The current World Record Largemouth 2024

earthworm77 reply :

Does anyone think it is truly a legitimate record?

roadwarrior reply :

The fact that bass have been caught in California approaching the mark set by Perry's World Record suggests that it IS POSSIBLE. However, a 22 lb 4 oz monster seems UNLIKELY without the protein base that has been created by California's trout stocking program. Perry's bass probably had the right genetics and conceivably it was a freak of nature that lived to maturity. Since there is no way of proving that he did not catch the fish and the documentation at the time was accepted, I think we have to give this record the benefit of the doubt.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

I personally think the record is . But I also think it's kind of cool that a hobbie or sport (whatever you want to call it ;D) that is known for "fish stories", has the biggest fish story of all time as the current world record. It's like those big bass hunters in Cali are chasing a ghost everyday.

Triton_Mike reply :

Personally I don't think the World Record is legitimate. My reasoning is this. The 2nd biggest bass caught in Georgia is like 5lbs lighter than the World Record. Atleast California has several fish in the 20lb range.

T Mike

RoLo reply :

T_Mike,

I have to agree.

It might well be a legitimate freak of nature (like the smallmouth discrepancy),

but I sure have my druthers.

Roger

basspro48 reply :

I think it is legit through and through, without it we wouldn't have that magical mark to shoot for.

Rattletrap reply :

Anybody from Georgia not believing can vacate the state.

The weight and measurements were taken, recorded and notarized in Helena, Georgia and Perry's only reward was seventy-five dollars in merchandise as first prize in Field and Stream Magazine's fishing contest. The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia's Official State Fish.

So Perry took his fish to the post office where, several hours after it was caught, the big female weighted 22 pounds 4 ounces and measured 31 inches long and 27 inches around.

roadwarrior reply :

RoLo brings up a very interesting point. In order to produce a 22 lb 4 oz bass it seems that there should be a number of bass approaching that size and many +/- 20 lbs as we see in California. Following that same line of reasoning, there should be a number of smallmouth well over 11 lbs, the World Record being 11 lbs. 15 oz. In fact, there is only one...

There has NEVER been another smallmouth caught that has weighed 11 lbs.

Rattlinrogue reply :

I think it is,but I also think there's one swimming around right now that's bigger.

Rattletrap reply :

You catch one of those Cali bass loaded with Roe, and you're in the Dough!!! ;D

Rattletrap reply :

You catch one of those Cali bass loaded with Trout, and you've got the record, No Doubt!!! ;D

playmaker47 reply :

I think the record is for real. The bass was recorded and weighed. Just because it hasnt been broken in 70+ years doesnt make it fake. Even though Georgia hasn't had bass that are in the 20 lb range doesnt mean there arent any of them out there that just havent been caught.

Some of you might think that this is the stupidest idea ever but i think that back when the record was caught in Georgia there was less fishing pressure as there is now, so fish could have gotten bigger, and there isnt the stress of tournaments on them.

Rattletrap reply :

Cali can catch big bass like because they don't have stumps and pads to break them off. Who is to say that a Georgia angler has not had a 20lb plus fish break them off. :-?

Lightninrod reply :

I think playmaker47 has the right idea; almost NO fishing pressure back then and just because no "20 lb" Bass has been caught in GA since then proves nothing. There are Bass swimming around down here that no man has seen and having said that, I'll say that the next WRB will come from CA. Those Trophy Bass hunters over there don't play around 8-)

Dan

cart7t reply :

If I'm not mistaken, they've pulled floaters out of a couple of those Cali lakes that would've beaten the record.

At this point, it seems pretty silly to argue about the validity of a fish caught that long ago. There's no way to disprove the validity of the measuring techniques nor Mr. Perry's story of the how's and why's of the catch. I'm sure the record will eventually be broken, it nearly has been at least once.

KYbass1276 reply :

I beleve it's true I kinda think it's interesting that There were two other larger fish caught that Field and stream had evidence of a bigger fish caught in the 1880's weighing 23 pds and one eighth pounds and one caught in 1926 claiming to weigh 24pds This info came from the oct issue of bassmaster mag page 37. I would have liked to been there when they made the decison to make perry's bass the record just for the reason I would like to know why they didn't consider the other two. one other thing it also says that says that the spot where he caught it has silted in and resembles little more than a swamp today I still would like to see it anyway or atleast a picture of what the area looks like. I know that sounds weird but It's just interesting to me I like history

ball_coach_1 reply :

It's too dang perfect NOT to believe it.

You gotta believe. It makes the sport better.

earthworm77 reply :

I have a hard time believing in this, the most sought after record, with no photographic proof. Why wouldn't those other fish be recognized? It would be nice to believe in, I just can't.

BD reply :

I think it is, but I say so with a different approach. Remember our earth is 75% water. We have "searched" probably a 1/50 of that. We hear about loc ness, about new species that ACTUALLY are found sometimes, etc.

When we're fishing we are not really SURE what is in a particular body of water. I will give examples too.

My brother caught a 9lb bass in a GOLF course pond, that was MAYBE 25' x 25'. The deepest part was around 8 1/2'

The STATE BLUE CAT RECORD, was set at a lake in OK, I fish ALL the time, and I know there are cat's in there, but not 35.15, in a 20 acre lake, that only has 2 acres of it 'deep'.......with dang near NO cover!

There is a rentention pond here that houses another 8+ bass and it's even smaller size wise. How about when we hear of new striper records, or this WITH A VIDEO CLIP:

" This was killed on Lake Sam Rayburn,Angelina County, Texas a few weeks ago. It is a pending Lake Record and BAA World Record Alligator Garfish." It weighed 200 lbs!

http://mighty-hero.panicnow.net/GiantGatorGar.wmv

My simple point is, do we really know what is in our waters.........no way IMHO.

Plus without hardly any fishing pressure back then, a female bass could eat whatever she wanted to, and not be startled by weird sounds, etc.

At that same lake with the state blue cat, I fish, they SHOCKED up one that was 9.2. I personally saw someone catch a 8.5 on a jerkbait, and the study of this lake showed numerous fish over 6lb's.

Genetics, plus certain bass with serial killer traits........forget about it!

We would all die if we saw fish in our lakes we fish I truly believe that. Imagine the ones they shock up, and then imagine the ones they dont

KYbass1276 reply :

You have to look at it this way back then catching a world record bass wasn't on everyones top priority list as it is with todays fisherman. If that fish would have been worth the money back then as it would be today I'm sure there would be more pictures than you can count and there will be I'm sure when the record is broken. Everyone here knows that when the next record bass is caught that person is going to be swamped with endorsment contracts and interveiws with magazine's and hard telling what else. It totaly amazing to me that the lure company that produced the lure was even in business, how they managed to stay in business during the depression is beyond me. IMO I think fishing back then was a way to catch food more than it was for sport or hobby, and if they had the booming economy that bass fishing has today it would have been different. We all know that there was not disposable or digital camera's then and the ease of just taking a picture wasn't there. In the bassmaster article it mentions in it that he sent a picture to the bait company It isn't all that surprising to me that that was probally the only picture taken and it was probally thrown away. In all honesty would would have known back then that his fish's weight would stand as a record for 73 years. I really think if the money factor had been there like today's we wouldn't be debating this issue

Captain Cali reply :

Quote
I have a hard time believing in this, the most sought after record, with no photographic proof. Why wouldn't those other fish be recognized? It would be nice to believe in, I just can't.

Exactly. They should have a huge asterik for no picture. ;D

One would be laughed at today if they tried submitting a record bass now days with out a picture.

I wouldn't say I don't believe it but to me it's more of a myth. Bob Crupis' bass is more legit.

BD reply :

Here is even more 'food for thought'.........mike long, and murphy etc etc catch these toads........a big number of these impoundments are fairly new. if they can catch a 21'er, then why not CLOSE to Florida???

It's totally crazy (to me anyways) to count that record "out" If they can catch them that big WITH trout feeding etc, on a NEWLY made lake, who is to say that lake "y" in TN, that's been there for 30 years, doesn't house hawgs?

playmaker47 reply :

It was 1932. Pictures weren't readily availiable, and the ones that were taken probably weren't kept because a world record fish wasnt what everyone was chasing back then.

earthworm77 reply :

Playmaker, that's where I will disagree with you. I've done a ton of research on this "record". Perry told Creek Chub he had photos of the fish in his many letters to them requesting free baits. He seemed to be hellbent on getting his due for catching this fish, he knew how or attempted to play the system, so he was at least aware that there was some stake in this record and tried to benefit from it.

He was even quoted several times telling people he caught the fish on several different lures. The thing was that he never produced that photo. Any idea why? Because he never caught a 22lb 4oz bass. The only photo I have seen of Perry holding a fish was one of him and a good fish of about 10lbs. Perry didn't submit this fish for the record, Field and Stream did and it took about a year and a half to be recognized.

Take this a little further by considering the recent trashing of the World Record smallmouth by the IGFA and its sudden reinstatement. Now this fish was indeed legit, weighed and photographed but a feud between fish camp owners suggested there were discrepancies in the story. The only thing was that it was an issue that had nothing to do with the fish or the gent who caught it. This record was ultimately reinstated due to pressure and public outcry.

My question is this and it is the point why I made this post in the first place......how could the smallmouth record be tossed despite the steps taken to certify it and the largemouth record has not been challenged in light of the holes in that story? No photo? C'mon.

This isn't a Cali vs. Georgia thing, the story just doesn't jive. I'd love to see a photo and since Perry claimed to have them, why hasn't one ever surfaced.

Oh yeah, I caught a 40lb largemouth here in Florida on a golf course using a Chuck Woolery Moto lure. I have a photo but I'm not posting it, can I have my all tackle record please??? LOL.

RoLo reply :

Well, it's fun kicking this around, but we'll never know for sure.

There are a few things however, that we do know for sure:

1. The Californian phenomenon was only possible through man's intervention, after Florida-strain bass

were transplanted outside thier natural range. Fine, but in 1932 there was no Florida-strain transplantation.

Indeed it is possible that Perry's bass was a Florida-strain bass, but Montgomery Lake, Georgia

is on the "northern edge" of their natural range.

2. We know for sure that record-fish certification was Very Sloppy back then.

The 69-lb, 15-oz world record Muskellunge stood for many years. Just before he died,

Len Hartman confessed to adding lead weight to his fish. His musky wasn't even close to 69-15.

The 25lb-0oz world-record walleye caught in Old Hickory Lake, TN was likewise struck down!

3. There is one other thing we know for sure, and I only learned this recently.

It's pretty obvious that everyone wants to believe that Perry's fish is legitimate (me too)

Roger

5bass reply :

I've read alot of the articles about Perry's record catch and although it seems fishy that there was no pic,I still believe it.Aside from the "no pic,no fish" theory,I've not heard much else that would disprove it.

Is disprove a word? :-?

nwgabassmaster reply :

The only thing that worries me is the fact that so many people are going about calling people liars. It was 1930's, people. Sure, I believe the record is legit. Is there the outside chance that something was done to the fish, just like the poor muskie that ate lead (unwillingly)................yea, there's that chance.

However, last time I checked, I am not perfect. It's almost like saying that if you were in the same shoes as Mr. Perry, that you would have done things differently. Kinda convienent, don't ya think?

Sure, he tried to play the system, because ANY fish that is 22 lbs. is going to be talked about. Whether it be a striper, a catfish, a gar, etc. It will be talked about. Any fish that is much over 10 lbs., even these days, is considered a trophy fish.

Is the record legit, yes, it is. You can have all the holes you want to have in the story...........doesn't mean that it's not legit. There were holes in the reasoning behind the 2nd war with Iraq............yet, it doesn't disprove that Saddam Huessin wasn't a dangerous man.

You can take any angler on these forums, look at a picture that they post of a 5 lbs. bass, and there will be those few that will say it's not 5 lbs. Have a scale attatched to the fish, and they will still say it. Have them looking at the scale, on video-tape, with an IGFA certified scales, and there will still be people that say that the fish in question did not weigh what the scales said it did. They will claim that the scales were tampered with, or some other excuse.

Get over it. Perry has the record. If you don't like it, keep it yourself. Until the day the record is broken, the record belongs to George W. Perry, and it was caught at Montgomery Lake, in Georgia. And even when it is broken, there will be people on here (except for all them Cali boys), that will say that it's BS.

nwgabassmaster reply :

Oh yea, just for another thing................just because you don't see something, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. How many of you all have seen a million dollars? Does that mean that it doesn't exist? How many of you all have seen a 250 B&C class buck? Does that mean that there isn't one walking the forests of this country, at this very moment, getting something to eat?

Just because we do not have "proof" that a 20 lb. class largemouth exists in Georgia, doesn't mean that one doesn't. Just because we haven't seen one, doesn't mean that there isn't one swimming around.

I know where a 15 lbs. class largemouth is swimming right now, and I know of another pond where a 12 lbs. class largemouth is swimming.

Senko77, my buddy, cause a 14.7 lbs. bass. There are certainly those class sized bass swimming around, just that people aren't catching them.

Oh yea, and we got one thing about our bass that them Cali bass can't touch.................ours aren't hand fed and called by name.

cgs2004 reply :

I'm feeling a little "state pride" attitude going on in this room ;D

Triton_Mike reply :

lightningrod, I didn't say the lack of bigger fish in Georgia PROVES anything I am just saying it is unlikely. LEts use Texas top 16 fish as an example.

