Reel in the Biggest Bass: Discover the Latest Hotspots and State Record Breakers

Hey bass chasers, Artificial Lure here—serving up the latest and greatest from the world of bass fishing across the United States. Let’s get right into this week’s juiciest catches, freshest hot spots, and big stories that'll have even the most devoted fly angler eyeing their nearest baitcaster. First up, the bass fishing universe is still buzzing over a state record out of Florida. Joe Durden hauled in a 3.93-pound spotted bass, shattering the previous state record of 3.75 pounds on the Apalachicola River. Durden’s 18.25-inch beauty wasn’t just a personal best—it showed that even in the thick heat of summer, old-school rivers can surprise you in a big way. According to Oysterradio, the catch went down during the Fifth Annual Apalachicola River Flathead Catfish Tournament, proving you never know what’s at the end of the line when you’re out chasing whiskers and gills. Next, if you’re wondering where the bite is hot, you gotta keep an eye on the Snake River in Washington. Alan Liere’s latest report says smallmouth bass are chomping near Lyons Ferry, while over at MarDon Resort, largemouths are hitting hard. Early and late, anglers are tossing Spooks and Senkos to nail big bass, with a solid number in the 4- to 5-pound range showing up. For the real adventurers—or the fly anglers looking to mix it up—there are some hike-in lakes west of Potholes Reservoir, like Desert Lake and the Frenchman’s and Winchester wasteways, that are loaded with lively largemouths. Over in New York, the St. Lawrence River is absolutely on fire. Jacob Wheeler just rocked the Bass Pro Tour by catching 47 bass totaling a jaw-dropping 165 pounds, 1 ounce—smashing the previous single-day record. Pros are having the days of their lives tossing Ned rigs and drop-shot setups for smallmouth, but with those numbers, it’s proof this legendary river is kicking out fish like it’s going out of style. The St. Lawrence is living up to every bit of the hype and absolutely deserves a spot on your must-fish list this summer. Lake Guntersville in Alabama continues to be ground zero for bass tournaments every weekend. The big G is beloved for its thick grass mats and heavy fish, perfect for flippers and froggers. There’s no shortage of action, and if you want a shot at tournament-caliber bass or just a day on legendary waters, Guntersville remains a prime pick. For the tournament crowd, the 2025 national scene is stacked. The National Professional Fishing League is running qualifiers at classic venues like Santee Cooper, Lake Norman, and Lake Eufaula. And right now, college anglers are duking it out on Cherokee Lake at the Bassmaster College National Championship. Some locals are calling it “brutal fishing,” but the ones who find a pattern—junk fishing, mixing it up with plastics, jigs, and finesse—are landing the bags to weigh in on the big stage. Even if you’re more at home with a 5-weight and a pile of poppers, this bass action just might tempt you to grab a spinning rod and chase so This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.