Record Largemouth Bass - Biggest Bass of 2026

On February 15, Damian Thao of Fresno, California landed the fish of a lifetime while fishing from his kayak on Eastman Lake. It was around midday when Thao positioned his Hobie kayak near a deep submerged tree on a tapering point — a spot that had already produced big fish earlier in the morning. He had caught and released giant largemouth bass weighing 7.5 pounds and 10 pounds before the giant bite happened. He knew record bass were in the lake, and had heard rumors of state record bass possibly being in the lake, but never guessed he would hook into a largemouth bass approaching the California state record for a largemouth bass. A record California largemouth bass is rare, with the record California largemouth bass weighing over 20 pounds. Fishing with a 9-foot Dobyn’s Champion rod paired with a Shimano 4000-size reel spooled with 30-pound fluorocarbon line, Thao cast an albino pearl swimbait toward the sunken tree. After letting the bait sink, the lure briefly hung in the branches. When he snapped the rod to free it, the lure shot loose — and that sudden movement triggered a strike. Once the bass was in the net, he realized it was far bigger than he first thought. The massive girth and length shocked him. A quick check on his kayak scale showed 17.7 pounds, but rough water and wind made him question the accuracy. To get a better reading, Thao secured the bass with a fish gripper attached to a kayak leash and paddled to shore where conditions were calmer. On the way, he met up with his friend Mike Moua, who weighed the fish on a boat scale that read 17.46 pounds. Knowing the bass might be a lake record, they decided to find a certified scale. Since it was Sunday and most places were closed, they placed the fish in a well-aerated livewell and drove about 20 minutes to Madera. On certified scales and in front of witnesses, the giant largemouth bass officially weighed 18.75 pounds, measuring 27 inches long with a 25-inch girth — an incredible catch and one Thao will never forget. 🔴 🔶 🔴 🔶 FOR A GUIDED FISHING TRIP WITH ME CLICK HERE: https://dietermelhornfishing.com/guide-trips TO CHECK OUT OR BUY THE GEAR I USE CLICK HERE: https://dietermelhornfishing.com/gear 🔶🔷🔶 AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS TO GEAR WE USE 🔶🔷🔶 🔴 FISHING LINE Ande Monster Monofilament Fishing LIne: https://amzn.to/4b8ByF0 Ande Leader Line: https://amzn.to/44zmvlr 🔴 REELS CLICK HERE for ALL Catfish Pro products and use the promo code catfish at checkout to save some money!!: https://catfishpro.com/?sca_ref=6416532.3TtqYCqlOmOcbknZ Ancient Mariner Reels: https://amzn.to/3QD7tp2 Lews Laser Baitcasting Reel: https://amzn.to/3JXhOs1 Piscifun Baitcasting Reel: https://amzn.to/3yjHhJO Piscifun Viper X Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/3QDgkXC Runcl Titan II Spinning Reel: https://amzn.to/3QITo9r 🔴 FISHING RODS CLICK HERE for ALL Catfish Pro products and use the promo code catfish at checkout to save some money!!: https://catfishpro.com/?sca_ref=6416532.3TtqYCqlOmOcbknZ Ugly Stik Baitcasting Rod: https://amzn.to/4dPckNV Ugly Stik Spinning Rod: https://amzn.to/3JYx6wy 🔴 TERMINAL TACKLE Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks: https://amzn.to/4ah3DJ7 Bank Sinkers: https://amzn.to/4afMjEi No Roll Sinkers: https://amzn.to/4bCPxmx Snap Swivels: https://amzn.to/3yi8Nr2 Barrell Swivels: https://amzn.to/4bfpMso 🔴 ELECTRONICS Lowrance HDS 12 LIVE Fishfinder: https://amzn.to/4dAo9qO ACR ResQLink 400 -Personal Locator Beacon: https://amzn.to/3ygkAWO Uniden Fixed Mount Marine VHF Radio: https://amzn.to/3JWGUqV Uniden Handheld VHF Radio: https://amzn.to/3QIeAwp ⚫️ 🔵 CONTACT INFORMATION 🔵 ⚫️ MY WEBSITE: http://www.dietermelhornfishing.com EMAIL: dmelhorn@carolina.rr.com If you have products you would like us to demo, or others items you would like to send by mail, you can use the following address. For a street shipping address for larger items please email us. Dieter Melhorn PO BOX 172 Cramerton, NC 28032 #recordlargemouthbass #largemouthbassrecord #biggestbass