In February, Andrew “A.J.” Klein set a new Delaware state record for largemouth bass with an 11-pound, 1.6-ounce fish. The bass was 27 inches long with 20.5 inch girth, as measured at Bill’s Sport Shop in Lewes and certified by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Sgt. Troy Trimmer.
Klein was quick to credit his fishing buddy and mentor Lattis, a seasoned angler, for helping him not only land the trophy but also to secure his prized catch in a water-filled container for the trip to Lewes. “He’s a great fisherman, and he’s caught a lot of big fish,” Klein said.
Their gentle handling of the new record largemouth through the certification process proved later to be of importance to the two anglers and Delaware’s freshwater fishing community. After having it certified, the anglers took the big bass back to Wagamons, where Klein released it back into the water, alive and well. “I watched it swim away,” Klein said.
The previous state record, caught in 2012, was a 10-pound, 10-ounce largemouth bass measuring 26 inches long and 18.75 inches in girth. The fish was caught and released back into Wagamons Pond, by James D. Hitchens of Georgetown.
source: DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife