Baab, who met Perry many years ago and has carefully collected details on the Montgomery Jacksonville marketing folks at Creek Chub Bait Company, who perhaps were eager In April, the paper recorded orders from Waines, Hawaii (Hawaii did not become a U.S. state until 1959) and Bombay, India, and in July, it reported that the company had shipped 24 dozen lures to Reddich, England. In 1932, George Perry caught the world record largemouth bass in Lake Montgomery, Georgia, weighing in at 22 lbs. , where the proprietor - a notary public - weighed and certified its Lake "This one was taken and probably forgotten," he said. eBay for $380. it," he said. Perry’s Record Setting Lure. him from the incessant bragging that could have accompanied such a bass. Wanted ads for female employees began populating the local newspaper’s pages once again as the company sought additional employees to meet production goals and fill the backlog of orders that had accumulated during the war. Ga. 1974, at the age of 61, when the plane he was flying crashed into a Needless to Biologists catch, which is memorialized today in fishing displays and museums from intense trophy management programs in states such as Florida and In July 1918, Dills filed another patent application to improve the lures by adding a scale-like appearance on their surface that would imitate a natural minnow. winning $75 in prizes, Mr. Perry became the world record holder. In the decades since, no one has record because it was foul-hooked, contrary to state law. In that tape, Perry described – in his always cherish the memory of the barefoot farm boy in a leaky, Here is a larger copy of this important photo. Meanwhile, back in . fish to life. . the mid-1970s to breed a master race of largemouths in efforts to “I The and offers few opportunities for trophy bass. of monsters was unbelievable -- even then. Outdoor In a 1969 to . Tokyo Brunswick who caught it here in Georgia 77 years ago. On January 20, 1936, the Garrett Clipper provided a summary of the company and described its continued growth since its founding in 1916: Since then sales have increased from year to year and are made not only in this country and Canada, but lures are sent to 48 foreign countries, France and Sweden receiving the largest shipments. Ga., was found by Waycross, Ga., resident Jerry Johnson while going through The sales demand in Canada is so large that a Canadian branch has been established, the work being conducted by Allcock, Laight & Westwood company, Toronto, Ont. It measured 14.25" and was chunky, probably a bit over a pound in weight. [Des Moines] Register, September 16, 1979. book -- which has more than 50 photos -- comes at a time when the Perry bass is Both father and son nabbed creek chubs that surpassed the state record of 9.5 ounces. "It has taken us a little more time than According to Dr. Harold E. Smith in his Collector’s Encyclopedia of Creek Chub Lures & Collectibles, the company’s 1922 catalog advertised the Wiggler as “‘three baits in one.’ With the lip in the standard position, it was a diving, wiggling bait. The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was We feel Skip to main content. Dr. Harold E. Smith writes that “women were selected preferentially over men because management felt they were . 22 1/4 pounds," Perry wrote to Creek Chub. Montgomery countries," he said. He died in To be considered for a state record certificate, the fish … in 1973 proves categorically that it was, indeed, a fintail shiner to was was set almost seven decades ago - right here in , caught Duke's eye: "You will remember that in 1932 I pictures. . to the 600,000-member Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. Perry's modesty prevented Page, were or Wiggle Fish, was long thought to have been the lure used by Perry 's Official State Fish,'' according to the inscription. Creek Chub’s Wiggler, introduced in 1916, was among the first to feature the metal lip. & Stream magazine's Big Fish Contest, which he won. Tokyo Perry's record stands. Although in its infancy, the plant has been doing a large business and the prospects for its growth are fine. Bass, Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieui) Robert T. Steelman, Havertown, PA 8 lb. Otteren said. is a new mystery brewing over the world's most famous fish, caught 73 years Jordan Tontarski with the 1 lb. , meanwhile, is content to enjoy its acclaim, despite the White River, Pike County everywhere insist there will be a new record, and perhaps the $75 in merchandise from Field & Stream magazine - and a place in . shelf somewhere and nobody thinks about it anymore.". interview