“The Biggest Ocklawaha River Florida Largemouth Bass Ever Caught”

[PawPaw]

Check out the latest article by “Ocklawahaman” in the link below:

http://www.riverbassin.com/site/%E2%80%9Cthe-biggest-ocklawaha-river-florida-largemouth-bass-ever-caught%E2%80%9D/

[Ocklawahaman]

LIST OF THE ALL-TIME TOP-25 BIGGEST/HEAVIEST FLORIDA LARGEMOUTH BASS ever caught--or REPORTEDLY caught?--in Florida, thru 2-14-11.

Abbreviations: lb = pound, oz = ounce, in = inch, L = length, G = girth, Co = county.

No.) REPORTED Weight; Length (if known); Girth (if known); County (if known); Water (if known); Catch Date by Angler (Comment):
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? A.) 24-lb 12-oz; 39.5 in L; 30 in G: Osceola Co; West Lake Tohopekaliga; 4-20-1974 by Raymond Tomer (FL GFC could not verify weight).

? B.) 23-lb 2-oz; 37.5 in L; 29.5 in G; Lake Co; “near Altoona”; 1880’s by H.W. Ross (reported by Dr. J.A. Henshall in the 1881-1913 “Book Of The Black Bass”--16.5-inch girth head of this fish was sent to the office of "Forest & Stream" in New York which merged with "Field & Stream" in 1930).

? C.) 22-lb+; Volusia Co; "small lake near Pierson"; Dec 1981 by Billy Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight).

? D.) 21-lb 3-oz; 38.25 in L; Marion Co; Ocklawaha River; 1-2-1975 by Thomas A. Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight, before it was eaten, although there is a good PHOTO of this EXTREMELY LONG BASS very much longer than a 21-inch height Ford pickup tailgate--"just wasn’t enough proof that the fish WEIGHED MORE than the current 19-pound record").

? E.) 20-lb 7-oz; Hamilton Co; “Occidental pit”; Apr 1993 by “Howard” (reported by Bart Crabb in the 1997 book "The Quest for the World Record Bass").

? F.) 20-lb 5-oz; “our reservoir”?; since 2000? by unknown angler (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).

? G.) 20-lb 4-oz; “our reservoir”?; since 2000? by unknown angler (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).
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1.) 20-lb 2-oz; 31 in L; 27 in G; Pasco Co; Big Fish Lake; 5-19-1923 by Frederick “Fritz” Friebel (current “non-certified” FL Record).

2.) 19-lb 12-oz; “our reservoir”?; since 2000? by unknown angler (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).

3.) 19-lb 11-oz; 29 in L; 23.25 in G; Indian River Co; Farm 13/Stick Marsh; 7-5-1994 by Doug Thompson (catch and release).

4.) 19-lb 6-oz; “our reservoir”?; since 2000? by unknown angler (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).

5.) 19-lb 4-oz; Taylor Creek Reservoir; 6-30-1974 by Phil Jay.

6.) 19-lb 2-oz: “our reservoir”?; “(2) bass” since 2000? by unknown anglers (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).

7.) 19-lb; Pinellas Co; Lake Tarpon; 6-26-1961 by W.A. Riley Witt (former “non-certified” FL Record).

8.) 18-lb 15-oz; Pinellas Co; Lake Tarpon, 1961 by unknown angler.

9.) 18-lb 13-oz; 29.5 in L; 26.5 in G; Clay Co; St. Johns River; 4-12-1987 by Buddy Wright.

10.) 18-lb 8-oz; Polk Co; Orange Grove Lake; Jan 2008 by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).
10.) 18-lb 8-oz; Alachua Co; Newnan’s Lake; pre-1986 by Wayne Jacobs.
10.) 18-lb 8-oz; Leon Co; Lake Jackson; Mar 1967 by unknown angler.

11.) 18-lb 5-oz; Madison Co; 3-25-1968 by Bobbie Haskell.

12.) 18-lb 4-oz; St. Johns River; 12-16-1948 by J.W. Smith.

13.) 18-lb 2-oz; Clay Co; Lake Brooklyn; 3-12-1966 by Hugh Paul.
13.) 18-lb 2-oz; Taylor Creek Reservoir; 6-25-1974 by Phil Jay.

