Giant Striper Caught On Lower Flint River Raises The Record Bar

Travis Harrell, of Albany, with a 55-lb., 0.2-oz. striper caught below the dam in Albany that sets the new record.

Travis Harrell, of Albany, has just beat the previous Lower Flint River striped bass record with his 52-lb., 0.2-oz. beast caught right below the Albany Power Dam on March 19, 2025. The fish to beat weighed 48-lbs., 5-ozs. caught in 1983 by John Hoffpauir Jr.

Harrell and his father Wayne are no strangers to big stripers on the Flint River. They are regulars to “the wall” at the Albany Power Dam and have the reputation for catching big bass there. Harrell schedules his work vacation days around when the river is best for fishing, and he had taken off Wednesday, March 19 through Friday, March 21 to fish.

“My dad has taught me everything I know about fishing,” said Harrell. “He has caught a bunch of 30-lb. stripers there off that power dam wall. My biggest was 22 pounds, but I have caught a pile in the 15- to 20-lb. range. I always go after the big ones.”

Harrell explained that you can either fish for quantity or quality, but it’s difficult to fish for both.

“Most people who want to catch a lot of fish throw smaller lures and have lighter tackle that can’t handle a big fish. We see plenty of guys who hook some big ones but just can’t get them in, and their lines break.”

Harrell was casting a 2-oz. pink Spro Bucktail Jig with a white grub on it. He had a heavy action, 7-11 rod and a Lew’s baitcaster with 17-lb. test line.

“Two gates were open on the dam that Wednesday morning, so the current was pretty strong,” Harrell said. “I had been there since daylight and hadn’t had a bite for two or three hours. Then, about 9 a.m., I was reeling my jig and felt a big thump. My drag just kept going and going. I knew I had a good one but was thinking it was a 30-pounder or so.”

Another regular fisherman named Doug grabbed his heavy-duty net to assist Harrell in landing the fish. After 20 hard minutes of fighting, Harrell got a glimpse of the massive lineside.

“Doug started saying excitedly, ‘Man, that’s a 50-pounder!’ I had never seen a 50-pounder before, so I really didn’t know how big it was,” Harrell laughed. “When the fish came closer, I was worried that the net wouldn’t hold it, so I got in the water and held the net with both hands from underneath to keep it from breaking while Doug gripped the handle.”

Once the fish was safely on the bank, the celebrating began. He and Doug put the fish on Walmart scales, and it read 52 pounds. He knew he likely had the record.

“I called my dad, and he didn’t answer the phone, so I called my mom and said, ‘Get Dad down here right now! I got a fish he needs to see.’ When my dad got there, he couldn’t believe it,” said Harrell. “I’m glad my dad got to see it in person since he’s taught me everything I know about fishing.”

Father and son got to witness the official weigh-in at DNR at 52-lbs., 0.2-ozs. and the measurement of 47.5 inches. Harrell had initially considered trying to release the fish but saw that the bass looked like it wouldn’t survive, so he decided to have the record striper mounted by Hinman Taxidermy in Preston.

“When you go after trophy bass, catching a 20- to 30-pounder makes for a good year, like killing a big 12-point buck,” said Harrell. “That’s why I like going after the big ones… It’s so much more rewarding.”

Flint River Record Fish (Between Highway 84 & Albany Power Dam)

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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.