Carlsbad man snags monster bass at Dixon Lake

By: ERNIE COWAN - For the North County Times | Monday, March 20, 2006 9:53 PM PST ∞

Mike Winn holds a 25-pound bass caught by Mac Weakley of Carlsbad at Dixon Lake in Escondido on Monday.
WALDO NILO Staff Photographer
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Imagine losing a $1 million lottery ticket.

Carlsbad bass fisherman Mac Weakley may very well know that feeling after reportedly catching a largemouth bass at Escondido's Dixon Lake on Monday that exceeds the current world record, then finding out it may not be counted because of how it was caught.

A new world record bass would potentially bring millions to the lucky angler in product endorsements, tournament invitations, speaking engagements and publicity.

The existing world record largemouth bass, weighing 22 pounds, 4 ounces, was caught in 1932 in Montgomery Lake, Ga., Weakley's fish could have shattered that record with a weight of 25 pounds, 1 ounce.

Weakley was fishing near the Handicapped Pier at Dixon Lake when he saw the monster bass guarding a spawning hole in about 12 feet of water. He was fishing with buddies Jed Dickerson and Mike Winn. The trio had spent the night at the lake in order to be on the water at dawn, because they had spotted the big fish earlier.

"We were all trying to get her to bite and I saw my lure disappear and felt my rod go vertical, so I set the hook," Weakley said.

When an exhausted Weakley landed his prize, the fish was not hooked in the mouth, but his white Rattlesnake lead head jig was snagged in the fish's side. This may disqualify the bass from being recognized as a new world record.

Weakley photographed the fish, weighed it and then released it back into the lake.

"I wasn't in the photo of the fish because my arms were like jelly after pulling it out," Weakley said.

After examining the bass, Weakley thinks it might be the same fish that Dickerson caught three years ago weighing 21 pounds, 11 ounces. Just shy of the world record, the fish drew international attention and earned Dickerson near-celebrity status in the fishing world.

"The fish has a spot below the right eye just like Jed's fish," he said.

There may be other problems with the fish being certified as a new world record. The bass was only weighed on a digital hand scale and not on a certified scale, and no measurements were taken.

"It was all kind of a blur and I was really worried about not killing the fish, so we took lots of pictures and I really wanted to get it back in the water," Weakley said.

Robert Day of San Diego, a certified International Game Fish Association observer, said there may be problems with the Dixon Lake bass. Day was contacted Monday at the Golden State flycaster's conservation auction.

"It is my understanding that a snagged fish does not qualify, but I have not had time to check the rule books," he said.

Day said the fact that the fish was not weighed on a certified scale and no measurements were taken could also be a factor that would keep the fish out of the record books.

"If I thought I had a world record fish, I would not release it," he said.

If the International Game Fish Association does not recognize the fish as the new world record, it could set off a bass gold rush at Dixon Lake. Fishermen from around the world may come to get a chance at making the record books.

"It's going to be bumper boats up there tomorrow," Dickerson said.

Dixon Lake ranger Jim Dayberry said the news is spreading fast.

"It's going to be psycho around here, that's for sure," Dayberry said.

Spring is an active time for bass fishing as the fish prepare to spawn. Many anglers use a method of fishing known as sight fishing. They slowly cruise the lake's shallow waters and look for big bass sitting on nesting spots.

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23 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Dennis J wrote on Mar 21, 2006 7:53 AM:Yesterday March 20th a world record bass was caught out of Lake Dixon in Escondido. Mac Wheatley, caught it fair and square. Above all else, he released it! Unlike the controversial "World Record" bass caught in 1932. Isn't it about time to legitimately, recognize this catch as a World Record? I hope the IFGA will finally, recognize, based on fact, not 1932 fiction, that this fish is a World Record catch. I am a resident here in Escondido. I have 2 boys that love to fish. Today March 21'st they are predicting, Dixon Lake will now become a zoo of fishing fury. It saddens me to think that someone else now realizes a World Record bass can be targeted and caught just because the IFGA will not recognize this as a record catch. C'mon, let this gentleman be a world-record champ.

Dennis wrote on Mar 21, 2006 7:53 AM:Yesterday March 20th a world record bass was caught out of Lake Dixon in Escondido. Mac Wheatley, caught it fair and square. Above all else, he released it! Unlike the controversial "World Record" bass caught in 1932. Isn't it about time to legitimately, recognize this catch as a World Record? I hope the IFGA will finally, recognize, based on fact, not 1932 fiction, that this fish is a World Record catch. I am a resident here in Escondido. I have 2 boys that love to fish. Today March 21'st they are predicting, Dixon Lake will now become a zoo of fishing fury. It saddens me to think that someone else now realizes a World Record bass can be targeted and caught just because the IFGA will not recognize this as a record catch. C'mon, let this gentleman be a world-record champ. Thanks for letting me vent,

Sam Woodall Jr wrote on Mar 21, 2006 7:55 AM: What a dummy! Why not just say from the beginning that the fish bit the jig? Nobody would know the difference. He should have took it to a certified scale too.

Jason wrote on Mar 21, 2006 9:32 AM:That's a great way to hold a 25lb fish (by the jaw)for a photo. I wonder if it is still swimming.

John wrote on Mar 21, 2006 11:20 AM:To Jason: I can tell you don't fish. People always hold bass by th jaw, and I have never seen them hurt that wya.

