Johnnie, Most of the northwest major water are river systems and deep reserviors (mostly power production) and the water temps stay pretty warm even in the winter. I know of several largemouth in the 10-15 pound range, but I have not really looked in the last couple of years, who knows, I think the potential is there. The Columbia river is most likely my pick for bigger fish (I know of a 14 from the Snake River on the Idaho/Oregon border out of Brownlee Res). I still lean towards the Califonia Delta for the record fish.

Bryan, I sure like to spend some time on them rivers and lakes. You make them sound very good. Maybe someday, who knows? I feel the same way about the reord bass being caught as I did Babe Ruth's baseball record being broken. I wanted to see it happen, but then again, it would have been okay if it didn't. Luckily for me, Big Mac broke Ruth and or Maris record, and if the right person catches the record bass, I'll feel good about it. Just sorry I'm so far away from the action. If it wasn't for my wife, 2 daughters, a grandson and the whole state of Iowa, I'd just move out West. Oh well we can dream! Thanks for the reply, Johnnie.

I am like everyone else. I expect a california lake to produce the next world record.

Of course my second guess is that Johnnie Crain will break the world record from the muddy mississippi river. LOL You never know, anything is possible.

JT Bagwell

Yea thatll be my guess to ,,Jonnie will probubly catch it though at THREE MILE OR BIG CREEK in Iowa,,lol

Jeremiah and Mr. Bass,
Thanks for your vote of confidence. You've almost got me believing I can do it,"almost". You know, seriously, I really don't understand why bass don't get much larger in the ole muddy river. Some of our backwaters are deep enough and have plenty of food to allow a bass to grow, maybe they are there, but I sure can't get one over 20#, I've been under 20# a few times (way under), I really don't have the time now that I'm retired to go after the record so Jeremiah, it's all up to you and Mr. Bass. Later, Johnnie

Do u know what Perry and the other fisherman of the 20's-30's were using for bait?? I dont know how well the plastics were if any back then, i guess they were using live bait of some kind, do u guys know?

Cole, George Perry was using an old crankbait called a Wiggle Fish. Bass anglers back then relied heavily on big crankbaits and topwater lures. They needed heavy baits because of the old " knuckle buster" reels of that era. Those old reels were direct drive, no thumb bar, no push button, most didn't even have a level wind. The reel handle turned backward when cast and thus the knuckle buster name, the reel handle was hard on fingers and thumbs. Of course some used live bait. The record was taken on the crankbait. There were no plastic worms back then and they were slow to catch on after introduced, they were just too stiff and not very lifelike. Nick Creme finally made acceptable worms and then Tom Mann perfected the Jelly worms, both Creme and Mann's still make outstanding products. Keep up the good questions Cole, you're learning fast. Johnnie