18.18

25.50

1/24/92

Lake Fork Barry St. Clair

17.67

27.50

11/26/86

Lake Fork Mark Stevenson

17.64

28.00

4/1/89

Lake Fork Stan Moss

17.63

26.25

8/29/90

Lake Fork Jerry L. New

17.29

0.00

2/14/88

Lake Fork Larry Barnes

17.08

25.50

2/26/91

Lake Fork Troy Coates

16.90

27.66

2/16/86

Pinkston Lake Earl H Crawford

16.86

25.50

2/8/93

Lake Fork Bryan Turner

16.80

28.75

5/31/97

Sam Rayburn Tommy Shelton

16.77

0.00

3/1/90

Mill Creek Herchel Brickey

16.75

25.50

3/8/90

Lake Fork Stephen R. Trepkus

16.63

27.00

2/28/99

Lake Fork Flo O'Brian

16.59

26.00

5/15/87

Lake Fork Guy Weatherspoon

16.54

25.00

2/27/91

Lake Fork Bill Reed

16.44

26.50

3/10/96

Lake Fork Chris Adams

16.17

26.00

1/15/88

Gibbons Creek Troy Johnson

Notice how the weights all creep upward to State Record of 18.18lbs...

Lets do California

22 pounds, .5 ounce Bob Crupi Castaic Lake - California March 12, 1991

3 21 pounds, 12 ounces Mike Arujo Castaic Lake - California March 5, 1991

4 21 pounds, 11.2 ounces Jed Dickerson Dixon Lake - California May 31, 2003

5 21 pounds, 3.5 ounces Raymond Easley Casitas Lake - California March 4, 1980

6 21 pounds, .5 ounce Bob Crupi Castaic Lake - California March 9, 1990

7 20 pounds, 15 ounces David Zimmerlee Miramar Lake - California June 23, 1973

8 20 pounds, 14 ounces Leo Torres Castaic Lake - California February 4, 1990

9 20 pounds, 12 ounces Mike Long Dixon Lake - California April 27, 2001

10 20 pounds, 4 ounces Gene Dupras Hodges Lake - California May 30, 1985

11 20 pounds, 4 ounces Johnny Garduno Miramar Lake - California March 25, 1990

Again they all creep upward to the current record..

Lets do Florida

1 20 pounds, 2 ounces Fritz Friebel Big Fish Lake - Florida May, 1923

2 19 pounds Riley Witt Tarpon Lake - Florida June 21, 1961

(I can only find 2 fish listed out of florida but it still goes with the logic I am trying to get across)

Again they all creep upward to the current record.. I can go on and on with every state but Every state but Georgia has weights creeping up to their current state record which atleast has a 5lb gap. The second biggest Bass in Georgia I don't even think is 18lbs which I believe came out of Dodge PFA doesn't even make the top 25 biggest bass of all time. I'm just using logic in my answers. You are correct it doesn't prove it wrong but the odds are certainly stacked against it if you look at the previous stats/records.

My prediction my good friend Mike Long from California will eventually break the 22lb 4 oz record..

T Mike

nwgabassmaster reply :

And when they do, there will be people on here, and around the world, that will dispute the validity of it.

Personally, if I did catch a WR LM, I wouldn't let anyone know. Sure, the fame and fortune would be nice, and being in the spotlight would be nice, no doubt, but having people say that it was a setup, that I somehow fixed the fish, or the scales, or paid people off.......etc., I wouldn't want it.

So, if he thinks that he wants that kind of attention, more power to him.

KYbass1276 reply :

Quote
Playmaker, that's where I will disagree with you. I've done a ton of research on this "record". Perry told Creek Chub he had photos of the fish in his many letters to them requesting free baits. He seemed to be hellbent on getting his due for catching this fish, he knew how or attempted to play the system, so he was at least aware that there was some stake in this record and tried to benefit from it.
He was even quoted several times telling people he caught the fish on several different lures. The thing was that he never produced that photo. Any idea why? Because he never caught a 22lb 4oz bass. The only photo I have seen of Perry holding a fish was one of him and a good fish of about 10lbs. Perry didn't submit this fish for the record, Field and Stream did and it took about a year and a half to be recognized.

Take this a little further by considering the recent trashing of the World Record smallmouth by the IGFA and its sudden reinstatement. Now this fish was indeed legit, weighed and photographed but a feud between fish camp owners suggested there were discrepancies in the story. The only thing was that it was an issue that had nothing to do with the fish or the gent who caught it. This record was ultimately reinstated due to pressure and public outcry.

My question is this and it is the point why I made this post in the first place......how could the smallmouth record be tossed despite the steps taken to certify it and the largemouth record has not been challenged in light of the holes in that story? No photo? C'mon.

This isn't a Cali vs. Georgia thing, the story just doesn't jive. I'd love to see a photo and since Perry claimed to have them, why hasn't one ever surfaced.

Oh yeah, I caught a 40lb largemouth here in Florida on a golf course using a Chuck Woolery Moto lure. I have a photo but I'm not posting it, can I have my all tackle record please??? LOL.

Hey earthworm77 where did you get your info on your research I'm not trying to dispute you or anything I would just like to read it if i can Maybe it might make reconsider my opinon. and in the interest of not starting a new post If someone thought they caught a record fish what would be the steps you would take to insure it was stated as a record. What I mean does it have to be alive when brought to the scales who has to weigh it to make it offical, what do you do if your fishing private waters and there is no close scales nearby what would someone do in that situation Me I don't have a boat and fish private ponds and lakes. I highly doubt that I will ever catch a world record fish but I am aiming for the state record.

Triton_Mike reply :

Now John, I would challenge ANYONE on this board to go to California and see how easy it is to catch a 10lb fish much less a 15lb fish. Yes they are fed trout but that doesn't make them stupid and easy to catch. THere are still TONS of serious anglers in California that still haven't caught a double digit fish. I for one would love to see Georgia start gorging our spots with rainbows

Earthworm is right on. There is alot of story swapping on George Perry's record. He also stated for a while that he caught the big bass on one particular Creek Chub bait then it ended up being another model creek chub. Sure anyone can doubt the legitimancy of a fish but when you start swapping stories thats where the red flag goes up.

T Mike

earthworm77 reply :

Listen, Georgia guys, calm down, don't take it personally. I believe none of what I read and half of what I see and since this formula equates to a faux World Record, I don't buy it. It's my opinion. You can cry all you want about hand fed bass but when a California fish breaks the record, Perry's will be officially a footnote in history and nobody will care about the vitamin "T" raised bass in CA. After all these fish aren't in a 1 acre pond and you still have to catch them yourself. This being said, Triton Mike brought up a great point about the next largest bass being 5lbs smaller than the WR. The facts against this fish are suggesting it was not this large. I'm not saying Perry was a liar, maybe he was, that would explain the lack of a photo evidence despite his maintaining he had them. I'm sure he caught a big fish. I'm just convinced that the steps taken to acurrately and correctly verify this fish were not legitimate or lack too much detail for it to even be considered a record. Had it been done correctly we likely wouldn't be talking about it now.

This isn't some guy coming on a website and piping off about a 10lber he caught and doesn't show photos, this is the most cherished of records, maybe at the time it was an afterthought but to make a claim and actually be given this record, without proof casts doubt on the credibility of this sport. Most of you guys who are OK with this are from Perry's home state, it is understandable but looking in from the outside, it is a shame that this hasn't been challenged for almost 75 years. I just want to see the photos that Perry claimed he had. Why hasn't one surfaced. How can anyone be OK with that?

I wanted to compare the smallmouth and largemouth record. I couldn't understand why the smallmouth record was thrown out despite far superior documentation. I also thought it was laughable that it was reinstated after much public dismay. Politics swaying the IGFA? if that's the case, I just can't understand any record on the books without meeting a proper standard of documentation. Can anyone wholeheartidly support the mere story of the events that took place. Even if you are from the Georgia Motherland, you have to have doubts.

Bassnut, the first thing I would do is contact my Fish and Game commission to get an officer and certified scale and witness verification to certify the fish. IGFA has specific rules to follow, of which I am not too informed about. However, if you take that first step it will hold a lot of weight in the long run. When I lived in NY, I certified a tremendous number of fish over 5 pounds this way. Unless you get a true giant, it becomes a hassle. If you are shooting for a record, you deal with it. I took the steps to correctly certify several hundred large bass so I could provide a sense of credibility in case I did come across a record. I wanted to cross the "T"'s and dot the "I"'s. Like Mike Long, nobody is going to be too surprised when this guy catches the record, we all see it as when, not if.

RoLo reply :

T_Mike

Quote
Lets do Florida
1 20 pounds, 2 ounces Fritz Friebel Big Fish Lake - Florida May, 1923

2 19 pounds Riley Witt Tarpon Lake - Florida June 21, 1961

(I can only find 2 fish listed out of florida but it still goes with the logic I am trying to get across)

It's even worse than that, because both of those bass are "uncertified".

Sobering but true, the largest certified Florida-strain bass ever taken in Florida weighed 17lb, 4oz.

(Billy O'Berry - 17lb, 4oz - 7/6/86 - Polk County, Florida)

That is to say, no certified 18-pound Florida-strain bass has ever been taken within the state of Florida!

Roger

earthworm77 reply :

RoLo 100% correct.

Rattletrap reply :

Quote
I'm feeling a little "state pride" attitude going on in this room ;D

It seems to me that some are jealous that we own the record. We got the title that did not require an enlargement program. Perry earned it the natural way. ;D

earthworm77 reply :

Let me reiterate, this has nothing to do with any specific state, it has everything to do with credibility. d**n, some of you are so accepting of it that it is scary. If there was a photo.......

Rattletrap reply :

IMO. I think there ought to be an astericks for any non-native species record.

Rattletrap reply :

Hey. We own the record. Stop trying to disprove it and get over it.

earthworm77 reply :

Hey. We own the record.

George Perry owns the record.

Rattle Trap, just curious, do you believe the WR was a Northern Strain Largemouth? That asterisk would likely apply to the current record. And a sidenote, as a former police officer, I spent a great deal of my time having to prove cases beyond a resonable doubt to make sure they were legit, this record doesn't even show a proponderance of evidence to support it. I'm from Florida, and I would want nothing more than my neighboring state to have a credible record. All points suggest otherwise though. Sorry, be proud for the time being, you have every right to. But don't you question why the second largest Georgia bass is more than 5lbs lighter? Nothing has come close and there is a reason for that.

George Welcome reply :

Many large bass have been caught and never reported. The simple truth is there are many that don't know about the record and could care less.

The sad thing in this post is that none of you knew George Perry, more than likely, and yet you attack his character.

One other note in reference to strain: check with biologists to find the line where F1's start occuring. The bass caught by Mr. Perry was more than likely an F1, although it could also have been a Northern.

janalon reply :

Now that's a great comment, yes, I would say if you have a problem with the record, then run break it man! I am sure the people from Georgia would be happy for you and your state. I doubt they would call your catch a scam, perhaps someone 70 years from now might.

Quote
Many large bass have been caught and never reported. The simple truth is there are many that don't know about the record and could care less.
The sad thing in this post is that none of you knew George Perry, more than likely, and yet you attack his character.

Captain Cali reply :

Quote
Now John, I would challenge ANYONE on this board to go to California and see how easy it is to catch a 10lb fish much less a 15lb fish. Yes they are fed trout but that doesn't make them stupid and easy to catch. THere are still TONS of serious anglers in California that still haven't caught a double digit fish. I for one would love to see Georgia start gorging our spots with rainbows

That is so true. Trophy hunters out here go many days without a single bite. Try getting 0 bites in 5 outings and having the will to do it again on the 6th outing. That's where most people don't have it in them.

This has nothing to do with Georgia vs. California. The only time they have anything to do with each other is when California breaks the record some people will say Georgia still holds it because we feed our bass with trout. ;D That is a whole other topic and debate though.

earthworm77 reply :

George, I'm saying the facts around this fish are suspect, I'm not knocking Perry. He may have been the most honest man in the world, or he may not have been, I don't think anyone commented on his character in this thread. My problem is the authenticity and facts or lack of surrounding the record the reason it stands as opposed to the reason the Smallmouth record was struck down. I'm certainly not accusing Perry of wrong doing although by changing his story and not providing a photo he claimed to have, one would be well within his right to at the very least be suspicious as I am. If you are sound with it, more power to you. I'm not.

As long as the record doesn't fall to Cuba, South Africa or Spain, I can at least be happy that a fish this large came from the USA.

janalon reply :

I could have sworn the small mouth record was thrown out because of a bogus affidavit

Thank goodness it was re-instated.

Hey that's the ticket, go fill out an affidavit!

The real topic should be the soon to be breakage of the record, not that the orginal is a fake.

Rattletrap reply :

What state owns the world record? GEORGIA!!! Stop trying to disprove our State record. I'm proud of our records. If you don't like me standing up for it, there are other forums you can move on to. If another State takes it, I can live with it. Geez guy..... >

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

I don't think he has a problem with Georgia holding the record. He has the problem with the RECORD itself no matter where it was. The record (story) just happened to come from Georgia.

janalon reply :

Most think it is legit I think, most give it the benefit of the doubt.

The fact being that there was not a whole lot of money involved would cause one to ask, why lie?

Now today that would be a different story yes?

Also, the research that I did some odd years ago, pointed out in a letter written by George to the fish and game commission that a photo was taken and sent in and never returned.

I guess George should have went o the local wally world and had a copy made?

Triton_Mike reply :

rattletrap, If you look at my avatar you'll clearly see that I am from Georgia myself. I have no issue withwhatever state that has the record. Just the facts or lack of that surrounds the so called record.

T Mike

Acworth, GA

earthworm77 reply :

I don't think he has a problem with Georgia holding the record. He has the problem with the RECORD itself no matter where it was. The record (story) just happened to come from Georgia.

Thank you KU, you got the point.

R/T I stated repeatedly that this had nothing to do with Georgia or California or even Florida, you simply didn't comprehend that or chose to beam your state pride. I'm glad that T-Mike also saw the point I tried to make.

