World Record Bass From Georgia

World Record Largemouth Bass

A possible new world record bass caught in Japan on July 2, 2009

A 25 pound, 1 ounce largemouth bass, a possible new world record bass, was caught on March 20, 2006 in California. It was not considered a new record because of problems with the way the fish was caught and documentation of the catch.

Dottie, the new world record bass above was found dead in May, 2008.

The world record bass was caught near Jacksonville, Georgia on June 2, 1932 by George Perry. It weighed 22 pounds 4 ounces and was caught from an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River called Montgomery Lake. That is one of the most sough-after records in the fishing world.

In a trip to south Georgia in January Fritz Nordengren and I went a little out of our way to visit Jacksonville, Ga, the small town near where the world record bass was caught. There is a state historic marker on Highway 117 between Jacksonville and Lumber City, about two miles from where the record was caught. There is a picture of it on the page of related resources.

It says: "Approximately two miles from this spot, on June 2, 1932, George W. Perry, a 19-year old farm boy, caught what was to become America's most famous fish. The twenty-two pound four ounce largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exceeded the existing record by more than two pounds and has retained the world record for more than fifty years. Perry and his friend, J. E. Page, were fishing in Montgomery Lake, a slough off the Ocmulgee River, not for trophies but to bring food to the table during those days of the great depression. The fish was caught on a Creek Chub Perch Scale Wigglefish, Perry's only lure, and was 32 1/2 inches in length and 28 1/2 inches in girth. The weight and measurements were taken, recorded and notarized in Helena, Georgia and Perry's only reward as seventy-five dollars in merchandise as first prize in Field and Stream magazine's fishing contest. The longstading record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia's Official State Fish. Montgomery Lake is today part of the Department of Natural Resources' Horse Creek WIldlife Management Area.

In Jacksonville, GA there is a sign with pictures of Perry, the Wigglefish plug, a replica of the fish and more information about the catch. This is shown in the pictures under related resources, too.

It is an interesting feeling to be so near where the world record bass was caught so long ago. If you are ever in the area, stop by.

Check out the links in the box below for pictures.