The current World Record Largemouth

[roadwarrior]

earthworm77,

I read a follow-up on this story, I think it was by In-Fisherman, that established estimated weights based on the measurements of the top twenty or twenty-five largest documented largemouth bass. Rather than using a formula to calculate weight, they used the actual weights to create a formula just for big bass, based on these specific fish.

The bottom line, as I recall, according to this analysis was that Trew's bass probably weighed around 18 1/2 lbs.

[mgmoore7]

BigTex

I was thinking the same thing and actually copied from that artical the exact sentences that you did.

At least from this article, it sure implies that the trout are dumped in for consumption by Bass.  Also, if trout were stocked for the purposes of producing a trout population, why does it have to be done over and over.  I don't know much about trout but generally with other species, stocking over and over is not required.

http://www.backwoodsbound.com/ybigbass.html

"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! "

[roadwarrior]

mgmoore7,

Trout are repeatedly stocked all over the country. First of all, most people who fish for small trout keep them and eat them. They are VERY easy to catch and for every 10 trout caught and released, one or two die. Blue Heron are responsible for 30% of the stocked trout mortality on the White River in Missouri and Arkansas (10,000 birds X 365 days= 365,000 per year). Commorants are resposible for killing millions of stocked and farm raised fish throughout North America. The point is, to have a readily available (catchable) trout population, they must be restocked constantly.

I cetainly agree that this is the #1 reason California bass grow so large, but it is a coincidental aspect of the trout stocking program.

[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!!!

I didn't insinuate anything, you made this comment!  Again read all the posts, even yours.  you can't remember the last one you saw.    If your on the water enough, you see dead fish of all species, now this didn't say every trip or every day.   I mentioned a virus and you insinuate every day,

Why would anybody want a record that has holes in it?   It is recognized, the mark has been set,  the next record won't have holes in the story and half the country debating it, and it won't come from Georgia again.   Sorry, I don't believe the record bass is 4 pounds larger than the next reported bass.  I do except the record because thousands of people have challenged it with no results, it stands.  Don't have to believe it, just surpass it.

How many people flock to Georgia to fish for the next record?   How many times does Georgia get mentioned as a place the next record will come from?   Its not just me, I think every one had the chance to mention Georgia in their posts, how many did.   That shows the confidence that we have in the state that produced that record.   We may not say it, because it won't change nothing.

[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!!!

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.

Read your bold black statement. I'm on the water a lot and I don't remember the last time I have seen fish floating. Seeing floating dead fish does not dictate how much you are on the water. Seeing floating dead fish would dictate more that you might have a problem with the water. Which you did, with a Virus in the lake.

BTW, I have never made a comment that Georgia has a chance at breaking their own record. I did say we will own it for a long, long time from now. Bass just don't last long after they hit the 20lb plus weight. They are old and ready to die by then. Most of the 20lb plus die after being released also. Because of that, Georgia will hang on to the WORLD RECORD a little while longer. Remember, the new record has to be 22lb 6oz. I don't see that happening for a long time. Maybe never. Cali has been talking world record since Zimmerlee's 20lb fish caught in 1972. That's 34 years of the 70 year old record. It's Georgia's record for a long time to come. Have fun trying to break it though. It makes for a lifetime of bass fishing.

     

[Matt Fly]

Didn't say you did, the second part is my opinion, not aimed at any body, chill dude.

[Rattletrap]

I'm chilled dude. Cool as a Texas cucumber.  

[earthworm77]

Guys, I work on the water and I do not see dead flaoting fish often. Maybe one a season or so. Lets keep this friendly, it has gone 180 posts without  anyone really flaming anybody else. This is no doubt one of the best bass fishing threads of all time.....and it didn't generate in Georgia....sorry R-Trap, I'm playing! Look out for the Mets this year!

There was another very big fish caught in the early 90's by Sandy Defresco, it was claimed that the fish weighed 21+. Upon examination though about 1.5lbs of diving weighs were recovered from the fish. In my opinion, the only way a record will be broken is if the fish is killed and thoroughly examined. This type of thing has seemd to spawn the worst in some people looking for their 15 minutes of fame.

[Rattletrap]

Earthworm. This discussion has being going on for 70 years. It will still being on after I'm gone.   BTW, The Mets are stacking the deck. I thought they had a shot at it last year. Nobody thought the Braves would make make it 14 division titles in a row. Wow!!! That number still amazes me. The sad part is only ONE World Series title to show for all that effort. I don't know what to expect this year. Play ball!!!