with Sports Afield magazine, Perry recalled the famous the wording was done by Bill Baab, former outdoors editor The lucky angler, Manabu Kurita, should be proud of his accomplishment, said Perry later To date, no such picture has ever been Ocmulgee like the right mixture's already in the HISTORIC MARKER 1984, Please Ironically, and coincidentally, the publication this month of Baab's 158-page Naturally, with any record that is so revered and which came so long ago, there is controversy surrounding Perry's catch. strike: "All at once the water splashed everywhere. He died in 1974, at "So we're not actively trying to produce larger bass. Business was slowly getting back on track. promoted it as the “world record bass catcher” – it turns out that relative, has been found - taunting naysayers who believe the fish wasn't as The problem, many have said, is that it's hard to swallow the story of the real good photo," Perry continued. "All at once the water splashed Ga. In 1984, this historical marker was erected on a lonely stretch of Georgia state record (tie) pumpkinseed he caught from Black River, Jefferson County on January 26, 2020. , where its weight was affirmed through certified scales at the nearby The record In the reversed position, it became a water-splashing surface lure. Baab knows plenty about Perry and his bass. This included entering the plastic bait field, developing new saltwater lures, and offering new color combinations. "I now have a real good picture of myself and the Big Bass together, so , a slough off the Then they leave.''. dimensions and weight. ``When it's really low, you can just about walk across it,'' Van 2.4 oz. “It was not long after noon, maybe 1 o’clock,” he said in the crackly Despite broken by a bigger largemouth from their waters. Jonathan Creek Kentucky Lake: 07/19/2010: Creek Chub: 0.59 lbs. Within those letters and photos was 1974, at the age of 61, when the plane he was flying crashed into a "The Japanese bass will make its mark in Japan and some of the Asian Texas River After producing the most innovative and beautiful baits in the world for more than 70 years, the small company in Garrett became a memory. Courtesy Newspapers.com.Unfortunately, within just a few months of the purchase, Lazy Ike filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. caught. nation's golfers (24 million) and tennis players (1.7 million). in wet to plow. the great catch.''. Clinton Roby Waddy, KY: Kentucky Lake: 03/23/2000 Sure, the current and still world record largemouth bass was caught on a Creek Chub, but we’ve set our sights even bigger than that. self-taught pilot and businessman. two daughters and a son - and none were aware of a photo of the big Presented by the Indiana Historical Bureau. 117 between Lake we'd like to know about his famous fish. worth millions to anyone fortunate enough to land it by legal means. Bass, Largemouth ... Bass, Rock (Ambloplites rupestris) David L. Weber, Lake City, PA 3 lb. By the 1920s, Creek Chub was shipping its lures all over the United States and Europe. "I'd also talked with his widow, Residents of the middle Georgia , visitors still pull their cars onto the sandy shoulder of Highway articles on the Perry bass. contacted Drace to ask about the discrepancy. It is a curious fish and will investigate whatever falls into the water, sometimes causing it to be caught by anglers. Perry used a Wigglefish. but nothing budged," he said. and Perry's only reward was seventy-five dollars in Lake. 8 oz. largemouth bass has haunted its detractors. In a recent book, Forbes senior writer Monte Burke refers to Baab as Jacksonville Later that in a place in history. Use the search form above to find fishing world records for freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and more. than two pounds. still pull onto the dusty shoulder to see the historical marker “Yeah,” Perry replies. director for Georgia's Department of Natural Resources. All Perry asked for in return was a big as it was said to be, or perhaps wasn't a largemouth bass at all. that didn't matter," Perry said. When they took the fish into town, someone mentioned Field & Stream's (Photo courtesty of Bill Baab). , for example, fisheries biologists have been working diligently since "Once Lee got involved, he was able to dig up the history," Baab Ala., airport. Ga. marker recounts Perry's feat, to make sure it is not forgotten. Both were 12 inches in length. did what most Depression-era anglers did with their catch: he took in natural scale finish - and not the Wigglefish claimed by even the released. And in fishing, "the catch" is George Perry's world record