Multiple fish weighing over 10 pounds have been caught three times and entered in Toledo Bend Lake Association’s Lunker Bass Program.

Story and photography by Matt Williams

Just call it the big bass that keeps right on biting.

An 11.21 pound largemouth caught in late August on Toledo Bend Reservoir by Henry Boudreoux of Baton Rouge, La., has been caught and released at least two other times over the last 26 months.

Officials with the Toledo Bend Lake Association are certain of the bass’ history because it was wearing a plastic T-bar tag identifying it as the same fish that was entered in TBLA’s Lunker Bass Program by two other anglers in 2023. The tag is clearly visible on the right side of its back, next to the soft rayed dorsal fin.

The popular program solicits anglers to document bass weighing 10 plus pounds on a certified scale at a participating marina prior to releasing it. In exchange, individuals are recognized at an annual banquet and receive a free replica of their trophy fish.

The bass weighed 10.80 pounds when it was weighed, photographed and released in June 2023 at Holley Park Marina by Bernard Fruge and 10.84 pounds when it was caught by Brett Pruitt in October 2023 and re-entered in the program by Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle . Boudreaux checked in the fish on August 1 at Buckeye Landing.

The tag isn’t the only possible identifying mark on the fish.

In each photograph, the bass’ tail is clearly deformed looking. It has a significant chunk missing on the top side of the caudal fin. It remains a mystery as to what caused the disfigurement.

The fish could have been struck by boat propeller and healed naturally, or escaped the jaws of a snapping turtle at a young age. Perhaps it was born that way.

************************************************************************
To read more, click here to SUBSCRIBE