Looks like New World Record Fly Rod Bass!

[Eight Thumbs]

Hi Joe,

If they happen to run a picture in the local paper, I sure would like to see it. 8T

[DShock]

http://media.basspro.com/images/arti...ns081007_4.jpg
Doug

[flyfisherjoe]

I just wanted to note that I originally posted that the Bass was caught in Lake Casitas but it was caught in Castaic Lagoon which is below the dam at Castaic Lake California. I have corrected the original post. Castaic is not that far from Casitas and is also known for very large Bass. The name is one that I've confused before, sorry.

[MontanaMoose]

I used to do that too when I lived on the Mesa...but now I have to ask...is Casitas
open to fishing? If I'm remembering correctly it wasn't when I was there...or...am I so confused I'm thinking of Juncal (sp)... I do remember sneaking into one of those....

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[flyfisherjoe]

Hi Montana, long time!

Casitas is open to fishing but, the Quagga mussel has made it difficult to use boats. They require inspections every time you re-enter the lake unless your boat is still sealed to the trailer with a special seal. This means there are a lot less bass boats and on the lake and the tournaments have all but stopped. The rental boats are still available. I don't think float tubes are permitted anymore.

Juncal is a local Santa Barbara reservoir and is closed.

BTW: did you see I posted pictures in the beginning post?

[MontanaMoose]

I know and i still haven't been that far south...
the road is calling me though so you never know.

Sure is good to hear from someone that knows
what I'm talking about when I mention Juncal
and the like. Yes, I see the pictures now...just today in fact.
That bass should define a new species...call 'em bucket gut !

Is the S Y worth fishing up above the boy's camp anymore?
I used to get some good size smallies up there.
Ok, talk with you soon Joe !

MontanaMoose

Hi Montana, long time!

Juncal is a local Santa Barbara reservoir and is closed.

BTW: did you see I posted pictures in the beginning post?

[airbornemike]

I love it!! Big monster bass that eat dainty little midge sipping rainbows....being from the midwest I never understood running across state lines to fish pretty little browns and stocker bows when better SM and LM bass fishing is a pond, river or lake away.

[flyfisherjoe]

Montana, the Santa Ynez still has smallmouth but a 12" is good sized. In the winter they stock trout but they don't last long and, unfortunately a lot of smallmouth get taken along with them. The river gets hit pretty hard by people that keep everything they catch and, this being California,

You need to get down this way and I'll show you where to find some fish

An interesting note for those that mention the hatchery trout as "feed" for the bass here in California. Yesterday, I went to Castaic lagoon to check out the bass fishing. It was gloomy, windy and the bass were not cooperating so I decided to head back to the ramp. When I got there I saw a fish come up. I cast out a leech pattern and caught a stocker rainbow. I made about 10 more casts, caught several more and was bumped on almost every cast. I notice a boat not far away and it's fisherman were casting "Castaic Bait" plugs. These are realistic replicas of hatchery trout that are very effective in catching large bass. The size and color of the the fish I caught looked just like their lures. They were casting amonst the many surfacing trout in hopes of finding a feeding bass. I asked them, "where did all these trout come from?" They said the stocking truck just pulled away not more than 10 minutes before I pulled up to the ramp area. I quit fishing. Once again this proves that hatchery triout do not need any time to acclimate or recover after being planted. I have observed on many ocasions "fisherman" following the hatchery truck and catching fish even before the truck left the area. I don't understand the thrill in this kind of "fishing."

[MontanaMoose]

Ok, well the pressure would keep the
size of the smallies down I would imagine.
It's been a while since I was up there but I did
get some over 12" a few times...a lot over a few
times. When I started fishing that drainage I hardly
ever saw anyone up there accept day hikers. Now
I imagine it is a regular zoo on weekends.

Yes I do need to head down there Joe, yer right about that.
Would be a real blast from the past for sure. Will let you
know for sure if'n I do..meantime, happy fly fishing !
Oh and don't forget about your Shasta trip !

Cheers,

MontanaMoose

[rrhyne56]

Lordy, what a pig! Great news and congrats to Larry!!