CASTAIC LAKE YIELDS MONSTER BASS: MICHAEL ARUJO LANDS 21.75-POUND LUNKER
Castaic, CA – In a stunning display of angling prowess, local fisherman Michael Arujo has etched his name into the annals of bass fishing history. On a crisp early March morning in 1991, Arujo reeled in a colossal 21.75-pound largemouth bass from the fertile waters of Castaic Lake, setting a new California state record.
The mammoth catch, officially weighed in at 21 pounds, 12 ounces, was landed near the Main Boat Ramp area of Castaic Lake, a 2,200-acre reservoir located northwest of Los Angeles. This behemoth bass now stands as the 4th largest ever officially recorded, solidifying Castaic Lake’s reputation as a premier destination for trophy bass fishing.
“I knew it was big when it hit, but I had no idea just how big,” Arujo told reporters, still visibly shaken by his encounter with the aquatic giant. “When I finally got it in the boat, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like something out of a fishing fairy tale.”
Arujo’s record-setting catch comes as part of an unprecedented hot streak at Castaic Lake. Remarkably, just seven days after Arujo’s triumph, fellow angler Robert Crupi landed an even larger bass, weighing in at 22.063 pounds. These back-to-back monster catches have sent shockwaves through the fishing community, drawing anglers from across the country to try their luck in Castaic’s apparently bass-rich waters.
Local fishing guide Tom Martinez wasn’t surprised by the recent string of trophy catches. “Castaic has been on fire lately,” Martinez explained. “The combination of ideal water conditions, abundant forage, and the Florida-strain bass stocking program has created a perfect storm for growing true lunkers.”
Wildlife officials are equally excited about the lake’s potential. “These recent catches demonstrate the success of our fisheries management practices,” said Sarah Johnson, a biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Castaic Lake is proving to be a world-class bass fishery, and we’re committed to maintaining its health and productivity for years to come.”
As news of Arujo’s catch spreads, tackle shops around Castaic Lake report a surge in business. “We can barely keep the shelves stocked,” said Bob’s Bait and Tackle owner Robert Lee. “Everyone wants to know what lure Arujo used and where exactly he was fishing. It’s been great for business, but I’m running out of big lures!”
While Arujo’s bass has been certified as the new official California state record, it falls just short of the world record – a 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught by George Perry in Georgia in 1932. Nevertheless, Arujo’s catch represents a milestone in West Coast bass fishing and cements Castaic Lake’s status as a must-visit destination for serious anglers.
As the sun sets over Castaic Lake, boats continue to dot the water, each angler hoping to be the next Michael Arujo. With several of the top 15 largest bass ever caught coming from these waters in recent years, it seems only a matter of time before Castaic produces another record-breaker.
For now, Michael Arujo can bask in the glow of his achievement, knowing that his name will forever be associated with one of the greatest catches in bass fishing history. As for the rest of us, we’ll keep casting, driven by the tantalizing possibility that the next world record could be just one cast away.