14.) 18-lb 1-oz; “our reservoir”?; “(6) bass over 18lbs” since 2000? by unknown anglers (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).
14.) 18-lb 1-oz; Polk Co; Orange Grove Lake; by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).
14.) 18-lb 1-oz; Indian River Co; Farm 13/Stick Marsh; 4-4-1994 by Robert Bloom (catch and release).
14.) 18-lb 1-oz; Indian River Co; Lake Blue Cypress; pre-1975 by unknown angler.

15.) 18-lb; Polk Co; Orange Grove Lake; by Steve Smith (catch and release).
15.) 18-lb; Polk Co; Lake Marion; pre-1992 by unknown angler.
15.) 18-lb; 30 in L; 25 in G; Franklin Co; Tucker Lake; 1964 by L. L. Petty.
15.) 18-lb; Lake George (St. Johns River); 5-3-1958 by Marlin Coston.
15.) 18-lb; Putnam Co; Ashley Lake; 3-25-1951 by Carl Swisher.
15.) 18-lb; Citrus Co; Homosassa River; pre-1992 unknown angler.
15.) 18-lb; Withlacoochee River; pre-1992 by unknown angler.

16.) 17-lb 15-oz; Mar 1988 by Donald Brunson.

17.) 17-lb 12-oz; Osceola Co; West Lake Tohopekaliga; 7-11-1986 by John Faircloth.

18.) 17-lb 9-oz; Lake George (St. Johns River); pre-1974 by Babette Morgan.

19.) 17-lb 8-oz; “our reservoir”?; 2007 by Butch Barnhart (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).
19.) 17-lb 8-oz; “our reservoir”?; 2007 by Wesley Jennings (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).
19.) 17-lb 8-oz; 28 in L; 25 in G; Orange Co; Lake Rose; 1985 by Mike Paule.
19.) 17-lb 8-oz; 28 in L; 25 in G; Okaloosa Co; Hurricane Lake; 3-19-1983 by Robert Earl Dunsford.
19.) 17-lb 8-oz; Lake George (St. Johns River); pre-1974 by Justin Morgan.

20.) 17-lb 7-oz; Lake Co; “small sand mine pond”; pre-1998 by Bing McClellan.

21.) 17-lb 6-oz; Polk Co; Lake Winterset; by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).

22.) 17-lb 4-oz; Polk Co; Lake Summit; by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; 25 in L?; Orange Co; Raccoon Lake; 3-3-1992 by Linda Richardson.
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; Alachua Co; Orange Lake; pre-1990 by unknown angler.
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; Walton Co; King(s) Lake; 1987 by unknown angler.
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; 30 in L; 22.5 in G; Polk Co; unnamed lake; 7-6-1986 by Billy O’Berry (current “certified” FL Record).
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; 29.7 in L; 1973 by Doug Hannon.
22.) 17-lb 4-oz; 32 in L; Lake Okeechobee; Feb 1971 by J.J. Shaw.

23.) 17-lb 3-oz; near Winter Haven; by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).
23.) 17-lb 3-oz; Marion Co; Lake Weir; 1960’s or 1970’s by unknown angler.

24.) 17-lb 2-oz; 29.75 in L; Lake Ocklawaha (“Rodman Reservoir”); 3-11-2000 by E.C. “Doodle Bug” Dressler.
24.) 17-lb 2-oz; "Lake Record in the Holmes Creek area"; pre-1989 by Randolph Field.
24.) 17-lb 2-oz; pre-1983 by Carl Wagner.

25.) 17-lb 1-oz; near Winter Haven; by Jeffrey Smith (catch and release).

26.) 17-lb; Bay Co; Felix Lake (Tydall AFB); pre-2009.
26.) 17-lb; “our reservoir”?; 2007 by Bernie Leff (reported by “John Fox's Trophy Guide Service”).
26.) 17-lb; Putnam Co; Crescent Lake (St. Johns River); 1980’s by unknown angler.
26.) 17-lb; 32 in L; Lake Co; Lake Schimmerhorn (Ocala NF); 1970’s by unknown angler.
26.) 17-lb; 32 in L; Marion Co; Half Moon Lake (Ocala NF); 1970’s by unknown angler.
26.) 17-lb; Marion Co; Lake Bryant (Ocala NF); pre-1975 by unknown angler.
END.

