The current World Record Largemouth

[Guest bigtex]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Secret place to catch large GA Bass

Dodge County PFA Bass

Scroll down to see the 17 lber

Dan

[earthworm77]

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]

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]

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

[Triton_Mike]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

What about Africa ?

[RoLo]

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]

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.