What was the biggest Largemouth Bass you've ever caught?

[Planecrazy4dis]

I didn't know where to post this question. It's just for fun.
Ever since I was a little boy growing up in New England watching Bill Dance on TV, I could only dream of catching the awe inspiring HAWG of the south, the Florida Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus), the giant cousin of our native northern largemouth subspecies. The biggest bass I ever caught was around 4 pounds tops up here in Massachusetts. We do have a few LUNKERS in New England but the're few and far between - wicked old. The winters really stunt their growth in the north. So now that I'm a dad I would love to take my son HAWG fish'n someday. Does anyone have any advice where we should go in Florida? Fish'n' in WDW property is definitely on our "to do list". What was your biggest bass caught in WDW? We would love to hear your greatest fish'n' tale even if it's not in WDW or in Florida or a bass. Thanks.

Microporterus is Greek, meaning "small fin". Salmoides is from the Greek salmo, meaning "trout", and refers to the fact that largemouth bass have been called "trout" in some southern states. Trivial but true.

 

[Efastpitch]

22 lbs 6oz at keystone lake in Tulsa Oklahoma

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

That's what I'm talking about . I hope you documented it because that beats the All-Tackle World Record: 22 lbs, 4 oz, caught by George W. Perry in Montgomery Lake, Georgia, 1932.

 

[kevind65]

I live in southern illinois and I have put a few 8 to 9 pounders in the boat over the years....I love to take the chartered fishin' trips at WDW....usually do it every year and the biggest one I ever landed was around 12lbs...caught on a 10inch, tequila sunrise plastic worm, texas rigged, just off the rip-rap behind fulton's crabhouse in the downtown disney lake area....think I might have had one bigger hooked one time, but, it snapped me off mid fight(only saw about half as he rolled over on me, it was big)...this is something the whole family can do together and enjoy...the captain will rig and bait if someone in the group doesn't know how or doesn't want to....they will take you to the best "holes" in the lake and you will catch fish(not always super big, but probably big for NE standards)...I have only fished at Lake Cecile off property in the Disney area...that was a couple years back when the drought was soo bad and the water level was so low it really messed up the fishing.....lake Okachobee(sp?) is legendary for its trophy bass fishing and have guides that will take you out as well....happy fishing!!!

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Originally posted by kevind65
the biggest one I ever landed was around 12lbs...caught on a 10inch, tequila sunrise plastic worm, texas rigged, just off the rip-rap behind fulton's crabhouse in the downtown disney lake area

12 POUNDS!!! THAT'S AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing. I've always bass fished with spinning gear and since we go down to FL so much now it's time to invest in a good bait casting set up. Do you bait cast, if so, what make, model, & size do you recommend for a 12 POUND HAWG?

 

[kevind65]

I will use spinner baits sometimes, but , for 99.9% of the time i'm a plastic worm/bottom fisherman....my favorite bait is the Berkley Power Worm; particular black or tequila shad...I use worms with the either a texas or carolina rigging because most of the waters around here and so full of trees and underbrush and I got tired of losing $5 lures every other cast....I usually don't take my own tackly down to disney with me...the boats have rods and reels...some spinning and some are the basis Zebco 33(which is a good, all purpose set up).....I usually don't like using anything heavier than about 10lb test as anything heavier will affect the action on lure....the secret is to have fresh line and a good fisherman's knot around the hook and you can land the big ones even with lighter test line....p.s. I would say the majority of bass that I have caught at disney have been in the 2-5 pound range...

 

[VINN127]

For those of you that have gone, which lake is the best: Bay lake, the epcot area or downtown disney area

I want to go the end of October with my grandsons is that a good time?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Efastpitch]

Originally posted by Planecrazy4dis
That's what I'm talking about . I hope you documented it because that beats the All-Tackle World Record: 22 lbs, 4 oz, caught by George W. Perry in Montgomery Lake, Georgia, 1932. [/QUOTE


Not into trophy fishing. But it was a great meal at the camp fire. It provided dinner for three guys.

 

[kilarney]

Okay... I'll ask... how is this a theme park attraction or strategy?
The community forum would have been the right place for this thread.

 

[Efastpitch]

Good questions. But it sure is fun

 

[Planecrazy4dis]

Hey, I'm just glad someone replied over here. I originally posted in the "Camping at Walt Disney World" forum and no one responded. Technically speaking I received some great advice in this forum to help me with my WDW fishing charter "Strategies". Happy fish'n!

 

[Efastpitch]

My advise, when in doubt, just ask, we'll answer any question at least once.