Here is another point, there have been 2 Florida state record fish denied record status due to fuzzy details and lack of proper documentation. One over 20lbs and another a 19+. No problem with me. If it can't be proven, and properly documented, it shouldn't be recognized in any and all states.

roadwarrior reply :

If you are interested in an IGFA record, go to the website and it's all spelled out. The basics are a certified scale, measurements and witnesses. You have to provide a sample or your line and fill out the paperwork on a timely basis, it's not that complicated.

I don't have any chance of catching a World Record largemouth bass, but I fish every weekend for the smallmouth. That record is far more challenging, there has never been a smallmouth caught that comes within a pound of the World Record.

Rattletrap reply :

Forgive me for being over zealous. It just gets old after awhile.....

JDPgator reply :

So if I understand this:

The pro side of the argument says he met the criteria at the time of the catch with valid scales and eyewitness accounts.

The con side of the argument is that 1 there are not any other fish close to that size in GA and 2 there is no picture of the catch.

Is that the basic jist of this arguement? I just wanted to make sure I fully understand what both sides using as the foundation of their opinion before I made one myself. Thanks.

playmaker47 reply :

Just because Georgia doesnt have 20+ lb bass caught often like california, doesnt mean that they aren't there. Georgia anglers catch numberous 15+ lb bass every year. Now you know that not all the bass that are that big are caught every year, and most that big that are caught in Georgia are released. These fish are still out there growing, and they dont all just die or stop growing at the 20lb mark. These fish are still out there swimming somewhere. Georgia definately has the possibility of producing a 22 lb 4 oz fish. Just because there isnt as much proof of it happening back then as there would be now due to technology and grown interest in the sport doesnt mean it isnt a valid record.

By the way I am from Kansas so this has nothing to do with a Georgia/California battle or whatever.

earthworm77 reply :

The con side of the argument is that 1 there are not any other fish close to that size in GA and 2 there is no picture of the catch.

Mr. Perry claimed he caught the fish on a Creek Chub Wigglefish, in a later interview he claimed he caught it on a different crankbait. I'm not sure there are any eyewitness accounts of the catch on record. Mr. Perry told the people at Creek Chub that he would provide them with a photo of the record fish if they sent him free baits. He never provided the photo.(This information was provided by bassmaster interview.) I don't think there is accuracy saying there are no fish that size in Georgia, the fact of the matter remains there is such a tremendous gap between the size of this fish and the second largest that it seems suspect. So essentially in the past 75 years, nobody has taken a fish over 16lbs or so. This makes it seem more unlikely. The catch was said to have been weighed on a feed scale, was it certified? Who knows. Was it as accurate as today's scales?

The bass was eaten for dinner thus never taken for verification or proper certification. Because nobody except Perry and perhaps a small number of people saw the fish, how can it ever have been certified for a record.

My opinion is that at the time there was no record for LMB and that accepting it was really no big deal. Who would have thought that this leiniency would cause the longest standing all tackle record in history.

Playmaker, you are right, it may be valid, but it also may not be. It really is food for thought.

Rattletrap reply :

You watch those Cali bass being pulled in and they are pulled in quick. They have no cover. It's like fishing in a pool. That will not happen in Georgia. We have stumps trees and pads that they wrap around. Who knows if Ga or Fl has ever had 20lb plus Hawgs break them off in the stumps. I believe it has happened. I believe they are out there......

KYbass1276 reply :

Guys I guess we could debate this forever but the fact remains we wasn't there and we will probally never know. This post has got so many good points that it get's ones mind going back a forth. I guess I will still beleve it is the record because it's on the paper as the record like it or not we all have to live with it until the next one is caught. But if you stop and think of it isn't amazeing that one has not been caught yet with so many people fishing you would honestly think or atleast I do that one would be caught by now. I would like to think as well that there is a picture out there somewhere maybe stashed in someones attic and them not knowing what it really is worth to us But who knows all we have is the wait until is broken agin Lets put this one to bed

earthworm77 reply :

Dude, now we finally agree on something!

Triton_Mike reply :

I hate beating a dead horse but I have to comment to Playmaker,

There is a HUGE difference between a 15lb fish and a 22lb fish. 7lbs to be exact. There are only 28 fish in the 15lb or bigger range that have been recorded that have caught in Georgia. That by no means are they numerous and caught every year. Recently we have had a surge of fish in the 15lb range but in previous years it hasn't been a common occurence every year. There very well could be a 20lb + fish in Georgia. But I'll put my money on the fact that their isn't. A 22lb fish is a RARITY fish. Heck a 20lb fish is a Rare fish and we are no threat to the current world Record.

BTW I finally found a GON issue stating the top 40 Georgia bass of all time

1. 22lbs 4oz

2. 18lbs 1 oz

3. 17lbs 14oz

4. 17lb 9oz

5. 17lbs 4oz

6. 17lbs

7. 16lbs 11

8. 16lbs 9.3oz

9. 16lbs 9oz

10. 16lbs 8oz

15. 16lbs even

16. 15lbs 15oz

28 15lbs even

42 14lbs even

Notice the HUGE gap between 1st and 2nd a 4lb difference. I can handle a 1 or a 2lb difference but 4lbs seems to be a stretch.

Roadwarrior. Question for ya. I'm rusty on my smallmouth stuff but wasn't their a 10lb smallie caught below Wheeler dam?? I'm not sure how big it was but I think that was the former record at one time. Do you have any history/information on that fish?

T Mike

RoLo reply :

T Mike,

Quote
I'm rusty on my smallmouth stuff but wasn't their a 10lb smallie caught below Wheeler dam??

The former world-record smallmouth bass (before the Dale Hollow fish in 1955)

was 10 lb, 8 oz smallie taken below Wheeler Dam in the tailrace of Wilson Lake.

Roger

Rattletrap reply :

IMO. I don't see 4lbs being a stretch. That's only egg roe and a full stomach.

preach4bass reply :

Quote
And when they do, there will be people on here, and around the world, that will dispute the validity of it.
Personally, if I did catch a WR LM, I wouldn't let anyone know. Sure, the fame and fortune would be nice, and being in the spotlight would be nice, no doubt, but having people say that it was a setup, that I somehow fixed the fish, or the scales, or paid people off.......etc., I wouldn't want it.

So, if he thinks that he wants that kind of attention, more power to him.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;

That's a good one! I don't know (and personally don't care) if the World Record is bogus, but I know that statement is bogus! Come on nwgabassmaster, you'd tell the whole world just like the rest of us! I believe George Perry caught a 22+ pound bass long before I believe you could catch the WR and not tell anyone. ;D ;D

Mattlures reply :

Most people DO NOT BELIEVE IT. They just accept it. Ask fisherman from anywhare other than Georgia or Florida and you will see that most think it is fake. Here is another interesting note for you Perry supporters.

Ray Scott the founder of BASS sent a reporter to interview Perry and administer a polygraph test.

HMMM I wonder why Ray would do such a thing? Well geuss what. The interview was given but the the lie detector test was not. HMMMMMMMM. Imagin that.

The biggest discrepency is the actual mesurments that Perry gave. Compared to actual documented fish of similar size Perrys fish should have weighed over 25Lbs. The numbers dont add up. Perrys partner was never found or interveiwed.

To say that he had nothing to gain is flat out wrong. He also won the contest again with a fish he claimed to be nearly 14lbs wich he not only photographed he had it mounted too. The fish looks no whare near 14lbs.

People will get upset and say negative things about anybody who challenges the validity of the record.

They like the Idea of it coming from their state or that it has lasted for so long. I used to believe it until I became realy interested in it. I read every article I could find and sadly after a while I changed my opinion on it. I honestly believe that anybody who investigates it with an open mind will come to the same conclusion.

Rattletrap reply :

WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

flechero reply :

This isn't my kind of debate but I'm surprised no one has mentioned the lake and watershed system. I know from just fishing some of the Tx lakes, that a fishery can be severly impacted by a number of factors over time... river flows impacted by dams, aquatic plant growth, water levels, silt brought in by rivers, and the list goes on. There could have been a population of 20lb fish there back then... and you guys have said very few people were interested in that or even fished for them.

I though it funny when some refer to it as the "so called" or "alleged" record. The fact is that it IS the record, even if the scales were wrong, it was accepted and documented, by the standards of that time. Crying about it now won't change anything.

There are lots of records in lots sports that have stood the test of time... should we assume that any of them not documented on film are bogus?

Triton_Mike reply :

rattletrap, Then why hasn't a 19,20, 21 or 22lb bass been caught in Georgia if 4lbs is only egg roe and full tummy?? LOL

Mike

Chris reply :

Quote
WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

Rattletrap reply :

It's not been caught yet and it keeps breaking the line. I don't no. IMO. 18lbs is close enough in my book. BTW, Georgia does not have an enlargement program to produce numerous 20lb bass like California. Our state is all natural, so you will not see fish like that being produced in numbers. George Perry's was one of a kind. A freak of nature for this state. There might not be another one out there. It's just a freak of nature that happens to be held by Georgia as the World Record.

Rattletrap reply :

Quote

Quote
WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

I'm trying to figure out your reply. Bass weight calculations are based on math, not Georgia's record.

Poor Richard reply :

Poor Richard says:

The bass records--both of them--are like the old notions that the 4-minute mile would never be run; the sound barrier could not be broken. Us elders can remember both myths being smashed. So let's keep shooting for these two bass records. Of course, if the LM recordis broken in one of those trout-stocked California lakes, someone will want to compare that to athletes using steroids.

Why don't we get the record folks to allow a second place category for the L&S basses, confined exclusively, of course, to modern confirmation rules and documentation. I'd accept that and no sour grapes! Then we'd have a record to shoot for that no one could contest and things would be real lively while we're waiting for 24 and 5.

-------------------------

It got away? Don't cry--lie! 8-)

earthworm77 reply :

I think it is a little comical how some of you guys are truly threatened by the thought of the record falling to trout fed bass in California. Is it really that intimidating? Are they such a strange anomally? I think it is good management. If it is so easy to do, why hasn't the Lone Star Share a Lunker Program produced a true high teen heavy weight? Ironic to be talking about un natural when most of your fish are likely F1's which are not native to Georgia anyway. Just FYI. You can't have it both ways.

guest reply :

All of this talk about California trout fed bass and GA world record bass that was caught by Perry is just crazy. I'm from Texas and I believe Perrys WR stands tall and strong. I do however believe that it will be broken, but not by California but by Japan. Remember, this is a WORLD RECORD we are talking about. Not just in the USA. Besides, if Japan doesn't do it than TEXAS will.

Chris reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
WRONG Matt. You use the bass calculator on this site, and it actually weights less than the World Record weight at 21.6225lbs. Which is close enough to the real weight. Georgia still owns the record real or fake. Even if there was positive proof with photos, people other than Georgia residents would still be arguing the facts. Georgia has the record, that's all that matters. Break it if you can. ;D ;D ;D

bass calculator on this sitemost of them are based upon his record.

I'm trying to figure out your reply. Bass weight calculations are based on math, not Georgia's record.

If I hold up two fish that are the same weight neither one will measure the same. If I hold up two fish that measure the same they will not weigh the same. The math part is based upon what the weight/ length/ girth of a known fish. Most tables and calculator "find the weight" stuff is based upon the known weight/length/girth of Buck's fish. It was the only known fish that big at the time so they figured out a formula that seems to work with in ounces based on his fish's measurements. Today we are a little smarter and have figured out a little different way of figuring it out. But that was what all the math stuff was based on for years.

Triton_Mike reply :

bigtex, I know your proud of your state but since the famed Fork had the largemouth bass virus a while back they haven't had but ONE top 50 fish in Texas top 50 rankings since the year 2000 almost 6 years ago. That fish only weighed 15lbs and a little change. Sorry but the WR isn't going to come from Tejas anytime soon unless Fork or Alan Henry does a huge turnaround. I do think the Share a Lunker program is an awesome program that ANY state could benefit from due to using strong genes to produce a super fish. However your gonna need some egg yolks (protein in the form of trout) to get them over the 20lb barrier. That has been the key ingrediant in California. Japans current record is 19.34lbs and was caught in 2003 I believe. They would have a better shot than Texas at the WR.

T Mike

guest reply :

Quote
bigtex, I know your proud of your state but since the famed Fork had the largemouth bass virus a while back they haven't had but ONE top 50 fish in Texas top 50 rankings since the year 2000 almost 6 years ago. That fish only weighed 15lbs and a little change. Sorry but the WR isn't going to come from Tejas anytime soon unless Fork or Alan Henry does a huge turnaround. I do think the Share a Lunker program is an awesome program that ANY state could benefit from due to using strong genes to produce a super fish. However your gonna need some egg yolks (protein in the form of trout) to get them over the 20lb barrier. That has been the key ingrediant in California. Japans current record is 19.34lbs and was caught in 2003 I believe. They would have a better shot than Texas at the WR.
T Mike

I didn't say that this was going to happen real soon but trust me Texas will hold the WR sooner or later and I'm guessing soon. I'm not so worried about the "bass virus", I was just stating that you shouldn't count out other potiental states. Sure, California has a perfect shot at taking the world record but they haven't done it. Just don't forget about OK, LA, or AK. Cali. is closer than any state but these other states have a good shot at it too. These states are past due on some world class bass.

Rattletrap reply :

California started producing 20lb plus bass in the early 90's. I can't believe they have not broken it yet. They must be dying before they reach the world record weight. The record might not ever get broken with a live fish. Somebody will eventually try and use a world Record floater, saying they caught the dead fish. I can see it now. Yep, as soon as I put it in the live well it went belly up. It was alive when I caught it . Trust me??? ;D ;D ;D

Rattletrap reply :

Chris. I thought the weights would be pretty similar if the fish are identical in L & W. I'll have to start measuring and weighting to see what I get.

Triton_Mike reply :

Big Tex??? Louisiana???? THeir state record is 15lbs out of Caney Lake. THey got 7 more lbs to go. Arkansas state record is 16lbs. They got 6 more pounds to go. Oklahoma's state record is 14lbs. They got 8lbs to go.

