This is primarily due to two factors. First, largemouth bass are among the most sought-after game fish, and bass fishing is a billion dollar industry. Second, the world record for largemouth bass is one of the oldest and most revered in the world, having stood for an incredible 77 years.
http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/07/28/9-largest-fish-ever-caught/
While John Herrick’s 6 pound, 12 ounce smallmouth bass is certainly not the largest specimen ever caught by an angler, it is the largest smallmouth bass record ever caught on fly tackle that has been submitted to the IGFA.
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/world-record/10-largest-smallmouth-bass-world-records/
See how your state stacks up against the others when it comes to record setting largemouth bass. We all would like to have our names etched into stone for catching a record fish. There are some people in this world who go after those monsters day in and day out in hopes of breaking their state records.
http://www.wideopenspaces.com/record-breaking-fish-largemouth-bass-records-50-states-pics/
So without further ado, here’s 10 of the biggest smallmouth bass ever recorded: All-Tackle: David Hayes — 11 pounds, 15 ounces. Dale Hollow Reservoir, Tennessee. David Hayes’ celebrated 5.41 kg (11 pounds, 15 ounces) All-Tackle world record smallmouth bass has seen its share of controversy over the years.
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/world-record/10-largest-smallmouth-bass-world-records/
Largemouth bass and other species of the bass family can reach more than generous sizes for freshwater fish. The current world record for the biggest largemouth bass was set by Manabu Kurita with a 22-pound, 5-ounce, 29-inch monster caught on Lake Biwa in Japan. The previous record had been standing since 1932 when George Perry caught a 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth from Montgomery Lake in Georgia. BassMaster.
http://www.wideopenspaces.com/record-breaking-fish-largemouth-bass-records-50-states-pics/
The previous state record for a fish caught on a pole and line weighed in at 60.9 pounds, and was caught in 2011 on the same lake. The Missouri Department of Conservation pointed out that striped bass are most common on the Atlantic Coast, but have been stocked in reservoirs across the U.S.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/05/27/massive-striped-caught-in-missouri-sets-state-record.html
Ken Fraser caught the world’s biggest Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in Aulds Cove, Nova Scotia back on October 26, 1979. He landed the 1,496 pound fish in an impressive 45 minutes, and has been basking in the glory ever since.
http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/07/28/9-largest-fish-ever-caught/
After being introduced in locations around the world, several international locations are producing world-class sized smallmouth. On June 8, 2013, Japanese angler Ichiro Nagai, M.D. became the first angler to catch a world record smallmouth bass outside of North America.
http://www.gameandfishmag.com/world-record/10-largest-smallmouth-bass-world-records/
Massive striped bass caught in Missouri sets state record. Lawrence Dillman said he fought the nearly 50-inch striped bass for over 45 minutes at Bulls Shoals Lake, which sits on the state’s border with Arkansas. A Missouri fisherman last week pulled in the largest striped bass ever recorded on a pole and line in the state, with the fish weighing in at 65.2 pounds. Lawrence Dillman said he fought the nearly 50-inch monster for more than 45 minutes at Bulls Shoals Lake, which sits on the state's southern border with Arkansas.
http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/05/27/massive-striped-caught-in-missouri-sets-state-record.html
So, to inspire anglers everywhere and keep dreams alive, here are 9 of the largest fish ever caught (by species). The Fraser River is famous for being home to a lot of bigger-than-average white sturgeon, but that didn’t stop this 1,100 pounder from shocking the people who caught it in 2012.
http://www.totalprosports.com/2011/07/28/9-largest-fish-ever-caught/
world's largest bass caught
The world's largest bass was of 22 pounds, 5 ounces, and 29 inches long. The largest bass caught in the world is 22-pound and 5-ounce, 29 inches.