The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises freshwater anglers on the steps to certify a potential state record bass.
In a recent announcement, FWC highlighted the importance of preparedness for anglers who may reel in a bass large enough to set a new state record. A video detailing the certification process has been released to assist anglers.
To properly certify a new Florida state record freshwater fish, the angler must contact the FWC via an online form or by calling an FWC regional office listed on their website during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). An FWC biologist will then confirm the fish species and its potential record weight.
Establishing a new record requires an FWC employee to witness the fish being weighed on a certified scale. The staff will provide instructions on how best to accomplish this task. Anglers should be prepared for false alarms and are advised to provide a photo of the entire fish on a scale with the weight legible when possible.
The current state record bass weighed 17.27 pounds and was caught by Billy O’Berry in Polk County in 1986. Despite this long-standing record, recent submissions of giant 15- and 16-pound bass to FWC’s TrophyCatch citizen-science program have prompted both anglers and biologists to speculate about when the next state record will emerge.
Participation in FWC’s TrophyCatch program allows anglers to earn recognition for trophy-sized bass catches without needing to set a state record. Prizes are available for catching and releasing bass weighing 8 pounds or more. More information about participation can be found at TrophyCatch.com.
Anglers can check current state records at BigCatchFlorida.com by clicking on “State Record.” Good luck Florida anglers!