After bringing this one back last year and having some fun with it, it was suggested that the next one run all year.  January thru December.  

So here we go . . . . .

 

This is a bragging rights only contest.

It’s fun and pretty easy to do. To make it somewhat fair, bassheads are competing against the state record bass in their home state. (or the state where the bass is caught) I do realize that some states have crazy big bass at the top of the list but not all of them.

From the bank, boat or wading, they all count the same. Lakes, rivers, reservoirs & streams.

 

Goes like this . . . RULES

1.  This is for FUN...

2.  There are 3 divisions.   Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass.

3. Contest runs from sunrise 01 January 2026 to sunset 31 December 2026.

4.  Artificial bait ONLY.  If you are sight fishing, the fish must be hooked inside the mouth.  All fish must be caught in PUBLIC fishing areas.  No private stocked ponds or Mike Long imitations.

Let's just police ourselves and be proud of that.

 

5  In order for your fish to count, you must submit a picture of the bass, the state record weight for the state the fish was caught in, and an accurate weight of the bass.  Your fish must be submitted in THIS THREAD  within one week of being caught. (No sandbagging)  You may submit as many fish as you want as long as subsequently caught fish are larger within each division than your previous submission.

6.  Scoring of the fish shall be completed as follows:

Example

Your fish weight = LMB 7.5 lbs  

state record of where the fish is caught for example

Kansas state record = 11.80 lbs

Your fish weight / current State record weight x 100 = your score.

So in this case it’s 7.5/11.80 x100 =

Your score of 63.55 (we’ll go 2 decimal places.)

If you don’t have an accurate scale and you’d like to participate in this, get one.

In the case of an actual tie, you both win.

 

Now for the one time Entry Fee –

At the beginning of your first post/entry,

you must name the one food you’d never eat Again  (even ay gun point).

 

No need to claim whether you’re in or out.

Just post’em up when you get’em.

It’ll be a while before I can add anything here

but I’ll be watching . . . .

Good Luck, and I might even mean that this time.

A-Jay

 

I’ll be feverishly pursuing the NC state record rock bass this year thanks to it’s inclusion - get ready @gim !

5 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

I’ll be feverishly pursuing the NC state record rock bass this year thanks to it’s inclusion - get ready @gim !

Lo sentimos, la lubina de roca no está incluida.

A-Jay

Sounds like fun. I guess my lake wouldn’t be included because it’s private. Even though it was only stocked once , around 70 years ago.

I avoid public waters as much as possible because Florida waters are SO pressured . 
so this will be a good challenge for growth , in finding new accessible waters and as a bass fisherman.

thanks AJ !

Steamed green pees. 🤢

 

Boiled Lady's fingers.

Goodluck everyone.

I just did some calculations and for a LM here in Ga. I'm gonna have to do some magic.😃

11 minutes ago, GreenPig said:

I just did some calculations and for a LM here in Ga. I'm gonna have to do some magic.😃

I am right there with you.

The state record SMB here is half a goby poop under 10 pounds.

I might need to borrow Jake Housman's half a kayak, just to be in contention . . . 

Keeping it real . . . .

😁

A-Jay

4 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I am right there with you.

The state record SMB here is half a goby poop under 10 pounds.

I might need to borrow Jake Housman's half a kayak, just to be in contention . . . 

Keeping it real . . . .

😁

A-Jay

You just had to go there, didn’t you 😂😂

 

I’ll play along too I guess. For me, it’s liver and onions. One time in basic training, that was the “next plate up” and I had to get it. I took one bite and told the drill sgt that I was allergic to liver and onions and it would make me throw up. He didn’t believe me. I said “bet” (at least in my head - that many years ago “bet” wasn’t a thing). A few seconds later, I was eating chicken pot pie which was the alternate meal.

Oh right food we don’t like - I’ve got a knee jerk reaction to raw oysters - *shivers* and the worst part is my whole family loves em.  🤢

 

Ocean boogers for everyone but me please!

Great idea to make the contest last for the full year!  It is time for me to reveal my utter hatred of okra of any kind. 

 

The Missouri largemouth record has stood for 64 years at 13 lb 14 oz.  I am floored at the size of this beast for the state of Missouri.

 

https://ozarkcountytimes.com/outdoor-news/after-60-years-state-record-largemouth-bass-still-stands-despite-son’s-efforts-top-it

 

The smallmouth record is 7 lb 2 oz (set in 1994) and the spotted bass record is 7 lb 8 oz set in 1966.  A 10 lb largemouth would be around 72 percent while a 5 lb smallmouth would be approximately 70.  Those sizes are Missouri fish of a lifetime these days.  It is likely that my chances are slim but it will be fun to hit the more southern lakes often this year in search of nirvana.

Something just over 15 hours or so, depending on your latitude,

before the Offical 2026 State vs State "Line In".

Don't forget to check your drag !

A-Jay

 

I know the title refers to State to State but are Canadian provinces included specifically Ontario which has a 10.15 record smallie caught in 2022 by Gregg Gallagher? 

43 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

I know the title refers to State to State but are Canadian provinces included specifically Ontario which has a 10.15 record smallie caught in 2022 by Gregg Gallagher? 

Interesting  ~ 

This whole deal is just for fun.

So as long as the rules and scoring deals are satisfied,

it's fine by me. 

Good Luck 

A-Jay

 

Boiled Brussels sprouts….. won’t do it. 
My scale is a analog type, is that good enough?

@king fisher will be entering massive Mexican bass in no time since we’re opening this up to international waters.

I'd like to participate  but I can't think of any food that I've eaten that I wouldn't eat again at gun point.  If BB guns count,  I would never eat anything with mayonnaise.

 

I hope that's good enough.  😃

36 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

I'd like to participate  but I can't think of any food that I've eaten that I wouldn't eat again at gun point.  If BB guns count,  I would never eat anything with mayonnaise.

I hope that's good enough.  😃

OK ~ I think as long as it's a Red Ryder BB gun,

you should be all set.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

4 oz / 15 lbs 2 oz =0.0333 x 100 = 3.33

 

 

cold pea soup 

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

4 oz / 15 lbs 2 oz =0.0333 x 100 = 3.33

 

I officially end the contest and declare Russ the winner. 3.33 can't be beaten.

16 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

4 oz / 15 lbs 2 oz =0.0333 x 100 = 3.33

 

 

cold pea soup 

 

I declare an attempt to cheat. 4oz divided by 242 oz is 0.0165289 times 100 =s 1.65 %

It’s warm and I’m heading out for a brief trip on the lake - I might have you beat by the end of the day if all goes well*@TnRiver46 .
 

 

* getting a single bite

50 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

I declare an attempt to cheat. 4oz divided by 242 oz is 0.0165289 times 100 =s 1.65 %

Hahaha my phone did the math automatically, I thought it was odd! Hit backspace and it did it again so I rolled with it 

 

damned robots 

1 hour ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

I declare an attempt to cheat. 4oz divided by 242 oz is 0.0165289 times 100 =s 1.65 %

Yeah and that fish look more like a 3 ouncer to me.  

 

I should know. I catch a lot of them.  🤪

Lutefisk - when I moved to MN 20 years ago my Norwegian neighbors invited me over for "A Norwegian treat" -- I smiled and gutted my way thru a few forks full of the worst tasting/textured food ever known to mankind -- needless to say that slop has and never will cross my lips again.

 

MN state record for LMB - 8lbs 15oz (23.5 inches, girth 17.5 inches, 2005)

MN state record for SMB - 8lbs (22.75inches, 1948)

 

I am searching for my first 5lbers (LMB/SMB) in 2026 (when the many feet thick ice clears off the lakes)........