However, it turns out that Spring Lake is not a catch-and-release waterway.

“I just found out last week that it’s all right to keep fish from there,” Javad Trew said. “I don’t get all the (fishing) magazines or follow the tournament trails, so I didn’t know if it was a world record; I thought maybe it could be a line-class record. Besides, she’s still pretty proud that she released it. There’s something about catching a big bass like that. You want to release it if it’s healthy.”

The Fishing Hall of Fame, however, isn’t throwing the baby out with the bathwater. They decided, officially, to recognize Trew’s fish – at 22 pounds, 8 ounces – as the 12-pound line class world record for largemouth bass. Also, they are unofficially acknowledging it as an all-tackle record while at the same time maintaining Perry’s 22 pounds, 4 ounces as the official record.

“We made up our minds and that’s what we’re going to do with it,” Dzialo said. 

As of the first week in December, the IGFA was still considering Trew’s record application, which she submitted in late September.

“Obviously, this is a very important record. The largemouth bass is one of the most sought-after records of all,” said Doug Blodgett, records director at the IGFA, adding that close to a thousand records applications for numerous fish species come through the IGFA every year. “As far as the information that I’ve received, there’s nothing stated so far that brings up a red flag. All of the rules of the application were fulfilled. Still, we’re not going to rush into this. We’re not going to make a decision without being 100-percent certain about it.”

The main impasse at the IGFA regarding Trew’s catch isn’t the lack of physical evidence – the organization routinely awards records on released fish if the paperwork is in order and the story checks out with local officials – but the relative lack of visual proof. An official with the California Department of Fish and Game named William Cox identified Trew’s bass and signed her application for the record based on the photograph and testimony of the three witnesses. That part of the application is by the book, Blodgett said, but the problem remains that just a single photograph of the fish exists.

“There’s no picture of it next to a measuring device or anything else to compare it to,” Blodgett said. “Because of that, we have to look at it in a little more detail.”

“Yeah, we only got one photo. That’s the sticky part with the IGFA,” Javad Trew said. “I wish we would have taken a bunch more, but we didn’t know what the hell we were doing at the time.”

When he realized that he was out of film, Javad Trew said they debated driving to a store to buy another camera. But his mother “was really concerned about the fish,” he said, so they ultimately decided to let it go and hoped the one shot came out all right.

“It’s really embarrassing what happened with the camera,” he admitted.

In terms of its IGFA record status, Trew’s fish is still “pending” and is listed as such on the organization’s Web site. Understanding the potential impact of its decision, Blodgett would not say whether the IGFA was leaning toward or away from certifying it as the new largemouth bass world record, but he did hint that a decision could be coming soon.

“Technically, is it a record-holder? Yes, but it’s not officially recognized by us,” Blodgett said. “Keep an eye on (IGFA’s) Web site on a weekly basis. We will have a press release when (the decision) has been finalized.”

What’s in the water?

If Spring Lake, Calif., sounds familiar to record-class bass anglers, it is. In 1997, that was where Paul Duclos reportedly caught a 24-pound largemouth bass, which would have shattered Perry’s record by almost 2 pounds. He weighed it on a bathroom scale, however, and only two other people saw the fish. Like Leaha Trew, Duclos released his fish before officials could examine it, so, while it made headlines, that fish never made the record books.

At least one Spring Lake largemouth has made the record books, though. Eight days after his mother caught her storied bass, Javad Trew caught an enormous bass of his own. On Sept. 1, he reeled in an 18-pound, 8-ounce largemouth on a 3/8-ounce jig at Spring Lake, which has since been certified as a record in the 4-pound line class by the Fishing Hall of Fame and is under consideration for the 4-pound line-class record at the IGFA.

Why are all these record-class bass apparently coming out of the little waterway in northern California? In the mid-1980s, the 74-acre lake was completely drained for hydrilla control. Then it was refilled and stocked with Florida-strain largemouth, which by the late ‘90s and early ‘00s would likely be at peak maturation age for monster bass. Plus, like many California waterways, Spring Lake is stocked with bite-sized trout on which bass feed.

“I’m telling you, they found a honey hole out there,” Dzialo said.