I have to ask what evidence do you have that Texas will "SOON" exceed the world record when they have only caught one fish over the 15lb range since 2000??? I think you have the Share A Lunker program mixed up with the World Record.

mike

Rattletrap reply :

Earthworm. If Cali breaks it, they break it. I just hope the record stays in the United States. If Japan ever takes it, I'll be telling California to stock more trout. ;D

flechero reply :

Quote
bigtex, I know your proud of your state but since the famed Fork had the largemouth bass virus a while back they haven't had but ONE top 50 fish in Texas top 50 rankings since the year 2000 almost 6 years ago. That fish only weighed 15lbs and a little change. Sorry but the WR isn't going to come from Tejas anytime soon unless Fork or Alan Henry does a huge turnaround. I do think the Share a Lunker program is an awesome program that ANY state could benefit from due to using strong genes to produce a super fish. However your gonna need some egg yolks (protein in the form of trout) to get them over the 20lb barrier. That has been the key ingrediant in California. Japans current record is 19.34lbs and was caught in 2003 I believe. They would have a better shot than Texas at the WR.
T Mike

Mike, they have found 4 bass (that I know of) floating dead at fork that were over 20lbs when they were weighed. I'll be the first to agree that fork isn't what it used to be but there also have been a number of sharelunker entries this year from other lakes. And why does everyone think that the sharelunker program is producing "Superbass"? It works no differently (for general stocking purposes) than a big female and strong male bass meeting on a bed in any lake. They are not cloning or altering any genetics. They just make sure that the fish spawns and the young are safe until they are released.

If what you guys are saying was true, every hot chick would have supermodels for kids. And we all know that aint the case.

I think there are several different lakes in Texas that hold fish of world record size... but landing them in the timber will be pure luck. If you want to get right down to it, I bet Mexico has a better shot than anywhere else... but the number of people chasing giants is tiny in comparison to Tx, Ca and Japan.

Triton_Mike reply :

flechero, I have zero beef with the tactics that the share a lunker program is doing. In fact I wish they would do it in every state! I would like to read the material that you have about 4 fish over 20lbs were found dead at Fork. Is there a internet link?

I also agree Mexico has a great chance at the WR as well.

Mike

dodgeguy reply :

it doesn't matter if the record is legit.it's the record and has stood up to arguements for 70 years.let's break it and then we will know for sure.i'm all for genetically altered bass and truout feed bass.like guys said you still have to find them and catch them.

flechero reply :

A replica of one of them is on the wall at Barlow's in Richardson, the others were the talk of the marinas. (I don't know if they were in the papers or not since I didn't get the paper out there) I have never looked for a link, sorry.

earthworm77 reply :

Earthworm. If Cali breaks it, they break it. I just hope the record stays in the United States. If Japan ever takes it, I'll be telling California to stock more trout.

LOL

Dodge, I absolutely agree, I'm not going to re reiterate why I posted this. I understand it is the accepted record. Unlike so many who think the record will fall anyday. I don't think it will fall for a long while. I believe the heyday of the trout fed bass peaked in the early 90's. There is no doubt in my mind that there are 23lb bass in California, Mexico, Cuba and even on the St. John's in Florida. I just think the number is so finite and so small that connecting with one of these fish is near impossible. If you think about it, the hunt is for a single 30" fish that lives in hundreds, thousands to ten thousands of surface acres to cover, add water depth to that and the area can quadruple. It just isn't going to be easy. I don't care to hear somebodies "I hooked the record but it got off story". You hook the record when you land and weigh it and it is certified. No single person can accurately guess the weight of a lost fish.

Bob Crupi fished all his life to catch 2 20lb+ bass. Mike Long hunted giants for 15years before he got a 20+. It certainlt will not come to someone throwing a nightcrawler while fishing for perch. It won't be an accident. Even the last real big fish of over 19lbs caught by Paul Duclos??? I think, was a few years ago and taken off a bed. These are not like 5 lbers. They simply are not common and in California, there may only be one fish this size in even the best lakes with the highest record setting potential.

Just a comment on Texas, there is no chance of a WR bass coming from Texas anytime soon. They've got a great program but you need to start producing high teeners to even consider the chance of a 20+ being produced. I am not a biologist but Texas is still decades off the mark.

A dead 20lber would make the pages of Bassmaster and I haven't seen anything about them. This is purely speculation without any credible background, kind of like this record! lol

Triton_Mike reply :

I am checking into the validity of 4 dead 20lbers found at Fork. I know a gentleman that has guided on fork since 1990. If theres a dead 20lber he would know about it and like Earthworm stated we would have heard about it somewhere!!

I think Duclos claimed his fish to be 24lbs cause he thought the record was 27lbs so he snapped a few pictures and released it.

T Mike

Rattletrap reply :

The bottom line is. Perry's bass was a freak of nature for Georgia. That's why you don't see fish coming close to that weight now. The excuse used to discredit Perry's record because there have been no other 20lb plus bass caught since then is weak. 20lb bass are not the norm without some kind of big bass producing program. Which was not happening back in Perry's day. The only reason Cali is producing big bass is because of the program they have in place. Which I think is a good program. But without it, Cali would not even be mentioned as big bass state today. 20lb bass are not the norm without human help. That's the facts.

Lightninrod reply :

Secret place to catch large GA Bass

Dodge County PFA Bass

Scroll down to see the 17 lber

Dan

earthworm77 reply :

Rattletrap, I make my living on the water. I take everything with a grain of salt. Everything I read, everything I see on TV. When my client catches a 2pounder, I tell him its a 2 pounder, not a five like he thinks. Most people have no clue what a 3, 4 or 5lb bass even looks like.

When it comes to bass fishing, I am a show me type of guy. Based on this, without photographic proof which for this case would be the strongest evidence we had of its accuracy, how can I believe in it. Perry never produced the photos he said he had. Explain to me why that is so and I will at least open my mind to believing the possibility of this record not being a hoax. Until then it is a fabrication that unfortunately slipped through the cracks created by time.

There is absolutely no solid evidence supporting the validity of this catch. The d**n record was certified a year and a half after the fish was long digested. Nobody verified this catch. It likely made it based on its submission to the Field and Stream contest. Because it was accepted there and there was no current LMB WR, it filled in a blank spot. It was not scrutinized like today's submissions are. Without any supporting evidence how can anyone be so sure this is legit. Open your mind a little. State pride is one thing, but Christ man, all facts point to naught.

Matt Fly reply :

You take away the mild winter in Ca and you don't get the growth. Plain and simple. Northern Ca has colder winters compared to mild climate 365 days in So. Ca. and you don't see big bass that are fed trout coming from the Norther Ca. lakes. Why? Same trout and F-1? The Climate!!~!!!! The trout don't hurt, but thats small potatoes compared to the warmer water temps.

Can't say I've read about the 20 lbers floating dead on Fork, but replicas at various marinas boast such size found dead on the water.

Don't care who thinks what about the record. Yes its funny that no other bass has even come close to that size in Georgia, but every body before us has had the same points mentioned and that didn't DQ the Perry record. So it stands until its broken.

Just because it did not make the top 50 doesn't mean there hasn't been any caught. I know of three others over 15, A guide on Fork (Oldfield) caught one that would have put him in the top 50 last summer while night fishing, he tooks pics and released the fish. Another share lunker this year from Amistad that will be #27 on the all time list. Not to mention the 13's and 14's that don't get reported because sharelunker isn't running after April until the new season starts in Oct.

Fork suffered a bad virus in 2000, killing mostly larger bass, not 1 and 2lbers but killing 7lber and up. Thousands. She is back to kicking out 10lbers on a normal basis. It will be another 3-5 years before you see the 16 and 17's kicked out to make the top 50. They are there, just not as many.

Texas' Sharelunker program does nothing more than trying to pair up good genetics. It started, or helped kick off the push for catch and release. By donating a bass larger than 13 lbs, you got a free replica. It was the easiest way to get specimens donated. Has been around ever since. We may not see the world record come from Fork, kinda always thought if the lake levels could be maintained, Falcon or Amistad could grow one close because of the milder winters in South TX.

Cali has 50 (approx.) bodies of water that can produce a 16+lber, how many lakes in your state have warmer climate, strong forage base, deep, deep water? Texas has approx. 16 public lakes or resorvoirs, and a number of private lakes that has yielded 15+ fish. Texas can only boast of one lake to produce 17, 18 lb fish, thats Fork. 7 different lakes with 16 +. Those aren't good odds. We have lots of waters that can produce lots of double digits, lots of 13lbers, 53 lakes with at least one sharelunker donated.

Rattletrap reply :

Whatever.... Georgia owns the record. And we will own it for another 70 years hopefully.

Triton_Mike reply :

trap, Do you know anything about statistics and odds?? Statistics and odds are against Perry's fish being legit based on past history. I saw big foot yesterday but I don't have a picture to prove it and I have been caught in a few lies along the way and my story has changed a time or two. What are the chances that I saw bigfoot???

I do think Fork will make a comeback and I hope it does. I lived an hour from Fork for about 3 years. Awesome fishery!!!

Lightninrod make no mistake about it Dodge County has some TOADS in it!! I hope Varner can produce those kinds of fish in the near future.

T Mike

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
The only reason Cali is producing big bass is because of the program they have in place. Which I think is a good program. But without it, Cali would not even be mentioned as big bass state today. 20lb bass are not the norm without human help. That's the facts.

Rattletrap, You don't know squat, Cali doesn't have any programs in place for Bass. If you know of some, please post them. What human help? What facts? Cali stock trout in the winter for everday people to catch. IE.....they make alot of money off of park use fees and fishing permits each time you go, not like in my state, you only need a fishing license once. In So Cal., every time you go fishing, you need a day use permit, fishing permit, and a ramp fee if launching a boat.

What are the bass eating in the spring, summer, and early fall? Not stocked trout. Only the ones that survived, and most of them averaged a half pound when stocked have grown. So that would eliminate some bass that feed on trout. Those that do survive (trout)go as deep as 70 ft to escape summer temps and that means those super bass would be living that deep also which I don't find hard to believe, cause in the winter we would fish 50ft deep on a regular basis.

Those are the facts!!!!!!! And the fact is, yours don't add up.

earthworm77 reply :

Despite the debate here, this threadis possibly the best thread I've read on any bass fishing message board. Some good facts, some obvious B/S and some closed mindedness, it all makes for some interesting reading. I now actually hope the record falls, like next week, so we can all talk ole R-Trap down from the ledge! That should be some great reading.

Captain Cali reply :

Quote

Quote
The only reason Cali is producing big bass is because of the program they have in place. Which I think is a good program. But without it, Cali would not even be mentioned as big bass state today. 20lb bass are not the norm without human help. That's the facts.

Rattletrap, You don't know squat, Cali doesn't have any programs in place for Bass. If you know of some, please post them. What human help? What facts? Cali stock trout in the winter for everday people to catch. IE.....they make alot of money off of park use fees and fishing permits each time you go, not like in my state, you only need a fishing license once. In So Cal., every time you go fishing, you need a day use permit, fishing permit, and a ramp fee if launching a boat.

What are the bass eating in the spring, summer, and early fall? Not stocked trout. Only the ones that survived, and most of them averaged a half pound when stocked have grown. So that would eliminate some bass that feed on trout. Those that do survive (trout)go as deep as 70 ft to escape summer temps and that means those super bass would be living that deep also which I don't find hard to believe, cause in the winter we would fish 50ft deep on a regular basis.

Those are the facts!!!!!!! And the fact is, yours don't add up.

Thank you Matt_Fly.

flechero reply :

Quote
A dead 20lber would make the pages of Bassmaster and I haven't seen anything about them. This is purely speculation without any credible background, kind of like this record! lol

Where? Once you cut out all the advertising, photos and junk, there are about 4 pages of articles left to cover the entire country... yup, they sure got it all, in detail. You know I missed the obituary page in the last issue, I heard that a few fish fell victim to a fillet knife and another to a boat prop, can you give me any details? ...lol There is a lot of stuff that doesn't make bassmaster, If that is your barometer on the fishing world, I don't even know what to say. Dead fish don't pay for advertising space, and honestly aren't that interesting. I kind of though the mount was credible... I guess the story behind it could be false but that isn't something I care about... I'm certainly not going to waste my time trying to prove or disprove. If someone found a 23lb bass dead and floating, I would think "what a shame no one caught it" and nothing more.

Even if Mike's guide friend can sustantiate this, it sounds like you would need video of the retrieval and weighing just to consider it might be possible.

RoLo reply :

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If you want to get right down to it, I bet Mexico has a better shot than anywhere else...

I really don't believe that Mexico will ****** the world-record from United States.

Mexico produces many large bass, but this is mainly due to a long growing season

and relatively light fishing pressure.

All the same, the primary factor for growing world-class bass is "Latitude".

Northern Florida, Southern Georgia, Lake Fork, TX, Sam Rayburn, TX

and South California's big bass lakes (casitas, castaic, miramar ~) all lie within

the optimum latitudinal belt. Mexico however (like lake Okeechobee in Florida),

lies to the south of the sweet latitude.

Bass living at the southern extreme of their range, grow fast but die young.

This is what biologists refer to as Thermal Burnout. To grow world-class bass you need both

a fast-growth rate AND a long life span, which is only possible at the optimal latitude.

North of the optimum latitude, the growing season is too short.

South of the optimum latitude, the longevity of bass is too short.

Roger

Vyron reply :

What about Africa ?

RoLo reply :

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What about Africa ?

There's no doubt in my mind, that the optimum latitude in other countries

like Japan or even Africa, may yield the next world record bass >

I well remember when "authorites" were anguishing over the next world record Brown Trout.

