WCBA Pyramid Lake Tournament Recap 6/20/2026
After a month of anticipation, the West Coast Bass Anglers made their third stop of the 2026 season at beautiful Pyramid Lake. Anglers were greeted with pleasant early morning conditions before a steady breeze arrived around mid-morning, making boat positioning more challenging for those without Spot-Lock. The weather cooperated, and the bass did too.
One of the biggest takeaways from the day was the changing location of the fish. While some anglers spent time probing the backs of coves and cuts, the winning pattern developed along the main lake walls and points. As is often the case at Pyramid, the fish had shifted, rewarding those who recognized the move and stayed committed to offshore structure.
Leading the way was Dean Leslie, who teamed up with Kevin Duncan to bring an impressive 16.04 pounds to the scales. After a difficult showing at Skinner Lake the previous month, Dean bounced back in convincing fashion, separating himself from the field with a consistent pattern and quality fish throughout the day.
When asked what the key was, Dean didn’t hesitate to share his success.
“Fishing the Big 5″ Hula Grub, Miguelito… right off the main lake walls and points.”
Dean has always been one of those anglers willing to share what worked, and it’s great to see good people rewarded with a tournament victory. Congratulations also go out to his partner, Kevin Duncan, who made the trip from out of state to fish with the club. That’s some serious dedication, and we’re always happy to have him join us.
A congratulations also goes to Joe Nava, whose 4.82-pound largemouth earned Big Fish honors for the tournament while helping he and boater Frank Schwamborn finish in second place. That mojo rig with Papa Joe’s favorite worm does damage wherever it’s thrown.
📊 TOURNAMENT METRICS
- Teams: 9
- Total Fish Weighed: 42
- Total Weight: 95.59 lbs
- Average Weight per Team: 10.62 lbs
- Average Fish Weight: 2.28 lbs
- Limits: 8/9 Teams
🏆 FINAL STANDINGS
| Team | Fish | Weight | Big Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Leslie / Kevin Duncan | 5 | 16.04 | – |
| Frank Schwamborn / Joe Nava | 5 | 14.23 | 🐟 4.82 |
| David Mendez / John Diaz | 5 | 13.28 | – |
| Gerald Sowers / Thomas Riley | 5 | 11.30 | – |
| Chris Graciano / Mark Chadeayne | 5 | 10.42 | – |
| Dr. Randy Estrada / Dan “Pops” Colgan | 5 | 9.99 | – |
| Rory Parker / Chris Bonilla | 5 | 9.51 | – |
| Gil Bowman / Samson Sly-hoar | 5 | 7.57 | – |
| Alfred Houston / Miguel Lizarraga | 2 | 3.25 | – |
8 of 9 teams brought full 5-fish limits to the scales.
🌦️ WEATHER CONDITIONS & BAROMETER
- Overcast skies throughout the day
- Light and variable wind conditions
- Launch temperature: ~58°F
- Highs in the low 70s
- Barometer at launch: 30.05 inHg
🌊 WATER CONDITIONS
- Visibility ranged from 2 to 6 feet depending on area of the lake
- Typical post-spawn conditions throughout the reservoir
🎣 PATTERN & BITE
If there was one takeaway from Pyramid, it was that the fish had largely vacated the obvious spawning pockets and transitioned to the main lake. While a handful of bass were reportedly still guarding fry, the majority of the field found success targeting fish that had already made the move to bluff walls, cobble points, and the mouths of cuts rather than the backs of coves.
Our biggest mistake was spending too much time fishing water that looked like it should hold fish. The coves certainly had all the right ingredients, but the better quality bites were coming from bass relating to main lake structure. Adding to the challenge were countless schools of tiny, one-inch silversides scattered throughout the lake, giving bass an endless buffet of natural forage and making lure selection and presentation that much more critical.
Reaction baits never seemed to take center stage. Instead, most anglers leaned on the techniques they knew best and fished them with confidence. Joe Nava once again relied on his trusted Mojo Rig to coax quality bites, while tournament winner Dean Leslie committed to fishing the Hula Grub along main lake walls and points—a decision that ultimately separated him from the field.
As is often the case at Pyramid, the lake rewarded anglers who recognized the seasonal transition and adjusted accordingly. While a few bass were still in a late spawning phase protecting fry, the winning fish had already begun their summer migration, proving once again that success often comes from fishing where the bass are now, not where they were just a few weeks ago.
🐟 BIG FISH
4.82 lbs – Joe Nava
📝 CLOSING NOTES
While not every team found the pattern, everyone left Pyramid with a little more knowledge than they arrived with. That’s part of tournament fishing. Some days you’re the one explaining what worked, and other days you’re the one taking notes for next time.
One of the best parts of the day came after the final fish hit the scales. Members gathered around the grill for hot dogs and sausages courtesy of Compa Chris, swapping stories, sharing laughs, and comparing notes from a day that challenged just about everyone in different ways. It’s moments like these that remind us our club is about much more than where your name appears on the leaderboard.
Pyramid once again proved why it’s one of Southern California’s most respected bass fisheries. Whether you unlocked the winning pattern or spent the day searching for answers, every tournament adds another chapter to the learning process.
Congratulations again to all of our winners, and we’ll see everyone at Lake Perris for the next stop on the 2026 schedule.
📸 PHOTO GALLERY
