A 76 year old angler large bass story is making waves across Texas this week. Travis McCollough of Abilene landed a 14.35-pound largemouth at Lake Fork Phantom Hill on February 5, 2026.
He hooked the giant while practice fishing for a club tournament, then donated it to the Texas ShareLunker program.
We confirmed every detail with the angler’s own account.
Key Takeaways
- A 76 year old angler caught a potential lake record fish weighing 14.35 pounds.
- He used a Strike King jig and fought the trophy bass catch for 20 minutes.
- The fish became the third Legacy Class entry in the Texas ShareLunker program this season.
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What Are the Catch Stats?
We pulled the core numbers from his report to Outdoor Life.
The details below show exactly how this largemouth bass record came together.
| Detail | Stat |
|---|---|
| Angler | Travis McCollough, age 76 |
| Hometown | Abilene, Texas |
| Weight | 14.35 pounds |
| Length | 25 inches |
| Width | 21 inches |
| Fight time | 20 minutes |
How Did the Day Unfold?
We mapped his timeline so you can follow each step.
He launched at 11:30 am and waited two hours before the strike, per Texas ShareLunker.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:30 am | Launches boat on the 4,200-acre lake |
| ~1:30 pm | Gets the strike in 17 feet of water |
| +20 min | Lands the trophy bass catch boatside |
| Same day | Calls ShareLunker hotline |
| Same day | Donates fish through catch-and-donate program |
What Gear and Conditions Mattered?
If you’ve been following bass fishing, the setup will look familiar.
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Cold water near 45 degrees forced a slow, methodical approach.
- Bait: Strike King ½ oz Green Pumpkin jig
- Trailer: Crawl Worm
- Depth: 17 feet, worked along an 8-foot ledge
- Boat: 21-foot Bass Cat Puma STS
- Water temp: roughly 45 degrees
Our analysis suggests the cold water made the fish strike a slow-moving jig.
How Big Is This Fish, Really?
We compared his catch against notable benchmarks to give it context.
The numbers below frame why this lake record fish drew statewide attention.
| Measure | This Catch | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 14.35 lbs | Potential lake record |
| ShareLunker class | Legacy (13+ lbs) | 3rd in Texas this season |
| Angler age | 76 | Decades of tournament experience |
| Years fishing | 40+ | Self-reported |
The fish qualified for Legacy Class status, reserved for bass weighing 13 pounds or more.
That tier feeds the state’s selective breeding work, as broader fishing coverage from ABC News shows growing public interest in record catches.
What Did the Angler Say?
We gathered his direct words to capture the moment.
His reaction summarizes why this bass fishing tournament practice run turned historic.
| Topic | His Words |
|---|---|
| The hookset | “She just took off like nothing I’d ever hooked before.” |
| The size | “So big she couldn’t even jump.” |
| The landing | “Looked like a big old football.” |
| The feeling | “It was like living in a dream.” |
What Does This Mean for Anglers?
We see one clear lesson from this 76 year old angler large bass story.
Age and patience still produce results on the water.
McCollough fished for over 40 years before landing his biggest bass.
- A catch-and-donate decision supports the Texas ShareLunker program.
- Slow jig presentations work in cold-water conditions.
- A potential lake record can come on an ordinary practice day.
We stand by one takeaway: this catch proves experience pays off.
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You can expect the official lake record confirmation to follow biologist review.