Record-tying striper caught

UNDATED - Fishing on Lake Lanier this holiday weekend? Here's something to shoot for: a striped bass that weighs more than 63 pounds.

A Toccoa man, Terry McConnell, recently caught a striper in Lake Russell that weighed-in at 63 pounds... which ties the record for striped bass caught in Georgia which has stood since for 42 years.

McConnell's catch was 49 ½ inches long and he was using a blueback herring on a baitcast rod, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.

This catch ties the current striped bass state record, which was caught
from the Oconee River in 1967.

"It is always exciting for anyone to reel in a state record as it
reminds us that Georgia is such a fantastic place for anglers because
there are so many fishing opportunities and resources available," said
WRD Fisheries Management Chief John Biagi. "We hope that the
recognition of this new state record will inspire experienced and novice
anglers to get out and fish at any one of Georgia's numerous lakes and
rivers. You might not catch a new state record, but odds are you will
still have a great day of fishing."

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) belong to the temperate bass family.
They have seven or eight heavy and distinct black stripes that run the
length of their body. They can reach weights of up to 80 pounds
(current all tackle world record is 67 lbs. 8 oz., according to the
International Game Fish Association) but most are between 5 and 25
pounds. Division Fisheries Management personnel stocked 1 ½ million
striped bass in Georgia rivers and reservoirs.

Information about state record fish can be found on the WRD website at
www.gofishgeorgia.com or in the Sport Fishing Regulations Guidebook
available at all WRD offices and all license agents.