Kayak Angler's Record-Breaking Bass Catch on Eastman Lake

A recent fishing expedition on Eastman Lake resulted in an extraordinary catch for Damian Thao, a dedicated kayak angler from Fresno, California. Thao, 34, landed a massive 18.75-pound largemouth bass, marking a significant personal achievement and potentially a new lake record. The incident, which occurred on February 15, involved a series of events from an initial subtle strike to a diligent effort to obtain an official weight, highlighting both the thrill of the catch and the unexpected complexities of outdoor regulations.

Thao's day began auspiciously, having already reeled in a 7.5-pound and a 10-pound largemouth earlier that morning. Approaching a submerged tree on a sloped point, a familiar bass habitat, he cast an albino pearl swimbait using a Dobyn's 9-foot Champion rod and a Shimano 4000-size reel with 30-pound fluorocarbon line. The lure momentarily snagged, and as he freed it with a sharp rod movement, he felt a subtle strike. Believing the sudden motion provoked the fish, Thao quickly engaged, sensing a substantial weight on his line.

Initially, Thao estimated the fish to be a 10 or 12-pounder, even struggling to fit it into his landing net. Upon lifting the fish from the water, he was astonished by its immense size and girth. His kayak's scale first read 17.7 pounds, but due to the windy conditions and the kayak's instability, he doubted the accuracy. Determined to get a precise measurement, he secured the bass with a fish-gripper and tether, then paddled towards the shore for a calmer weighing. En route, he encountered fellow angler Mike Moua, who confirmed a weight of 17.46 pounds on his boat's scale.

Recognizing the potential for a lake record, Thao and Moua decided a certified scale was necessary. Given it was a Sunday and no local facilities were open, they transported the fish in Moua's aerated livewell for a 20-minute drive to Madera. There, before witnesses, the 27-inch long bass, boasting a 25-inch girth, officially weighed 18.75 pounds. This monumental catch represents Thao's largest bass to date.

Following the successful weigh-in, Thao released the bass back into Eastman Lake. However, he later discovered that transporting the fish off the lake and then returning it, even for release, inadvertently violated a specific California state regulation. Thao expressed regret over unknowingly breaking the law but emphasized his commitment to the fish's well-being, stating his satisfaction that the bass was returned to the lake where it could contribute to the upcoming spawning season.