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. 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

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Resources. (Marker Number 134-4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1884.

Location. 31° 50.109′ N, 82° 52.429′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Georgia, in Telfair County. It is 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 is in this post office area: Jacksonville GA 31544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within

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15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jacksonville (approx. 6.4 miles away); Old Courthouse Location (approx. 6.4 miles away); Major General James E. Livingston (approx. 13.2 miles away); Talmadge Home (approx. 14.1 miles away); Methodism at Spring Hill (approx. 15 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Old Coffee Road (was approx. 8.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. In 2012 the marker and post are missing, leaving no trace the marker ever existed.
As of 7/25/25 the marker has been re-erected at slightly different location. TF

Also see . . .
1. George Perry and the World Record Largemouth Bass. A series of articles about the world record bass. (Submitted on July 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

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 August 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,569 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2012, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo 1. 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?