The World Record Bass from Japan: The Catch That Shocked the Fishing World
If you're into bass fishing, you’ve probably heard whispers about a legendary catch that ties the world record. We're talking about Manabu Kurita’s monster largemouth bass, caught in Japan’s Lake Biwa in 2009. This bass didn’t just make waves—it rocked the entire fishing community.
In this post, we’re diving into the story behind the world record bass, the gear Kurita used, and what makes Lake Biwa such a legendary spot for trophy bass.
🎣 The Catch That Tied the Record
On July 2, 2009, Japanese angler Manabu Kurita landed a largemouth bass weighing 22 pounds, 4.97 ounces (10.12 kg). That’s just a hair over the 22-pound, 4-ounce bass caught by George Perry in Georgia way back in 1932—the long-standing world record for nearly 77 years.
Because of strict International Game Fish Association (IGFA) rules, a new record must weigh at least 2 ounces more than the current record to officially break it. Since Kurita’s bass missed that by just under an ounce, it was declared a tie for the all-tackle world record.
Still, anyone in the bass fishing world knows—Kurita’s catch is a record in its own right.
🌏 Why Japan? Why Lake Biwa?
At first, it might seem strange that a world record largemouth came from Japan, but Lake Biwa is no ordinary body of water.
Located northeast of Kyoto, Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest freshwater lake and has become a bass fishing hotspot over the years. Largemouth bass were introduced there in the 1920s, and with its mild winters, abundant baitfish, and deep structure, it provides the perfect environment for bass to grow big and live long.
🧰 What Did Kurita Use?
Kurita wasn’t using anything flashy—he was fishing a live bluegill in an area full of submerged trees and brush. The fight reportedly lasted only about 3 minutes, but it changed bass fishing history forever.
Here’s a breakdown of his setup:
-
Rod: Deps Sidewinder HGC-70HF
-
Reel: Shimano Antares DC7
-
Line: Toray Bawo Superhard Premium Plus 25 lb
-
Bait: Live bluegill
Talk about simple but deadly.
🏆 The Legacy of Kurita’s Bass
Kurita’s catch sparked controversy, awe, and inspiration. Some argued about the legitimacy. Others started planning trips to Lake Biwa. But one thing’s for sure: the story reignited dreams for bass anglers worldwide.
It also elevated Japan’s reputation as a global bass fishing destination, with anglers now seeing Lake Biwa as a bucket-list location.
✅ Fun Facts About the World Record Bass
-
Manabu Kurita was part of a field testing crew for Japanese lure company Deps.
-
Kurita said he never expected to catch a world record—he was just out for a regular day of fishing.
-
The IGFA required polygraph tests and an investigation due to the fish being caught in Japan—but it passed all their rules.
🎣 Can the Record Be Broken?
With better gear, smarter anglers, and fisheries like Lake Biwa and even Mexican lakes like El Salto, it’s totally possible that the next world record is already swimming somewhere. But breaking 22 pounds? That’s a whole different beast.
Final Cast
Whether you're a casual weekend warrior or chasing records yourself, Manabu Kurita’s 2009 catch reminds us all why we fish: the thrill, the possibility, the story. One cast could change everything.
So keep your hooks sharp and your drag set. You never know when the next world record bass will strike.
Let's Talk about the Record and where it Currently Stands and Why No One is Talking about it
One thing that I have heard absolutely no one talk about is the fact that this record fish is no longer the largemouth world record. The IGFA (International Game Fish Association) has classified the Florida Bass (Micropterus salmoides) as a new species, thus warranting a new world record. The crew over at the Podcast, Bass After Dark, were key in making sure the Manabu Kurita fish was correctly classified. They went to the Yamaha world headquarters to get a DNA sample from the actual fish mount of the world record bass. The DNA came back as a pure Florida bass, meaning that fish takes the new world record for the Florida bass, giving the largemouth record to George Perry. George Perry's record can be debated, but without concrete proof of it being a largemouth or Florida bass, the record still stands.
Will we ever see a world record bass again? It's tough to say. With the rise of forward facing sonar, we are able to fish to a lot more fish that we didn't fish for previously. This means we catch a lot more fish. The game of bass fishing is also different. Lots of lake get blown up when people start post pictures of big bass on a certain lake. This doesn't allow the bass the time to grow without being caught. Another aspect of times being different is the attitude about keeping bass. People nowadays do not eat bass as much as they used to. Believe it or not, keeping smaller bass is a known tactic to increase the average size of fish in a lake. This is what a lot of biologist do in managed lakes.
I hope you enjoyed this installment of Ask AI and as always, tight lines!
Looking for the right gear to chase your own trophy bass?
Check out our Trophy Hunter Tee and Tourney Trail Shirt—made for anglers chasing big dreams.
Let me know if you want this uploaded to your blog or need a featured image to go with it!