They were torn between Scotland and Australia, but instead it was broken in Arkansas, USA :-[

Roger

Raul reply :

Africa could be in the future Vyron, Mexico 's Lake Baccarac holds the Latinoamerican record with a big momma of over 19 pounds, Japan 's record is over 18 pounds, there are stories of big fish over 19 pounds out of Cuba, so chances are that the next WR is going to come, aside Cali, either in Mexico or in Cuba.

Rattletrap reply :

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The only reason Cali is producing big bass is because of the program they have in place. Which I think is a good program. But without it, Cali would not even be mentioned as big bass state today. 20lb bass are not the norm without human help. That's the facts.

Rattletrap, You don't know squat, Cali doesn't have any programs in place for Bass. If you know of some, please post them. What human help? What facts? Cali stock trout in the winter for everday people to catch. IE.....they make alot of money off of park use fees and fishing permits each time you go, not like in my state, you only need a fishing license once. In So Cal., every time you go fishing, you need a day use permit, fishing permit, and a ramp fee if launching a boat.

What are the bass eating in the spring, summer, and early fall? Not stocked trout. Only the ones that survived, and most of them averaged a half pound when stocked have grown. So that would eliminate some bass that feed on trout. Those that do survive (trout)go as deep as 70 ft to escape summer temps and that means those super bass would be living that deep also which I don't find hard to believe, cause in the winter we would fish 50ft deep on a regular basis.

Those are the facts!!!!!!! And the fact is, yours don't add up.

Thank you Matt_Fly.

20lb bass did not just appear in the 90's. Before the 90's you did not here anything from Cali. It was the human help of stocking non-native Florida strain bass into Cali lakes. Human help man. Facts again....

earthworm77 reply :

Unfortunately the idea you brought up is true for many. Bass Master does little more than adorn my bathroom for some quick reference. I've paid little attention to it. It is not the higher authority or even a hugely credible one. Hell, it is a horrible barometer for the pulse of bass fishing as a sport. If you know anything about me, I'm no fan of the accolades Pro's get. Like I said earlier, I don't believe anything that I read.

My point is a fish that big, that close to the world record, would generate interest and it would surely get a footnote, likely in several mags. It would get people swirling about more fish that big at that location, it is certainly newsworthy. Consider that there have been 4 or 5 20+ bass caught ever and now perhaps you can understand the magnitude of it. We are talking about the most pursued record of all time.

earthworm77 reply :

RattleTrap, your Georgia bass are Florida F1's...man made help. Your throwing stones at your own Glass House.

California does not stock trout to feed the bass, they have a tremendous trout fishery and bass happen to benefit from it. At one time there was talk about eradicating bass to protect the trout.

Please stop the insanity. :-X

Triton_Mike reply :

I am going against what I have said about Japan. After thinkign about it I don't think Japan will have much of a chance at the WR. #1 reason is the lakes are fished extremely hard. I don't think there is a lake in the US that is fished as hard as the lakes in Japan. Primarily due to the lack of big lakes in Japan and the amount of anglers in Japan. I had a decent talk with Minoru Segawa the president of Lucky Craft about fishing in Japan and the stories he told me of fishing pressure just blew my mind. THere is a reason why Lucky Craft has so many technique specific baits to cater to Japan ie due to extreme fishing pressure in Japan. Now there might be a private lake type deal in Japan that might be able to produce. But who knows. I don't know enough about Africa to comment on them.

T Mike

Rattletrap reply :

I'm not sure about your F-1 stuff, but Largemouth bass are native to the East coast. George Perry's was a native LMB. It was not stocked. All states West of the Mississippi got stocked. Georgia has been stocked (to replenish the natives that have been there from the beginning of time) since George Perry's record, not before. Georgia's owns the all natural World Record LMB. Hopefully for 70 more years. Man, all you guys getting upset because Georgia maintains the record. There is more to life than Bass fishing. ;D

Matt Fly reply :

When on Fork, I try to be seen at numerous marinas, I give my business to lots of owners. Not trying to be seen or boast about catches, but maybe learning a tid bit, a morsel of info where some of the better ones have been. People have a tendency to give more info to those they know or think they know.

The last thing I want to do is drill some owner for having a replica of a dead bass and a sign that said " 20 lber found floating dead". I am already seeking info and the last thing I want to do is drill the owner with 20 questions, Was that scale certified, who originally found it. Why did it die? What marina weighed it? Do you really think it weighed 20lbs? What was the measurements?

Theres a replica at Mustang resort of the dead 20lber. Does it make it so? Don't care, because I like to believe theres one out there with my name on it. And you guys are raining on my parade, LOL

One thing that separates a lot of big bass being caught is live bait. Most of the original trophy hunters used crawldads in Cali, #1 bait. Don't care what they say, I know what I saw every time I went fishing. Most bass fishermen turn up their lip to livebait fishermen. Since I grew up with a cane pole and worms, I don't care if you are carp fishing and caught the world record bass. If its legal catch, its legal. How many 20 lbers are there out there? Artificial or live, the odds of catching one is astronomical. The records attest to that.

The right climate, forage base, and the right location will grow the largest bass.

Mexico has partnered with Tx biologists for the past years trying to raise bigger bass. They have less pressured waters, Tilapia for a food source, restricted harvest and restricted season lengths, anotherwords, they protect bass with all means. Like deer season, its not an open season year around on bass. Mexico has seen an interest in Mexican bass fishing, the amount of money it brings in. Money being spent in Mexico has stepped up that program.

Rattletrap reply :

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I am going against what I have said about Japan. After thinkign about it I don't think Japan will have much of a chance at the WR. #1 reason is the lakes are fished extremely hard. I don't think there is a lake in the US that is fished as hard as the lakes in Japan. Primarily due to the lack of big lakes in Japan and the amount of anglers in Japan. I had a decent talk with Minoru Segawa the president of Lucky Craft about fishing in Japan and the stories he told me of fishing pressure just blew my mind. THere is a reason why Lucky Craft has so many technique specific baits to cater to Japan ie due to extreme fishing pressure in Japan. Now there might be a private lake type deal in Japan that might be able to produce. But who knows. I don't know enough about Africa to comment on them.
T Mike

I saw a photo of a tournament going on in Japan. It was hard to see the water with all those boats in it. Talk about fishing pressure.

Triton_Mike reply :

Trap, I really don't think any of us having a problem with Georgia holding the World Record. Heck I would love for nothing more to say it was caught out of Allatoona my home lake and that there was a WR or 3 in there LOL. It's the fact that their are some variations of stories and lack of evidence that we dispell the validity of the world record. I personally don't care which state the next World Record comes out of as long as it is documented properly and the background of the fish is shady.

Mike

RoLo reply :

I have my druthers about Perry's record bass (to say the very least),

but if that record is indeed factual, it would not be attributable to man's intervention.

The Florida-strain bass was named after the state of Florida, but quite obviously

bass do not obey political boundaries. The natural range of Florida-strain bass

embraces the state of Florida as well as the southern reaches of Georgia.

Further, there is a band in Georgia where the natural ranges of Florida-strain

and northern-strain bass overlap and naturally interbreed. These natural cross-breeds

are known as "intergrade bass". Though a hard line cannot be drawn, I've read that

natural intergrades may extend as far north as Lake Chatuge, SC, but this is conjecture.

Roger

RoLo reply :

T Mike,

Quote
I am going against what I have said about Japan. After thinkign about it I don't think Japan will have much of a chance at the WR. #1 reason is the lakes are fished extremely hard.

Are there no private lakes in Japan?

Roger

Vyron reply :

The Japanese Record Bass!

19.15lb!

RoLo reply :

Now I know where my lunch box went!

Lightninrod reply :

"Lightninrod make no mistake about it Dodge County has some TOADS in it!! I hope Varner can produce those kinds of fish in the near future."

Ft. Stewart fish

Mike: Just to be sure others know, that first link was to Bass caught at Ft. Stewart, GA. I need to get my lazy butt over there ;D!

Dan

Rattletrap reply :

I'm just a little over zealous with this record thing. I don't like agruing with my fellow bass fishermen. I apologize if I offended anybody. I just hope the record remains in the United States. Keep on Bassin!!! Tightlines!!!

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

I don't think anyone has offended anyone. It's just a good ole' fashion debate. Consider it sitting at the bar, throwing back a few beers with your buddies, debating on something that no one can prove 100%. 8-)

dodgeguy reply :

e.w,i'm still trying for a new york state record out of titicus!!!never mind trying for that world record bass!!! ;D

Mattlures reply :

Rattletrap. I am not wrong about the measure ments not adding up. Here are some numbers for you.

George Perrry

22 lbs. 4 ounces

Length: 32.5 inches

Girth 28.5 inches

Mike Long

20 lbs. 12 ounces

Length: 27 inches

Girth: 27 inches

Jed Dickerson

21.11.2 lbs.

Length: 28 1/2 inches long

Girth: 26 3/4 inches

These are the largest bass that I could find measurements and weight for.

first compare Dickersons bass to Long's

Dickersons bass is an 1 1/2 in longer and 1/4 in less in girth and the diference in weight is about 1 pound.

Now compare Dickersons fish to Perry's

Perr'ys fish was 4INCHES LONGER!!!!!!!! LET ME REPEAT THAT 4 INCHES LONGER!!!!! ok now look at the girth.........ok it is 1 3/4 in fatter........... So lets get this straight. Perry's fish is 4 inches longer and 1 3/4in fatter. but it only weighs 1/2 lb more? To me this is the most obvious proof that the record is a hoax.

BTW bass weight calculators are never accurate through the intire range of bass weights. They are usualy good at fish under 10 lbs and become less accurate as the fish get bigger.

Now do you see why Perr'ys fish should have weighed at least 25lbs

Rattletrap reply :

I guess that measurement stuff does not work. I never tried it out in the field yet. It must be something about how dense the fish is also. Oh well. As long as the record stays in the US. Right?

dodgeguy reply :

it's entirely possible for a longer fish to be lighter than a shorter one.there are to many variables.what time of year were they caught?did any of them have eggs?if you catch one that was just feeding it could be heavier.maybe perry's scale was wrong and his fish was actually heavier?

Vyron reply :

For humans, muscles are heavier than fat.

if u compare 2 people that have the same size,if the one is more muscular than the other he ll weight more.

If the same applies for bass 2 ,the nutrition of the bass (protein) will affect its weight.

This is I believe the reason u c differnces 2 the weight of bass that have the same length and girth

Mattlures reply :

Perry's fish was way longer and fatter! It wasnt just longer. It could be off by a little but thats not a little. Perry's fish should have been at least 25lbs.

buzzbaitfool12 reply :

Great post...took me ten minutes to read everything. My comments on a few things...T-Mike..I dont think that just because we havent accumulated catches close to the record it debunks it...I mean Mr Dunahoo caught a 17lber out of lanier like in the 60s and nothing near that has come out since...The gentlemen in a earlier post commented on the ecological enviroments of each lake...To me each lake has a certain span when it will produce top quality bass...If we did ever stock trout in our lakes it would probably "juice the population" but I dont think that Lanier would ever produce a wr bass...Its kinda like a seven foot people it just doesnt happen to often but it can and I think that any of the states mention have a chance at the wr in the right circumstances...

To earthworm...great points, however pictures are in no given terms, are actual evidence of how big a fish is..Heck when I take a picture it adds 20lbs to my frame...My point is even with the technology of todays cameras can be ok at best ,how about pictures back in the 20 and 30. I dont think there was ever a picture taken of the fish, I think he played it up so he could get more equipment to fish...Heck when the fish was supposedly caught him and his friend shared one rod and reel and one lure..Think about that if you had to do that today..You might try to parlay that catch into a few more rods/reels and lures...but to question everything that happens is insane..its kind of like the oj simpson case..I wasnt there so its hard to make a solid argument but I know in my opinion the sob was guilty but no matter what i think the facts will never change....But I do know one thing whether it is true or not im gonna go out each time hoping that the next bucket mouth I catch is the wr...lol

earthworm77 reply :

Buzz, you are right, such a prestigious record should have at least a photograph for proof.

guest reply :

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I am checking into the validity of 4 dead 20lbers found at Fork. I know a gentleman that has guided on fork since 1990. If theres a dead 20lber he would know about it and like Earthworm stated we would have heard about it somewhere!!
I think Duclos claimed his fish to be 24lbs cause he thought the record was 27lbs so he snapped a few pictures and released it.

T Mike

Have you found any information on the dead fish floating? I remember hearing something along that line but can't recall enough information to comment on it. I will check around on it myself. I got a few gamewarden friends. If I'm not mistaken I believe that a game warden found the fish. I also believe that they said it looked like a big with trash bag floating in the water so they went by to fish it out and found that it was a bass that was later weighted at over 22 lbs or pretty close. Like I said before I don't have all the facts or correct information on it and if I find out that this is just a myth I promise to post it.

But as far as Texas getting the WR bass, it is in my OPINION that it is very possible. The biggest bass is an 18.18 lbs in Texas which is only 4 lbs away from the record. You will see soon that Cali will have a run for its money.

Just ask LBH about Lake Fork. He is coming down and will catch the WR out of Fork. LOL ;D

roadwarrior reply :

Good luck Texas, Florida, Georgia and Mexico. California is within ounces, not pounds.

guest reply :

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flechero, I have zero beef with the tactics that the share a lunker program is doing. In fact I wish they would do it in every state! I would like to read the material that you have about 4 fish over 20lbs were found dead at Fork. Is there a internet link?
I also agree Mexico has a great chance at the WR as well.

Mike

I FOUND NEW INFORMATION, YEEEEA. CALL 1-877-525-4698. They said there was an article in a magazine called Fishing Game that stated that people found bass floating that weighed over 20+ lbs. They said to look back from 95 to 98. They didn't know which one it was so I thought you would have better luck in finding it. Looks like you can't count TEXAS out just yet!!! Looks like Texas is also within ounces too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Captain Cali reply :

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Good luck Texas, Florida, Georgia and Mexico. California is within ounces, not pounds.

