The world record largemouth bass is one of the most famous records in freshwater fishing. For decades, anglers have tried to catch a largemouth bass bigger than the fish caught by George Perry in 1932.
But the story is more interesting than a single record. Another angler, Manabu Kurita, later caught a bass with the same official record weight. There have also been giant bass, such as Dottie, that were heavier but did not become official world records.
So, what is the world record largemouth bass, who caught it, and why has the record lasted for so long? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is the World Record Largemouth Bass?
The official IGFA all-tackle world record largemouth bass is 22 pounds 4 ounces (10.12 kg).
The record is shared by George Perry, who caught his bass in Georgia in 1932, and Manabu Kurita, who caught his giant bass in Japan in 2009.
This means there is no single angler holding the record alone. Both catches are recognized under the IGFA record rules.
The record has remained at 22 pounds 4 ounces for decades, making it one of the most famous records in sport fishing.
George Perry’s Historic 1932 Bass
On June 2, 1932, George W. Perry went fishing at Montgomery Lake in Georgia.
Perry was not expecting to create fishing history. He was simply looking for a good meal for his family.
He caught a huge largemouth bass weighing 22 pounds 4 ounces. At the time, modern fishing technology and record-keeping systems were very different from today.
The fish became famous and eventually set the standard that anglers around the world would spend decades trying to beat.
Perry’s catch is still one of the most important moments in bass fishing history.
Manabu Kurita’s 2009 Record Bass
For many years, Perry’s record stood alone.
Then, on July 2, 2009, Japanese angler Manabu Kurita caught an enormous largemouth bass in Lake Biwa, Japan.
The fish also weighed 22 pounds 4 ounces.
At first, many anglers wondered whether Kurita had finally broken the longest-standing bass record. However, the IGFA rules made the situation more complicated.
Kurita’s fish was officially recognized as a tie with Perry’s record rather than a new outright record.
Why Is the World Record a Tie?
This is one of the most interesting parts of the story.
Under IGFA rules, when an existing record is 25 pounds or less, a new fish must beat it by at least 2 ounces to establish a new record.
Kurita’s bass weighed the same as Perry’s record: 22 pounds 4 ounces.
Because it did not exceed the record by the required amount, it could not replace Perry’s record. Instead, it became a second official record at the same weight.
So today, both George Perry and Manabu Kurita are recognized for the 22-pound 4-ounce largemouth bass world record.
Dottie: The Giant Bass That Wasn’t the Official Record
When talking about the biggest largemouth bass ever caught, you will often hear the name Dottie.
Dottie was a famous largemouth bass from Lake Dixon in California. She became well known because of her enormous size.
In 2006, angler Mac Weakley caught Dottie at a reported weight of around 25 pounds 1 ounce. That was significantly heavier than the official 22-pound 4-ounce world record.
So why isn’t Dottie the world record?
The catch was not accepted as an official world record because the fish was considered foul-hooked. This means the hook was not properly placed in the fish’s mouth during the catch.
This is an important lesson in record fishing: being heavier does not automatically make a fish an official world record.
Official Record vs. Biggest Reported Bass
There is a difference between the official world record largemouth bass and the biggest bass that has ever been reported or caught under different circumstances.
An official record must meet the rules of the organization that recognizes it.
For IGFA records, factors can include:
- Proper weighing
- Approved equipment
- Line-class requirements
- Species identification
- Catch documentation
- Record application requirements
This is why a giant fish can be famous without becoming an official world record.
The Biggest Largemouth Bass Records
Some of the most famous giant largemouth bass catches include:
| Angler/Fish | Weight | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Perry | 22 lb 4 oz | Montgomery Lake, Georgia | Official record |
| Manabu Kurita | 22 lb 4 oz | Lake Biwa, Japan | Official record tie |
| Dottie | About 25 lb 1 oz | Lake Dixon, California | Not official |
| Other California trophy bass | 20+ lb range | California lakes | Various records/catches |
These examples show why you should always check whether a fish is an official record, a line-class record, or simply a famous giant catch.
Why Do Some Largemouth Bass Grow So Large?
A largemouth bass does not reach 20 pounds simply because it lives in a good lake. Several factors can work together.
Genetics
Genetics can play an important role in how large a largemouth bass can grow.
Florida-strain largemouth bass are especially well known for their trophy-size potential. This is one reason Florida-strain bass have been used in stocking programs in different parts of the United States.
Plenty of Food
Large bass need a lot of food.
Lakes with abundant forage such as shad, bluegill, and other baitfish can provide the energy a bass needs to continue growing.
Good Habitat
Healthy aquatic habitat gives bass places to feed, hide, and reproduce.
Vegetation, structure, deep water, and suitable spawning areas can all contribute to a productive bass environment.
Warm Climate
Water temperature also affects bass growth and feeding activity.
Warmer regions can provide longer growing seasons, giving bass more opportunities to feed and grow throughout the year.
Can the World Record Largemouth Bass Be Broken?
The record has stood for more than 90 years, so breaking it would be extremely difficult.
However, that does not mean it is impossible.
A lake with excellent genetics, abundant food, good habitat, and strong fish management can produce extremely large bass.
Modern fisheries programs also help maintain trophy bass populations in some areas. Programs such as Texas’ ShareLunker have focused on collecting and using large largemouth bass to support trophy-bass management and genetics.
A future bass weighing more than 22 pounds 4 ounces and meeting all official record requirements would be needed to create a new all-tackle world record.
How Are Bass World Records Verified?
A huge bass needs more than a large number on a scale to become an official record.
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) maintains official fishing records and has requirements for record applications.
Depending on the record category, anglers may need:
- An accurate and properly certified scale
- Correct tackle and line
- Proper fish measurement
- Witness or catch information
- Photos and supporting documentation
- A completed record application
IGFA also maintains different record categories, including all-tackle and line-class records.
This system helps separate verified world records from unofficial claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the world record largemouth bass?
The official IGFA all-tackle record is 22 pounds 4 ounces, shared by George Perry and Manabu Kurita.
Who caught the first world record largemouth bass?
George W. Perry caught the famous 22-pound 4-ounce bass at Montgomery Lake, Georgia, in 1932.
Where was the world record largemouth bass caught?
George Perry caught his record bass at Montgomery Lake in Georgia. Manabu Kurita later caught an equal-weight record at Lake Biwa in Japan.
Did Manabu Kurita break George Perry’s record?
No. Kurita’s fish weighed the same as Perry’s record. Under the applicable IGFA rule, it needed to exceed the existing record by at least 2 ounces to replace it.
Was Dottie bigger than the world record bass?
Yes, Dottie was reported at about 25 pounds 1 ounce, which was heavier than the official 22-pound 4-ounce record. However, her catch did not qualify as an official world record because of the foul-hooking issue.
What is the biggest largemouth bass ever caught?
The answer depends on whether you mean an official record or an unofficial catch. The official IGFA all-tackle record is 22 pounds 4 ounces, while Dottie is one of the most famous larger non-record bass.
Final Thoughts
The world record largemouth bass is more than just a number on a scale. George Perry’s 1932 catch created a record that survived for generations, while Manabu Kurita’s 2009 catch finally matched it.
Dottie’s famous 25-pound-plus catch also shows why the biggest reported bass and the official world record are not always the same thing.
For anglers, the dream of catching a largemouth bass heavier than 22 pounds 4 ounces is still alive. Until someone meets the official requirements and beats the record by the required margin, Perry and Kurita remain tied at the top.