Phil wrote on Mar 21, 2006 11:32 AM:He caught the fish and he was honest about how it was done. I think the angling world should just accept the fact that he broke the record fair and square and "hook" him up!

no fisherman..but wrote on Mar 21, 2006 12:38 PM:I agree with Dennis and Phil. Give the guy the credit he deserves! Way to go Mac!!!!!

double take phil wrote on Mar 21, 2006 1:07 PM:I don't know fellow fishermen. A fat bass on a spawning hole that you can see from the pier clear enough to run your bait across it. Yesterday I thought the bass might have chased the bait, but now I deduce it was comatose when a hook snagged it. Even Mac threw it back knowing it wouldn't stand up to a record. Good luck to the next guy who catches it in the mouth. What harm is done? People get away from the TV or desk and take the kids fishing?

Mike wrote on Mar 21, 2006 1:19 PM:How long will people continue to catch potential world record bass, not have them properly documented, and then expect the record to hold up. Know the rules, and live (or die) by them. Great fish - but no record.

julian wrote on Mar 21, 2006 1:26 PM:Jed and Mac are not fools. Every 19 or 20 pounder LOOKS 25 lbs. And they are counting on the IGFA to see it that way too. These guys have all caught huge documented fish before. There is no way that they would catch a bass that eclipsed the world record by almost three pounds (ridiculous)and throw it back so fast. The claim of it being foul hooked just gives them reason to release it uncertified. How convenient. Another world record accidently released because the angler "din't know" it would count. This is getting old. It is easy to weigh a fish on camera with a weighted belly. The only real way to prove the size of that fish is to measure it on film... or even in a photo. But what do you know... they didn't measure it either! These guys fish for the record almost for a living. No doubt, they caught a big bass, and it probably wasn't foul hooked. But if they actually caught a bass THAT big (25 lbs), it would not go back in the water uncertified, I don't care how they caught it. We're looking at another fish story guys. Don't believe it.

Jeremy wrote on Mar 21, 2006 4:46 PM:Oh great an argument over whether a bass should hit the record books has ensued. I only tolerate fishing when people catch the fish because they're in need of food, not for sport. See people don't understand the whole point of fishing was a necessary means of surivial (ie. Indians, nomads) but nowadays we have humans fishing for the mere sport. How would any of you fisherman feel if I hooked you in the mouth and proceeded on suffocating you?

Jeremy wrote on Mar 21, 2006 4:49 PM:Oh great an argument over whether a bass should hit the record books has ensued. I only tolerate fishing when people catch the fish because they're in need of food, not for sport. Unfortunately people don't understand the whole purpose of fishing long ago was a necessary task for survival (ie. Indians, nomads), but nowadays we have humans fishing for the mere sport. How would any of you fisherman feel if I hooked you in the mouth and proceeded on suffocating you?

kari wrote on Mar 23, 2006 12:31 AM:regardless of how it was caught.... if Mac jumped in the lake and caught it with his bare hands... it would still be the largest bass ever caught. So congrats Mac I should have known that you would be the one to catch it.

Steve wrote on Mar 23, 2006 1:27 PM:Mac, Mike and Jed are real PROS. I would have done the same thing, document it and let it go. Hurting that fish was the last thing any of them would want to do. Sadly now some moron will probably catch it, kill it and claim all the fame that will go with it but to real Bass fisherman like me they are heros of the sport and have set a great example for fellow fisherman to follow.

steve o wrote on Mar 23, 2006 6:41 PM:all you haters out there just wish you could fish that good to reel something that big.good job boys. steve o

Joe wrote on Mar 23, 2006 8:49 PM:No fisherman in his right mind would release that fish if it was really that big. Besides that, how well can you rely on a hand held scale? I have one and I don't use it anymore because I don't think it is reliable.

Robert wrote on Mar 25, 2006 8:45 AM:How can you people accuse this man of lying about the size of his fish? Have you ever known a fisherman to lie?

Andy wrote on Apr 13, 2006 10:23 PM:It was a great catch but I am not sure it should get certified because it was not weighed properly or measured. As for the foul hooking I think if he caught it on a rod&reel it should count. I dont doubt they caught it but for a record there should be no question.

Jerry wrote on Apr 20, 2006 3:58 AM:Let him have it as long as he has all the witnesses and especially for his decency to put it back for another day. Catch and release! Everyone should practice it no matter how big it is. Way to go Mac! Have your nerves finally calmed down? Just to have the thing on the line is enough to make you tremble.

maurice legros wrote on Apr 30, 2006 6:45 PM:the fish is definetely HUGE...but without a verifiable scale...measurements.....its just another hawg bass...someone else will catch it and take the accolades if it is indeed a new world record

JoJo wrote on Jun 2, 2006 11:09 PM:These guys did the right thing by putting it back in the water! It is only because we catch and release that there is ever a chance to catch "the big one!"

santa rosa angler wrote on Oct 22, 2007 10:31 PM:dear jeremy... Just try to hook me in the mouth... This is serious bussiness and if you don't have a life that is really not our problem. Save your comments for womens magazines because we are here to fish.

santa rosa angler wrote on Oct 22, 2007 10:36 PM:If the rule book says, "if it is not an intentional foul hook" then I say we crown our king.he let it go? Thank you! You made it easy to plan my vacation this year.

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