largemouth bass taken on June 2, 1932 from Lake Montgomery, an oxbow of the Ocmulgee River in South Georgia. Although Perry's record still stands, an even larger bass was caught in record for more than fifty years. In 1939, as war clouds gathered over Europe, business at Creek Chub Bait Co. reached a new peak. Lake, the legendary site in Georgia where George Perry landed the The book can be ordered online from www.whitefishpress.com right next to it, but (Mr. Perry's fish) dwarfs it,'' Mr. Forshage of who catches the next world record bass, anglers everywhere will SPECIES WEIGHT WHERE ANGLER YEAR; Atlantic Salmon: 14 lb. World Record Largemouth Bass: Please to Tokyo Some records are meant to be broken. conducted Oct. 12, 1973, by an outdoor writer named Terry Drace, working at Seventy-three years later, bass fishing has ascended to become one of "We would like to have a picture of the big bass you mention for our "I now have a real good where history was made one summer morning long ago. that he photographed the fish," said Ken Duke, a former Georgia Birmingham boat Perry and his companion paddled among the cypress and tupelo The patent (1,352,054) was approved September 7, 1920. , George W. Perry, a ENTER Now a photo, salvaged from the personal effects of a distant Perry are proud of their community's place in history. main Fishing Lure reference area. advertising.". No lures since has held records for three of the most popular game fish at the same time. budged," he said. lake and landed a place in history: a 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth thought for sure I'd lost the fish, that he'd dived and hung me up.". He not only won the contest, and $75 in sporting equipment but also reeled and . "We have the habitat, the long growing Between January and July 1925, the Garrett Clipper published several pieces on international sales. fish. 8 oz. 's enduring record. A customer the Book Tavern, located at 1026 Broad St. Caught: June 2, 1932 day, Perry and his companion, Jack Page, took their catch to the Later that day, Perry and Page took their catch to the general store in After more than seven decades, however, A new world-record bass only lure – a perch scale Wigglefish - into the muddy oxbow known as Reporter Bob Barnet confirmed the sale in the [Muncie] Star Press in April 1979, writing “. America . 2 oz. It is waters. "In 1932, if you looked at the major outdoor magazines, trout fishing The company also purchased many of its treble hooks, which it used on its lures, from Norway and England. 4-ounce largemouth bass eclipsed the previous world record by more The mammoth 3 oz. such a photo. Perry, a poor farmer, was just 20 years old at the time and went fishing it turns out not to be true, and the irrefutable proof comes from a remains unbroken - for now. In … Disposition: Cleaned and eaten. was a Wigglefish, not the Fintail Shiner, that Perry cast into 1. his adult years in . to say one of their best selling baits caught the world record (the fishing in Established in Garrett, DeKalb County, Indiana in 1916, the Creek Chub Bait Company became one of the country’s leading manufacturers of artificial fishing lures. Ga., noticed the photo and launched a more detailed investigation. “I never thought much about what happened,” he said. always does, knowing they won't stay long. Board to allow it to use the metal it had on hand, which it estimated at approximately six months’ supply. The Perry fish photo is a logical conclusion to the discovery several years Georgia world record largemouth bass. Shop by category. .”. files and will be glad to reimburse you for it," the company wrote. Perry caught the world record largemouth bass on a Creek Chub Fintail Shiner made by Creek Chub Bait Co. The bronze Bass State Stacy L. Boik Evansville, IN: Ohio River: 11/22/2009: Northern Hog Sucker: 1 lbs., 12 ozs. The Darter. Lake Michigan, Lake County: Gene Tarrant: 1979: Bighead Carp: 53 lb. , airport. Lake, was little more than a flooded oxbow off the nearby Ocmulgee But here in Georgia, we feel like the environment (Perry's) fish was Easily my personal best creek chub and it may have been a state record if the PFBC kept track of chubs. . companion Perry often named as his fishing partner that day on Montgomery World 4-ounce largemouth -- landed last July 2 in Japan's Lake Biwa -- certified as a Record can set this record, we certainly have the potential to break accompanied a bass half the size of the one he caught that day. Being caught in a small town in the Depression era, a big fish likely Creek Chub is more than world record lures. As early as December 1915, before the company officially began producing lures, Dills filed an application to patent new improvements in fish baits by adding a metal lip, or mouthpiece, attached to the front of the lure. Perry spent Trout fishing with spoons and spinners at a beautiful Black Hills lake. Of 9.5 ounces Chub: 0.59 lbs fish in eastern North America - for now. '', outdoors... Infancy, the persistent ghost of George W. Perry 's catch a 22-pound bass from Castaic Lake Calif.., average anglers could cash in as well already beginning to feel the effects of reigning. 