The 10 Biggest Largemouth Bass Ever Caught (World Record Plus State Records)

For many of us, largemouth bass fishing runs deeper than just a weekend activity. It’s an obsession! Some (like my wife) say it’s “fishing fever”.

Like every angler, I share that ultimate fantasy: landing the biggest largemouth bass in the world. Breaking the world’s record could remain a dream, but it definitely is an adventure worth chasing.

Last updated: December 20th, 2024

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Biggest Largemouth Bass World Record

#1 George Perry

22 lb 4 oz | Jun 1932 | Montgomery Lake, Georgia, USA

On June 2nd, 1932, the legend George Perry landed a 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass – the official IGFA largemouth world record to this day. Perry caught it at Montgomery Lake in South Georgia. This catch fed his family of six comfortably for two meals.

Perry, a 20-year-old farmworker at the time, reportedly took the day off to go fishing because the weather made it too wet for fieldwork.

After landing the massive bass, he learned of an ongoing Field and Stream contest. His entry and the subsequent official weigh-in not only won him the contest but cemented his place in fishing history.

This catch would later help spark the billion-dollar sport fishing industry.

Tie for World Record – Manabu Kurita

22 lbs 5 oz | Jul 2009 | Lake Biwa, Japan

Japanese sportsman Manabu Kurita landed a catch that exceeded the weight of Perry’s bass by one ounce. However, International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules meant that he would only share rather than break the world record.

The IGFA rules are incredibly detailed and strict. Their rulebook states that any fish under 25 pounds needs to beat the current record by at least 2 ounces. Hence, while Kurita’s catch was definitely record-worthy in terms of girth and weight, it just missed breaking the record outright.

This incredible bass caused quite a stir in Japan and throughout Asia. Meanwhile, here in the United States, the legend of Perry’s original monster still reigns supreme.

Other Biggest Largemouth Bass Records

#2. Robert Crupi

22 lbs | Mar 1991 | Castaic Lake, California

When it comes to the exclusive “22-pound club,” only three anglers have ever earned their membership cards. Robert Crupi’s entry into this elite circle came after years of mastering Castaic Lake’s trophy-rich waters.

In a mere three-minute battle using a crayfish, he landed a giant that fell just 4 ounces shy of Perry’s world record.

But this wasn’t just luck – it was the culmination of a remarkable string of record-class catches that made Crupi a legend of Castaic Lake.

#3. Raymond Easley

21 lbs 3 oz | Mar 1980 | Oak View, California

Talk about a teaching moment that turned legendary! While mentoring less experienced anglers, Ray hooked into what would become fishing history.

Landing a certified 21-pound largemouth wasn’t just a personal triumph – it was a milestone that hadn’t been achieved in nearly 50 years!

This catch proved that sometimes the best lessons come when you least expect them.

#4. Robert Crupi

21 lbs | Mar 1990 | Castaic Lake, California

A year before his 22-pound trophy, Crupi was already making waves in the record books. This behemoth, ranking as the 3rd biggest largemouth in IGFA records at the time, came after five determined days of targeting what he knew was a special fish.

This catch sparked what would become the hottest streak in trophy bass fishing history at Castaic Lake.

#5. Arden Charles Hanline’s

19 lbs 2 oz | Jan 1989 | Morena Lake, California

Some say winter fishing is a fool’s errand, but Hanline proved the skeptics wrong! Using a 12-pound test line (talk about confidence!), he pulled in this San Diego beast that had every angler in California rethinking their winter fishing plans.

#6. Dan Kadota

19 lbs | Jan 1989 | Castaic Lake, California

When the winter chill keeps most anglers home, passionate ones like Dan Kadota know opportunities await. Armed with a live crayfish and deep-water knowledge, he turned Castaic Lake into a hallowed ground for trophy hunters.

This catch helped cement Southern California’s reputation as the promised land for record-class largemouths.

#7. Robert Crupi

17 lbs 1 oz | Dec 1990 | Castaic Lake, California

Crupi proved his versatility with yet another record-book catch. Switching from his usual tactics to a herring jig, he connected with this 17-pounder on just a 4-pound test line.

The epic 15-minute battle that followed showcased his mastery of light tackle and further cemented his reputation.

This December catch bridged the gap between his 21-pounder and the historic 22-pound giant that would follow just three months later, completing his incredible 12-month run at Castaic Lake.

#8. Cody Pierce

17 lbs | Mar 2000 | Murray Reservoir, California

Who says the early bird just gets the worm? Young Cody Pierce got himself a slice of fishing immortality before the first period of school!

This teenage angler’s “one last cast” turned into the stuff of legends. Running down to a nearby ranger station, he managed to get in a formal weigh-in before letting it go.

#9. Larry Kurosaki

16 lbs 12 oz | Feb 2009 | Castaic Lagoon, California

While most trophy hunters reach for heavy tackle, Larry Kurosaki proved finesse can land giants! Working a small custom minnow fly through the winter waters, he connected with this 16-pound-plus bass.

#10. Terry McAbee

16 lbs 9 oz | Mar 1998 | Lake Isabella, California

McAbee landed his record-book bass on one of fishing’s most reliable lures – the rubber worm.

His success with this classic bait backs up what many anglers have long believed: when it comes to catching trophy largemouth, sometimes the simple plastic worm is all you need.

State Records for Largemouth Bass

Bass fishing isn’t just a hobby anymore – it’s big business. From George Perry’s modest $50 prize in 1932 to Ott DeFoe’s staggering $302,000 tournament win in 2019, the sport has come a long way.

Tournament fishing adds a thrilling dimension to the sport, and those pro-level paydays are tempting. But the hectic competition circuit isn’t everyone’s dream.

That’s where state records come in. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned pro, landing a state record largemouth is the ultimate achievement.

