Based on nationwide statistics, no place on earth produces more 10-pound bass than Florida, USA.
This should come as no surprise, as Florida is the home of Florida-stain largemouth bass
Florida has additionally yielded its fair share of world-class bass over 17.5 pounds, but unfortunately,
the state's biggest obstacle is 'bureaucracy'. Florida's heaviest bass on record are documented & certified
by the "IGFA", "Field & Stream", “International Spin Fishing Association" and others, but not by the state.
Listed below are certified bass taken in Florida that are not recognized by the state (up to 2011):
1) 20-lb 2-oz - Big Fish Lake - May 1923 - Fritz Friebel (fully documented but not FL certified)
2) 19-lb 15-oz - Keystone Lake - 1927 - R. E. Lucas
3) 19-lb 11-oz (29" L x 23.25" G) - Stick Marsh - Jul 1994 - Doug Thompson
4) 19-lb 8-oz (29” L 23” G) – Stick Marsh – May 1994 – Ed Johnson
5) 19-lb 4-oz – Taylor Creek Reservoir – Jun 1974 – Phil Jay
6) 19-lb 0-oz (31”L) – Lake Tarpon – Jun 1961 – Riley Witt (former Florida state record)
7) 18-lb 13-oz (29.5”L x 26.5”G) St Johns River - Apr 1987 - Buddy Wright (fully documented & certified)
8) 18-lb 8-oz – Orange Grove Lake – Jan 2008 – Jeffrey Smith
9) 18-lb 4-oz – St. Johns River – Dec 1948 - J.W. Smith
10) 18-lb 2-oz – Taylor Creek Reservoir - Jun 1974 – Phil Jay
10) 18-lb 2-oz – Lake Brooklyn – Mar 1966 – Hugh Paul
11) 18-lb 1-oz – Stick Marsh – Apr 1994 – Robert Bloom
12) 18-lb 0-oz – Orange Grove Lake – Steve Smith (IGFA documented)
12) 18-lb 0-oz (30”L) – Tucker Lake – 1964 – L.L. Petty
12) 18-lb 0-oz – Lake George (St Johns River) – May 1958 – Marlin Coston
12) 18-lb 0-oz – Ashley Lake – Mar 1951 – Carl Swisher
13) 17-lb 15-oz – Undisclosed waters – Mar 1988 – Donald Brunson
14) 17-lb 12-oz – West Lake Tohopekaliga (West Toho) – Jul 1986 – John Faircloth
15) 17-lb 9-oz – Lake George (St. Johns River) – Babette Morgan
16) 17-lb 8-oz (28”Lx25”G) Lake Rose – 1985 – Mike Paule
16) 17-lb 8-oz (28”Lx25”G) Hurricane Lake – Mar 1983 – Robert Earl
16) 17-lb 8-oz – Lake George (St. Johns River) – Justin Morgan
Under a weight of 17-1/2 pounds, the entries are piled up at every ounce, far too numerous to bother listing.
Owning up to feeble recordkeeping, the state of Florida finally incepted a Hall-of-Fame Club (13-lb+ only),
now in its 2nd year. This year, Joe Morrell submitted two "state certified" teeners, a 13-lb 12-oz & 14-lb 9-oz.
Be reminded that for every 13-3/4 lb bass landed in Florida, there are thousands of double-digit bass.
This isn't the case anywhere else, where catching a double-digit bass is like watching paint dry or grass grow.
The future of Florida-strain transplants is speculative, but the Florida-strain bass in Florida are forever.
http://m.myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2014/march/11/trophycatch/
Roger
