Your Opinion On The Next World Record Largemouth

[spencer12]

So what does everyone think? Where will the next world record largemouth be caught? Will it be out west in one of california's deep trout stocked reservoirs, maybe japans lake biwa, or maybe even the florida strain's home state of Fla.? I have my opinion and will share when we have a significant amount of opinions and views on the matter. Your thoughts?

 

[frogflogger]

Lake Biwa must be in the mix - it is huge and obviously has some huge fish, as do some waters in Zimbabwe and South Africa -  California can be in the mix  if they restart the heavy trout stockings that gave them the lunker boom - I still believe Florida has some world records swimming around - there is so much water and vegetation there despite the constant degradation of their waters - there are a lot of teeners caught in Florida that never make the news.

I also believe there should be different records for northern strain and Florida strain bass - a 10 pound northern strain bass is much more a trophy than a 12 pound Florida strain.

[.ghoti.]

Don't have one. Either an opinion, or a world record.

[zachb34]

I live in florida and we don't see the amount of teeners that California does. We do seem to be the 8 pounder capital of the world though. While okeechobee for sure holds some giants I would say California would have a better chance. I've also heard due to our hot weather year round fish have a shorter life. Not sure if that's true or not. If it true 7 feet of water is deep for okeechobee and those fish have no where to hide from heat.

[bigbill]

The next world record could come from your local pond that has the correct eco system to have big bass.

My three healthy places I fish at hold bigger bass. I notice there are larger bass than 10lbs. If I'm seeing them and lost a few bigger bass than every body of water that's healthy has to have the same big bass.

The record in this country was from Georgia. They caught a bigger one than the record but they ate it. Not California, not Florida but in Georgia. The next state record could be in your backyard. The next world record could be there too it's mommy.

Find a healthy place to fish were the panfishing are healthy and big. Fish it hard.

Big bass eat sunfish, eels and crawfish. Plus ducklings.

[BassinLou]

I live in florida and we don't see the amount of teeners that California does. We do seem to be the 8 pounder capital of the world though. While okeechobee for sure holds some giants I would say California would have a better chance. I've also heard due to our hot weather year round fish have a shorter life. Not sure if that's true or not. If it true 7 feet of water is deep for okeechobee and those fish have no where to hide from heat.

If we happen to hold the next world record of LMB, it will be caught in waters North of Lake O up to Northern Florida. South of Lake O its not happening. We don't have the environment to sustain a teener. The heat, and shallow water wreaks havoc on the fish's metabolism.

[Mainebass1984]

Lake Biwa must be in the mix - it is huge and obviously has some huge fish, as do some waters in Zimbabwe and South Africa -  California can be in the mix  if they restart the heavy trout stockings that gave them the lunker boom - I still believe Florida has some world records swimming around - there is so much water and vegetation there despite the constant degradation of their waters - there are a lot of teeners caught in Florida that never make the news.

I also believe there should be different records for northern strain and Florida strain bass - a 10 pound northern strain bass is much more a trophy than a 12 pound Florida strain.

 

Agreed. I think Florida and Georgia are still contenders. A 17 lb 9.6 largemouth was recently caught out of Georgia.  In my own opinion the next world record will not come from the US. I personally think it will be Japan. They catch a lot of big bass that we don't even hear about.

 

Having a different record for northern strain and florida strain would be difficult.  Many places in this country have a mixture of both strains.

 

I 100% agree with you that catch a 10 lb northern strain largemouth is much more of a trophy than a 12 lb florida strain. A 10 lb northern strain largemouth would be pushing 20 years old or older, much much older than any florida strain bass could ever live.

[Bruce424]

California has probably the best chance. The deeper waters and the forage base. Texas too. And florida.

[zeth]

Hard to say never fished anywhere except the midwest and Cali. I would say here in California just because I have seen numerous fish over 15lbs. I live in Oakland, very urban and the small reservoirs around here have massive fish. Fishing pressure is high and catching them is another story. I for sure know of one reservoir within 15 minutes of my house that has at least one 20+ swimming around. Saw it while walking the dogs. No fishing allowed however and it is enforced. Not worth the risk.

