The current World Record Largemouth

[RoLo]

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]

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 bigtex]

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]

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 bigtex]

"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]

"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 bigtex]

"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]

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]

"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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

"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]

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]

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]

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

one source of the 19 lber found floating.

[Rattletrap]

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]

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]

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

[Rattletrap]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

[Rattletrap]

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.