Lunker Castaic Largemouths Still Waiting in the Wings

This time last year , big largemouth bass in Castaic Lake started to rise from the cold depths to feed, and thereafter several trophies and a few near world records were landed.

Whether this will be the year of a new world record--the record of 22 pounds 4 ounces has stood since 1932--remains to be seen, but the fish again appear to be rising and becoming less sluggish.

Still, catches this week, topped by a seven-pounder taken at 35 feet by Ralph Gammal of Castaic, have not approached those expected in the coming weeks.