Check out this 29.5”, 15.75lb largemouth caught on Nickijack Lake

From freelance outdoor writer Richard Simms:

“There is a likely new Tennessee state record largemouth bass under review right now. Sequatchie County angler Darren Nunley caught the 15.75-pound bass - weighed on certified scales - on Nickajack Lake Saturday morning (Feb. 28, 2026). If the huge fish is ultimately certified, it will best Gabe Keen's current state record by about a half-pound.”

“Edgmon said the bass was 29.5 inches long. The Save A Lot scales were most recently certified just a month ago. Consulting with TWRA Biologist Mike Jolley, Edgmon helped Nunley download the necessary record application, and Nunley said he is scheduled to meet with Jolley on Monday to verify the species.

“Jolley will likely take a sample from the fish for DNA analysis. If it is the same as Keen's record fish, the bass is likely to be an F2 hybrid, a bass that is the result of a true Florida bass spawning with a native northern largemouth, resulting in what biologists call ‘hybrid vigor.’”

WHAT LURE DID HE USE?

Saturday morning, about an hour after they got on the water, Hensley had given Nunley a half-ounce Z-Man Hammer bladed jig to fish with.

"It was a green pumpkin color jig and I put a Hog Farmer tail on the back of it. I believe they call it a Spunk Shad," said Hensley.

“It’s eyeballs were the size of a half a dollar, they were so big," said Edgmon. "I'm just glad I was able to help them and get them going in the right direction. (Biologist) Mike Jolly guided me and, of course, it is still only pending until Mike examines it and everything is officially reviewed."

#infisherman

A-Jay

That’s a bigun for sure!

Fish was caught on NickaJack lake. 15.75 weighed Saturday morning, 28-February 2026

WTVC

Huge largemouth bass from Nickajack Lake, potential new T...

There is a likely new Tennessee state record largemouth bass under review right now. Sequatchie County angler Darren Nunley caught the 15.75-pound bass - weighe

WOW 🤩!! Congratulations!!

The fact that you caught a 15.75 pound bass was amazing enough but to potentially get a state record for that fish, that’s priceless!!

Such an impactful moment that you will never forget. Super happy for ya!! 🥇

What a biggin!

I’m more shocked at the length than the weight! A 30” bass? That’s insane.

Would this qualify as a record largemouth if it’s a hybrid between a larry and a Florida bass? Because as of a year or so ago, a Florida bass is no longer considered a subspecies of largemouth.

That is one big bass.

If certified that will make the state to state Tennessee record a little tougher for all you Tennessee anglers. Right @ TnRiver46?

Good thing he isn’t entered into @A-Jay’s State vs State competition. 😂

2 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Good thing he isn’t entered into @A-Jay’s State vs State competition. 😂

New state records always score in the plus 100 percentile.

Very exciting.

A-Jay

Spunk shad user spotted

What a fish 😳

3 hours ago, Jar11591 said:

I’m more shocked at the length than the weight! A 30” bass? That’s insane.

Would this qualify as a record largemouth if it’s a hybrid between a larry and a Florida bass? Because as of a year or so ago, a Florida bass is no longer considered a subspecies of largemouth.

Same on the length.

Florida bass is no longer a subspecies? What's the reasoning behind that? And if the Florida bass is no longer a subspecies how is this fish classified as hybrid?!

Not directed at you, just trying to understand...

There was a thread about the Florida subspecies thing a while ago.

2 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

If certified that will make the state to state Tennessee record a little tougher for all you Tennessee anglers. Right @ TnRiver46?

Only if you're competing in the F2 category. 😊

36 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Only if you're competing in the F2 category. 😊

Which is decidedly more popular than the Foxtrot Uniform catagory.

😉

A-Jay

@Kev-mo I am not sure the scientific reason, as I’m not a biologist, but a Florida bass is now its own species in the Micropterus genus. Micropterus salmoides is the Florida bass, while the largemouth is Micropterus nigricans.

Haven’t seen anything regarding changing of records to distinguish between the 2 now distinct species from any state wildlife agencies, which is very confusing.

Length is crazy and it still looks fat. The bladed jig strikes again. I can't imagine what I would do if I saw color on a fish like that.

4 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

If certified that will make the state to state Tennessee record a little tougher for all you Tennessee anglers. Right @ TnRiver46?

Went from 15.2 to 15.75 I think…… 29.5”

That whole 12 lb smallmouth record is hard to break too

@TnRiver46 Hey it’s only 11-15.

Wow! Gratz

Awesome Congrats

@Dwight Hottle , 11-15 SMB? Just a little minnow……

Doesn’t that mean you have to get a 12-1 to officially break the record? Seems like you have to beat the incumbent by 2 ozs

IGFA just requires that the new record exceed the old record weight for this weight grouping. So 12 lbs even would qualify. There was a 2 ounce requirement in the past but that was not IGFA.

Trying to get over 10lbs mark ..