SIMULATED FISHING GAME CATCHES ON : TOP-SELLING CD-ROM COVERS 10 LAKES, INCLUDING CASITAS.

Byline: Lonnie Brown New York Times Wire Service

Trophy Bass, a computer game that simulates bass fishing, including a look at Castaic Lake, became the best-selling fishing CD-ROM of all time since its introduction two years ago, Sierra On-Line, the game's publisher, says immodestly.

Then again, the shelves are not exactly bursting with computer games simulating fishing. Golf? Four versions come to mind. Baseball? There are almost as many CD titles as their are major-league players. Football? Same thing.

Bass fishing? But even though Sierra has landed the bass-sim market, it has decided there are bigger fish to fry: Trophy Bass 2, featuring a virtual reality tour of Castaic Lake.

This new version not only has fish, it has people - in the form of videos of champion bass tournament fishermen (and a fisherwoman) and the ability to let players play on a local area network or modem to modem. There are also four new tournament lakes besides Castaic: Bull Shoals, Lake Kissimmee, Lake Mead and Lake Eufaula, bringing the total water bodies available to 10.

Players must watch the weather before venturing out on their favorite lake, since the time of year and weather conditions affect digitized fish, too. Players select their tackle, favorite lake and other equipment. A depth finder helps position the boat over a favorite fishing spot.

More colors - up to 256 - provide more realism, making it easier to guide the boat back to the landmarks near the weeds and holes where the big ones lurk.

There are more than 100 fishing tips from four fishing pros: two-time Angler of the Year and professional fishing's all-time money-winner, Larry Nixon; current Angler of the Year, Kevin Van Dam; Denny Brauer, who holds the record for single-season money winnings on the fishing circuit; and four-time national women's tour champion Penny Berryman.