Oconee River Record-Class Largemouth

Clayton Faircloth, of Milledgeville, submitted a video and photos of a largemouth he caught from the Oconee River that very well could have broken the river record had it been weighed on certified scales.

The current Oconee River (below Sinclair dam) largemouth record weighs 10-lbs., 3.2-ozs. and was caught in 2017 by Tracey Jackson. On April 4, Clayton boated a largemouth that weighed 10-lbs., 8-ozs. on a set of Berkely hand-held scales and was then released.

“The fish was caught roughly 20 miles below Sinclair dam,” said Clayton. “It was a back water area off the river.  Seth Fleming was in the boat with me and impressively was able to record part of the catch and land the fish.”

Clayton’s largemouth weighed 10-lbs., 8-ozs. on a set of Berkely hand-held scales and was then released.

Clayton was using Seth’s rod and reel, which was a 7-foot Abu Garica Vendetta medium-heavy rod paired with a Shimano Curado reel with 20-lb. Berkely Big Game monofilament.

“She exploded on a Strike King Sexy Dawg in less than a foot of water,” said Clayton.

Requirements For Record Fish

• Fish must be caught legally by rod and reel in a manner consistent with state game and 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.

• Qualified DNR personnel may need to verify some species of fish.

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