I also enjoy a good debate - especially when people understand that everyone has their own opinions and don't get offended or defensive. Opinions are never right - some are just more popular.

As far as freshwater bass in California (or the west coast) go you are correct. They were originally stocked fish. My Audobon Field Guide shows that they are only native to the eastern side of North America and were introduced to all other areas of the U.S. But... that was a long time ago and they are rarely stocked now so for all intents and purposes they are "native" fish that should be conserved. I mostly fish for bass in small ponds and streams so conservation of bass for me is even more critical. In some of the streams I fish if you even killed one fish you'd probably be wiping out 10 - 25% of the legal sized fish population of that particular stretch of river.

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You can't catch tomorrow what you kill today - please practice catch and release.