[Captain Cali]

Has anyone besides Matt_Fly and myself seen trout being stocked in California? Or are you just going by what the Backwoods article states? Lets see...article from Illinois or anglers from California...who would know better? :

Forget it...I'm done with this.

[Lightninrod]

"Florida strain bass were originally imported to Cuba from the U.S. in 55-gallon drums by the United Fruit Co. from 1915 to 1920, to provide a little sport for the industrialists. They have taken well to the island lifestyle. A school of thought suggests that Cuba's longer growing season has produced a genetically superior bass that matures faster and grows bigger than its American cousins. And the rumors about big bass have drifted with the (no) trade winds across the Straits of Florida.

During the 1970s and '80s, stories circulated that 11 different fish landed in Cuba had topped the record. On Lake Hanabanilla, a 26-pounder was supposedly hauled up in a net. A few years back, a 28-pounder was said to have been caught in Lake Leonero. In each case, the record-breaking fish was eaten before it could be verified. Regardless of whether any of those rumors are true, the standing certified Cuban record of 18 pounds is enough to make American big bassers salivate over the possibility of it all. "

Did y'all miss that in that Forbe's article?

In case anyone wants to go there.

Where to stay.

I'd love to go both for the Bassin', the sun, the beaches(I was born-nraised in Miami, Florida and lived for two years in Key West, Florida.), and the most wonderful cigars in the world but I'll probably be 'gone' before that becomes legal.

Dan

[Rattletrap]

Roger310. I agree with you now. I used to think California had a Trout stocking program geared toward producing big bass. You corrected me on that. I'm believing you, not what I have read.

[Matt Fly]

Haven't found a site yet for this one.   In 1997, a 20.5lb was found dead on Fork.    A replica of her is also at the marinas.   My amigo must be on our forum or just reading, cause he emailed me the senko info on sharelunker #398 and also added the note on the 20.5lber.

Did post on the 19 and 26 found dead though.

[Rattletrap]

I'm not sure if I could trust the weight measurments of a dead swollen bass. It would weigh more if it's bloated right? We already know that there are live 20 pounders out there. I don't need 20lb floaters to convince me of that. Lake Fork was the big bass producer in Texas right? Did the Virus knock the lake backwards any?

[Triton_Mike]

My Contact said a 20.4 lber was found in 1997 Floating and BARELY alive by 2 anglers.  But it was dead when the Texas Parks and wildlife arrived.  But there were not 4 fish over 20 or close to 20lbs weighed.  My opinion of Texas went up ONE notch but they still haven't weighed in a 15lber in over 7-8 years.  LMBV killed Forks chance at the WR.  Will it rebound??  Personally I hope it does!!  

T Mike

[Rattletrap]

It will rebound Mike. There are good programs in place that can turn any lake around.

[earthworm77]

T-Mike, I just saw a photo today of a 15+ caught at Fork recently, like within the past week or so. I think 15.37 or something. Nice fish. And a better photo than Perry's. Oh, that's right Perry didn't have one. :-/

[Rattletrap]

And a better photo than Perry's. Oh, that's right Perry didn't have one. :-/

Now I know you are a Mets fan. You got a love. Georgia can hold the LMB World Record without a photo. 70 more years Babyeee!!!!  ;D

[earthworm77]

the bass from Fork is 15.29. photo below, sorry if the photo is giant.

[Rattletrap]

Filet that fish up!!! It ain't even close to the Georgia World Record. Them Mets fans!!!  ;D

[flechero]

they still haven't weighed in a 15lber in over 7-8 years. LMBV killed Forks chance at the WR. Will it rebound?? Personally I hope it does!!

I actually think the opposite. IMO, Fork was SO overpopulated that the virus will be the reason we will soon (next 2-3yrs) have an explosion of big fish. The big fish that are still there have less competition for food and won't have to travel as much. And from what I'm hearing, the #'s are down right now but avg quality is up. Sounds like a good trend to me.

[Guest bigtex]

How many years, months, weeks, days do yall think this record will be broken in.  I say within a year or two.  How about yall.

[Rattletrap]

20lb fish have been coming out of Cali since 1972. That's 34 years of them thinking they were going to break it soon, and it has not happened yet. I don't think it will happen any time soon, if at all. Those bass will die before they reach 22 lbs 6 oz. They have to beat the record by at least 2 ounces remember. 70 more years babyeee!!!!

[Vyron]

Unless they start puting steroids on them  ;D

[Rattletrap]

That's true vyron. I would not put it past a company to try and steroid fish to a World Record.