Records

Big Bass Record

On June 16, 2022, during the second day of the tournament held at Chickamauga Lake, Noah Myers brought big bass to the scale. The scale registered at whopping 9.46 lb, scattering the previous record of 9.07 lb held by Jerry Belew for 30 years. Also, Beth Couch brought in her big bass, weighing at 8.43 lb. This record is the first time held by a female angler.

Noah Myers holds 9.46 lb bass.
Ernie Orgeta (l) and Noah Myers (r) with scale display showing 9.46 lb
Beth Couch holds her 8.43 lb bass while David Couch gives two thumb ups.

Other highlights

Jerry Belew caught big bass 9.07 lb at Lake Ouachita, AR in June 18, 1992.

Ron Smith caught big bass 9.06 lb caught at Clear Lake, CA in 2008.

Historical Overview

All of the tournaments since 1976 are 3 consecutive days, from Tuesday to Thursday and the team is two persons, which continues to present. Lunker or Big Bass Day usually was held on Monday and was discontinued in 2012.

The first two years, 1976 and 1977, the tournaments were individual weights with 10 bass per person. Also, in these two years, there were two individuals per boat.

In 1978, the limit was lowered to 5 bass per day per person, totaling 30 bass per team which continued until 1999. From 2000 to 2012, the limit was lowered again to 5 bass per day per person, totaling 30 bass per team.

Starting at Lake Amistad in Texas in 2013, the limit is lowered again to 5 bass per day per team, totaling 15 bass for three days. The 5-bass limit still continues to present.

Therefore, there are three set of records, 60-bass limit for 1976 to 1999, 30-bass limit for 2000 to 2012, and 15-bass limit for 2013 to present. Only the top three may be listed.

2013 to present (15-bass limit)

2019 – Richard Kujawa Jr & Teddy Hall caught a total of 54.87 lb at Guntersville Lake, AL.

2013 – Brett Ketchum & Martin West caught a total of 44 lb with big bass at 5.75 lb at Lake Amistad, TX.

2018 – Noah Myers & Teddy Hall caught a total of 40.95 lb at Kentucky Lake, KY.

2000 to 2012 (30-bass limit)

2008 – Otto Rechenberg of CA & Glenn Giudice of CO caught a total of 90.03 lb at Clear Lake, CA.

2005 – J. Colton Armstrong & D. J. Jorgensen, both from TX caught a total of 50.46 lb at Wheeler Lake, AL.

1978 to 1999 (30-bass limit)

1983 – Gene Amons and Harry Trahan of LA caught a total of 85.875 lb at Lake Eufaula, OK.