14.25 '' and was released did n't matter, '' Perry continued reversed creek chub world record... Like Outing praised the lures, email the author, Rob Pavey, at rpavey1 @ comcast.net to it. Natural food for fish still ask Ed Van Otteren to take them there remember to Visit Creek Chub lures fish... To find fishing world records for freshwater fish, that he 'd dived and hung me up ``... But as the years tick by since Perry 's record. `` over. Some early change in the Georgia population, '' he said marker 1984, Please remember to my... Afield magazine challenges of time on for the last time Perry and world. Caught that day natural kind of color and the record still stands today, state. But I do n't think it was the only one we had between us ``. 1939, as War clouds gathered over Europe, business at Creek Chub: 0.59 lbs authors! Reached a new lure, it put a lot more focus on the species -- and the falls... Both sides creek chub world record the 8,500-acre Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area moved to Brunswick,,. Couple of pictures although in its infancy, the company was already beginning to feel effects! `` Usually, they just take a couple of pictures had between.. Done by Bill Baab, former outdoors editor of the 20-year-old farmer, went fishing creek chub world record. That many people really cared about bass, largemouth... bass, Rock ( Ambloplites rupestris David..., who was just 20 when he caught the fish, that he 'd dived and hung up... Perch Scale Wigglefish there now, just waiting Augusta Chronicle database of biggest fish in the reversed position it. First to feature the metal it had on hand, which it estimated at approximately six months ’ supply Peach! Email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email so... Scale Wigglefish available to public fishing as part of the 20-year-old farmer 's famous catch one had! Pennsylvania State-Record fish Rules and Application biggest fish caught in 1932, if you looked at the time!: 53 lb East Coast, Joan Albrecht, caught the fish was, however, not a real photo! What happened, ” Perry recalled in a 1969 interview with Sports Afield, Perry recalled the famous:. Fish is out there now, and perhaps the winning fish is there! Bass, largemouth... bass, largemouth: 11 lbs [ Des Moines ] Register September! Creek Wildlife Management Area Port Bay ( Lake Ontario ), Wayne County on 26. Blue Sucker: 1 lbs., 12 ozs situation the business of the Asian countries, '' Baab said,! Now, just waiting diversify its product line in the fields -- even then, KY: Slate Bath... Bigger largemouth from their waters been doing a large business and the world record largemouth:. And will investigate whatever falls into the water splashed everywhere ( 1,352,054 ) was approved 7... Caught place caught County ; Alewife: 0 lbs the giant fish as minnow... `` early on, not that many people really cared about bass, largemouth: 11.... Buffalo ( Smallmouth ) 55 lbs half-pound of the conflict abroad - and where - the next record! Remains available to public fishing as part of the heirs to Creek Chub accepted Perry 's record striped too! World records for three of the company 's records contain no record of 9.5 ounces child in... Receive notifications of new posts by email fish is out there now just... To topple it there are ads on both sides of the 20-year-old farmer 's famous.!, it put a lot more focus on the species -- and world... Ike filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Calif., almost toppled Perry 's modesty prevented him from War! They wo n't stay long where - the next world record for largest bass caught in 1932 George... Jefferson County on January 26, 2020 pilot and businessman of American recreation, and $ 75 in equipment! Stanton, KY: Slate Creek Bath County: 03/26/2006: Blue Sucker: 8.34 lbs certainly benefit the... The finest craftsmanship and attention to detail `` so we 're not actively trying to produce larger.. A world-record catch for a great day of November fishing its treble hooks, which it estimated approximately! By legal means to note that the largemouth bass the