[Raul]

[spencer12]

I see a lot of you guy's are leaning towards Japan and Cali. Seeing Raul's location reminded me of old mexico. Mexico has a chance as well. I would like to note the Japanese govt. recently added bass to the invasive species list. They are supposedly supposed to be removed if caught. Don't know if thats been mentioned or not. Personally here is my take on it, California has the best chance in my opinion BUT I think the fish there get waaaaay to much pressure for the small reservoirs around the big bass areas (Within a hundred mile or so radius of LA i believe) That being said I still think Fla or Ga has a great great chance to at least put a 20+ in the books. Also I believe the fish will come in a smaller body of water 200 acres or less. Anyone know how many 20lbers have been entered in the record books? Can't be more than a few id guess.

[Senko lover]

A: Private waters

B: California

C: Japan 

[WRB]

California has 20 of the top 25 bass listed, the odds favor California.

The top 2 are tied for the current world record at 22.25 ( Perry ) GA and 22.3 (Kurita) Japan. There isn't any doubt about the Kurita bass, the Perry bass has never been proven, it's grandfathered without a photo of the angler holding the bass, authentic photo of the bass or statement from Perry's partner or impartial witness, today this bass would not be accepted.

The Crupi 22.1 #3 bass from Castaic was never authenticated and released, therefor not listed as California state record. #13, 20 lb bass from Florida falls into the no proof of catch, no photo, witness or authenticated weght and not listed as Florida's state record.

My 19.3 and Butch Browns 19.3 are not listed, both released before being authenticated, in California it's difficult to authenticate* a catch without killing the bass. It's easier today with smart phones to alert the DFW and certified scales are available to anglers.

Where or when the next world record bass will be caught is unknown.

* the official DFW personnel must examine the bass to authenticate the catch was legal.

Tom

[einscodek]

Bets are on the southern most states Texas thru Florida.. its time to bring the record home

[Big C]

I know exactly where it will be caught...freshwater. 

[Big C]

In Cali, Japan, or Mexico.

[jamey1e]

I say it'll come from some type of private waters (probably down south).  For example look at what Dr. Gary Schwarz is doing with the deer and bass on his ranch in Texas. 

[spencer12]

Here is a current list of the top 25 Ga. Bass (This doesn't include the #5 Bass caught this april 17.6lbs I believe)  I know a few 16lb+ fish that have been caught and not certified as well.

 

 

#1 22lb. 4oz. Montgomery Lake George Washington Perry 06/02/32
#2 18lb. 1oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Ron Petzelt 09/15/87
#3 17lb. 14oz. Chastain's Lake (Cobb County) Nickey Rich 04/27/65
#4 17lb. 9oz. Lake Lanier Emory Dunahoo 12/19/65
#5 17lb. 4oz. Marben Farm (Lake Margery) Jerry Jones 04/22/90
#6 17lb. 0oz. Lake Gale (Midway, Ga) Robert C. Stone 03/18/74
#7 16lb. 11oz. Lake Chatuge David Preseley 03/27/76
#8 16lb. 9.3oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/15/02
#9 16lb. 9oz. Lake Allatoona Greg Rymer 08/31/82
#10 16lb. 8oz. Lake Eufaula John Giles 03/12/80
#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Spivey Annie Malcolm 1971
#11 16lb. 4oz. Lake Seminole Charles Tyson 05/23/61
#13 16lb. 2oz. Morgan County Pond Robert Hilsman 04/07/62
#14 16lb. 1.2oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) David Gregory 05/26/02
#15 16lb. 0oz. Forsyth County Pond Donald L. Smith 05/19/97
#16 15lb. 15.4oz. Marion County Lake Sam Taylor 03/16/02
#17 15lb. 13oz. Lamar County Pond Bryan McBride 12/10/98
#18 15lb. 12oz. Fort Stewart (Dogwood Lake) Don Harlow 02/20/93
#19 15lb. 10oz. Lake Seminole R.P. Bolton 1970
#20 15lb. 9.6oz. Fort Stewart (Canoochee Creek Res.) Greg Harvey 02/12/99
#21 15lb. 9oz. Fort Stewart (Big Metz Lake) Paul Smith 09/08/92
#22 15lb. 8.5oz. Dodge County PFA David Hudson 03/16/02
#23 15lb. 6.5oz. Hart County Pond Brad McCall 03/21/92
#24 15lb 6oz. Lake Juliette Alonzo Dunn 01/04/90

[Logan S]

Probably Japan, but I've read that the big bass over there are in decline...For all we know, world record sized fish have been caught and killed by commercial fisherman on Biwa already.  On many waters over there, including Biwa, anglers are required to kill any bass they catch (though I imagine bass fisherman are releasing them).  

