Two friends were about to call it a day on their fishing trip moments before the duo broke a state record.
Andrew “A.J.” Klein and Joe Lattis of New Castle were fishing on Saturday on Wagamons Pond. After hours of catching only small fish, the friends were deciding to go elsewhere when Klein made one last cast into the water.
After a brief struggle, Klein reeled in a new state record largemouth bass. The bass weighed in just over 11 pounds and 27 inches long, according to Bill's Sport Shop in Lewes.
“It was an awesome day,” Klein said. “Nothing could dampen our mood.”
Klein released the fish back into the water.
“We encourage catch-and-release fishing in Delaware,” Fisheries Administration John Clark said in a statement. “Not only will this fish be out there for other anglers to enjoy, it should also see another spawning season to pass on its good genes to another generation of largemouth bass and thereby improve our bass stock.”
The previous state record was set in 2012, which was a 10-pound, 10-ounce, 26-inch largemouth bass.
