Jacksonville in Telfair County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
World Record Bass
Photographed By David Seibert, January 27, 2008
1. World Record Bass Marker
Inscription.
World Record Bass. . Approximately two miles from this spot, on June 2, 1932, George W. Perry, a 19-year old farm boy, caught was to become America's most famous fish. The twenty-two pound four ounce largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoldes) exceeded the existing record by more than two pounds has has retained the world record for more than fifty years. Perry and his friend, J.E. Page, were fishing in Montgomery Lake, a slough off the Ocmulgee River, not for trophies but to bring food to the table during those days of the great depression. The fish was caught on a Creek Chub Perch Scale Wigglefish, Perry's only lure, and was 32 1/2 inches in length and 28 1/2 inches in girth. The weight and measurements were taken, recorded and notarized in Helena, Georgia and Perry`s only reward was seventy-five dollars in merchandise as first prize in Field and Stream Magazine's fishing contest. The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia's Official State Fish. Montgomery Lake is today part of the Department of natural Resources' Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Approximately two miles from this spot, on June 2, 1932, George W. Perry, a 19-year old farm boy, caught was to become America's most famous fish. The twenty-two pound four ounce largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoldes) exceeded the existing record by more than two pounds has has retained the world record for more than fifty years. Perry and his friend, J.E. Page, were fishing in Montgomery Lake, a slough off the Ocmulgee River, not for trophies but to bring food to the table during those days of the great depression. The fish was caught on a Creek Chub Perch Scale Wigglefish, Perry's only lure, and was 32 1/2 inches in length and 28 1/2 inches in girth. The weight and measurements were taken, recorded and notarized in Helena, Georgia and Perry`s only reward was seventy-five dollars in merchandise as first prize in Field and Stream Magazine's fishing contest. The longstanding record is one of the reasons that the largemouth bass was made Georgia's Official State Fish. Montgomery Lake is today part of the Department of natural Resources' Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Erected 1984 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 134-4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 31° 49.409′ N, 82° 54.517′ W. Marker was in Jacksonville, Georgia, in Telfair County. Marker was on Georgia Route 117, 4 miles east of U.S. 441/319, on the right when traveling east. Marker is four miles east of US 441/319 in town of Jacksonville. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Jacksonville GA 31544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 17 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Jacksonville (approx. 4.2 miles away); Cullen Boney Descendants (approx. 10˝ miles away); Methodism at Spring Hill (approx. 16.9 miles away).
More about this marker. In 2012 the marker and post are missing, leaving no trace the marker ever existed.
2. Investigative Report: Perry's Bass. Even after 75 years, some questions linger. A recently discovered photo substantiates Perry's story. Still some have questions. (Submitted on July 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo1. submitted on July 13, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