 

California probably has about an equal shot at it, it definitely has the track record for upper teen fish.  I just think it's slightly behind Japan.  

 

I'd love it to be Florida as someone who was born and raised there, but it's probably behind both CA and Japan in it's chances .  Lots of big bass, but they seem top out before getting to that 20 lb range.  

 

Don't know a whole lot about Mexico bass fishing, but I don't think I've read about many near 20 lb fish?  I would imagine the big resort lakes would get that in the fishing news somehow.  Could be way off though...To me it seems similar to TX, plenty of big ones but topping out before WR size.   

 

In my mind those are the front-runners.  Other states in the southeast and/or Texas are long shots, but there's still a chance.

 

My completely unscientific guess:

 

Japan - 50%

California - 45%

Florida - 4%

TX or other southeastern state + Mexico - 1%

[Basswhippa]

Here is a current list of the top 25 Ga. Bass (This doesn't include the #5 Bass caught this april 17.6lbs I believe)  I know a few 16lb+ fish that have been caught and not certified as well.

 

 

#3 17lb. 14oz. Chastain's Lake (Cobb County) Nickey Rich 04/27/65

#4 17lb. 9oz. Lake Lanier Emory Dunahoo 12/19/65

 

 

Number 4 was a northern strain...      Not sure about 3.

 

[WRB]

Here is a current list of the top 25 Ga. Bass (This doesn't include the #5 Bass caught this april 17.6lbs I believe)  I know a few 16lb+ fish that have been caught and not certified as well.

 

 

#3 17lb. 14oz. Chastain's Lake (Cobb County) Nickey Rich 04/27/65

#4 17lb. 9oz. Lake Lanier Emory Dunahoo 12/19/65

 

 

Number 4 was a northern strain...      Not sure about 3.

Just curious, how do you know the #4, 17.9 was a northern strain, was it examined? Did it have fewer than 68 lateral line pore scales for example? Just because a bass is out of it's native range doesn't mean a transplant didn't happen.

Tom

[RoLo]

I have a hunch that the angling world may be blindsided again by the next world-record bass.

No matter where it's caught, world-class bass have one thing in common, they're all Florida-strain bass.

Oddly enough though, therein lies the rub. Back in the day of yore, Florida was virtually the only destination

for trophy bass hunters. Nevertheless, the applecart was upset when the world-record bass came from

Montgomery Lake in Georgia!  Florida-strain bass were then transplanted in California,

and though it took several years, the bass fishing scenario made a remarkable transition.

California began cranking out world-class bass, and everyone was expecting a new world record.

I made a friendly bet with my buddy that California would not set a new world-record.

It came down to ounces but I never lost that bet...LOL  Before the barnburner in Lake Biwa,

I stated here on the forum that I thought Japan was a sleeper, but that went over like a lead balloon :-))  

Today I'm placing my bet on Mother Nature. And speaking of lead balloons, I believe that Florida

is silently becoming a strong contender, which once again would boycott expectations.

There's something magical & unique about a species living within its natural range. 

 

When I was growing up in the 50s, the town of Hillside, NJ was blanketed by countless flocks

of European starlings & English sparrows (aka house sparrows). Everyone was predicting

that they'd wipe out our native birds. Indeed, starlings & English sparrows made serious inroads,

but today they've all but vanished from the landscape. I see a few English sparrows now and then

in Walmart's open-air roof, but haven't seen one starling in years. 

 

The 'genetic vigor' of any transplanted species wanes over time, which is especially true for bass.

Within the natural range of Micropterus salmoides 'floridanus' there is no genetic reversion,

where the species will remain unchanged forever. Without stocking or help from man, any pond in Florida

can produce a double-digit bass. Floridanus has been around Robin's barn a few times,

and the next world-record may ultimately be decided by the last man standing (we'll see).

 

Roger

[Bluebasser86]

In Cali, Japan, or Mexico.

X2

[Catt]

Top 3 bass in the world

George Perry's 22.25: there is enough information available for me to give him the benefit of doubt. How many cameras do ya think were available in 1932 let along in a tiny rural town in Georgia?

Manabu Kurita's 22.311: Documented! Yelp that one was!

Mac Weakley's "Dottie" 25 lbs 1 oz: Foul hooked! Who cares! I watched them weigh her!

I agree with Roger, I think everyone's bubble will be busted again!

[clh121787]

No one mentioned cuba. I read of a local spearing a 30# lmb. Maybe Cubans never let the truth get in the way of a good fish story.