If you look at the very limited number of real SALs caught annually in Texas I think the chances of someone catching a new state record are even much slimmer. However that doesn't mean she isn't swimming in Texas waters it's just that the odds of getting her to bite in the first place are so small. I believe giant bass get to such a large size by being less aggressive feeders and more of opportunist. TPWD has a video of feeding a Sharelunker donated to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center that really helped to open my eyes to this. In the video the smaller bass were aggressively feeding on the gold fish the scuba diver was offering to the 16 lb female. Unless the gold fish were very close to the giant female when released she wouldn't get because of the lesser and much more aggressive bass. When she did inhale one she was way gentler about than the ferocious one from 3 - 6 lbs. This video supports John Popes findings in his book Tracking Trophies of DD bass being less aggressive.

Say you're fish a small lake of a 1000 acres then with the bass being only roughly 2' in length then there are only 21,632,000 places for her to rest if the lake were only one foot deep. Multiply that number by the average depth of the lake and the spaces large enough for her to occupy increase exponentially. This is why it's important to learn how to fish key structure that bass prefer so that you increase your odds. Secondly you have to be there when she's active so timing is a big player. So many times when anglers hook up with a ten pound bass or larger they are not prepare with the right tackle and equipment or they just get too excited and make mistakes. Having had three double digits on back to back and to the boat, but only landing one, I'm speaking from experience.

I believe she's out there swimming and hopefully I land her when I get her on!

very true. ive had my hands on big teen bass from 13-20lbs hundreds of times. they are truly freaks of nature that 99% of anglers will never see out of the water. I agree a lot of the big bass record sightings were probably 11-12 pounders.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQX5veoq9jc


I'm technically challenged so I'm not sure if I'm doing this right but if not, just type in "Roland Martin World Record Quest Lake Baccarac Mexico" and fast forward to 5:50 to see a 19 pound fish out of the water. It makes you realize how true Senko's statement is. I would have a mild stroke if I hooked into something like that. It sure puts some of those old fish pics in perspective doesn't it?

Let me go ahead and answer the follow up questions regarding my old home lake. Lake Baccarac went dry a few years ago and they've now closed it down. There's no reason to Google it, ask about it or even think about going there.

OMG!! that thing was huge. SON!! Wish they got the fight on film.

Well, after this week, is she out there swimming waiting for a livescoper?

Well, after this week, is she out there swimming waiting for a livescoper?