Lake Blue Ridge Spotted Bass Record Broken, Then Released

Here’s the new Lake Blue Ridge spotted bass record. Pictured (from left) Destin LeSesne with Lake Blue Ridge Marina, Kenton Kimsey and the record holder Brandon Wright.

Local angler Brandon Wright recently raised the Lake Blue Ridge spotted bass record bar by 4 ounces, with a 6-lb., 8-oz. magnum spot he caught on Monday, April 28. He was fishing with his regular fishing partner, Kenton Kimsey.

“With the lake coming up and warmer water temperatures, the fish are moving up shallow to spawn,” said Brandon. “It’s my favorite time of the year to have a chance at a giant. We fished known spawning areas all over the lake checking for activity.”

Kenton had caught several good fish on a Ned rig, and Brandon had been slinging a 1/2-oz. Lucky Strike spinnerbait with double willowleaf blades and a trailer hook.

“We noticed the majority of the fish we were getting in the boat were spitting up shad—both largemouth and spotted bass,” said Brandon. “Around midday, we noticed a good fish busting on topwater, knocking shad 3 feet out of the water and up onto the bank. I made a parallel cast down the bank and got the bite! The fish immediately broke water and jumped. Kenton said, ‘That’s a good largemouth!’”

Brandon said the fish put up an “awesome fight,” and it wasn’t until they got the bass near the boat that they realized the fish was a giant spotted bass.

“He grabbed the net and I continued to fight the bass closer to the boat,” said Brandon. “After successfully landing the fish, we snapped some photos and put  in the livewell. We both started making phone calls because we new it was possibly a new lake record. We spoke with Josh Stafford, a GA DNR fish biologist. I think he was as enthusiastic to come certify the fish as we were to catch it.”

Josh met them at the Lake Blue Ridge Marina for the official weighing and certification.

“After a few more quick photos, I released the healthy fish back into the lake to fight another day,” said Brandon.

Lake Blue Ridge Record Fish

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Requirements For Record Fish

• Fish must be caught legally by rod and reel in a manner consistent with WRD fish regulations.

• Catch must be weighed on accurate Georgia DOA certified scales with at least two witnesses present.

• Witnesses to the weighing must be at least 18 years old, and they must not be members of the angler’s immediate family nor have a close personal relationship with the angler.

• Catch must be positively identified by qualified DNR personnel. GON can correspond with DNR when high-quality, multiple photos are taken of the fish and emailed to GON. All record submissions and photos must be sent to [email protected].

GON’s records are compiled and maintained by GON, to be awarded at GON’s discretion. Additional steps may be required for record consideration.