Check out your state’s current record below. Who knows? Maybe your next cast could be the one that puts you on this list.

State	Weight	Location	Angler	Year
Alaska	0.5 Lbs	Sand Lake	N/A	2018
Alabama	16 lbs, 8 oz	Mountain View Lake	Thomas Burgin	1987
Arizona	16 lbs, 7 oz	Canyon Lake	Randall White	1997
Arkansas	16 lbs, 5 oz	Lake Dunn	Paul Crowder	2012
California	21 lbs, 12 oz	Lake Castaic	Micheal Arujo	1991
Colorado	11 lbs, 6 oz	Echo Canyon Reservoir	Jarrett Edwards	1997
Connecticut	12 lbs, 14 oz	Mashapaug Pond	Frank Domurat	1961
Delaware	11 lbs, 10 oz	Wagamons Pond	AJ Klein	2016
Florida	17 lbs, 4 oz	Unnamed Lake	Billy O’Berry	1986
Georgia	22 lbs, 4 oz	Montgomery Lake	George Perry	1932
Hawaii	9 lbs, 9.4 oz	Waita Reservoir	Dickie Broyles	1992
Idaho	10 lbs, 15 oz	Anderson Lake	Mrs. M.W. Taylor	N/A
Illinois	13 lbs, 1 oz	Stone Quarry	Edward Walbel	1976
Indiana	14 lbs, 12 oz	Unnamed Lake	Jenifer Schultz	1991
Iowa	10 lbs, 14 oz	Lake Fisher	Patricia Zaerr	1984
Kansas	11 lbs, 12.8 oz	Private Pit Lake	Tyson Hallam	2008
Kentucky	13 lbs, 10.4 oz	Wood Creek Lake	Dale Wilson	1984
Louisiana	15.97 lbs	Caney Lake	Greg Wiggins	1994
Maine	11 lbs, 10 oz	Moose Pond	Rodney Cockrell	1968
Maryland	11 lbs, 2 oz	Private Pond	Rodney Cockrell	1983
Massachusetts	15 lbs, 8 oz	Sampson Pond	Walter Bolonis	1975
Michigan	11 lbs, 15.04 oz	Big Pine Island Lake	William Maloney	1934
Minnesota	8 lbs, 12.75 oz	Tetonka Lake	Joseph Johanns	1959
Mississippi	18 lbs, 2.4 oz	Natchez State Park Lake	Anthony Denny	1992
Missouri	13 lbs, 14 oz	Bull Shoals Lake	Marvin Bushong	1961
Montana	8 lbs, 12.8 oz	Noxon Rapids Reservoir	Darin Williams	2009
Nebraska	10 lbs, 11 oz	Sandpit Near Columbus	Paul Abegglen Sr.	1965
Nevada	12 lbs even	Lake Mead	Micheal R. Geary	1999
New Hampshire	10 lbs, 8 oz	Lake Potanipo	G. Bullpit	1967
New Jersey	10 lbs, 14 oz	Menantico Sand Wash Pond	Robert Eisele	1980
New Mexico	15 lbs, 13 oz	Bill Evans Lake	Steve Estrada	1995
New York	11 lbs, 4 oz	Buckhorn Lake	John L. Higbie	1987
North Carolina	15 lbs, 14 oz	Private Pond	William H. Wofford	1991
North Dakota	8 lbs, 7.5 oz	Nelson Lake	Leon Rixen	1983
Ohio	13 lbs, 2 oz	Private Pond	Roy Landsberger	1976
Oklahoma	14 lbs, 12.3 oz	Cedar Lake	Benny Williams Jr.	2012
Oregon	11 lbs, 9.6 oz	Private Pond	Randy Spaur	1994
Pennsylvania	11 lbs, 3 oz	Birch Run Reservoir	Donal Shade	1983
Rhode Island	10 lbs, 6 oz	Johnson’s Pond	Brandon Migliore	2016
South Carolina	16 lbs, 2 oz	Lake Marion	P.H. Flanagan	1949
South Dakota	9 lbs, 3 oz	Hudson Gravel Pit	Richard Vierick	1999
Tennessee	15 lbs, 2 oz	Chickamauga Lake	Gabe Keen	2015
Texas	18 lbs, 2.8 oz	Lake Fork	Barry St.Clair	1992
Utah	10 lbs, 2 oz	Powell Lake	Sam Lamanna	1974
Vermont	10 lbs, 4 oz	Lake Dunmore	Tony Gale	1988
Virginia	16 lbs, 4 oz	Connor Lake	Richard Tate	1985
Washington	12 lbs, 8 oz	Lake Bosworth	Bill Evans	2016
West Virginia	9 lbs, 9.9 oz	Dog Run Lake	Eli Gain	2001
Wisconsin	11 lbs, 3 oz	Ripley Lake	N/A	1940
Wyoming	7 lbs, 14 oz	Private Pond	Dustin Shorma	1992

Other Notable World Records

Biggest Smallmouth Bass

David Hayes

11 lb 15 oz | Jul 1955 | Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee, USA

Mr. Hayes is reported by the IGFA to be the world record holder for smallmouth bass. His story is not without drama. When a vengeful dock worker reported that motor parts were put into the fish to make it weigh heavier, his title was initially revoked.

Many years later, an investigation was launched because of ongoing disputes. At 80 years old, Mr. Hayes lived to see his world title reinstated.

Biggest Striped Bass

Gregory Myerson

81 lb 14 oz | Aug 2011 | Long Island Sound, Westbrook, Connecticut, USA

Greg has many fans and is respected in the industry. His innovations and competitive spirit have allowed him to win multiple tournaments. He currently hold two world records.

Greg fondly recalls fighting with his 81lb monster, even earning some bruised ribs during the battle.