Record-Breaking Bass Caught in Texas and Rare Golden Largemouth in Virginia
On Monday, February 13, Jason Conn of Lake Fork, Texas, made a remarkable catch.[0] He reeled in a 17.03-pound Largemouth Bass from O.H. Ivie Lake, making it one of the largest to hit the scales in Texas history. This catch is even more amazing considering that six of the seven bass heavier than Conn’s were caught in the 1980s and 90s.[1]
This catch is made even more remarkable by the fact that O.H. Ivie Lake has seen a surge of monster bass come out in the past couple of months.[0] Before Conn’s catch, a 13-pounder and two 14-pounders were caught in the same day at the lake.
The bass Conn caught was identified as a “Top 50” Largemouth, and was donated to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Toyota ShareLunker Program.[0] The program collects bass weighing 13 pounds or more and encourages them to spawn in a hatchery setting.[0] Their offspring are stocked statewide.[1]
The largest bass caught in Texas weighed 18.18 pounds and was landed by Barry St. Clair at Lake Fork in January 1992.[0] This record was almost matched by Conn’s catch, but he chose to not take credit for a lake record due to the fact that the fish was in shock and likely vomiting up food when measured.
Conn’s catch puts him in the top 10 of the largest bass ever caught in Texas, and is also one of the only two fish this size caught in the last 30 years.
The golden largemouth bass caught in Virginia, meanwhile, was an even rarer catch.[2] This albino bass was caught by arborist Jacob Moore in the James River near Chippokes State Park, and measured 16 and a half inches. The bass was identified as a product of a genetic mutation called xanthism, which alters the skin pigment, making it a golden color.
These two catches are a testament to the incredible variety of fish in the waters of North America, and the skills of the anglers who find them.
0. “Texas Angler Reels In One Of The Biggest Largemouth Bass In State History” Whiskey Riff, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2023/02/14/texas-angler-reels-in-one-of-the-biggest-largemouth-bass-in-state-history/
1. “Texas angler lands one of the largest bass in state history; video” For The Win, 13 Feb. 2023, https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/02/texas-angler-lands-one-of-the-largest-bass-in-state-history
2. “Virginia fisherman reels in rare largemouth bass from river: ‘Haven't seen anything like that'” Fox News, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/virginia-fisherman-reels-rare-largemouth-bass-river-havent-seen-anything-like-that
