Casitas has been the most consistent trophy bass lake in the region. That’s going to remain true this year. With water levels back near the brim, bass have more cover, better spawning areas and access to more food. It’s a sure sign of good things to come.

“We sure hope to see the world record. I really do think it’s here. My gut feeling tells me it’s here,” said Randy King of Lake Casitas Boat Rentals. In his 20-plus years on the job, King has held, seen and weighed more than 2,000 bass heavier than 10 pounds — likely more than anyone else in the world.

“I didn’t think it was here anymore until the 19.8 showed a few years ago,” King said. “But that was proof. And that fish is still in here. It got released. We haven’t seen much bigger than a 15-pound fish in the last year or so, but we know they are here. The guys who aren’t full of it — those that we believe — say they’ve seen world-record fish in this lake.”

On the other hand, longtime mainstays for bass anglers, such as Castaic Lake and Perris, are likely on the down cycle. Anglers can expect bass populations to decrease in both reservoirs.

“Castaic has a drawdown that’s going to happen. They are going to draw it down 60 to 80 feet at least, and we aren’t sure how it’s going to affect that fishery. I don’t count on Castaic producing much, except for maybe the Lagoon, which always produces big fish. Castaic was on the rebound, too, but now it’s going to go the other direction. It could take 10 years for Castaic to recover,” said Giusti.

Perris is also now questionable because of the drawdowns there.

“I think our chances are slim” for a record at Perris, said Giusti. “We are going to see a lot of big fish die due to the drawdowns. The forecast for quality, trophy fish isn’t as good this year at Castaic and Perris. That eliminates two lakes that historically produce big fish.”

In San Diego County there are other fisheries that don’t get much attention from the media, but have the ability to yield massive Florida-strain largemouth bass. Two waters — Lake Cuyamaca and Lake Jennings — don’t receive as much attention as Poway and Dixon, but do consistently kick up bass in the teens for a selected few anglers who know how to carefully target them.

While they weren’t reported to papers and fishing magazines last year, Lake Cuyamaca has proof in photos and official weigh-ins of a 17.8-, a 16- and several 14-pound bass, all caught within a two-day span by swimbait specialist Mike Long. Each day included a five-fish, 50-pound limit of bass that were released.

“A couple of guys really believe there are 19- and 20-pound fish here. Mike Long caught a 17.9 last year, and he said there was another fish bigger right next to it,” says Cuyamaca Ranger Willard Lepley. “I’d say, yes, there’s a 20-pound fish in here, but it’s never bit my hook. The Florida-strain largemouth is doing well here, but the smallies never came back like we expected.”