[Ocklawahaman]

I know that a 38-inch long largemouth bass seems "far-fetched" but I list any and all giant Florida bass reportedly caught (past or present) that have been reported by others. It's a "dirty" job but somebody has to do it--without bias! Ha! Ha!

I can state with complete confidence that full-size Ford pickup truck tailgates from that era are about 21 inches in height. My best guess is that the 1975 bass was at least 32 inches long--maybe longer?

Here are some links to the old photos of the 1932 George Perry 22-pound 4-ounce Georgia largemouth and the 1923 Fritz Friebel 20-pound 2-ounce Florida largemouth. Both of those huge bass were eaten after being weighed and photographed--just like the Thomas A. Johnson 1975 bass was.


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bigbass.co.za/GeorgePerryWRBass%2520crX.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bigbass.co.za/&usg=__jGv54Yj_UirvmmrAn_4v4CVRIVY=&h=565&w=375&sz=48&hl=en&start=0&sig2=zgXyMhWgQ3yRu2FXJFWptQ&zoom=1&tbnid=3-latXZix5w1oM:&tbnh=168&tbnw=112&ei=qtIlTYvJH8T6lwfs46DSCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522george%2Bperry%2522%2B%2522bass% 2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933%2 6tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=267&vpy=54&dur=1852&hovh=276&hovw=183&tx=117&ty=173&oei=qtIlTYvJH8T6lwfs46DSCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mrlurebox.com/pflueger/Perrybassphoto.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mrlurebox.com/GeorgePerryBass.htm&usg=__ytCNriaMedIPWJUEl1qT4VEP6yY=&h=1698&w=1125&sz=1272&hl=en&start=0&sig2=ZiS8e0u9kqvECa0Hvql36A&zoom=1&tbnid=q2xZyoTBZLQT0M:&tbnh=168&tbnw=111&ei=qtIlTYvJH8T6lwfs46DSCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522george%2Bperry%2522%2B%2522bass% 2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933%2 6tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=390&vpy=53&dur=73&hovh=276&hovw=183&tx=97&ty=170&oei=qtIlTYvJH8T6lwfs46DSCw&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bassanglermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/George-Perry.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bassanglermag.com/2010/03/george-perry-heritage/&usg=__WA1Bl-bNRQYA6QSY8YEJPaWU4Mg=&h=1509&w=1104&sz=1120&hl=en&start=0&sig2=GnXZ_6baTpxOApMrfq9hLA&zoom=1&tbnid=fuwqLCdx0PqiSM:&tbnh=167&tbnw=121&ei=n9QlTaPuO4SBlAfkjqGwCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522george%2Bperry%2522%2B%2522bass% 2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933%2 6tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=133&vpy=547&dur=3146&hovh=263&hovw=192&tx=128&ty=138&oei=n9QlTaPuO4SBlAfkjqGwCA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bass1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/florida-state-wide-bass-tournament-offering-million-dollar-bounty/&usg=__PCjo9eWRsbGCsA8t-axBlOQ1voM=&h=599&w=480&sz=227&hl=en&start=0&sig2=vcJZx3YoJS2NXhuicPf35w&zoom=1&tbnid=EeAAMlAN4JmgRM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=138&ei=stMlTcrQKYOdlgft3eGcDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522fritz%2Bfriebel%2522%2B%2522bass %2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933% 26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=305&vpy=68&dur=1375&hovh=251&hovw=201&tx=120&ty=145&oei=stMlTcrQKYOdlgft3eGcDg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bassonline.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/News_10_FBJune1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bassonline.com/wp/2010/06/01/angling-for-a-million-dollar-largemouth-bass/&usg=__urIUeQaiY1V1JrKYUC84BcB0zoQ=&h=1495&w=1198&sz=1162&hl=en&start=0&sig2=97SobPmzdlWxBa6UzRDUWA&zoom=1&tbnid=S-t_kolrw21_fM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=131&ei=stMlTcrQKYOdlgft3eGcDg&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522fritz%2Bfriebel%2522%2B%2522bass %2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933% 26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=451&vpy=63&dur=1835&hovh=251&hovw=201&tx=90&ty=147&oei=stMlTcrQKYOdlgft3eGcDg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pixelarchitecture.com/todd/Sonnett_WR_Bass_02.jpg&imgrefurl=http://fishinghistory.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html&usg=__6yGR95fuck0C6wSYFrCdJqZkjVM=&h=599&w=420&sz=100&hl=en&start=0&sig2=ftjMfhP87Qh7EnDYQXNc3w&zoom=1&tbnid=S2OduzAd2IY_QM:&tbnh=163&tbnw=113&ei=QtQlTazxBoO88gabuazUAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522fritz%2Bfriebel%2522%2B%2522bass %2522%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D933% 26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=737&vpy=55&dur=885&hovh=268&hovw=188&tx=81&ty=150&oei=stMlTcrQKYOdlgft3eGcDg&esq=4&page=1&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0

