Spring 2025
page 58
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in both the size and range of spotted bass in California reservoirs like Pine Flat, New Melones, and New Bullards Bar Reservoir. Pine Flat near Fresno produced several world records up to and including a 10.27-pound spotted bass caught in a tournament by Bryan Shishido in 2001. Then a 10.48-pound monster was caught in New Melones Lake (one hour east of Stockton) by Keith Bryan in 2014. The likely spot to produce the next world record spotted bass is on New Bullards Bar Reservoir. The current world record set in 2017 by Nick Dulleck is a 11-pound, 4-ounce monster spotted bass. High protein prey of both trout and kokanee salmon produces world record size spotted bass.
SMALLMOUTH BASS
Even smallmouth bass grow to monster size in California. The first smallmouth bass stocking in California occurred in the Napa River in 1874 from Lake Champlain, New York, and a second occurred a few years later into Crystal Springs Reservoir south of San Francisco.
This became the brood stock for successful stockings in northern California. The current state record is 9-pounds, 13-ounces caught in 2007 by Harold Hardin from Pardee Reservoir. Pardee has a healthy population of both crawfish and trout which provide the necessary nutrition to produce monster bass.
THE FUTURE OF THE CALIFORNIA MONSTER BASS ERA
Probably the smallmouth bass species is the least likely of the bass to exceed the current record, and the spotted bass species is the most likely to set a new State (and World) record with the optimal combination of ideal habitat and forage.
But don’t count out a resurgence of monster largemouth bass. Because of increasing water demand for drinking water and irrigation, coupled with climate change, California reservoirs and river systems can essentially become “new” again.
A case in point is Lake Casitas outside of Ojai in Ventura County. Until recently the drinking water reservoir had shrunk in size due to demand and drought. Where water had once covered the shores became dense willows and other plant growth. Hatchery trout stockings ceased over time. Monster bass like Raymond Easley’s 21-pounder faded as a distant memory. Catches of double-digit bass are
comparatively rare and are usually older fish with big heads and undernourished bodies.
But after record rainfall in 2023 and 2024, Lake Casitas is experiencing a rebirth, and I would predict it will once again become a monster bass lake, if stocking of hatchery trout becomes regular and often. Because the lake has doubled in size, the water has become fertile with nutrients. Resident populations of crappie, bluegill, and shad will experience rapid growth, and the bass population will follow. Soon there the big bass fishing could be off the hook, and if trout are stocked then monster bass could once again make a resurgence. Ideally a fresh stocking of Florida-strain bass would help the genetics by establishing F1 hybrids once again.
Diamond Valley Reservoir is another example with similar traits, as are other reservoirs in California that have been drawn down over years of drought, and then flooded after heavy rain. The influx of nutrients results in an explosion of plankton which kicks off the food chain and presents ideal feeding opportunities and rapid growth for prey and predators alike.
Also stocked with trout, Diamond Valley Reservoir, which was new in 2003, has produced bass over 16-pounds and with its recent rise in water level this will likely increase. San Vicente Reservoir has recently increased in size, making it another candidate to produce monster largemouth bass.
MONSTER BASS FISHING TIPS
Target lakes that are fertile due to recent flooding, and especially if they are stocked with trout and or Kokanee salmon. Having Florida-strain genetics is important, especially if stocked with pure Florida-strain bass within the past 10 years.
Remember monster bass are the apex predator in the lake and will occupy the prime habitat such as primary points with deep water nearby. Availability of high protein prey is important.
Monster bass get that way by being cautious and having superior eyesight and hearing. They shy away from fishing pressure, so it is important to avoid making your presence known to monster bass. Trolling motor noise, sonar noise, angler noise, angler visibility, unnatural presentations, heavy fishing line, and many other considerations should be considered if an angler is serious about catching monster bass.
Fishing during prime feeding opportunities tips the odds in your favor, such as fishing during falling barometric pressure with pre-frontal weather conditions. Ciao! •