The largest largemouth bass ever caught weighed an astounding 22 pounds, 4 ounces. This iconic fish shares its record between two anglers, each representing legendary catches in the fishing world:
George Perry (1932)
- Location: Montgomery Lake, Georgia, USA.
- Details:
George Perry's catch on June 2, 1932, became the benchmark for largemouth bass fishing. Using a Creek Chub Fintail Shiner as bait, Perry's fish not only secured his place in fishing history but also won a prize in a Field & Stream contest.
Manabu Kurita (2009)
- Location: Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
- Details:
Manabu Kurita caught his massive bass on July 2, 2009, nearly 77 years after Perry's feat. The fish tied the world record under International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules due to its exact weight match and was caught using live bait.
Significance of the Record
The 22-pound, 4-ounce mark remains the holy grail for anglers chasing trophy largemouth bass. Both records highlight the importance of skill, patience, and a bit of luck in landing such a remarkable catch. For years, this record has inspired countless anglers to dream of surpassing it.