If there are any better, more complete lists of the 25 or so biggest Florida largemouth bass ever reportedly caught--freely available online to interested "bassers"--please provide the links for all "Riverbassin" readers (including me) to view!

ENJOY,
"Ocklawahaman"

[HookUp]

Dang,

Makes the 10# 3oz l/m that I caught in FL seem like a minnow.

[Ocklawahaman]

I have just discovered that the 17 pound 2 ounce largemouth bass caught by E.C. "Doodle Bug" Dressler on 3/11/2000 in Rodman Reservoir (tied for #24) was reported as 29.75 inches long--so I will be updating my list for accuracy!

Now reads: "...24.) 17-lb 2-oz; 29.75 in L; Lake Ocklawaha ("Rodman Reservoir"); 3-11-2000 by E.C. "Doodle Bug" Dressler..."

This particular fish is another of the very LONG but surprisingly sorta LEAN trophy Florida Largemouth Bass caught over the years. Some Florida caught largemouth have been 32 inches long but only 17 pounds in weight (check the Top-25 List). Florida bass in their native state don't get to fatten-up on RAINBOW TROUT like they do in California. Maybe largemouth in Florida need the option of feeding on estuary forage as well as freshwater prey in order to FATTEN-UP!

These following links are my source documents for this particular bass...

http://www.bassonline.com/rodman_reservoir.html

http://www.rodmanreservoir.com/Time_Line/Historic_Time_Line.htm#2000

http://www.rodmanreservoir.com/Bass/bass.htm

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/dressler/featured/3
"...PALATKA -- A Virginia man's catch of what may have been a state-record bass is just the latest in a series of giant bass catches that could herald Florida's return as the nation's top largemouth site. E.C. "Doodlebug" Dressler of Covington, Va., caught the fish in Rodman Reservoir. Dressler said it weighed 17 pounds, 2 ounces on a hand-held scale hours after capture. State fisheries biologists said that since the fish was not weighed on a certified scale, it could not qualify for the state records program..."

http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports/36526.htm

I am of the opine that Rodman Dam blocks the largemouth bass above the structure from the opportunity to feast on estuary prey species such as shrimp, river prawns and mud crabs plus small brackish and marine fish available in the St. Johns River downstream. With more varied and nutritional forage in the St. Johns, largemouths grow heavier there than in Rodman Reservoir.
Example:
"...9.) 18-lb 13-oz; 29.5 in L; 26.5 in G; Clay Co; St. Johns River; 4-12-1987 by Buddy Wright..."

The records of big largemouth bass caught since the 9/30/1968 closing of Rodman Dam across the Ocklawaha River show that several heavier bass have been caught out of the St. Johns River than the 17 pound 2 ounce Rodman "trophy" that is much advertised as being a reason for keeping the reservoir!

Also 'there ain't no fergettin!"
"...? D.) 21-lb 3-oz; 38.25 in L; Marion Co; Ocklawaha River; 1-2-1975 by Thomas A. Johnson (FL GFC could not verify weight, before it was eaten, although there is a good PHOTO of this EXTREMELY LONG BASS very much longer than a 21-inch height Ford pickup tailgate--"just wasn't enough proof that the fish WEIGHED MORE than the current 19-pound record")..."
Enjoy, "Ocklawahaman"