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Tennessee Fisherman reels in massive 15-pound Largemouth Bass that shocks anglers everywhere

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Brian Nagele
May 18, 2026

How to Catch Crappie: A Simple Guide for Every Season

Catching crappie—whether black or white—offers a mix of action, good eating, and simple fun. They’re found just about everywhere and once you understand where they hang out, what they eat, and how they behave, you’ll be able to catch them pretty consistently. Crappie fishing isn’t just for springtime either—you can find and catch these fish year-round. And since the world record crappie was caught recently in 2018 in Tennessee, every cast still holds some serious potential.

https://fishmasters.com/how-to-catch-crappie-a-simple-guide-for-every-season/

State record catches are making headlines across the country, with anglers landing massive fish that shattered long-standing records. From a hybrid crappie in Ohio to a giant blue catfish in Florida and a trophy largemouth bass in Tennessee, these remarkable catches are turning heads and giving fishing fans plenty to talk about this season:

Ohio Fisherman sets state record for Hybrid Crappie. Jesse Miller of Middletown, Ohio, caught a record-breaking hybrid crappie near the Middletown Dam on the Great Miami River on April 1, 2026. The fish weighed 4.27 pounds, measured 18.3 inches long, and had a 16-inch girth. Miller used a spinning rod with six-pound-test monofilament line and a minnow beneath a bobber. Fisheries biologists Kipp Brown and Mike Porto from Wildlife District 5 in Xenia confirmed the catch as a hybrid crappie, noting such fish are common in waters containing both species. Read More

Florida Angler Catches Massive State-Record Catfish. Justin Hodge landed a 73.6-pound blue catfish from Florida’s Suwannee River, setting a new state record. Caught on February 16 using live bream bait, the fish measured 48.5 inches long with a 38.75-inch girth. Hodge hooked the giant after returning to the river once a storm passed. The catch beat Florida’s previous blue catfish record of 69.5 pounds by more than four pounds. Read More

Tennessee Fisherman reels in massive 15-pound Largemouth Bass that shocks anglers everywhere. Darren Nunley set a new Tennessee state record after catching a 15-pound, 7.5-ounce largemouth bass at Nickajack Reservoir on Feb. 28. The fish measured 27 7/8 inches long and broke a record that stood since 2015. Nunley caught the bass using a chatterbait lure with 17-pound fluorocarbon line. Bass guide Hensley Powell witnessed the catch and said the fish never jumped but created a huge boil at the surface. The state confirmed the record after certified weighing and genetic testing. Read More

More from Fishmasters:

The Top 30 Fishing Lakes in Ohio

Fishing in Ohio offers something for just about everyone—whether you’re a beginner looking for a peaceful weekend spot or a seasoned angler chasing trophy catches. As someone who’s spent a good amount of time fishing across the state, I’ve come to appreciate the variety of lakes and the different experiences each one brings. But to make this guide even better, I didn’t just rely on my own time on the water. I reached out to other Ohio anglers, including friends, local fishing groups, and a few pros who know these lakes inside and out. I also asked our social media

https://fishmasters.com/top-30-ohio-fishing-lakes/

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Spencer stays on the water more than anyone I know. Rain, cold, doesn’t matter… he’s still out there getting it done 🎣

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