Nick Dulleck with his potential world record 11-pound, 4-ounce spotted bass. (Photo courtesy of Nick Dulleck)
February 22, 2017
By Game & Fish Online Staff
At the rate the challenges to the all-tackle world record spotted bass are coming in, who knows how long the latest pending record will last?
Nick Dulleck with his potential world record 11-pound, 4-ounce spotted bass. (Photo courtesy of Nick Dulleck)
One thing seems certain: Nick Dulleck's amazing 11-pound, 4-ounce spot — caught Feb. 12 out of New Bullards Bar Reservoir — won't get any smaller as the International Game Fish Association mulls the catch for its record book.
Dulleck's spot is the latest potential record to be caught in the Northern California impoundment, where the current IGFA-recognized record (10-6, Timothy R. Little, Jan. 12, 2015) also was caught. In fact, spots weighing more that 10 pounds have become common in the lake.
Advertisement
Here it is! 11lb 4oz Spotted Bass. After bass fishing for 20+ years I am proud to share this because it proves if you set a goal and dream big you truly can achieve anything. I did it, I was ready, I was prepared. I want to thank my long time friend Adam of @ebisutackle who was with me on his boat and netted her, was my weighmaster, etc.. not to mention all the laughs and good times together on this birthday trip that will make this memory unforgettable for both of us. I also want to thank my friends and family who support my crazy dreams and fishing addiction you know who you are and I appreciate you. I look forward to what the future holds. — Nick Dulleck Instagram (@supranick) Dulleck, who celebrated his birthday on Jan. 10, caught the lunker in the morning on Sunday, Feb. 12, during a two-day fishing trip to the reservoir with friend Adam McAndrews. According to Bassmaster.com, the fish measured 24 1/2 inches long and had a girth of 20 3/4 inches .
The IGFA shared Dulleck's catch on Facebook and is considering adding it to its record book. The organization said Dulleck "successfully released the fish alive after properly weighing and documenting the fish on shore."
Dulleck's bass measured 24 1/2 inches long with a girth of 20 3/4. (Photo courtesy Nick Dulleck)
"I knew it was big, but I didn't know it was this big," Dulleck told Bassmaster. "When we both saw it, we took a quick breath. It was a moment of shock when we knew how big it was. Adam netted her and pulled her on the back of the deck. We're both freaking out."
Double-digit spotted bass are becoming common at New Bullards Bar Reservoir, and Dulleck's isn't the only one believed to be bigger than Little's record.
The pending record was properly, weighed, measured and released, according to the IGFA (Photo courtesy Nick Dulleck)
In December, pro angler Cody Meyer (see video below) caught a 10.8-pounder that was submitted for record consideration. Paul Bailey reportedly caught a spot that also weighed 11-4 Â in 2015, but the weight wasn't certified.
California's recognized spotted bass record is an 11-3 spot caught by Louis Ferrante at New Bullards Bar in February, 2015.
https://youtu.be/pmGpGoCeRJ4
Read more on Game & Fish
