Grayson West
There’s something intriguing about the perfect combination of patience and pure luck, especially when it ends with a fish too big to fit on deck. Across the U.S., a handful of anglers have pushed themselves to the brink for the kind of catch that inspires crowds. These epic stories shine a spotlight on outrageous fish battles that fueled passion and put places on the map.
George Perry’s World Record Largemouth Bass (Georgia, 1932)
While fishing Montgomery Lake for dinner, 20-year-old George Perry hauled in a 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass using a cane pole and creek chub bait. The modest catch became legendary and secured the world record still unbeaten today. His feat later fueled the rise of competitive bass tournaments across the country.
Les Anderson’s King Salmon (Alaska, 1985)
On Alaska’s Kenai River, Les Anderson’s 45-minute struggle with a massive Chinook salmon nearly tipped his aluminum skiff. The 97-pound, 4-ounce catch shattered expectations and secured the all-tackle world record for king salmon. Ever since, the Kenai River has drawn anglers from around the world chasing similar glory.
Bill Valverde’s Alligator Gar (Texas, 1951)
A 279-pound alligator gar pulled from Texas’s Rio Grande secured Bill Valverde the all-tackle world record. With its prehistoric features and armor-like scales, the catch drew widespread attention. It also inspired a lasting interest in gar fishing and led to yearly tournaments that remain popular in many communities today.
Nick Anderson’s Blue Catfish (Virginia, 2011)
Buggs Island Lake became the stage for Nick Anderson’s 143-pound blue catfish, a battle that pushed his gear to the limit for nearly 45 minutes. At just over 30 years old, Anderson wasn’t chasing a title, yet his record catch later reshaped how Virginia was seen in competitive catfishing.
Luke Sweeney’s Mako Shark (Massachusetts, 2001)
A 1,221-pound mako shark was no match for Luke Sweeney’s determination off Chatham’s coast. The feat captured attention across New England as one of the biggest rod-and-reel catches. Though the shark nearly dragged him overboard, he landed it with grit and got help from a crane at the dock.
Mac Weakley’s “Dottie” Bass (California, 2006)
While at Lake Dixon, Mac Weakley foul-hooked a 25-pound largemouth bass with a distinctive black dot on its gill. Though unofficial, “Dottie” is widely seen as the largest of her kind. Her fame gave Lake Dixon a tourist boom, as anglers flocked to the site hoping to spot her.
Grant Rader’s Paddlefish (Oklahoma, 2021)
At Keystone Lake, Grant Rader wrestled a 164-pound paddlefish using a snagging setup and heavy-duty gear. With no teeth and a 2-foot rostrum, the prehistoric-looking fish caught viral attention online. The record-breaking moment cemented Rader’s name in Oklahoma’s fishing history overnight.
Kirk Kirkland’s Alligator Gar (Texas, 1991)
Kirk Kirkland’s story earned a spot in bowfishing documentaries and expanded awareness of Texas’s gar fishing scene. Deep on the Trinity River, he brought in a monstrous 365-pound alligator gar with rod and reel. The fish required a truck winch for extraction, as it measured over 8 feet in length.
Jim Holland Jr.’s Tarpon (Florida, 2001)
On the waters off Homosassa, Jim Holland Jr. endured a four-hour battle with a 202-pound, 8-ounce tarpon that leapt 10 feet into the air. The record-setting fish earned him lasting acclaim, and his custom rod now rests in a marina display as a tribute to the achievement.
Wisconsin DNR’s Lake Sturgeon (Wisconsin, 2012)
During Wisconsin’s annual spearing season, Larry Eisele brought in a 240-pound lake sturgeon from the Wolf River. Measuring over 7 feet, the fish was among the state’s largest. The community celebrated the moment with a hometown parade honoring the catch and the local fishing heritage it represented.