Bull Shoals Striped Bass Sets Missouri Record

Photo Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

Bull Shoals Lake is located largely in northern Arkansas but has a sizeable portion in Missouri. It is a very popular lake due to it's pristine environment, excellent bass fishing, and cold, clear water.

This striped bass is a new Missouri record for a "pole and line" catch, which presumes it was caught on the Missouri side of the lake. The bass officially weighed in at 65lbs 2oz, beating the previous record by almost 5lbs.  At nearly 50" long, this is a true river monster. Lawrence Dillman of Rockaway Beach, near Branson Missouri, gets bragging rights for this one.  On May 21st, he fought 45 minutes to haul this fish to the bank, caught on minnow bait using a reel with only 20-lb test line. That took some skill.

I can only imagine hooking into one of these while in a kayak.  That would be a ride.

MDC article