Lake Toho 24 Pound Bass?????

[1234567]

Like the title says, a friend I was talking to that had lived in the central Florida area for 20 years were on the topic of world record bass. He told me he has caught a 19 pounder from ponds in Florida less than 3 acres in size.

He further went on to state that in the 90's east lake Toho had revealed a 24 pound bass during electro-shocking for bass studies. If true, obviously this bass isn't around anymore, but that the only thing I've ever heard of a bass getting that big in Florida.

I was wondering if anyone had heard this about Toho, or maybe it was another lake and could verify it's validity.

Actually, anything anyone has heard of 20 plus pound bass being caught in the state of Florida would be interesting.

Maybe with the new bass management programs going on and into the future Florida may become a great place to catch giant bass more consistently.

[George Welcome]

? A.) 24-lb 12-oz; 39.5 in L; 30 in G; Osceola Co; West Lake Tohopekaliga; 4-20-1974 by Raymond Tomer (FL GFC could not verify weight).

? B.) 23-lb 2-oz; 37.5 in L; 29.5 in G; Lake Co; “near Altoona”; 1880’s by H.W. Ross (reported by Dr. J.A. Henshall in the 1881-1913 “Book Of The Black Bass”–16.5-inch girth head of this fish was sent to the office of “Forest & Stream” in New York which merged with “Field & Stream” in 1930).

? C.) 22-lb; Volusia Co; “small lake near Pierson”; Dec 1981 by Billy Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight).

? D.) 21-lb 3-oz; 38.25 in L; Marion Co; Ocklawaha River; 1-2-1975 by Thomas A. Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight, before it was eaten, although there is a good PHOTO of this EXTREMELY LONG BASS very much longer than a 21-inch height Ford pickup tailgate–“just wasn’t enough proof that the fish WEIGHED MORE than the current 19-pound record”).

? E.) 20-lb 7-oz; Hamilton Co; “Occidental pit”; Apr 1993 by “Howard” (FL GFC could not verify weight).

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1.) 20-lb 2-oz; 31 in L; 27 in G; Pasco Co; Big Fish Lake; 5-19-1923 by Frederick “Fritz” Friebel (current “non-certified” FL Record).

This last entry was the recognized Florida record for years, but was changed with what is now the certified record.

[1234567]

Those are truly some astonishing numbers! According to the fish calculator (I know subjective) anyways, puts both the top two fish listed in a 40 POUND class!! I believe "Dottie" was right at 30 inches in lenght and girth I'm not sure, and she was unofficially weighed at 25.1 pds. If these fish were "accurately" measured it seems Florida has produced the largest bass on record unofficially ANYWHERE!

[deep]

? D.) 21-lb 3-oz; 38.25 in L; Marion Co; Ocklawaha River; 1-2-1975 by Thomas A. Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight, before it was eaten, although there is a good PHOTO of this EXTREMELY LONG BASS very much longer than a 21-inch height Ford pickup tailgate–“just wasn’t enough proof that the fish WEIGHED MORE than the current 19-pound record”).

Any chance you came across this photo, like a link or something? It was an amazing bass for sure.

[1234567]

I have Seen that photo, IMO it is hard to really tell the true size of that bass. Ill look for it and try to post it if i find it. I found it Googling world record bass.

[gar-tracker]

TOHOs a hog factory I wouldn't be surprised.