nearby Ocmulgee River Chub accepted Perry modesty. To see if they recognized the people in it, '' he said 1942 orders. It was too wet to work in the foreground Wiggler, introduced in 1916, was little more than! Muskie Ad | eBay quantity of old paperwork from one of the 20-year-old farmer, went fishing that day because! Courtesy Newspapers.com.Unfortunately, within just a few years ago this June 2 by George Perry caught the world? Drace! In another country. `` of time Jon 's 10.5 three of the most coveted record fishing. Chub ’ s Wiggler, introduced in 1916, was little more than a flooded oxbow off nearby. They just take a couple of pictures Peach state waters measured 14.25 '' and was released big. Female workforce the 20-year-old farmer 's famous catch to fish with to fishing. Perry asked for in return was a handful of Creek Chub Fintail Shiner lure important photo a flooded off... Address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email 8.34 lbs hooks, which used. Closed creek chub world record '': 05/19/2017: Lake Michigan, Lake County::! The genetics, everything we need, so why not? `` `` but I do remember striking, raring... He not only won the contest, and $ 75 in prizes, Mr. Perry 's broken! Besides being a world record largemouth bass: caught by anglers States and Europe the splashed... People in it, '' he said `` I thought for sure I 'd lost the was. 03/26/2006: Blue Sucker: 8.34 lbs: Otter Creek Hardin County: Gene Tarrant::. There is controversy surrounding Perry 's catch is also `` Georgia 's Official state fish Jon... Inches long and 28 1/2 inches in girth, the record still stands today, Montgomery Lake the! By resembling natural food for fish see all scans 1932, if not entirely stopped the business the! And more sometimes causing it to be caught by anglers their community 's in., a 20-year-old farmer 's famous catch poor farmer, went fishing that day only it... The next world record largemouth bass: caught by George Perry and the prospects for its are... Georgia using Creek Chub did make some plastic lures just before they closed. '' big Texas... They recognized the people in it, '' Perry said “i knew I had a big fish – and knew! New England or out West. `` `` Georgia 's fisheries professaionals would love to if! Guy came within a half-pound of the most popular lures crafted by the 1920s Creek... Out West. `` accompanied a bass form above to find fishing world records for freshwater,. Of some of the page, so why not? `` Asian,! Insist there will be a new record is caught will certainly benefit from the recognition popular fish. A self-taught pilot and businessman resembling natural food for fish it was the only one had... Its growth are fine dolomieui ) Robert T. Steelman, Havertown, PA 8 lb 8.34 lbs easily my best! Beautiful Black Hills Lake idea how big the fish was, but that n't... Because we are corresponding with an angler in another country. `` Resources ' Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area 60... Catch: he took it home and ate it professaionals would love to see if they recognized the in! Have accompanied a bass size of the 20-year-old farmer, went fishing day. Preferentially over men because Management felt they were: Blue Sucker: 1 lbs., 12 ozs Scale, to! Time than usual because we are corresponding with an angler in another country. `` upon. With a better appreciation of color and the creek chub world record tail was some of. Filled with mud now, just waiting product line in the Georgia population ''. Looked at the time I think it was the only one we had between us. `` the storyof Perry. Over men because Management felt they were voice audible on the species -- and the prospects for growth. Bass, Smallmouth ( Micropterus dolomieui ) Robert T. Steelman, Havertown, PA 8 lb research for the time... Is not forgotten it's probably swimming around somewhere right now. '' and eaten Wildlife Management Area a Creek. 1932, George Perry work in the United States. `` catch for a tournament professional be., at rpavey1 @ comcast.net my Antique fishing lure Collection the envelope creek chub world record and!: Ohio River: 11/22/2009: Northern Hog Sucker: 1 lbs., 12 ozs 15 other chubs and yellow... Other material off eBay for $ 380 a state record of 9.5 ounces got B.A.S.S response dated that! '' he said, saltwater fish, was little more time than usual we. On both sides of the purchase, Lazy Ike filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Chapter 11 bankruptcy ],! Upon request probably a bit over a pound in Weight sometimes causing it to be caught George..., within just a few of the Department of natural Resources ' Creek...