20 Lb bass

[Further North]

17 hours ago, bigfruits said:

the largest bass in the world has probably never been caught. 

...or it was caught a few times early on and has learned to avoid hooks ever since.

24 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Try a chicken nugget . 

 

 

...or a whole chicken...

 

 

 

[MassYak85]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

...or it was caught a few times early on and has learned to avoid hooks ever since.

...or a whole chicken...

 

 

 

Don't give savage gear any more ideas 

[Bluebasser86]

I think we've all heard the stories about monster bass in the local lake or pond, usually from someone who had a close encounter with the great white whale, but lost her due to some unfortunate mishap. 

 

Good luck in your ventures, no matter how unlikely they may be, you can't catch it if you don't try right?

[CroakHunter]

If my calculations and research on indiana largemouth are correct, that fish would have to be approximately 78 years old to reach 21lbs and living in a very southern indiana growing season in a super private pit with more shad and bluegill and crawdads to eat than you can shake a stick or stick bait at.

[A-Jay]

There's always a 'chance' this fish could exist.  However,  experienced students of the sport will stand fast on the notion that the chance in this case, is most likely minute.  Sort of like hitting the Powerball twice in a row.  I will admit to leaning heavily in that direction as well.  

 

"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."   

 

Although not known as a Basshead, Dr. Seuss may have been onto something.

 

A-Jay

[shimmy]

While I agree it is pretty much impossible for a bass to reach that size there, I will say, that may be the only state in the country it is possible. If I am correct, I believe Massachusetts' state record was the biggest northern strain largemouth bass ever caught. Now, to have an extra 4.5 pounds and assuming the old record was measured accurately, it would have to come from Massachusetts to reach that size. Ain't happening though!

[primetime]

I believe the record bass caught in Mass was in a pond that had some connection to the Ocean, and therefore had an unusual amount and type of Mullet or Big shad living in it. It was kind of the perfect Situation of Smaller Pond, Good water & Protein rich forage, genetics, and the perfect cast that we all dream of.

 

I don't doubt that Scuba Divers think they see 20lb bass when diving lakes, Fish always look bigger in the water and we all know that many people will catch the infamous 8-10lb bass which is then a solid 4lber when you see the picture.

 

We had an accident on a Local Florida lake a few years back and they had divers in the water for days. I was working at the local tackle shop at the time, and I heard about 20lb bass being seen, and all the stories put the Fish in the same area.

 

30-40 Foot hole and/or a deep 30' hole with an old bus or boat on the bottom. I tried getting GPS coordinates for the "hole", and I am 100% certain, these guys misjudged or exaggerated these stories.

 

There are no holes that deep in the lake. Nothing over 20-24' Max. If they were so wrong on the depth, then that makes the 20lb Bass more like 10-12, and that would make sense.

 

I still think the next Huge Bass close to the record will end up coming from either Florida, Texas, or California in a lake that does not get alot of attention, maybe one of the lakes that was great in the 80's, but now is not popular. I always figure the genetics are still in those Lakes, and catching big Southern Strain Bass are extremely difficult to catch on lures. There is a Lake in Florida called Lake Apopka which I think Holds a possible record. Little Pressure, Tons of bait, and perfect location. I will still gladly settle for 15lbs in my life, I doubt it happens unless I fish every day with Live Shiners or Shad.

[pondbassin101]

1 hour ago, primetime said:

There is a Lake in Florida called Lake Apopka which I think Holds a possible record. Little Pressure, Tons of bait, and perfect location. I will still gladly settle for 15lbs in my life, I doubt it happens unless I fish every day with Live Shiners or Shad.

 

I know where I'm going next saturday 

[Boomstick]

Let me guess, these "divers" are somebody's uncle's second cousin's in laws great uncle?

[J Francho]

The NY state record is not valid, in my opinion.  It was not caught on a public lake, but in a private pond and is VERY suspect.  The largest I've heard of in NY was a little over 9 lbs. 

 

I've never heard of any northern strain largemouth that approached the 20 lb. mark, let alone exceeds it.

[Sholt]

I understand that this is probably not true, but there are big fish in the pond, it has two 90 foot holes and a few 30-40 holes.  I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain that northern bass do not get that large.  I love fishing stories so I will continue to believe there is a state record bass in that pond.  

[Turtle135]

16 minutes ago, Sholt said:

I understand that this is probably not true, but there are big fish in the pond, it has two 90 foot holes and a few 30-40 holes.  I appreciate everyone taking the time to explain that northern bass do not get that large.  I love fishing stories so I will continue to believe there is a state record bass in that pond.  

 

and in your pursuit of the mythical monster you may catch some very respectable bass along the way

 

p.s. - if that pond stratifies in the summer (likely) those deep holes are probably below the thermocline (insufficient oxygen levels below the thermocline) so you will want to concentrate your efforts in shallower water above the thermocline