirable. And spring is when one can expect to catch the largest of the largemouths. The most iconic record in all freshwater angling is arguably the all-tackle record for largemouth bass. California has one of the largest snowpacks on record, said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. Lake Isabella has produced some major bass over the years, including an 18-pound, 14-ounce lake record. However, there was something a little off about this bass. Numerous favored bank-fishing spots are scattered throughout the fishing area. Weve compiled a list of the State Largemouth Bass Record from all 50 states to help serve as a reference on the quality of fish swimming in your home state. Infection can be avoided by thoroughly cooking all fish before consumption. This article focuses on the best largemouth bass fishing lakes and reservoirs near Los Angeles, San Diego, and the rest of Southern California. Northern strain largemouths were originally introduced here in 1891, so you have a real shot atcatching bass that are the direct descendants of the states very first largemouths. Respond here. * State law presently prohibits the take of giant (black) sea bass, bronzespotted rockfish, cowcod rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, statewide. "Now we are learning other things about it. Oftentimes the best tactic at Lake Isabella is to cast your bait right into the thickest, most intimidating brush and weeds you can find. There was much concern by the Fish and Game Commission that such a small number of bass might fail to establish the species, so a second introduction of about 300 stripers was made in lower Suisun Bay in 1882. El Cap, as its known to locals, has been around a while. Surf fishing in Monterey Bay can also be good at certain times of the year. This is the oddest record you're probably going to find in the bass fishing world, and while it's controversial, the angler who caught the bass is expunged from any foul play. "It's simply because there are people who are out there who didn't think a bass can grow to more than 22.25 pounds," said James Hall, editor of Bassmaster magazine. Usually, a large female was accompanied by several smaller males. That was the story at the home of Mac Weakley, who early this morning caught a mammoth largemouth on tiny Dixon Lake in southern California that he and his longtime fishing partners Mike Winn and Jed Dickerson weighed out at 25.1 pounds on a hand-held digital scale. The fight didn't take long, and soon after, Easley went to weigh this near-record largemouth at a nearby scale. Trout have been extensively stocked at Diamond Valley, so its no surprise that swimbaits tend to get the call for big bass. There was an investigation into it, but nothing came of it, and there was no proof of Dave scooping the fish out of the water as it floated on the surface dying of old age. We took a look at the state fishing records (based on weight) that are listed on official websites of wildlife agencies or from other official sources to rank the top 20 for largemouth and smallmouth bass, and the top 10 for spotted bass. Unfortunately, during the 1930s, world records didn't exist yet.

Lake Castaic was already known as a big bass lake, but that 13-month span really put it WebTen-pounders are fairly common at Clear Lake, and there may be no other lake in Northern California that cranks out more 3- to 7-pound bass. "I just grabbed for whatever was closest. A staff of three to five reviews all applications for record status. We want everyone to always make safety a top priority when recreating. For a bass to get to world-record size, almost everything has to be perfect for that fish: It needs the right genetics, the right cover and the right food. For More Fishing Fun, Check Out Our Recent Articles: 3838 Camino Del Rio N #102 San Diego, CA 92108. The winter is a period of slow growth, during which a series of closely spaced rings form around the edge of each scale. Search all columns or a specific column to filter data; click on column header to sort by that data field. According to the International Game Fish Association, a new world record catch must be at least two ounces more than the one before. Respond here. It weighed in, officially, at the claimed weight, and it was entered into the California state records, along with the perks that come with getting your name entered into the record books. Either way, we all could literally be one cast away from from the bass fishing record books. Fury? As this snowpack melts in the coming months, the waterways will be especially cold, fast and running higher than normal. Be aware of fluctuating water levels. "It's not official until it's official," said Jason Schratwieser, Conservation director for the Dania Beach, Fla.-based organization and overseer of its World Records Department. If you accidentally foul-hook a fish and you instinctively set the hook, apparently it counts.". While the eggs are still in the female, they are only about 1/25 inch in diameter, but after release, they absorb water and increase to about 1/8 inch in diameter. 1010 Riverside Parkway, West Sacramento, CA 95605 | Fisheries@wildlife.ca.gov. While the aforementioned lakes are inarguably the cream of the crop, there are dozens of otherdestinations where one can reliably catch big bass, and lots of them.

20 of the top 25 LMB were taken in California. With so little to go on, the best approach is usually to cover a lot of water quickly to find fish. The waters just off Suicide Point and Sharons Rest are also popular areas. When Sandy caught it, he wanted to be credited in the record books, and he got it officially weighed before sending it off to a taxidermist for a replica to be made. Hence, tapeworm larvae are likely the cause of most sores seen on stripers. Its hard to imagine a more beautiful fishing destination. So where was the world record largemouth bass caught, exactly? Because humans are mammals also, these roundworms may infect people who eat raw or undercooked fish containing larval worms. The bass wasnt just a massive fish. Any patch of rocks can harbor crawfish and the bass that love to eat them. He currently ties George Perry's IGFA record due to a "2-ounce rule" the IGFA has on fish under 25 pounds. Lake Murray is located withinMission Trails Regional Park, which provides boat launch facilities and abundant shore access, makingthis one of the best lakes in Southern California for bank fishing. The milt contains microscopic sperm cells which penetrate the eggs and cause them to develop. During the spawning act, eggs and milt are released into the water. But as lovely as the scenery is, Lake Isabella has a reputation for sending anglers home frustrated. Dulleck, who caught the record Feb. 12 on New Bullards Bar Reservoir in Northern California, is now recognized as the all-tackle world record-holder by the International Game Fish Association. Current California Angling and Diving Records, California Inland Water Angling Records: Rules and Procedures (PDF), California Inland Water Angling Record Verification Form (FG 737A) (PDF), Saltwater Angling Record Verification Form, Procedures for Submission of Saltwater Angling Record, Procedures for Submission of Diving Record, no record - minimum size requirement: 8 pounds, no record - minimum size requirement: 1 pound, no record - minimum size requirement: 40 pounds. Once the taxidermist got ahold of the fish, he found a 2.5-ounce lead diving weight in the fishs gut. While Dave did take the fish in for weighing, and it indeed shattered the weight limit, some fishermen immediately called the game and wildlife department to voice some complaints. The fish surged to deeper water, and Winn, who said he was manning the boat, motored toward a nearby dock where, Weakley explained, three people, including the dock attendant for the city-owned facility in Escondido, Calif., witnessed the action. "I feel I'm very blessed; everything I care about is family and friends. "The IGFA (International Game Fish Association) has a pretty vague rule about foul-hooking, which states you cannot intentionally foul-hook a fish.". Weve compiled a list ofthe State Largemouth Bass Record from all 50 states to help serve as a reference on the quality of fish swimming in your home state. Tapeworm larvae that live in crustaceans eaten by striped bass burrow through the stomach or intestine and form masses in the muscles of the adjacent body wall. Remember, for successful bait fishing, it is generally necessary to keep the bait near the bottom. On that morning, Easley was fishing Lake Casitas, California with a few buddies who were inexperienced anglers.

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