8-) That's what Im talkin' about!! ;D

mgmoore7 reply :

I have read alot of this post but not every entry so forgive me if I am repeating.

When I got back into bass fishing more frequently last year and started reading/hearding about these lakes in CA that will probably produce the next record and then heard that they are regularly stocked with trout just to help produce the biggest bass....

Doesn't this take some of the sport out of it? It seems to me that there is much emphasis on "manufacturing" a world record bass than letting nature take its course.

Maybe there should be an asterick for "caught from regularly trout stocked lake for bass consumption"

Captain Cali reply :

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When I got back into bass fishing more frequently last year and started reading/hearding about these lakes in CA that will probably produce the next record and then heard that they are regularly stocked with trout just to help produce the biggest bass....
Doesn't this take some of the sport out of it? It seems to me that there is much emphasis on "manufacturing" a world record bass than letting nature take its course.

Maybe there should be an asterick for "caught from regularly trout stocked lake for bass consumption"

That is where what you read & heard is wrong. California does NOT stock rainbow trout to increase the size of bass. Rainbow trout are stocked because people fish for them and the state makes more $$$ from those anglers. There would be no trout stocking if no one fished for them.

When we call the stocked trout "bass food" or thank the DFG for feeding our bass it's a joke. While we do appreciate our trout planting program it's not in place to increase the size of bass. If that were the case we'd be dumping trout into lakes year round.

Let me repeat this once again...

California does NOT stock rainbow trout to increase the size of bass.

flechero reply :

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flechero, I have zero beef with the tactics that the share a lunker program is doing. In fact I wish they would do it in every state! I would like to read the material that you have about 4 fish over 20lbs were found dead at Fork. Is there a internet link?
I also agree Mexico has a great chance at the WR as well.

Mike

I FOUND NEW INFORMATION, YEEEEA. CALL 1-877-525-4698. They said there was an article in a magazine called Fishing Game that stated that people found bass floating that weighed over 20+ lbs. They said to look back from 95 to 98. They didn't know which one it was so I thought you would have better luck in finding it. Looks like you can't count TEXAS out just yet!!! Looks like Texas is also within ounces too!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BigTex,

Thanks for taking the time and finding that info for us. Could it have been "Fish & Game" as in Texas Fish & Game Magazine? I don't know the other. I didn't like the implication that I was just "speculating" as one poster accused.

-keith

guest reply :

It might be called Fish & Game or Texas Fish and Game. You can call that toll free number posted and talk to the owner of the guide service and ask them about it. They knew exactly what I was talking about. They just didn't have enough information on were to find the correct certified weight.

JDPgator reply :

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Quote
When I got back into bass fishing more frequently last year and started reading/hearding about these lakes in CA that will probably produce the next record and then heard that they are regularly stocked with trout just to help produce the biggest bass....
Doesn't this take some of the sport out of it? It seems to me that there is much emphasis on "manufacturing" a world record bass than letting nature take its course.

Maybe there should be an asterick for "caught from regularly trout stocked lake for bass consumption"

That is where what you read & heard is wrong. California does NOT stock rainbow trout to increase the size of bass. Rainbow trout are stocked because people fish for them and the state makes more $$$ from those anglers. There would be no trout stocking if no one fished for them.

When we call the stocked trout "bass food" or thank the DFG for feeding our bass it's a joke. While we do appreciate our trout planting program it's not in place to increase the size of bass. If that were the case we'd be dumping trout into lakes year round.

Let me repeat this once again...

California does NOT stock rainbow trout to increase the size of bass.

I would be curious to know when CA starting getting these 20lbs. Has it always been such or was it a period of time after the introduction of stock rainbow trout? I ask because even if the intent is not to increase the size of the bass, could a case be made for it being an "un-natural" contributing factor.

RoLo reply :

It all began in Lake Miramar, California in 1973.

David Zimmerlee: 20 lb, 15 oz - June 23, 1973

Roger

JDPgator reply :

So is that in sync with the trout stocking or is the stocking just a side note that gets attached to the CA bass?

Rattletrap reply :

Check it out!!!! This link has Perry's bass, Zimmerlee's bass and Duclos' so called 24 pounder.

http://www.backwoodsbound.com/ybigbass.html

guest reply :

Can you imagine if Texas had a "trout program" like CA. Our bass would bust 23 to 24lbs. LOL

basswagoner reply :

I believe it. I just wish kentucky would produce some better monsters. Biggest I caught this year was a 7 pounder. Pretty big for ky on norm.

Captain Cali reply :

Here is some information on California's Largemouth Bass.

http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fishing/html/AnglerRecognition/TrophyBass/TrophyBlackBass_0.htm

I'm looking for information on when the trout plants started.

There is little doubt in my mind Texas would have 20# bass if the waters were stocked with trout.

guest reply :

"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"

This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Captain Cali reply :

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"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Where do you get your info dude??

guest reply :

Roger310:

Please.......California wouldn't have the big bass that they do if it wasn't for the trout. You know it and so does everybody else. There is nothing wrong in wanting to help your fish get big when they can't do it themselves. Some states lack "NATURAL" record size bass. I'm not going to mention any states in particular...CALIFORNIA. LOL

KYbass1276 reply :

It's really obvious that this post is getting heated up. Face it california is more than likely the next home of the world record lm I might not like that fact but have to live with it. So lets give this one a rest and just wait until the thing is caught besides this has gotten off of the posted subject of is the current one legit to where the next will be caught As i have said before the current perry world record is just that a world record and we all have to live with it until the next one is caught regardless if you think it's legit or not. Man it sure is good this is on a forum instead of a bar or something. I think some of you guys would be going at it by now

Captain Cali reply :

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Roger310:
Please.......California wouldn't have the big bass that they do if it wasn't for the trout. You know it and so does everybody else. There is nothing wrong in wanting to help your fish get big when they can't do it themselves. So states lack "NATURAL" record size bass. I'm not going to mention any states in particular...CALIFORNIA. LOL

::)I'm not here to get into a #%@! flinging contest. I'm just trying to state the facts. I'm not saying trout don't help bass get big. But the fact is people seem to think trout are planted for bass to eat. That is just not the case.

Since the can of worms has been opened...do breeding programs count as "UNNATURAL"?? I guess not since it's big texas we're talking about.

Rattletrap reply :

The Trout stocking program in California is geared toward the Trout fishermen. It so happens that the Bass like to eat them. There's a lot of protein in them there Trout.

guest reply :

I do believe that the current WR is valid. If it wasn't than it would have already been over turned. I just think that Texas has just a close of a shot at the WR as California. I have produced a little evidence in backing up my claim. I have yet to hear anybody disagree with me as far as bass of 20lbs + coming out of Fork. I know they don't count because they were found floating dead. It just shows you that Fork can produce the bigger fish that people seek.

Rattletrap reply :

The Big Bass are dying before they hit 22lb 4oz.

guest reply :

Quote

Quote
Roger310:
Please.......California wouldn't have the big bass that they do if it wasn't for the trout. You know it and so does everybody else. There is nothing wrong in wanting to help your fish get big when they can't do it themselves. So states lack "NATURAL" record size bass. I'm not going to mention any states in particular...CALIFORNIA. LOL

::)I'm not here to get into a #%@! flinging contest. I'm just trying to state the facts. I'm not saying trout don't help bass get big. But the fact is people seem to think trout are planted for bass to eat. That is just not the case.

Since the can of worms has been opened...do breeding programs count as "UNNATURAL"?? I guess not since it's big texas we're talking about.

This is just to easy.......BREEDING IS NATURAL. How do you think you were brought into this world. I'm not tring to start a fight or get into an argument with anybody, all I want is for Texas not to be overlooked. That's it.

guest reply :

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The Big Bass are dying before they hit 22lb 4oz.

What state are you talking about? Texas is having that problem but the death tole for bass are declining pretty fast. We are on the rebound. It may take us 5 to 10 years but we will be able to produce a WR largemouth bass.

flechero reply :

One thing people keep overlooking is that even though Ca. is the favorite to produce the next WR, doesn't mean it will happen. I'll concede that it is the most likely place... but until it happens, there is just as good a chance in Mexico, Japan or Texas.

Roger, don't take any of this personally, those of us in Texas wish our lakes were full of trout... it sure would make picking out swimbaits easier! ;D

flechero reply :

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The Big Bass are dying before they hit 22lb 4oz.

That is true but also possible is that the turtles found the 24 before a person did, and had a big dinner.

RoLo reply :

If the world-record largemouth bass is broken, most anglers believe it will come

from California. Though it flies in the face of popular opinion, I believe that California

is currently marking time. In spite of the fact that California has come within ounces,

I would not be surprised if California fails to break the world record, in fact I rather expect it.

Whenever a species is relocated outside its natural range, there is a tendency for the

genetic vigor to wane progressively over time. If a world record isn't set early on,

as it was with the spotted bass and redear sunfish, the chances grow slimmer-and-slimmer.

With each passing generation the chromosomes gradually revert back to the gene pool

that is indigenous to the region. As each lake fails a new lake becomes the new test tube.

Lake Miramar was California's first brainchild in 1973. Lake Miramar produced many

freak Florida-strain bass and for a long time. Regardless it ultimately fell off the radar screen

in March of 1990, when it produced its last bass over 18.5 lbs. The next Californian lake

to step under the limelight was Castaic Lake. Although Castaic Lake has received volumes

of lip service, its brief life span is rarely addressed. The heyday of Castaic Lake was like

a super nova star, it produced its first big bass in 1988 and its last big bass in 1991,

a short three-year life span! Presently, California has no more star performers

like Miramar or Castaic, where its best hope (only hope) is now Lake Dixon.

In addition to the lake-to-lake hop-scotch, when we look at the whole state of California

we see the same downtrend. Listed below are the time frames of the 22 heaviest

largemouth bass taken in California:

Taken during 1980s = 12 bass

Taken during 1990s = 7 bass

Taken since 2000 = 3 bass

Roger

JDPgator reply :

My comments and questions were meant singularly to learn more. I hope no one took offense, as none was intended.

I just took this up to spend time with my dad and this place has been a great resource for a novice that doesn't know much of anything relating to fishing. I love a good debate with valid points on both sides of the fence so I had to ask since I didn't know.

guest reply :

You got my attention. Well put. I just can't wait to see the record broken. That should be a great feeling for whoever does it. Too bad it won't be me.......well maybe........nope, not me.

earthworm77 reply :

I would have to say that California has the best shot at the record. No other state has come close and just because some states such as Texas or my own Florida pump out fish in the 15 and 16lb class does not mean they are close. Granted there may in fact be a few records swimming in those states but there is no doubt that California has the best realistic shot.....all others are extreme long shots. I don't care what is floating dead some where, if either Florida or TX produced a high teener or 20, then they too can be considered in the running, until then, sorry, it's a single state race. Put state pride aside!

guest reply :

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"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Where do you get your info dude??

From the link that rattletrap posted. If you have time read it please.

Captain Cali reply :

Quote

Quote

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"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Where do you get your info dude??

From the link that rattletrap posted. If you have time read it please.

That information is just not accurate. You can look at it that way but it's not accurate.

guest reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote

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"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Where do you get your info dude??

From the link that rattletrap posted. If you have time read it please.

That information is just not accurate. You can look at it that way but it's not accurate.

You asked for proof and I showed it to you. You read an article and hate what it says so you just decide to ignore it and you stick by your false claims which by the way are proven otherwise.

I have obviously stepped on some toes so I will drop the issue. Have a nice day.

By the way Georgia still holds the record, not California or Texas.

MyKeyBe reply :

Come on guys,

This is getting out of hand. :

Perry's record is the record. Love it or hate it, it's the record.

Believe it, don't believe it. It's still the record.

Would everyone be happier if the world record came with a "made in japan" stamp on it? (Woohoo! I can go to Wal-mart and buy a world record. )

I firmly believe that Georgia was the land of 'freaks" in the 20's.

I also know that in 2006 "everything is bigger in Texas". ;D

I am also aware that in 2006 California is home of the "freaks". ;D (Thanks squid! I had no idea. :)

As long as a member of BR is the guy that catches the next record then it's all good.

Go get em!

MyKeyBe reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote

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"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

Where do you get your info dude??

From the link that rattletrap posted. If you have time read it please.

That information is just not accurate. You can look at it that way but it's not accurate.

Nope. Not accurate at all. I am positive that Duclos' first name is Paul not Scott. If Big Bass Bonanza can't even get Duclos first name right, what are the chances of any of there information being right?

Mattlures reply :

Just so you guy know Cali would still produce 20lbers if not for the trout. How do I know this? Because the lake record from Hodges is over 20 and they have never stocked trout in there. Obviously they help produce more big fish but there are a lot more factors invovlved . The quote you got about the bass being fed is a ranger being asked about the huge fish that were coming from Dixon. He is hamming it up for the interview. Roger is right. The trout are there for all the trout people to come catch some fish. They create most of the fishing revinue.

You guy should look at the 24lber Duclos caught. It is real! the reason it is not recognized as the record is because it was weighed on a bathroom scale not because he didnt catch it. The IGFA requires that it be weighed on a certaified scale so there is no way they could accept it. That fish looks every bit of 24 lbs and unless that scale was off was the biggest bass ever caught.

Rattletrap reply :

I believe if you don't catch them soon after they hit the 20lb range they die. The odds are, you will not see them floating. Bass die all the time. How often do you see any bass floating. I can't even remember the last one I saw. The turtles and other scavengers get to them pretty quick. The majority will die of old age before they hit 22lb 4oz. That's why Georgia will hold the record for a long, long time. Hopefully another 70 years. Don't stop trying!!!