Potential impact

In the town of Jacksonville, Ga., at the intersection of highways 441 and 117 not far from where Montgomery Lake used to be, there is a roadside marker commemorating George Perry’s 22-pound, 4-ounce world-record bass. Part of its inscription reads:

“(Perry) received $75 worth of sporting equipment for his record catch. He was a modest man who never boasted of the record, which now has stood over 70 years. The next world record bass will be worth 8 million dollars, plus endorsements.”

Another roadside marker commemorating Perry on Highway 117 reads, in part: “The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia’s Official State Fish.”

Whether Leaha Trew stands to make “8 million dollars, plus endorsements” remains to be seen. Indeed, the Fishing Hall of Fame’s Dzialo said the most his organization offers for a record are a certificate and a little publicity.

“As far as the money, they’ve got to work that out for themselves,” he said.

But Trew realizes the impact her catch would make on the fishing community and the legacy of George W. Perry if the powers that be decide it is, in fact, a record larger than Perry’s. For that reason, she has shied away from speaking publicly about the fish until the IGFA hands down its ruling.

However, she did talk to FLW Outdoors recently.

“I’m just waiting because I’m being slammed,” she said, admitting that she is a little taken aback by all the attention she has received, a lot of which has been negative.

About her bass, Trew said: “Was it a magic moment or what? It’s the biggest one I’ve caught, but I’ve caught some big ones before and every time it’s magical.”

And whether or not the bass is ultimately given the world record, both of the Trews are hoping for the best, but they also just seem satisfied about the catch simply for its own sake.

“I caught a 22 ½-pound bass and that’s all I know,” Leaha Trew said.

Said Javad Trew: “Yeah, I’m a little ticked off that she caught it, but I’m still really proud of her.”

The bass simply couldn’t resist the enticing wiggle of your lure and he struck, it’s time to get that baby in the boat! And here’s the best way to do it.

Set The Hook
Most lures especially a treble-hook lure will cause the bass to hook itself once it strikes. That is in most cases, but not a 100%. You must keep in mind how tough the jaws of bass are. It takes a stern impact and an extremely sharp hook point to penetrate a basses skin.

If you are using a crankbait when the strike occurs, you will need to pull back the rod tip quickly and begin to reel until the line is tight. In most cases when a bass initially strikes the hook is set, but by maintaining pressure on the fish you can usually bury the hook deeper.

With top water type lures, it’s important to give it a few seconds before setting the hook. An overreaction often results in pulling the lure from the mouth of your trophy bass.

With single-hook lures such as jigs, plastic worms, and spinnerbaits they require a solid intentional hookset on your behalf. Normally the bass inhales the lure completely. It is a must that you drive the hook point in deeper with a solid strike.

DON’T

DO

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE DRAG
Your reel’s drag allows line slippage. It’s a precaution against a big fish or obstacle breaking your line.

DON’T

DO

Backreeling
Backreeling is a method of playing a fish on a spinning reel that bypass the reel’s drag system. The drag is tightened down and the fisherman uses the reel handle to either take-in or pay-out as the fish demands. With practice, the technique becomes easier, but beginners will find this method difficult to master. The advantage of backreeling is that line twist is often greatly reduced because you aren’t reeling while the bass is pulling line against the drag. On light line, you must try to second-guess the bass when backreeling-anticipate its next move – never an easy tack.

Landing a Fish
Bass have no teeth, as do many other game fish; therefore they can be easily landed without the use of a net, with practice. Keep in mind that landing nets may damage fish you wish to release. 

Lip-Landing Method

1. When the fish is ready to come in, use the rod to draw it close to the boat. Do not reel up a lot of line. The rod’s spring action will act as a shock absorber should the fish decide to make one last run at the boat.
2. Draw the rod back over one shoulder an extend your arm. Maintain pressure on your line. Slowly pull the bass toward your grasp.
3. Carefully press your thumb against the tip of the jaws if the mouth is shut. This will cause it to open. Then firmly clench the lower jaw between thumb and forefinger.
4. On a big bass, wait one second. Put down your rod and use your other hand to grasp the jaw also.
5. Lift the bass aboard.

Net Method
Many bass are lost at the landing net. Net your fish carefully but remember that landing nets will damage the scales, fins and slime coating of a bass.

