Dixon Lake, California--There are lots of reasons why this relatively small water supply reservoir has produced 4 of the top 15 largest bass of all time, including Mac Weakley's recent 25-pound leviathan. According to rangers who work there: 1: The lake has an exploding population of bluegills. 2: The City of Escondido dumps monthly helpings of 3,600 snack-sized rainbow trout into it from November through May. 3: And each spring hatches of ducklings and cootlings provide a high-protein feast for big bucketmouths. All this equals one hot bass fishery, as the following gallery of monster Dixon largemouth photographs proves. Thanks to the Lake Dixon ranger station (www.dixonlake.com) for the pics.
Check out these monster bucketmouths from the home of the biggest bass ever
Find one of these bare-bottom patches in a weedy reservoir and you're in for a great day of spring bass fishing.
Was the same 25-pound largemouth that is turning the fishing world upside down featured on the cover of Field & Stream two years ago? Check out our photos and decide for yourself. PLUS: why Weakley won't ask the IGFA to certify his 25-pound bass.
It's March, and you need to cover lots of water. Stow those soft plastics and reach for a shallow runner
The youngest Classic winner ever caught the heaviest tournament stringer on record, despite weather that gave his competitors fits. How'd he do it? Homework. Our writer was there as Clausen formed the plan that won the tournament.
Everything is backwards at the largest ice-fishing contest in the country, where tiny fish win huge prizes and most people don't catch anything. So why is everyone here smiling? BONUS PHOTO GALLERY: With exclusive out-takes not published in the magazine
How to: train a retriever, catch bigger bass, track more game, release more fish, use a better bottom rig
When bass gang up on schools of shad in autumn, a vibrating blade bait can be the most productive piece of tackle in your box.