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
Can you imagine if Texas had a "trout program" like CA. Our bass would bust 23 to 24lbs. LOL

We have stocked yellow bass aka bar fish in Fork, and I haven't seen a bass turn down too many crappie which also are high in protien, its a moog point in my books.

I have seen replicas in various marinas of the so called dead 20 lbers. I have every TX fish and Game for a long long time, so many articles in this mag. Current issue talked about Mexico and Mr. Perry's record. Article said that wr bass could have been Florida or Native, know body can say, the area he caught his fish is know to have both.

I will post web site for the 19lber found floating, haven't found the 20lber site yet.

Rattletrap reply :

Paul Duclos has been a tropy bass hunter for a long time. You know what the record is if that's what your chasing. He used bathroom scales that apparently read 24lbs, he takes a photo and releases the bass. He is either a liar, or the dumbest bass fisherman alive. I believe its the former. He would have found certified scales if he thought it broke 22lb 4oz. After all he was an avid trophy bass hunter right? Is he a dummy, or a liar?

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
"Besides, the monsters are literally hand-fed trout (which most anglers to these lakes pay to fish for) that are stocked weekly. Observers during trout plantings see a literal feeding frenzy as the hundreds of trout hit the lake water. The big bass take them immediately as the tank truck dumps them. Huge wakes converge on the feeding area. It's an awesome sight! It's no wonder the bass are big bellied monsters on a diet of mature trout! Naturally that and other areas are off limits to fishermen!"
This is very interesting don't you think Roger310

I witnessed a hundreds of trout stockings in Cali, never saw the feeding frenzy you described, did see thousands of commorants eating half of what is delivered every time. Don't you remember seeing the trucks with shot guns shooting into the air to scare the commorants away. Works for short period.

Can some answer why Norther Cal, who recieves more trout in the streams, river and lakes up north doesn't produce theses killer bass, after all, every one is blaming the trout for the enormous growth. Why?

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
I believe if you don't catch them soon after they hit the 20lb range they die. The odds are, you will not see them floating. Bass die all the time. How often do you see any bass floating. I can't even remember the last one I saw. The turtles and other scavengers get to them pretty quick. The majority will die of old age before they hit 22lb 4oz. That's why Georgia will hold the record for a long, long time. Hopefully another 70 years. Don't stop trying!!!

If that fish was caught or hooked deep in the summer and fought hard but got off, the bladder might be the reason the fish floated. If you never seen fish float dead, you must not get out on the water vary much. The fish kill, LMBV had thousands floating.

Rattletrap reply :

Matt. We all know that it's warm weather, and lots of available protein that produces big bass. The north does not have the longer warm seasons that's required. That high protein trout is the reason for the more numerous catches of 20lb bass. That's just the facts of life, but cali should not get penalized for it. The trout were stocked for the Trout fishermen. You can't blame Cali for the bass eating them, Right?

Matt Fly reply :

http://www.lakeforktexas.com/Pages/fq.html

one source of the 19 lber found floating.

Rattletrap reply :

If you see a lot of bass floating, there is something wrong. If you see a lot of fish floating, something is in the water killing the fish. That's not normal dude. I don't want to fish in that nasty lake your fishing.

roadwarrior reply :

Do doubt, rattletrap.

(Paul Duclos) That is probabably the most ridiculous big bass story I have ever read. Well, now I have forgotten the California chicky's name that claimed the World Record, but that story (and picture) ranks right up there, too. When (if) someone with a brain, even a very small one, catches The Bass, it ain't going back!

BTW, According to IGFA rules, record breaking fish must weigh two ounces more than the previous record. Do you think they will make an exception for a 22 lb 5 oz largemouth?

Rattletrap reply :

RW. That's right. The next World Record LMB has to weigh-in at least 22lbs 6oz. I forgot about that.

Rattletrap reply :

Now. I'm not saying that people have not seen big bass dead and floating. That can happen. If your are seeing dead bass(any size) floating every fishing trip. That's scary. That water is bad. BTW, I believe that those 20lb plus bass that are caught die after being released. Not all of them, but the odds are not good. They are too old to handle the stress of being reeled-in any more. IMO remember. Plus I have read something about it, and I have seen it posted on this site before.

Matt Fly reply :

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If you see a lot of bass floating, there is something wrong. If you see a lot of fish floating, something is in the water killing the fish. That's not normal dude. I don't want to fish in that nasty lake your fishing.

Trap, it was a virus (LMBV)that hit many lakes. If you keep up with fishing and do some research, you might not come off with a knee jerk answer. But I hope you stick to your gut feelings and stay clear of Fork.

Read a little closer and you'll see my comment wasn't towards you as much as it was to my fellow Texan. Trout are nice, I think its only 5% of the equation, genes and warmer climate should get more credit than trout, not to mention the depths that those bass reside in year around, present problems to the angler who are normally bank beaters.

earthworm77 reply :

Was her name something like Leaha Trew? I remember the story. I also agree about Duclos, who was a big bass fisherman but miraculously didn't get the catch certified correctly. Listen if you catch the biggest bass ever, C&R is going out the window. R-Trap, what is the difference between the weather in California and many of our Southern States? Either case both fish were very big. Anybody post a photo of Duclos fish? Regarding Floaters, R-Trap- great point.

While it appears likely a bigger bass has been landed, the 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth caught by George Perry 71 years ago is still the official world record.

Here is that story on the Hoax

In the only photograph taken of the fish, Leaha Trew, 45, of Santa Rosa, Calif., holds up a largemouth bass she claims weighed 22 1/2 pounds.

A California woman's claim of a 22-pound, 8-ounce largemouth caught Aug. 24 has been officially denied by one record-keeping group and only half-heartedly accepted by another.

Both the International Game Fish Association of Florida and the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Wisconsin will continue to recognize Perry's fish as the world record.

The Hall of Fame does, however, recognize Leaha Trew's 22 1/2-pounder as its "unofficial" all-tackle world record and its official line-class record for 12-pound line.

Neither organization is ready to dismiss Trew's fish, caught at Spring Lake, as a hoax. As a matter of fact, both are willing to concede that the fish is likely the largest largemouth bass ever caught.

But, both say that Trew, 45, of Santa Rosa, Calif., failed to properly document her catch, at least not well enough to break what is considered the most cherished record in fishing.

A records committee of the International Game Fish Association rejected Trew's request in January, posting its decision on its Web site at www.IGFA.org.

Friday, IGFA records administrator Doug Blodgett said the decision was difficult.

"It was definitely a tough decision for the IGFA," Blodgett said. "We looked at it for several weeks, going back and forth and taking everything under consideration.'

"While the committee is not saying that they don't believe the Trews are honest people, or that the fish was indeed caught, they're just saying that we don't feel that satisfactory evidence was provided (for such a milestone)."

Last year, the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame kind of accepted Trew's application and at the same time kind of rejected it.

The Hall of Fame accepted it as the line-class world record largemouth bass for 12-pound line.

But, the Hall of Fame stopped short of giving Trew credit for its official all-tackle world record, citing insufficient documentation.

The Hall of Fame said it requires a biologist to examine any world-record contender. Trew's fish was not examined first hand by a biologist. The only witness to the fish, other than Trew's fishing partner, son Javad Trew, was a friend who was picnicking at Spring Lake.

The IGFA doesn't require a biologist's examination, and it will accept catch-and-release fish for record consideration, provided there is ample documentation.

In this case, there just wasn't enough to satisfy the IGFA.

Had the Trews provided additional witnesses to the weighing of the fish or to its measuring, that may have been enough.

"Here we have what is probably the single most recognized record in fishing, and the only witnesses were her son and a friend who was at the lake," IGFA spokesman Mike Leech said. "If they had rounded up a couple of disinterested witnesses, that probably would have been enough."

Said Rob Kramer, president of IGFA: "We don't enjoy having to reject world record claims, but in this case there were too many unverifiable factors, so we had no other choice."

According to newspaper and Internet accounts, Trew's fish was weighed by her son, Javad, on a hand-held BogaGrip scale that had previously been certified by the IGFA as accurate. The IGFA acknowledges that the scale, which measures in half-pound increments, was accurate.

The Trews didn't help their claim, the Hall of Fame said, when they failed to have the fish photographed next to a tape measure or any object that would provide proper scale or a photo of the fish being weighed.

The only photo was taken by Javad Trew on what he claims was the one frame left on a disposable camera.

The photograph shows Leaha Trew holding the fish at arm's length, and, according to the IGFA, it didn't provide any scale by which the size could be judged.

Leaha Trew has not spoken publicly about the fish; instead, she has let her son do her talking.

Javad Trew has had little to say other than that they were fishing out of a 13-foot inflatable boat and that his mother caught the fish on a 7-inch swimming bait made by Storm Lures.

He did say that his mother doesn't really care about the lack of certification.

"She knows she caught the record bass," Javad Trew said.

Back to me........you can see what the IGFA requires, however, Perry's fish didn't have half of this documentation and no photo.

Matt Fly reply :

http://www.forbes.com/sport/2005/03/28/cz_mb_0328sport.html

This one found dead is a little more than 20 lbs.

Rattletrap reply :

Matt. You made the statement that if I don't see dead fish floating, I'm not on the water a lot. Your comment insinuated that seeing floating dead fish all the time was normal. Like I said, if you see a lot of dead fish floating something is wrong with water. and it's not normal. Viruses killing fish is not normal either. If you see that a lot, again I would not be fishing on that nasty lake. You should not be seeing dead fish floating everytime you go fishing unless there is a problem.

PS, I know about the virus in Texas, and it's not normal.

roadwarrior reply :

earthworm77,

I read a follow-up on this story, I think it was by In-Fisherman, that established estimated weights based on the measurements of the top twenty or twenty-five largest documented largemouth bass. Rather than using a formula to calculate weight, they used the actual weights to create a formula just for big bass, based on these specific fish.

The bottom line, as I recall, according to this analysis was that Trew's bass probably weighed around 18 1/2 lbs.

mgmoore7 reply :

BigTex

I was thinking the same thing and actually copied from that artical the exact sentences that you did.

At least from this article, it sure implies that the trout are dumped in for consumption by Bass. Also, if trout were stocked for the purposes of producing a trout population, why does it have to be done over and over. I don't know much about trout but generally with other species, stocking over and over is not required.

http://www.backwoodsbound.com/ybigbass.html

roadwarrior reply :

mgmoore7,

Trout are repeatedly stocked all over the country. First of all, most people who fish for small trout keep them and eat them. They are VERY easy to catch and for every 10 trout caught and released, one or two die. Blue Heron are responsible for 30% of the stocked trout mortality on the White River in Missouri and Arkansas (10,000 birds X 365 days= 365,000 per year). Commorants are resposible for killing millions of stocked and farm raised fish throughout North America. The point is, to have a readily available (catchable) trout population, they must be restocked constantly.

I cetainly agree that this is the #1 reason California bass grow so large, but it is a coincidental aspect of the trout stocking program.

Matt Fly reply :

Quote
I believe if you don't catch them soon after they hit the 20lb range they die. The odds are, you will not see them floating. Bass die all the time. How often do you see any bass floating. I can't even remember the last one I saw. The turtles and other scavengers get to them pretty quick. The majority will die of old age before they hit 22lb 4oz. That's why Georgia will hold the record for a long, long time. Hopefully another 70 years. Don't stop trying!!!

I didn't insinuate anything, you made this comment! Again read all the posts, even yours. you can't remember the last one you saw. If your on the water enough, you see dead fish of all species, now this didn't say every trip or every day. I mentioned a virus and you insinuate every day,

Why would anybody want a record that has holes in it? It is recognized, the mark has been set, the next record won't have holes in the story and half the country debating it, and it won't come from Georgia again. Sorry, I don't believe the record bass is 4 pounds larger than the next reported bass. I do except the record because thousands of people have challenged it with no results, it stands. Don't have to believe it, just surpass it.

How many people flock to Georgia to fish for the next record? How many times does Georgia get mentioned as a place the next record will come from? Its not just me, I think every one had the chance to mention Georgia in their posts, how many did. That shows the confidence that we have in the state that produced that record. We may not say it, because it won't change nothing.

Rattletrap reply :

Quote

Quote
I believe if you don't catch them soon after they hit the 20lb range they die. The odds are, you will not see them floating. Bass die all the time. How often do you see any bass floating. I can't even remember the last one I saw. The turtles and other scavengers get to them pretty quick. The majority will die of old age before they hit 22lb 4oz. That's why Georgia will hold the record for a long, long time. Hopefully another 70 years. Don't stop trying!!!

If that fish was caught or hooked deep in the summer and fought hard but got off, the bladder might be the reason the fish floated. If you never seen fish float dead, you must not get out on the water vary much. The fish kill, LMBV had thousands floating.

Read your bold black statement. I'm on the water a lot and I don't remember the last time I have seen fish floating. Seeing floating dead fish does not dictate how much you are on the water. Seeing floating dead fish would dictate more that you might have a problem with the water. Which you did, with a Virus in the lake.

BTW, I have never made a comment that Georgia has a chance at breaking their own record. I did say we will own it for a long, long time from now. Bass just don't last long after they hit the 20lb plus weight. They are old and ready to die by then. Most of the 20lb plus die after being released also. Because of that, Georgia will hang on to the WORLD RECORD a little while longer. Remember, the new record has to be 22lb 6oz. I don't see that happening for a long time. Maybe never. Cali has been talking world record since Zimmerlee's 20lb fish caught in 1972. That's 34 years of the 70 year old record. It's Georgia's record for a long time to come. Have fun trying to break it though. It makes for a lifetime of bass fishing.

Matt Fly reply :

Didn't say you did, the second part is my opinion, not aimed at any body, chill dude.