1.  Bring the bass alongside the boat.
2. Put the net into the water, making sure the netting is not tangled.
3. Draw the fish toward the net; the fish will usually swim into it.
4. Scoop the fish up, using a single, smooth motion. Don’t try to net the bass downward and do not swipe at a bass that is not ready to come aboard.

Preventing Problems

Because of its nature’s beauty, it can never be said that it is god’s gift. The sheer anticipation of a Mexico Bass fishing trip is enough to drive any angler obsessed. Crazy anglers are being encouraged for it can produce well. Mexico bass fishing can be done on the greatest black bass lakes in the world. There are four such lakes on the West coast of Mexico: Lake El Salto , Lake Agua Milpa, Lake Huites , Lake Baccarac ,Lake Comedero.

Lake El Salto produces more double-digit bass than any bass lake in the world. It is a 23,000 acre impoundment, home to some of the very best Largemouth Bass fishing in Mexico and in the world. It is located 50 miles north of the beautiful seaside resort of Mazatlan. Over a thousand of bass ranging over 10 pounds have been caught and released at this great Mexico bass fishing lake. Lake Agua Milpa, offers big numbers of quality largemouth bass. Also, Lake Huites is considered to be one of the finest waters among the rest. Thus, Lake Baccarac is an ideal hotspot for catching large mouthed bass. It is the best big bass lake in the entire world. The first fishing season was beyond most anglers’ dreams and the lake has been improving every year. The lake is approximately 25 miles long and 5 miles wide. It is within among green forested mountain peaks. This is one of the best places for mexico bass fishing.

Lake Comedero is a beautiful mountain lake within the Sierra Madre Mountains 100 miles notheast of the seaside resort of Mazatlan. It has clear and cool water with thousands of hungry black bass striking almost any type of lure all year. It is the world’s best bass lake for numbers of bass from 8 lbs. to 12 lbs. with some bass ranging from 12 to 15 lbs. Believe I’ve been there and its one of the top Mexico bass fishing lakes. The bass fishing at each lake differs because of the age of each Lake. Mostly the older lakes produce larger bass but not quite as many numbers as the newer lakes.

On the other hand, East coast of Mexico has two great Lakes for Mexico bass fishing. Lake Guerrero, producing numbers with an occasional ten-pound plus; Lake El Cuchillo, the newest Mexico bass fishing lake of them. It is located less than a hundred miles south of the Texas/Mexico border. It has been producing some very impressive catches. Mexico bass fishing is the best bass fishing in the world because of its two primary reasons.

Don’t worry about looking for free bass fishing catalogs. I know you want to catch a big bass and that is your hearts desire. Although I may not be phychic or anything like that I still know that you are always on the prowl for that one bass fishing lure that can put the big ones in the boat.

Well my friend if I said it once I will say it again. In todays time and day you do not need a bass fishing catalog to find what you are looking for. I will even take you a step further by telling you that Bass fishing jigs are one of the best bass lures for catching those big bass. This article was one that I found in a free bass fishing catalogs and I will discuss some of the techniques and colors to choose that will allow you to make the perfect catch

The Question Is To Trailer or Not To Trailer

Before we decide whether or not to put a trailer on the bass fishing jig it might be appropriate to discuss the purpose of the trailer. According to a recent bass fishing catalog a bass trailer will give your jig two advantages. One advantage to a jig trailer is to give your jig more body and life. Bass are a fish that likes to attack unsuspecting prey. The trailer will make the jig appear more life like. The trailer will give the jig a look like a crawfish. The legs on the trailer will appear like the claws of the crawfish. This is one of the favorite foods for bass.

What Shape Is Your Head?

Also according to the 2008 bass fishing catalogs the shape of a bass jig head is very important. There are several shapes available in bass fishing jigs. You will find football jigs, pointed nose head jigs, and the list goes on. The shape is argued by many, but it really comes down to a personal choice. Most choose a football shaped head and this style will sit up nicely on the bottom bringing the trailer to life and looking as if it trying to defend itself. This action will often evoke a strike by the bass.

The Weed Guard

There are bass jigs that have a weed guard and bass jigs that come without. The most common jigs usually have a weed guard. The key to using a bass fishing jig with a weed guard is to trim it back just a bit. The purpose for this is to make sure that the bass will hook itself properly when it bites down on the jig. Many a fisherman has lost big bass.