Discover the Largest Largemouth Bass Ever Caught in Georgia

The US state of Georgia is no stranger to massive bodies of water, and it hosts many lakes, ponds, rivers, reservoirs, and more that all host various types of ecosystems. The state is also familiar with (if not fond of) freshwater fish caught within its waters, such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bream, crappie, sunfish, and catfish. But perhaps one thing you did not know about Georgia’s waters is that it is home to the world’s largest largemouth bass ever caught! That’s right, the world record for the largest largemouth bass was caught in Georgia. But just how big was it?

Georgia includes 4,500,000 acres of freshwater. Surface water is used by humans and various aquatic plant and animal species, all of which need clean water to survive. These species include freshwater fish, such as the largemouth bass. Below, you will discover how big the largest largemouth bass ever caught in Georgia is and other fascinating facts.

How Big is the Largest Largemouth Bass Ever Caught in Georgia?

The record for the largest largemouth bass caught in Georgia weighed 22 pounds and 4 ounces. The freshwater fish was caught by George Perry at Lake Montgomery, South Georgia, in 1932, making a world record as it also was the largest (and still is) largemouth bass ever caught in the world! This statewide and worldwide record has held up for 9 decades.

World records for fish weren’t established back then. Because no photographs of this world record fish had been discovered, some people expressed skepticism about it; nonetheless, in 2006, relatives of George Perry produced them.

By today’s standards, Mr. Perry definitely wasn’t a sport angler, and setting a record was the furthest thing from his mind. It all started when he and a friend went down to the lake to get some meat for supper. They used a creek chub fintail shiner lure to capture and land the beast, and while they were driving home, they stopped to weigh the fish at the neighborhood post office. The fish provided two dinners for Mr. Perry’s family of six. Even 90 years later, it continues to be the IGFA record!

The Story Behind the Largest Largemouth Bass Caught in Georgia

Since there were no world records for fishing at the time, George Perry’s catch in Lake Montgomery is not without its own unique history. Perry used just the measurements and no images to enter and win a big fish contest offered by Field & Stream magazine. Perry’s bass was instantly noted two years later when world records started to be kept.

Mr. Perry’s capture nearly slipped through the cracks because the IGFA hadn’t yet been established, and no other organizations were keeping track of official world records for fish at the time. Although he did not include a photograph with the entry, the fish’s weight and dimensions were impressive enough to win the competition. A shotgun with some ammunition and a variety of apparel made up his reward. Most importantly, the fish was documented, securing its rightful place in history as the largest largemouth bass ever caught.

By chance, Mr. Perry again took home the big fish trophy that year with a 13-pound, 14-ounce bass.

Anglers sought to break this large bass world record for 77 years, but it was unsuccessful despite Manabu Kurita’s joy at catching a record largemouth bass. The record-breaking largemouth bass weighed an astounding 22 pounds, 5 ounces. Sadly, Mr. Manabu Kurita didn’t abide by the stringent and comprehensive IGFA guidelines. According to the written regulations, any fish weighing less than 25 pounds must weigh at least 2 ounces more than the previous record. While not nearly a new world record, the fish’s weight and girth make it noteworthy.

Largemouth Bass Habitats

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are the native habitats of the largemouth bass, a large freshwater fish. Because they are so well-liked as game fish, they have also been imported to many other regions of the world. Their great range of freshwater areas allows largemouth bass to have a diverse diet. As carnivores, they consume various fish, frogs, salamanders, birds, and turtle hatchlings. They are among the most ruthless and violent predators, capable of devouring prey up to about 50% of their own size.

Anglers highly value largemouth bass, one of the most common game fish. Once hooked, they put up tremendous fights and fiercely fend against capture. During a fight, they frequently leap into the air. This is an effort to free themselves, but in the process, they put up a magnificent acrobatic performance.

The largemouth bass, often regarded as the most well-liked freshwater game fish, is a ferocious competitor who explodes on bait and is prepared to fly aloft from cover with acrobatic force and style. As may be imagined, the mouth of a largemouth bass extends at least to the back of its eyes and frequently further.

Where Do Largemouth Bass Live in Georgia?

Trophy Largemouth Bass — Largemouth bass in Georgia can be found in warm-water ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes.
©iStock.com/stammphoto

Most of Georgia’s warm-water ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers contain largemouth bass. Even the saline waters of Georgia’s coastal rivers are home to largemouth bass. However, small creeks and the coldwater mountain streams of northeast Georgia seem to appall their habitat taste.

Where to Fish for Largemouth Bass in Georgia?

smallmouth vs largemouth bass — Some of the best largemouth bass fishing spots include Lake Seminole, Lake Walter F. George, and West Point Lake.
©iStock.com/stammphoto

There are plenty of fishing spots in Georgia, and many of its lakes offer some of the best largemouth bass fishing spots, such as Lake Seminole, Lake Walter F. George, and West Point Lake. These lakes are well-known spots for largemouth bass, growing some big specimens, and are the frequent go-to sites for consistent, top-notch largemouth bass fishing.

You’ll notice right away when you start fishing in Georgia that the lakes are stocked with bass. Largemouth bass may not be the most popular fish in every town, but striped bass, stripers, crappie, catfish, and trout fishing are all quite popular there!