Bass fishing news was recently made when Randy Pierson of Oakdale, Cailf. reeled in a lake record on New Melones with a 10-lb, 1-oz spotted bass; however, details regarding the big spot on the Mother Lode lake were put on hold, until today. Pierson finally broke his silence, telling his fish story from that day in an exclusive interview.
Pierson’s tight-lipped demeanor was attributed to an upcoming bass fishing tournament scheduled for March 9 on the same fishery. With that event now in the books, Pierson was willing to talk and described the record-breaking day with “opposite conditions” of the kind that have a big fish bite. “It was clear and warm and there was no wind,” stated the angler. “The lake was flat calm and often that makes the fish scarce and go deeper. We launched at safelight practicing for the ABA Mother Lode Division’s next tournament.”
The angler was pre fishing with his father and team partner Glenn Pierson. The two had only boated three fish prior to 1:40 p.m. “We went over to a point in about 15-feet or so, a place we occasionally catch fish,” he continued. “It was like one of those ‘last cast of the day’ situations and there it was. It didn't really feel that different than any five pounder. When the rod loaded up, I knew it was a good one and told my dad to get the net. I wasn't nervous; it was fun fishing. It never jumped. We had no clue it was a ten. I think my dad was in shock when he saw it."
Coincidentally, Pierson's friend Mike Sanders had the existing spotted bass lake record at the time of Pierson's catch; therefore he was well-aware of the weight it would take to break it. After registering 10-lbs on a scale in the boat, he called Glory Hole Sports and they made the lake record official with another weighing and photos.
At 10-lbs, 1-oz, Pierson's spot shattered the most recent lake record of 8-lbs, 3-oz set only three weeks prior. It fell just short of the spotted bass world record of 10-lbs, 4-oz. "When I was reeling this one in, there were two followers," said Pierson. "One of them was equal in size and the other at least two pounds bigger. I'm 95 percent sure they were all spots. To me, there is no question that the next world record will come from here and possibly in the next few months."
The bait responsible for this lake record was a River2Sea Light Trout S-Waver. Pierson had it tied on 15-lb Seaguar fluorocarbon using his new St. Croix 6'8" Legend Extreme rod.
Prior to the New Melones event on March 9, the Pierson team led the Angler of the Year (AOY) race for the Mother Lode division. They ended their March 9, Melones tournament in 4th with 23.04 and a kicker weighing in at 8.34. “Ironically enough, the 8.34 would’ve broken the lake record in the tournament, if I hadn’t got the ten the week before,” added Pierson.
The eight was tempted to bite by 6-inch Keeper Worm. Pierson also had this on a new St. Croix rod - a 6'3" Extreme Legend spinning rod with 8-lb-test.
To follow the fish caught on New Melones, check in with Glory Hole Sports.
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