BY DAVE HURLEY
FRESNO– No sooner than the reports of the 18.75-pound largemouth bass caught and released by Damian Thao at Eastman, swimbaits went flying off the shelves in Central Valley tackle shops. The allure of this one big fish resulted in a shortage of 8- and 10-inch swimbaits of all manufacturers within days of the news. Tas Moau of 559 Fresno Bait and Tackle said, “All our Megabass Megadrafts, Hawg Hunters, and Huddlestons were gone within a day, and I was left with a few of the 6-inch versions. Since Damian landed the big fish on a 10-inch Megadraft in Albino White, these were gone within hours. The custom Workingclass Zero Tyrant 10’s are also in high demand.”
Thao hasn’t slowed down, and before he left for the Bassmaster Kayak Championships in Tennessee, he caught and released additional double-digit largemouths at 14.73, 11.82, and 10.76 on swimbaits at Eastman from his kayak. Eastman has been a bit busy over the past two weeks, but it’s not the only low-elevation lake where swimbaits are flying.
Aaron Jones of Central Valley Bait and Tackle in Modesto had a similar story with all their big swimbaits gone within a few days of Thao’s big fish. The internet was filled with private anglers either buying or selling big swimbaits similar to trying to buy a last-minute ticket for a sporting event or a big concert at premium prices. Working class Zero Tyrants range from $134.95 for the 10-inch model to $114.95 for the 8-inch model, Hawg Hunter 9.5’s are $110, and Huddleston 10-inch swimbaits at $55. Many of the big baits are sold out on the websites. These baits aren’t for the light of heart, or wallet.
Area bait shops are working hard to restock their swimbait supplies, but interested buyers won’t have long to make their decision, as if they wait, there is a very good possibility the peg will be empty on your next visit.
One fish can set off a tsunami of sales, and the desire for bass anglers to empty their savings accounts in the quest of a big fish remains strong.
