"We are now seeing a lot of sixes, sevens and eights," says Giusti. "I think we are going to start seeing more big fish. This year will be even better. The lake is going to be a year older. That makes a big difference. Diamond Valley's bass can put on as much as two pounds a year."

According to Giusti, his best educated guess is that 25 to 40 percent of the population is in the 5- to 8-pound range. Note, however, that there are monster bass available, too.

"We have a few bass in the 15- to 20-pound range, and it's possible to have some pushing 20 pounds," adds Giusti. "I think there are about forty to fifty fish in the 10- to 15-pound range in Diamond Valley, but that's purely a guess."

Guess or reality, the most important factor is that there are huge bass in Diamond Valley, which is just southwest of Hemet. Without a doubt, swimbaits are the way to cash in on trophy fish.

"The guys who are catching the big fish are throwing them year-round," Giusti says. "Most of the guys are throwing the trout baits in the winter, but there isn't one bait that's working better out there than the others. Basically, it's a variety -- pick your brand."

THE BEST OF THE REST
Souther California's reservoirs are loaded with big bass. In fact, nearly every water harbors at least a few bass of 10 pounds or more. Here's a list of waters that have earned honorable mention as swim bait lakes.
Lake Jennings
Lake Jennings has been touted as one of San Diego's better lakes for producing 10-pound bass. Odds are, however, that if you aren't willing to spend countless hours on the water your chances of success are slim. Why? Because Jennings' 10-pounders number in the handfuls, not the dozens. There may be fish close to 20 pounds available, but the total number of fish keeps this lake off the big-boy list.
Lake Poway & Dixon
Poway and Dixon are two favorites for targeting record-sized bass. However, if you aren't Mike Long, the odds are well against you catching one of them. Both of these small waters contain a relatively small number of huge bass that require the utmost amount of patience and stamina as an angler to catch them. These fish have special names (only some of which can be published) and get pounded extra hard by anglers.
Castaic Lake
Castaic is making a comeback and beginning to yield better quality fish than it did just five years ago, but it's still not returned to its glory days of the late 1980's and early 1990's. Throwing a swimbait there may generate strikes from a 5- to 7-pound bass, but the chance of a 10-pound-plus fish isn't high. Anymore, it's more likely you'll catch a striper than a largemouth chasing trout here. Trolling swimbaits near the marina, casting from the damn, and fishing from a point near Castaic Landing are the best ways to get bit. -- Chris Shaffer

Fishing Diamond Valley with swimbaits doesn't take genius, only patience. The lake is the largest in So Cal, which can deceive anglers into thinking they have to cover a lot of water. Focus on spots where trout are commonly found. The marina, main lake points and coves are places where you'll want to concentrate your efforts.

LAKE PERRIS
Over the years, Lake Perris has maintained an excellent population of big bass, but an enormous amount of pressure has toughened up the bite. Now, Perris has more to cope with. In 2005, the lake is going to be drawn down at least 40 percent, to complete necessary repairs on the dam.

"I don't think it's going to affect the bass fishing this winter, but by next year, it could start to take its toll. I wouldn't be surprised if we lose 40 percent of the bass," Giusti says. "You are looking at three to four months of good fishing, and then the population is going to be affected."

This winter though, the bass will still be alive and healthy. In fact, they'll be more concentrated than ever. Barring the development of lockjaw or over-harvest, an abnormal number of big bass could be caught.

"It's still consistent," says Giusti, who believes that Perris holds bass up to 18 pounds. "The numbers of big fish may have gone down in the past few years, but it's been pounded pretty good by anglers."

That pounding has taken a toll. In short, it's harder for anglers to catch big bass, because these fish see so many baits. At Perris, your best bet may be to vary retrieval speeds. Try different baits and vary your depth. If everyone is throwing surface baits, it might be a good idea to fish suspended bait.

SAN VICENTE
While not likely to yield the next state record, San Vicente remains home to quality bass fishing. San V doesn't kick out many bass better than 10 pounds each year, but it parallels any fishery when it comes to quality 5-pound bass.

San V doesn't require anglers to lug around 10-inch swimbaits, either. Here you can save your arm and heave 6- and 8-inch baits. In fact, the smaller swimbaits are more likely to get eaten than the larger ones.

When fishing San V during winter, you'll always find big bass near the marina because that's where trout are stocked. But many anglers concentrate on main lake points, affording them the opportunity to locate migrating bass.

(Editor's Note: Chris Shaffer is the author of The Definitive Guide to Fishing in Southern California, which you can purchase at www.fishingcalifornia.netwww.fishingcalifornia.net.)