Florida has a new state record for spotted bass, thanks to angler Joe Durden of Blountstown, who landed the impressive fish during the Fifth Annual Liberty County Bulldog Booster Bass Tournament on the Apalachicola River, Saturday June 28, 2025. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officially certified the record on July 9, after confirming the catch’s weight and species.
New State Record Spotted Bass
Durden’s spotted bass weighed in at 3.93 pounds and measured 18.25 inches long — surpassing the previous Florida state record of 3.75 pounds set in 1985 by Dow Gilmore, also on the Apalachicola River.
“This was the biggest spotted bass I had ever seen on the river,” Durden told the FWC in an interview, who knew immediately the catch was something special. After the tournament, FWC Law Enforcement Officer Wil Raker verified the weight using a certified scale at Jerkins Angus Farm in Bristol.
High-Tech Tools and Experience Pay Off
A seasoned tournament angler, Durden was fishing with a crankbait and using LiveScope sonar technology when he hooked the record-setting bass. After landing the fish, an FWC freshwater fisheries biologist met with Durden to confirm the fish was indeed a spotted bass.
“Catching a state record fish is a tremendous accomplishment for any angler,” said Andy Strickland, fisheries biologist with the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “Particularly a record that’s held the test of time for 40 years.”
The Apalachicola River: A Hotspot for Bass Fishing
The Apalachicola River continues to prove itself as one of Florida’s premier bass fisheries. Not only is it home to the spotted bass, but it also supports strong populations of Florida bass, shoal bass, bream, and catfish. Known for its biodiversity and productivity, the river remains a favorite among freshwater anglers across the state. Durden’s impressive catch is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the bass fishery of the Apalachicola River.
About the Spotted Bass
The spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), often referred to by anglers as “spots,” is a close relative of the more well-known largemouth and smallmouth bass. While they share similar habitats and characteristics, spotted bass are distinguished by several key traits:
- Appearance: Spotted bass typically have dark lateral spots running along their sides and a smaller mouth than the largemouth bass, with the upper jaw not extending past the eye. Unlike largemouths, spotted bass have a rough patch (tooth patch) on their tongue.
- Size: Though smaller than largemouth bass, spotted bass are known for their tenacity and fighting ability. Most spotted bass average between 1 to 3 pounds, making Joe Durden’s 3.93-pound catch exceptional in both size and significance.
- Habitat: Spotted bass prefer flowing waters, such as rivers and streams, with rocky or gravelly bottoms. They are native to the central and southeastern United States and thrive in cooler, clearer waters compared to their largemouth cousins.
- Behavior: These bass are aggressive feeders and respond well to artificial lures like crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics. They often hold close to structure and are known for their schooling behavior.
