As someone who fishes the lagoon for over 20 years, it's exciting to to see a new lake record. Ther really hasn't been an officially recognized record. A high 17 by Bob Crupi a few years ago has been mentioned as the record, but a few years before the upper lake produced her giants the lower lake did produce a few up to 19lbs around 1989-1990. As far as the locals being upset the fish was killed, I don't believe removing one fish that size will have any impact on the trophy fishery. But I do have a problem about Mr. Leo Castaneda, the angler who caught the fish. He is unofficially known as "Killer Castaneda" as he only shows up for the spawn, walks the banks up high searching for bed fish, and with deadly skill catches, kills, and fillets each and every fish, regardless of size!!! He and his brother have been doing this for many years and have put a serious dent in the trophy fishery. I have seen myself the remains of many 10lb+ bass in the trash can after he has left for the day.
It kills me to see someone who "meat fishes" during the spawn with no discretion.;(