Rattletrap reply :

I'm chilled dude. Cool as a Texas cucumber.

earthworm77 reply :

Guys, I work on the water and I do not see dead flaoting fish often. Maybe one a season or so. Lets keep this friendly, it has gone 180 posts without anyone really flaming anybody else. This is no doubt one of the best bass fishing threads of all time.....and it didn't generate in Georgia....sorry R-Trap, I'm playing! Look out for the Mets this year!

There was another very big fish caught in the early 90's by Sandy Defresco, it was claimed that the fish weighed 21+. Upon examination though about 1.5lbs of diving weighs were recovered from the fish. In my opinion, the only way a record will be broken is if the fish is killed and thoroughly examined. This type of thing has seemd to spawn the worst in some people looking for their 15 minutes of fame.

Rattletrap reply :

Earthworm. This discussion has being going on for 70 years. It will still being on after I'm gone. BTW, The Mets are stacking the deck. I thought they had a shot at it last year. Nobody thought the Braves would make make it 14 division titles in a row. Wow!!! That number still amazes me. The sad part is only ONE World Series title to show for all that effort. I don't know what to expect this year. Play ball!!!

Captain Cali reply :

Has anyone besides Matt_Fly and myself seen trout being stocked in California? Or are you just going by what the Backwoods article states? Lets see...article from Illinois or anglers from California...who would know better? :

Forget it...I'm done with this.

Lightninrod reply :

"Florida strain bass were originally imported to Cuba from the U.S. in 55-gallon drums by the United Fruit Co. from 1915 to 1920, to provide a little sport for the industrialists. They have taken well to the island lifestyle. A school of thought suggests that Cuba's longer growing season has produced a genetically superior bass that matures faster and grows bigger than its American cousins. And the rumors about big bass have drifted with the (no) trade winds across the Straits of Florida.

During the 1970s and '80s, stories circulated that 11 different fish landed in Cuba had topped the record. On Lake Hanabanilla, a 26-pounder was supposedly hauled up in a net. A few years back, a 28-pounder was said to have been caught in Lake Leonero. In each case, the record-breaking fish was eaten before it could be verified. Regardless of whether any of those rumors are true, the standing certified Cuban record of 18 pounds is enough to make American big bassers salivate over the possibility of it all. "

Did y'all miss that in that Forbe's article?

In case anyone wants to go there.

Where to stay.

I'd love to go both for the Bassin', the sun, the beaches(I was born-nraised in Miami, Florida and lived for two years in Key West, Florida.), and the most wonderful cigars in the world but I'll probably be 'gone' before that becomes legal.

Dan

Rattletrap reply :

Roger310. I agree with you now. I used to think California had a Trout stocking program geared toward producing big bass. You corrected me on that. I'm believing you, not what I have read.

Matt Fly reply :

Haven't found a site yet for this one. In 1997, a 20.5lb was found dead on Fork. A replica of her is also at the marinas. My amigo must be on our forum or just reading, cause he emailed me the senko info on sharelunker #398 and also added the note on the 20.5lber.

Did post on the 19 and 26 found dead though.

Rattletrap reply :

I'm not sure if I could trust the weight measurments of a dead swollen bass. It would weigh more if it's bloated right? We already know that there are live 20 pounders out there. I don't need 20lb floaters to convince me of that. Lake Fork was the big bass producer in Texas right? Did the Virus knock the lake backwards any?

Triton_Mike reply :

My Contact said a 20.4 lber was found in 1997 Floating and BARELY alive by 2 anglers. But it was dead when the Texas Parks and wildlife arrived. But there were not 4 fish over 20 or close to 20lbs weighed. My opinion of Texas went up ONE notch but they still haven't weighed in a 15lber in over 7-8 years. LMBV killed Forks chance at the WR. Will it rebound?? Personally I hope it does!!

T Mike

Rattletrap reply :

It will rebound Mike. There are good programs in place that can turn any lake around.

earthworm77 reply :

T-Mike, I just saw a photo today of a 15+ caught at Fork recently, like within the past week or so. I think 15.37 or something. Nice fish. And a better photo than Perry's. Oh, that's right Perry didn't have one. :-/

Rattletrap reply :

Quote
And a better photo than Perry's. Oh, that's right Perry didn't have one. :-/

Now I know you are a Mets fan. You got a love. Georgia can hold the LMB World Record without a photo. 70 more years Babyeee!!!! ;D

earthworm77 reply :

the bass from Fork is 15.29. photo below, sorry if the photo is giant.

Rattletrap reply :

Filet that fish up!!! It ain't even close to the Georgia World Record. Them Mets fans!!! ;D

flechero reply :

Quote
they still haven't weighed in a 15lber in over 7-8 years. LMBV killed Forks chance at the WR. Will it rebound?? Personally I hope it does!!

I actually think the opposite. IMO, Fork was SO overpopulated that the virus will be the reason we will soon (next 2-3yrs) have an explosion of big fish. The big fish that are still there have less competition for food and won't have to travel as much. And from what I'm hearing, the #'s are down right now but avg quality is up. Sounds like a good trend to me.

guest reply :

How many years, months, weeks, days do yall think this record will be broken in. I say within a year or two. How about yall.

Rattletrap reply :

20lb fish have been coming out of Cali since 1972. That's 34 years of them thinking they were going to break it soon, and it has not happened yet. I don't think it will happen any time soon, if at all. Those bass will die before they reach 22 lbs 6 oz. They have to beat the record by at least 2 ounces remember. 70 more years babyeee!!!!

Vyron reply :

Unless they start puting steroids on them ;D

Rattletrap reply :

That's true vyron. I would not put it past a company to try and steroid fish to a World Record.

Rattletrap reply :

Georgia bass. 15lbs 9oz in May 2005

Rattletrap reply :

Georgia Bass 16 lbs in Jan 2005

RoLo reply :

Quote
20lb fish have been coming out of Cali since 1972.

California's production of 20+lb bass is unique, nevertheless, California is by no means

a gristmill for 20-pound bass. Over the past 33 years (1973 to 2006) California has yielded

exactly 10 certified bass weighing 20 lbs or more. That's an average of one 20+ lb bass

every 3.4 years. However, California's production of 20-pounders has been in decline since 1991.

Fifty percent of all California's 20lb+ bass were taken in years 1990 and 1991

After 1991, Lake Miramar and Castaic Lake never produced another bass over 20 lbs.

California went 10 years without a 20-pounder until Dixon Lake (the new test tube)

finally ended the drought in 2001. California's last 20-pounder was yielded in 2003,

also from Dixon.

Roger

Matt Fly reply :

Some of cal. 20+ fish have been caught twice. Numbers look better than they are. We have also had some of the same fish caught in tx in the top 50.

Triton Mike, if your contact told you no fish have been caught over 15+ in the last 7-8 yrs, he's wrong, way off course on that info.

Triton_Mike reply :

Matt, You are correct it was 2002 since the last 15lber ie 4 years and not 7-8 years. Well now it's officially 2006 since the most recent Share a Lunker 15.29lbs. My info is coming according to the top 50 list of Texas Bass.

flanchero, I don't know how to use the quote features but you pretty much agreed to what I had said where you quoted me. I said the LMBV ruined the chance of Lake Forks run at the WR and it did and I then stated "will it rebound. Personally I hope it does". I have ZERO problems with Texas owning the World Record but it will not be an easy task for them. If it does break the WR it will come from Fork.

Mike

Matt Fly reply :

Theres a few more recent than that, The Minnow Bucket can confirm that 2 have been caugt since summer last year. The guide Randy Oldfield caught one and is photographed by the minnow bucket that would have gone 15.7, and if the same scale weighed Tues fish at 15.27 or .29, TPW has weighed the fish in at 15.5, their scale appears to be weighing light. Another local peg one in Aug at 15.02, since its not sharelunker season then and it didn't make the top 50, its not a big deal to the local guy. Local news only.

If you check the infusions of fingerlings into Fork since 2000, they numbers are way up. Before 2000, it wasn't surprising to go out and catch 20, 40, 50, fish days and have a 5lb average, didn't happen every time, but not uncommon to spend coupl days on water back to back and have numerous 7's and 8's with some pushing 10. Those days you could actually graph schools and see that the size is small and move on, until you found the right group, this group was loaded with 5-9lbers, steady diet till it played out, and move on to another spot, what is nice about the hot weather in the summer, constant high pressure, you could set your watch pretty close to the same bite, same location every day, thus the better consistent quality fish.

That has been a rareity these days, you don't find the larger schools as you used to. Fork has the numbers and the big bass, they aren't as easy to catch as they once where, when I say easy, I mean locating, because in timber filled lake, snags are gonna happen. Forks massive stockings has her full of all kinds of fish, sometimes you gotta wade through the smaller ones to get to a good one now days.

I would concur with fletchero reasoning, I too thought less pressure on bait fish, but, Fork has had some huge populations of shad, and having no white bass, hybrids, or stripers, basically, Fork has bass, cats, and crappie. Competion is not a concern on baitfish as long as we have those huge shad hatches thats been the norm for years.

They say a lake ages and passes its prime after 10-12 years, but the sharelunker program and all the other info said she's lost one round in a 20 round fight. She's the Bass Capital of Texas, and it will be awhile before she's knocked out.

Captain Cali reply :

The main reason Castaic fell off the map in the early to mid 1990's was the introduction of striped bass into the lake. It wasn't meant to happen but it did. Since then the stripers compete with largemouth for food, including stocked trout. 20-30 pound stripers are known to come out of the lake on a regular basis. If there were no stripers who knows what LMB weights would be at. In my mind the record would have been broken there.

The lagoon is another story...

If Dixon can stay "Striper Free" there is a good shot there. To late for DVL as stripers are already in there also...but who knows what can happen.

Matt Fly reply :

Roger310, Thats something I didn't know, stipers in the lake. How did that happen, on purpose, or accident?

Captain Cali reply :

Quote
Roger310, Thats something I didn't know, stipers in the lake. How did that happen, on purpose, or accident?

Accident. The lake is part of the California aqueduct system which stripers swim in. In the mid 90's they drained the lake some to do maintenance on the dam and check on the "screens" which were supposed to keep foreign fish and other crap out of the lake. They found that one of the screens was completely out of place...which allowed stripers to come in from the aqueduct. The rest is history... :'( :'( :'(

It's believed the '94 Northridge earthquake is what shook the screen loose. Northridge is only about 20 miles from Castaic.

I'll try to find the link to the article.

RoLo reply :

Quote
The main reason Castaic fell off the map in the early to mid 1990's was the introduction of striped bass into the lake.

On the contrary, Castaic fell off the map in spite of the striped bass introduction.

Competition from striped bass would only help to reduce numbers,

which can only improve the size (numbers and size are counterproductive).

The real reason is the exact same reason that every other California angel fell from grace.

Whenever a species is relocated outside its natural range, the genetic vigor wanes over time.

As one lake falls from grace another lake becomes the new hope. If a world record isn't broken

early-on using transplants, it becomes increasingly unlikely. You can't fool Mother Nature.

That is why Miramar fell off the radar screen followed by Casitas, followed by Castaic.

Be patient...it's only a matter of time when Dixon and Hodges fall off the radar screen.

In fact, California is marking time right now, and I wouldn't be at all surprised

if California fails to achieve its mission (A miss is a mile).

Roger

Captain Cali reply :

Quote

Quote
The main reason Castaic fell off the map in the early to mid 1990's was the introduction of striped bass into the lake.

On the contrary, Castaic fell off the map in spite of the striped bass introduction.

Competition from striped bass would only help to reduce numbers,

which can only improve the size (numbers and size are counterproductive).

The real reason is the exact same reason that every other California angel fell from grace.

Whenever a species is relocated outside its natural range, the genetic vigor wanes over time.

As one lake falls from grace another lake becomes the new hope. If a world record isn't broken

early-on using transplants, it becomes increasingly unlikely. You can't fool Mother Nature.

That is why Miramar fell off the radar screen followed by Casitas, followed by Castaic.

Be patient...it's only a matter of time when Dixon and Hodges fall off the radar screen.

In fact, California is marking time right now, and I wouldn't be at all surprised

if California fails to achieve its mission (A miss is a mile).

Roger

That may very well be the case but it's something we will never know about Castaic. The lake hit it's peak and coincidently stripers were introduced. Maybe that was mother natures way of saying..."NO, NO, NO....this record wont be broken here."

We will never know for sure about Castaic because of the way it went down.

I firmly believe that stripers out competing largemouth for food will not help largemouth in any body of water.

guest reply :

I think we have to remember that George Perry was fishing for dinner, not the world record bass. In fact, the fish was eaten.

Think positive. Is it not possible that in the 1930's during the great depression that an even bigger bass was caught by someone who was too busy trying to feed his family to worry about records?

Go to the video store and rent the DVD "The Grapes of Wrath" starring Henry Fonda. Or read the book. It's a John Steinbeck classic. The desperate poverty and social unrest that existed in the USA back then is scary.

flechero reply :

Quote
Matt, You are correct it was 2002 since the last 15lber ie 4 years and not 7-8 years. Well now it's officially 2006 since the most recent Share a Lunker 15.29lbs. My info is coming according to the top 50 list of Texas Bass.
flechero, I don't know how to use the quote features but you pretty much agreed to what I had said where you quoted me. I said the LMBV ruined the chance of Lake Forks run at the WR and it did and I then stated "will it rebound. Personally I hope it does". I have ZERO problems with Texas owning the World Record but it will not be an easy task for them. If it does break the WR it will come from Fork.

Mike

Mike,

We only disagree on the time frame. I think the virus will actually improve the next couple years worth of fishing. It may have hurt our record chance but the reduction in numbers was a good thing for the lake overall and the avg size fish caught was coming up. I took from your post that you thought the virus hurt the lake, long term and completely took it out of the running for the record, but you hoped it came back someday.

I think we're on the same page, you were talking about the record, and I was talking about quality of average fish caught. (which actaully went off topic)

9868

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