A remarkable fishing story recently unfolded at Southern California's famed Lake Otay, where a dedicated angler, Andy Guzman, reeled in a colossal 15-pound, 30-inch largemouth bass. This extraordinary catch not only marks a personal best for Guzman, who has been intimately familiar with the lake since childhood, but also reaffirms Lake Otay's status as a premier destination for trophy bass fishing. The meticulous preparation, including the use of a specially crafted lure, and the sportsman's commitment to catch-and-release, underscore a deep respect for both the sport and the aquatic environment.
A Memorable Encounter: The Catch of a Lifetime
Andy Guzman's recent outing to Lake Otay on January 10th began like many others, but quickly escalated into an unforgettable experience. As dawn broke, Guzman navigated his bass boat along a stretch of water hyacinths, a known habitat for baitfish, signaling potential activity. His intuition proved correct; after observing a blue heron and scattering baitfish, he cast his custom-made 9-inch Hinkle Shad glide bait into the promising waters. The ensuing strike was immediate and powerful, signaling a significant catch. Guzman's 7.4-inch Loomis plug rod bent under the strain, and his 20-pound test fluorocarbon line held firm as he battled the formidable fish. The absence of a landing net, a detail he later attributed to a recent duck hunting trip, added an unexpected challenge, requiring him to skillfully hand-lip the bass into his boat. This thrilling struggle against a powerful adversary culminated in landing a fish of truly impressive dimensions.
Upon securing the bass, Guzman initially used an old Rapala scale, which registered an astonishing 15 pounds, 11 ounces. Skeptical of the reading's precision and eager for a more accurate measurement before releasing the fish, he promptly contacted his friend, Greg Miller, who was also fishing nearby and possessed a newer, more reliable Bubba scale. The two converged, and Miller's scale confirmed the magnificent catch, recording it at 15 pounds, 9 ounces. After capturing photographs to document the incredible moment, Guzman diligently returned the grand largemouth to the lake's 59-degree waters, ensuring its continued prosperity. This commitment to conservation, alongside the sheer excitement of the catch, encapsulated a perfect day of angling, further solidified by his wife Bianca's earlier encouragement to go fishing, which he humorously noted, led to this monumental achievement.
The Lure's Legacy: A Story of Craftsmanship and Success
Central to Andy Guzman's remarkable catch was his specialized Hinkle lure, a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and personalized design. This particular glide bait, a jointed plug, was not just any lure; it was a gift from the renowned lure maker Andrew Hinkle himself. However, it was its transformation that made it truly unique. Guzman entrusted the unpainted lure to "Little River Lure Lady" Zena in South Carolina, providing her with detailed photographs of the shad species native to Lake Otay. Zena's artistic expertise allowed her to meticulously hand-paint the plug, creating an exact replica of the local forage, a technique known as "matching the hatch." This precision in design is believed to have been a crucial factor in attracting such a large bass, as the lure seamlessly mimicked the natural prey of the lake's inhabitants.
The return of the custom-painted Hinkle plug from Zena came with a hopeful note, wishing Guzman success in catching a world-record fish. While his 15-pound bass did not claim a world record, it undeniably became the most significant catch of his angling career, imbuing the lure with immense sentimental value. Guzman views this special lure, a collaborative masterpiece by Hinkle and Zena, as an indispensable part of his fishing arsenal. The incident also saw Guzman reflecting on a recurring "good omen": the absence of a landing net, which, on previous occasions, has oddly coincided with his most impressive catches. This blend of custom gear, expert craftsmanship, and a touch of angler's superstition contributed to a truly memorable fishing narrative, cementing the lure's place in his cherished collection and solidifying his deep connection to the sport and its traditions.