WCBA Castaic Lake Tournament Recap 4/26/2026
April 25, 2026 marked the first official tournament in West Coast Bass Anglers history. Ten teams launched out of Castaic’s West Ramp (since the main ramp has been out of commission for like, 2 years) under threatening skies, setting the tone for what turned into a highly competitive and tightly contested day on the water. The weather screamed for a potential of a reaction bite, but not too many teams were talking about too many keepers coming on moving baits.
Limits were the standard across the field—every team brought in five fish, which is typical of Castaic in the Spring. The difference wasn’t finding them, it was upgrading them. Culling separated the teams that cashed from those that didn’t, and ounces mattered across the board. And as always, kickers separated the pack. The outlier was Team OG/Sherminator. They just had a solid bag of 5 fish.
When the scales settled, Team Dr. Estrada / Muro claimed the win with a strong 15.73-pound limit, anchored by the tournament’s Big Fish at 5.88 pounds. A statement performance to open the club’s first season.
📊 TOURNAMENT METRICS
- Teams: 10
- Total Fish Weighed: 50
- Total Weight: 126.41 lbs
- Average Weight per Team: 12.64 lbs
- Average Fish Weight: 2.53 lbs
- Limits: 10/10 Teams
🏆 FINAL STANDINGS
| Team | Fish | Weight | Big Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Randy Estrada / Anthony Muro | 5 | 15.73 | 🐟 5.88 |
| Albert Medina/ Sherman Wray | 5 | 14.55 | – |
| Dave Mendez / Joe Nava | 5 | 13.67 | – |
| Chris Graciano/ Alfred Houston | 5 | 13.57 | 🐟 5.14 |
| Gerald Sowers/ Grayson Sowers (Guest) | 5 | 12.99 | 🐟 3.79 |
| Eddie Roblero/ Scott W. (Guest) | 5 | 12.53 | – |
| Rory Parker / Dean Leslie | 5 | 11.84 | 🐟 4.69 |
| Ed Cazarez / Miguel Lizarraga | 5 | 11.09 | – |
| Frank Schwamborn/ Sampson Sly-hoar | 5 | 10.36 | 🐟 3.07 |
| Danny Valle / Jonthan Gaulthier | 5 | 10.08 | – |
All teams weighed full 5-fish limits.
🌦️ WEATHER CONDITIONS & BAROMETER
- Overcast skies throughout the day, with sporadic wind
- Light drizzle following weigh-in
- Launch temperature: ~55°F
- Highs in the low 60s
- Barometer at launch: 29.88 inHg
🌊 WATER CONDITIONS
- Visibility: ~8 feet
- Temperature 64 degrees
- Stable conditions despite weather fluctuations
🎣 PATTERN & BITE
The bite was consistent, but not all bites were created equal. Finesse techniques produced the fish that mattered, with the drop shot standing out as a key player for quality upgrades.
Topwater produced numbers for this angler early, but struggled to generate the weight needed to stay competitive. Several teams reported success culling up with slower presentations, including a drop shot wacky rig that accounted for multiple better-quality fish.
In a tournament where everyone caught them, execution—and upgrading—defined the outcome.
🐟 BIG FISH
5.88 lbs – Dr. Randy Estrada
📝 CLOSING NOTES
The first event is officially in the books! A great field, tight weights, and a complete set of limits across the board set a strong foundation for the West Coast Bass Anglers’inaugural tournament, and the kick off to the ’26 season.
If this event was any indication, consistency will get you a check—but finding a way to separate with quality will define who takes home trophies this year.
📸 PHOTO GALLERY
