UPDATED 3.27.2014
It’s that time of year again. That time where lake, state and world records seem to fall every year. We recently learned of the new spotted bass record for the state of Tennessee. Shane McKee of Cleveland, Tenn. caught a spotted bass from Parksville Lake that weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces on a certified scale. That broke the previous record held by FLW Tour pro Wesley Strader of 6 pounds, 7 ounces. McKee is reported to have caught the pending record spotted bass on a jerkbait, although he declined to say which one.
Spotted bass in particular must undergo DNA testing to be certified as a pure spotted bass to claim any state and certainly any world records. Spots have been known to cross breed with other species, giving them an unfair growth advantage.
The TWRA announced on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 that McKee’s spotted bass was indeed 100% spot genetics and is now the state record holder.
Regardless, it sounds like McKee and his longtime fishing partner Kevin Drake had a day to remember. The two are said to be the best anglers on that lake and Drake actually caught another bass weighing right at 6 pounds that day as well. Rumor has it that Drake is out to break the record this weekend.
Check out the full write-up on this story by Richard Simms at Nooga.com.
